Avalanche has successfully launched its largest-ever network upgrade, known as Avalanche9000 or the Etna Upgrade. This significant update introduces key technical improvements designed to enhance scalability, reduce operational costs, and attract more developers to build customized blockchains, or subnets, within the ecosystem.
The upgrade went live on the mainnet following months of testing and preparation. It includes seven distinct improvement proposals, with two standout changes—ACP-77 and ACP-125—expected to substantially improve both developer and user experience.
What Is the Avalanche9000 Upgrade?
The Avalanche9000 upgrade represents a major milestone for the Avalanche network. It focuses on lowering barriers to entry for developers and node operators while improving the efficiency and affordability of on-chain transactions.
By implementing these upgrades, Avalanche aims to strengthen its position as a leading layer-1 blockchain and expand its ecosystem through broader adoption and innovation.
Key Improvements in the Upgrade
Reduced Validator Costs with ACP-77
ACP-77 introduces a new category of validators that are more affordable to operate. This change allows more users to launch and maintain their own subnets—customizable, application-specific blockchains built on Avalanche.
Lower operational costs encourage a wider range of participants to join the network as validators, promoting decentralization and supporting the growth of specialized subnets for various use cases.
Lower Transaction Fees via ACP-125
Another major enhancement, ACP-125, reduces the base fee on Avalanche’s C-chain—the network responsible for executing smart contracts. The fee has been lowered from 25 nAVAX to just 1 nAVAX.
This reduction makes computing and transacting on the C-chain significantly cheaper, improving accessibility for developers and end-users conducting transactions or deploying dApps.
Impact on the Avalanche Ecosystem
The Avalanche9000 upgrade is expected to have a broad positive impact across the network:
- Developer Adoption: Simplified and cheaper subnet creation encourages more projects to build on Avalanche.
- User Experience: Lower transaction fees make the platform more cost-effective for everyday use.
- Network Security: Increased validator participation enhances decentralization and security.
These improvements align with Avalanche’s goal to support scalable, high-performance blockchain solutions tailored to diverse user needs.
Recent Funding Support
In preparation for this upgrade, the Avalanche Foundation raised $250 million in a token sale. This funding round was led by prominent investment firms including Galaxy Digital, Dragonfly, and ParaFi Capital.
The capital is intended to support ecosystem growth, fund future development, and accelerate the adoption of Avalanche-based technologies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Avalanche9000 upgrade?
The Avalanche9000 (Etna Upgrade) is the largest technical update in Avalanche’s history. It includes multiple proposals aimed at reducing transaction costs and simplifying the process of launching subnets.
How does ACP-77 benefit validators?
ACP-77 introduces a new type of validator that is cheaper to operate, enabling more users to run nodes and create custom blockchains without high upfront costs.
What changes does ACP-125 introduce?
ACP-125 significantly reduces the base fee for transactions on Avalanche’s C-chain, lowering the cost of executing smart contracts and sending transactions.
Why did Avalanche raise $250 million ahead of the upgrade?
The fundraising effort, led by major investors, provides financial support for ongoing development, subnet expansion, and broader ecosystem growth initiatives.
What are subnets on Avalanche?
Subnets are customizable blockchains built within the Avalanche ecosystem. They allow developers to create application-specific networks with their own rules and tokens.
Will the upgrade affect AVAX token holders?
While the upgrade focuses on technical improvements, lower fees and increased adoption could positively influence network activity and token utility.
The Avalanche9000 upgrade marks a transformative step for the network, emphasizing affordability, scalability, and user-friendly innovation. By reducing costs and expanding capabilities, Avalanche continues to position itself as a competitive and developer-friendly platform in the blockchain space.