What is Astar Network (ASTR)? A Comprehensive Guide to the Japan-Originated Public Blockchain

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Astar Network (ASTR) has rapidly emerged as a leading Japan-originated public blockchain, gaining significant traction both domestically and internationally. With strategic partnerships with major global tech firms, a unique multi-chain architecture, and strong community-driven governance, Astar is positioning itself at the forefront of Web3 innovation. This article explores the core features, technology, ecosystem, and future vision of Astar Network — a blockchain project designed to empower developers and scale decentralized applications across chains.

Understanding Astar Network

Astar Network is a next-generation, public blockchain developed by Stake Technologies, founded by Sota Watanabe. Although the company is now headquartered in Singapore, its roots are firmly planted in Japan — making Astar one of the most prominent Japanese-origin blockchain initiatives on the global stage.

Originally launched as Plasm Network in May 2020, the project rebranded to Astar Network in June 2021 to reflect its expanded vision and technical maturity. In December 2021, Astar secured a parachain slot on Polkadot — becoming the third project globally to do so — marking its official integration into Polkadot’s interoperable ecosystem.

👉 Discover how Astar Network supports cross-chain innovation and developer growth.

Built for Multi-Chain Interoperability

One of Astar's defining characteristics is its multi-chain design, allowing seamless interaction between different blockchain networks. It supports smart contracts, enabling the development of decentralized applications (dApps), NFTs, DeFi protocols, and more. According to DeFiLlama data, Astar’s Total Value Locked (TVL) briefly surpassed $380 million (approximately ¥57 billion) in April 2022 — a testament to early ecosystem momentum.

The network acts as a bridge between Ethereum and Polkadot, facilitating asset and data transfers across ecosystems. This interoperability makes Astar an essential infrastructure layer in the evolving Web3 landscape.

The Polkadot Connection

To fully grasp Astar’s significance, it’s crucial to understand its relationship with Polkadot (DOT).

Polkadot is a multi-chain network designed to enable interoperability among blockchains through its relay chain architecture. Independent blockchains that connect to Polkadot are called parachains, which benefit from shared security and cross-chain communication.

Astar successfully won a parachain slot on Polkadot in December 2021 via a competitive auction process — locking millions of DOT tokens contributed by its community. This achievement solidified its status as a core component of the Polkadot ecosystem.

Additionally, Stake Technologies also developed Shiden Network (SDN) — Astar’s canary network on Kusama, Polkadot’s experimental "wild cousin." Shiden serves as a testing ground for new features before deployment on Astar, ensuring stability and innovation go hand-in-hand.

Key Features of Astar Network

Astar differentiates itself through three groundbreaking technical innovations: Cross Virtual Machine (X-VM) support, dApp staking, and Layer 2 scalability solutions.

Cross Virtual Machine (X-VM): Bridging Development Ecosystems

Astar supports two major virtual machines:

This dual compatibility means developers can deploy Ethereum-based dApps on Astar with minimal changes — leveraging existing tools like MetaMask and Solidity. But what truly sets Astar apart is its native WASM support.

WASM is a high-performance binary instruction format originally designed for web browsers but now widely adopted in blockchain environments. Unlike EVM, WASM allows developers to write smart contracts in multiple programming languages such as Rust, C++, and TypeScript — opening the door to a broader developer base beyond traditional blockchain coders.

Even more impressively, Astar enables cross-VM communication, allowing EVM and WASM dApps to interact seamlessly within the same ecosystem — a rare capability in today’s fragmented blockchain space.

dApp Staking: Incentivizing Innovation

While many blockchains address scalability and interoperability, few tackle the issue of developer incentives — a gap Astar fills with its innovative dApp Staking mechanism.

Traditionally, developers build dApps without ongoing financial rewards. Astar flips this model: developers can register their dApps and earn regular rewards in ASTR tokens based on user engagement and activity.

