What Is Aptos? The APT Blockchain Explained
Aptos is a layer-1 blockchain whose APT token pays fees and secures the network. Its mainnet launched in October 2022, and apps run in the Move language.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- Move treats each digital asset as its own kind of data.
- People use Aptos for DeFi apps, NFTs, games, and transfers.
- Former Meta Diem engineers created Aptos, and mainnet launched in October 2022.
- Staking lockups can keep APT tokens bonded for a set period.
- In the US, regulatory treatment of APT is fact-specific and can change.
Aptos is a layer-1 network, not a layer 2 on Ethereum and not the Diem project. It has its own validators and rules.
How does Aptos work?
Developers write Aptos apps in Move. Move is a language built for digital assets, and it treats each asset as its own kind of data. The network also uses parallel execution. It finds transactions that touch different data and processes them at the same time.
What is Aptos used for?
Aptos hosts apps that run on smart contracts. Developers build DeFi apps, NFT marketplaces, and games. Users also send tokens between wallets at low cost.
- DeFi apps for lending, borrowing, and trading.
- NFT marketplaces for digital collectibles.
- Games that use tokens for items.
- Low-cost transfers between wallets.
What risks and legal issues?
Smart contracts can have bugs even in Move, and a flaw in one app can put its funds at risk. Staking APT can lock tokens for a set period, so you may not be able to move them when you want. In the US, how regulators treat APT depends on facts and can change with new rules or enforcement.
Who created Aptos and how does it differ?
Former Meta engineers who worked on the Diem stablecoin project created Aptos. The mainnet launched in October 2022.
Frequently asked questions
The Aptos Foundation is a nonprofit that supports the network. It funds development, grants, and community programs.
Usually you need Move to write a smart contract on Aptos. Some tools let you launch simple apps from templates.
Both came from former Meta Diem engineers. Aptos runs one chain with parallel execution, while Sui tracks each asset as its own object.
Use a wallet that supports APT. A hardware wallet keeps your keys offline, and you store the recovery phrase somewhere private.
