Avalanche9000 Testnet Launch Unlocks $40M in Builder Rewards

Avalanche9000 Testnet Launch Unlocks $40M in Builder Rewards
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Avalanche Network Launches Major Upgrade: Avalanche9000

The Avalanche network is undergoing its largest upgrade since the platform’s mainnet launch, with a game-changing $40 million in rewards set to be unlocked for the community. This major update, known as Avalanche9000, promises significant improvements to the network, including reduced deployment costs, enhanced interoperability, and substantial rewards for developers.

Avalanche9000 Goes Live on Fuji Testnet

As announced on November 25, Avalanche9000 is now live on the Fuji testnet, with the mainnet launch expected in the upcoming months. This upgrade introduces various technical improvements and community-driven proposals, including:

  • A 99.9% reduction in deployment costs
  • Enhanced interchain communication
  • Over $40 million in retroactive rewards for developers

Key Features of the Avalanche9000 Upgrade

The Avalanche9000 upgrade builds on the technical changes from the Etna Upgrade and community proposals ACP-77 and ACP-125. One of the most notable updates is the rebranding of Avalanche’s subnets, now referred to as “Layer 1s.” Here are the key features:

  • Subnets are now called Layer 1 networks (L1s), but their operation remains largely the same, offering horizontal scaling instead of compounding dependencies on custom blockchains.
  • L1 networks can operate as either permissionless or permissioned networks, providing flexibility in validator participation and reward distribution.
  • The upgrade eliminates the need for subnet validators to stake 2,000 AVAX tokens and sync with the Avalanche Primary Network. Instead, they will now pay a continuous fee based on the number of validators.

Improved Validator Management and Cost Savings

One of the most impactful changes brought by Avalanche9000 is the modification of how validator sets are managed. The responsibility for managing validators will no longer rest with the centralized Avalanche P-Chain but will shift to individual L1s. This shift will be handled through a new ValidatorManager smart contract, allowing L1 networks to manage their validators independently and set their own rules and incentives.

  • Validator management will now be decentralized, providing L1 networks with more autonomy and flexibility.
  • Subnets seeking to eliminate the staking requirement for validators will need to transition from a P-Chain Owner Key to a ValidatorManager smart contract.

Over 500 Layer 1 Networks in Development

With the new Avalanche9000 upgrade, more than 500 Layer 1 networks are already being developed on both the testnet and mainnet. These networks are expected to offer a range of solutions across various sectors, including:

  • Gaming
  • Payment solutions
  • Institutional research

Looking Ahead: Interoperability and Developer Support

Avalanche9000 is designed to improve interoperability and reduce barriers for developers. The upgrade’s features aim to make it easier for developers to create innovative solutions on the Avalanche network, potentially driving further growth in its ecosystem.

According to data from DefiLlama, Avalanche’s total value locked (TVL) currently stands at $1.4 billion, which is nearly 10% of its all-time high of $11.1 billion, recorded in November 2021. With Avalanche9000, the network hopes to attract more developers and users, reviving its growth potential.