Astar, formerly known as Plasm, is a unique cryptocurrency that aims to revolutionize the world of decentralized applications (dApps). It is a multi-chain smart contract platform on Polkadot, designed to help developers build dApps and layer 2 solutions with ease. Astar provides a bridge between the Polkadot ecosystem and other layer 1 blockchains like Ethereum and Cosmos.
The Astar Network was brought to life in 2019 by Sota Watanabe, a recognized figure in the blockchain industry. Watanabe, who has been featured in Forbes30 Under 30 Asia in 2022, has a rich history in the tech industry, including a stint as a marketing specialist at Chronicled. The project is backed by Binance Labs and Coinbase Ventures and is developed by Stake Technologies, a company based in Singapore and operating from Japan.
Astar's native token, ASTR, serves multiple purposes within the network. It is used to pay transaction fees, participate in platform governance, and stake tokens for consensus and rewards. The total supply of ASTR tokens is 7 billion, with a circulating supply of approximately 4.5 billion as of April 2023.
Interested in joining the Astar community? You can purchase ASTR tokens on several platforms, including Binance, KuCoin, Kraken, Gate.io, OKX, Huobi, Crypto.com Exchange, and many others. Always ensure to use a reputable platform when purchasing cryptocurrencies.
Astar is not just another cryptocurrency; it's a tool for innovation. Developers use Astar to build dApps and layer 2 solutions, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the blockchain world. Additionally, ASTR tokens can be used for transactions within the network, participating in platform governance, and staking for rewards.
Astar continues to make strides in the crypto world. The project recently launched as a multi-chain smart contract platform on Polkadot, marking a significant milestone in its development. Astar also introduced features like operator trading and multi-lockdrop, enhancing its functionality and appeal to developers. Stay tuned for more updates as Astar continues to evolve and grow.
Astar has been actively fostering innovation in the Web3 space. In collaboration with Sony Network Communications, Astar has been running a Web3 Incubation Program, selecting promising projects that aim to revolutionize various industries within the Web3 ecosystem. In addition, Astar hosted a Web3 hackathon sponsored by Toyota Motor Corporation, focusing on the development of decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) tooling.
On the technical front, Astar has made significant strides. Astar.js, a TypeScript library, has been developed to provide a simple interface for building decentralized applications (dApps) on the Astar network. Astar has also announced a strategic collaboration with StellaSwap, launching cross-chain assets. Furthermore, Astar has integrated with Injective, a leading DeFi hub in the Cosmos ecosystem, enabling direct asset bridging between the two networks.
Astar is making its mark in the NFT space. Kyushu Railway Company announced plans to issue NFTs on the Astar network, bringing real-world utility to NFTs in Japan. Paras, an NFT marketplace, has expanded to Astar, launching the first Wasm NFTs. Astar's NFT ecosystem is nascent but growing, with collections living on both EVM and Substrate-native NFT.
Astar has been actively engaging with its community, hosting webinars and providing resources like the AI assistant, Astari, to keep users informed. The Astar team is continuously building and entering new partnerships to grow the Astar ecosystem. With its focus on fostering innovation, technological advancements, and community engagement, Astar is poised to play a significant role in the future of Web3.