Avalanche (AVAX)
Layer 1 smart-contract platform
Avalanche is a proof-of-stake blockchain platform launched in September 2020. Its C-Chain runs Ethereum-compatible apps with fast finality, and AVAX has a maximum supply of 720 million.
Profile last verified 23 September 2026. Live figures from CoinGecko. Not investment advice.
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What is Avalanche?
Avalanche was built by Ava Labs, founded by Emin Gün Sirer. It uses the Avalanche (Snow) family of consensus protocols, where validators repeatedly sample each other to agree within about a second or two.
Projects can launch their own chains (“Avalanche L1s”, formerly subnets). Transaction fees on the main network are burned.
Key facts
| Ticker | AVAX |
|---|---|
| Type | Layer 1 smart-contract platform |
| Launched | September 2020 |
| Consensus | Proof of stake (Avalanche/Snow consensus) |
| Supply | Maximum 720 million AVAX; fees are burned. |
| Official site | www.avax.network |
What AVAX is used for
- DeFi on the C-Chain
- Custom chains for games and institutions
- Staking AVAX
Main risks
- Competition from many other Ethereum-compatible chains
- Token unlocks and staking rewards add supply
- Bridge and app hacks, as on any smart-contract chain
Related guides
Avalanche: frequently asked questions
- Is Avalanche compatible with Ethereum wallets?
- Yes. The C-Chain works with Ethereum wallets such as MetaMask once the network is added.
- What is the AVAX maximum supply?
- 720 million AVAX. Because fees are burned, the supply may never reach that number.
- How fast are Avalanche transactions?
- Transactions on the C-Chain typically become final in about one to two seconds.