Launched in September 2020, Avalanche describes itself as an "open, programmable smart contracts platform for decentralized applications." It aims to provide a higher transaction output of up to 4,500 transactions per second, while other blockchains such as Bitcoin claim around 7 TPS in 2023. The Avalanche network is composed of three individual blockchains: the X-Chain, C-Chain, and P-Chain, each serving a distinct purpose, allowing Avalanche to handle a variety of use cases with different consensus mechanisms. Avalanche is compatible with Solidity, the programming language used by the Ethereum network, which means developers from one of the largest and most engaged communities in crypto can build on Avalanche and use it to deploy custom private or public blockchains as "subnets." And just like Ethereum, Avalanche can power a wide variety of applications like stablecoins, DeFi protocols (lending, savings, decentralized trading), and NFTs. Like many other decentralized protocols, Avalanche has its own token called AVAX, which is used to pay transaction fees and can be staked to secure the network. There will only ever be 720 million AVAX coins in circulation.

Avalanche operates through its unique architecture, which consists of three individual blockchains: the X-Chain, C-Chain, and P-Chain. The X-Chain is used to create and exchange the native AVAX tokens and other assets, following a set of standardized rules. The C-Chain hosts smart contracts and decentralized applications with its own Avalanche Virtual Machine, allowing developers to fork EVM-compatible DApps. The P-Chain coordinates network validators, tracks active subnets, and enables the creation of new subnets. This division of tasks allows Avalanche to achieve higher throughput without compromising on decentralization.

Avalanche seeks to provide a platform for a wide range of use cases. Several projects have already integrated with Avalanche, and its modular structure enhances Avalanche's interoperability with other blockchains.

Avalanche was created by Ava Labs, a company founded by Cornell University professor Emin Gün Sirer and computer science PhDs Kevin Sekniqi and Maofan "Ted" Yin. Emin Gün Sirer, known for his contributions to cryptographic research, had previously explored virtual currency design and worked on Ethereum scalability. Ava Labs raised funding from investors such as Polychain and Andreessen Horowitz before launching Avalanche in 2020. Over the years, the AVAX price has evolved dynamically, with its price today reflecting ongoing developments and market demand. At times, the AVAX price has seen notable spikes, reaching an all-time high in November 2021 when its value soared to $147,50. The AVAX price now varies as it responds to market trends, technological progress, and adoption rates.

You can manage AVAX through various cryptocurrency exchanges and digital wallets. Options include using an official Avalanche "Bridge" to trade Ethereum-based tokens for AVAX or accessing AVAX through Coinbase Wallet. These platforms enable users to send, receive, and track AVAX's price today, offering tools to monitor AVAX's live price and historical performance. Whether you're analyzing AVAX’s price or comparing it to its all-time high, exchanges help keep you updated on its worth at any given time.

AVAX rewards can be earned by staking directly on the Avalanche network (note: Coinbase does not currently enable staking directly on its platform), which helps secure, validate, and govern Avalanche while enabling the following features: (1) Fast, peer-to-peer transactions, (2) Decentralized computation and storage, (3) Creation of new "subnet" blockchains. Participants become general network validators by staking their AVAX on the Avalanche Platform Chain (P-Chain). Participants can also delegate their stake to another validator, who then earns a portion of their validator reward. You can also become a validator of specific subnet blockchains by staking AVAX.

Estimating AVAX's price in five years requires an analysis of its blockchain network's growth, adoption of its platform for decentralized finance, and overall crypto market trends. If Avalanche continues to expand its ecosystem and strengthen its role in the crypto community, the AVAX price could see substantial change. However, the future price of AVAX will depend on factors such as market sentiment, adoption rates for digital assets within its network, and global economic conditions.

Determining whether AVAX is a good addition to one’s portfolio depends on individual goals, market trends, and risk tolerance. AVAX powers the Avalanche blockchain, a platform known for its focus on scalability and decentralized applications. Its use as a currency within the network and its role in supporting decentralized finance projects highlight its utility as a digital asset. However, price fluctuations and market sentiment should be carefully evaluated, as investing in crypto assets involves both opportunities and risks. Users should stay informed about its market performance and adoption within the crypto market to make an informed decision.

We update our Avalanche to USD currency in real-time. Get the live price of Avalanche on Coinbase.

The current market cap of Avalanche is $8.81B. A high market cap implies that the asset is highly valued by the market.

The all-time high of Avalanche is $147.50. This all-time high is highest price paid for Avalanche since it was launched.

Over the last 24 hours, the trading volume of Avalanche is $415.65M.

Assets that have a similar market cap to Avalanche include Chainlink, Stellar Lumens, SUI, and many others. To see a full list, see our comparable market cap assets.

The current circulating supply of Avalanche is 422 million.