Avalanche operates as a layer one blockchain designed to serve as a decentralized application (
DApp) platform and support customized blockchain networks. Positioned as a competitor to
Ethereum, Avalanche aims to surpass it as the leading blockchain for
smart contracts. This ambition is driven by its capability to achieve a higher transaction throughput, reaching up to 6,500 transactions per second, without compromising scalability.
The unique architecture of Avalanche is integral to this achievement. The network comprises three distinct blockchains: X-Chain, C-Chain, and P-Chain, each serving a specific purpose. This approach diverges significantly from the
Bitcoin and Ethereum models, where all nodes validate every transaction. Additionally, Avalanche blockchains employ different consensus mechanisms tailored to their specific use cases.
Since its mainnet launch in 2020, Avalanche has actively cultivated its ecosystem of decentralized applications (DApps) and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. Notably, various Ethereum-based initiatives, including SushiSwap and
TrueUSD, have integrated with Avalanche. The platform consistently strives to enhance interoperability between its ecosystem and Ethereum, evident in ongoing efforts such as the development of bridges.