Akash Network is an open-source decentralized Cloud Marketplace for Cloud computing based on Cosmos SDK.Akash Network's native token (AKT), is used as a default mechanism to store and exchange value, govern and secure the blockchain while incentivizing its participants through rewards.
Akash Network is a developer-centric platform founded by Greg Osuri and Adam Bozanich, who optimized for its users. Greg has helped launch multiple developer companies including Firebase which was acquired by Google in 2014, as well as AngelHack, the world’s largest developer ecosystem.
Akash Network’s Whitepaper Version 1 was released in December 2017, and development started in January of 2018. Version 2 of the Whitepaper was released in March 2018, and in August 2018 Version 3 of the Whitepaper was released followed by a mainnet launched on September 25, 2020. Akash Network launched mainnet 2 on March 8, 2021, on the Cosmos SDK. Main features of the mainnet 2 include, a decentralized cloud compute marketplace, flexible bid pricing, Inter-blockchain communication (IBC) compatibility, deployment tools, and audited attributes.
Akash Networks seeks to democratize access to the power of cloud computing and reduce the power of the incumbents, few centralized companies, known as the Big Five, control cloud computing which has led to censorship. Akash Network solves this problem since the Akash sources are not owned by a single company or individual, but rather come from a distributed network of cloud computing data centers all over the world. Since its mainnet 2 launch, Akash has seen 400x in deployments on its platform.
