This week, Astar Network, Polkadot’s largest smart contract and app hub, will release a feature that equips developers with a set of tools for deploying smart contracts across several blockchains. The platform will launch on the Astar Network mainnet on April 6 with support for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and WebAssembly Virtual Machine (WASM VM).
What does the update mean?
The mission of Astar Network is to create a central platform for Web3 developers and Web2 app integration. A new update will enable WASM and EVM projects within the Astar network, paving the way for the development of new multichain applications. Additionally, it will allow users to integrate their Astar project into Polkadot and EVM-based ecosystems.
The Astar Network team claims that a “key success factor” in a new kind of layer-1 blockchain is the ability to run two virtual machines in parallel and for them to communicate with one another. This is understandable, especially in a world where more users are looking to leverage benefits across different blockchains. The Astar Network platform currently works with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which will provide smart contract development support for the WASM ecosystem.
For real multi-chain development, all Astar applications will be cross-consensus compatible. According to the project’s creators, the Ethereum network may have sparked the Web3 revolution with smart contracts, but it is insufficient to create the blockchain of the future on its own.
Cross-compatibility between Astar Network and other top blockchains like Polygon and BSC already exists. However, the most adaptable instrument for making the transition from Web2 to Web3 is the WASM smart contracts that will be released on April 6. As part of the launch festivities, the Astar team hosted a panel discussion featuring its officials and several Polkadot developers to talk about their experiences with and plans for WASM.