Here’s how it works:

This creates a sustainable economy where creators are rewarded not just at launch, but continuously — fostering long-term growth and user loyalty.

👉 Learn how dApp staking drives sustainable innovation on emerging blockchains.

Layer 2 Scalability: Future-Proof Architecture

Scalability remains one of blockchain’s biggest challenges. Astar addresses this by supporting Layer 2 (L2) rollup solutions, which process transactions off the main chain while inheriting Polkadot’s security.

Sota Watanabe has long emphasized that L1 chains will eventually reach capacity limits. By integrating L2 technologies, Astar ensures it can scale efficiently as user demand grows — supporting use cases like DeFi, IoT, gaming, and high-frequency trading without congestion or high fees.

This forward-thinking approach positions Astar as a scalable foundation for next-generation decentralized applications.

Growing Ecosystem and Real-World Adoption

Astar’s ecosystem is already vibrant, hosting a wide range of projects across DeFi, NFTs, wallets, and infrastructure.

Notable dApps include:

Moreover, Astar has secured partnerships with industry giants such as:

These collaborations provide critical infrastructure support and credibility — accelerating adoption among enterprises and developers alike.

Strategic Partnerships Driving Mainstream Integration

Astar has forged high-impact alliances across industries:

These partnerships demonstrate growing institutional confidence in Astar’s technology and vision.

ASTR Token: Utility, Distribution, and Governance

The native token of Astar Network is ASTR, a utility token serving three primary functions:

  1. dApp Staking: Required to participate in the developer reward system.
  2. Transaction Fees: Used to pay for network usage; 20% of fees are burned permanently.
  3. On-chain Governance: Token holders vote on protocol upgrades and treasury allocations.

Tokenomics Overview

This distribution model emphasizes decentralization and community ownership — aligning with Stake Technologies’ long-term goal of transitioning into a fully autonomous DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization).

Sota Watanabe has publicly stated his intention to eventually dissolve Stake Technologies and step down as CEO — handing full control over to the community of ASTR holders.

“In the future, we will turn Astar into a DAO and dissolve our company Stake Technologies. I will resign as CEO and become an open-source contributor.”
— Sota Watanabe, Founder of Astar Network

Exchange Listings and Accessibility

ASTR is listed on major global exchanges including:

In September 2022, ASTR became the first Japanese-originated public blockchain token to be listed on a domestic exchange — bitbank, offering JPY trading pairs.

This milestone marked a turning point for Japanese Web3 adoption — bringing institutional legitimacy and easier access for local investors.

Funding and Community Support

Unlike many projects that raised funds through ICOs, Astar took a different path — prioritizing grants and private investments while maintaining strong community alignment.

Key funding milestones:

These strategic investments highlight confidence from top-tier players in crypto and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Astar Network Japanese-owned?
A: Yes — founded by Japanese entrepreneur Sota Watanabe. While Stake Technologies is now based in Singapore due to regulatory considerations, the project originated in Japan and maintains strong domestic ties.

Q: How does dApp staking work?
A: Developers register their dApp on Astar and earn rewards based on user activity. Users can also stake ASTR on their favorite apps to earn passive income while supporting innovation.

Q: Can I use Ethereum tools on Astar?
A: Absolutely. Thanks to EVM compatibility, you can use MetaMask, Remix, Hardhat, and other Ethereum development tools directly on Astar.

Q: What makes Astar different from other Polkadot parachains?
A: Its dual EVM + WASM support, dApp staking model, L2 readiness, and strong focus on Japanese and Asian market adoption set it apart.

Q: Is ASTR token inflationary?
A: Yes — with up to 10% annual inflation used to fund dApp rewards. However, transaction fee burns help offset supply growth over time.

Q: How can I get involved with Astar?
A: You can stake ASTR, build dApps using its SDKs, join governance votes, or participate in hackathons hosted by the ecosystem partners.

👉 Start exploring decentralized application opportunities on scalable blockchains today.