Astar Network is an independent parachain in the Polkadot ecosystem. It benefits from Polkadot’s security features while introducing multi-chain smart contracts.
Astar Network is Japan's leading smart contract platform, according to their whitepaper. It supports both Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and WebAssembly (Wasm) environments, allowing collaboration between different technologies and languages familiar to developers. Like every parachain part of the Polkadot ecosystem, Astar enjoys shared security with the Polkadot network while still being able to operate independently. It also introduces multi-chain smart contracts that combine the strengths of EVM and Wasm Virtual Machines.
Recognizing the need for developer incentives, Astar introduces a Build2Earn system that encourages developers to not only build but also maintain decentralized applications (DApps) by offering incentives. Also, users can earn rewards for supporting their favorite projects.
Astar Network’s native token is the Astar token (ASTR).
Astar’s role as a blockchain pioneer in Japan can clearly be seen through their many ventures such as:
Astar offers its users several functionalities. Try them all here. Decide which to use by choosing them on the left part of your screen.
The “Assets” page shows the total amount of assets you have on your connected wallet. Here you can view each specific asset you have, send and receive funds, import tokens, bridge your assets, and view more details about them on Blockscout.
The Astar “Dashboard” gives you an overview about the state of the network. It contains metrics such as Total Value Locked (TVL), block time, token price, token supply and total holders, and collators. You can also check which networks are currently working and which are restricted.
The “dAPP Staking” tab lets you browse various dApps under different categories such as DeFi, NFTs, Utility, and Tooling dApps. You can also stake your $ASTR here and claim your rewards. Furthermore, you can also view on-chain data such as Staking TVL, Transactions, and Unique Active Wallets.
Astar’s “Bridge” feature allows you to move your assets cross-chain. Choose between the Ethereum Bridge, Astar Bridge, and Celer Bridge to move to different blockchain accordingly. Once you choose a bridge, you can select the token to transfer, choose your source and destination chains, and then review the transaction details before bridging.
The “Ecosystem” section lets you discover various projects building on Astar, such as various DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and DAOs. They are sorted into different categories and you can click on them to go to their official links and learn more.
Use the “Forum” to engage with the Astar Community. Discuss the future of the Astar Network, dApps, and various topics with other users and developers. These topics are categorized on the side of your screen. You can also seek help with network issues you may be experiencing and stay informed on the latest news.
