Avalanche

Avalanche is a blockchain network comprising the Primary Network and independent Avalanche L1s. Mainnet launched in September 2020; the September 16 announcement scheduled launch for September 21. Ava Labs develops core software, while the Avalanche Foundation supports the public network and ecosystem. The organizations are distinct from the network itself.⁠[1][2]

On February 23, 2024, Ava Labs released AvalancheGo v1.11.1, titled “Durango.1 - Disable Push Re-Gossip.” The release suspended transaction re-push gossip in the peer-to-peer SDK and strongly encouraged node upgrades.⁠[3]

Etna took effect on December 16, 2024, incorporating ACP-77 and other proposals. L1 validators no longer had to validate the entire Primary Network and lock 2,000 AVAX; instead, they synchronize the P-Chain and pay continuous validation fees. Primary Network staking requirements remain separate. The upgrade also reduced the C-Chain minimum base fee from 25 nAVAX to 1 nAVAX.⁠[4][5]

Helicon activated on Mainnet on September 22, 2026, in AvalancheGo v1.15.0. It separated transaction consensus from execution, introduced a validator-adjustable fee floor and enabled automatically renewing staking. Minimum validator commitments fell from two weeks to 48 hours, and reward-qualifying uptime rose from 80% to 90%. Lower rewards for short commitments were phased in over 90 days, while year-long commitment parameters remained unchanged. Automatic renewal applies only to Primary Network validators, not L1 validators or delegated stakes. Missing the uptime requirement ends the position and forfeits that cycle’s rewards, without slashing principal. Existing stakes finish under their original terms and uptime threshold.⁠[6]

On November 9, 2026, Ava Labs announced that Avalanche would provide core ledger technology for the clearing firm supporting an upcoming NYSENew York Stock ExchangeThe New York Stock Exchange is a securities exchange on Wall Street in New York City. It traces its origins to the Buttonwood Agreement signed by 24 stockbrokers in 1792, has used its present name since 1863 and has been owned by Intercontinental Exchange since 2013.Open the full entry-affiliated tokenized-securities platform. The planned digital-asset alternative trading system and clearing arrangements remained subject to regulatory approval. The design allowed issuance across multiple chains, with Avalanche technology supporting the settlement ledger.⁠[7]

Avalanche’s Primary Network comprises the C-Chain, P-Chain and X-Chain. The EVM-compatible C-Chain runs Solidity smart contracts; the P-Chain handles validators, staking and Avalanche L1 operations; the X-Chain supports creation and exchange of Avalanche Native Tokens. Primary Network validators must stake at least 2,000 AVAX.⁠[8]

AVAX is Avalanche’s native token, used for Primary Network transaction fees, staking and accounting. Genesis created 360 million tokens, with a protocol supply cap of 720 million. Additional tokens are minted as validator rewards, while transaction fees are burned. Issuance and burning occur concurrently, so fee burning does not mean supply declines in every period.⁠[9]

Avalanche L1s define their own validator membership, token economics, access controls and execution parameters. C-Chain gas uses AVAX, while independent L1s can choose their gas tokens and fee rules. ValidatorManager contracts support permissioned proof-of-authority or proof-of-stake using an L1’s own token. Interchain Messaging and Interchain Token Transfer use Avalanche Warp Messaging for cross-chain communication and assets.⁠[10]

The official Avalanche website is https://www.avalanche.com/ (opens in a new window). Its footer links to X (https://x.com/avax (opens in a new window)), LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry (https://www.linkedin.com/company/avalancheavax/ (opens in a new window)) and YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry (https://www.youtube.com/Avalancheavax (opens in a new window)).⁠[1]