Aptos

Aptos is an open-source layer-1 blockchain that uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism to validate transactions. It is developed by Aptos Labs, which comprises former developers of Meta’s discontinued blockchain network–Diem. The platform’s mainnet was launched in October 2022, and Aptos Labs claims that the blockchain can execute around 130,000 transactions per second using its parallel execution engine-Block STM. In addition, the platform provides tools such as SDKs, CLIs, and APIs for developers to create dApps on its blockchain.

Key customers and partnerships

The company has partnered with Google Cloud as an infrastructure provider for its ecosystem, with the latter also launching a validator node in November 2022 with data indexing features to help developers using the blockchain. In addition, the two companies had conducted an accelerator program to support Web3 startups and builders on its network. The latest collaboration between the companies was in March 2024, to launch Aptos GameStack, a Web3 game development platform that incorporates Google Cloud’s solutions such as data, analytics, and AI/machine learning.

Moreover, Aptos partnered with Microsoft to utilizes Azure OpenAI Service to launch Aptos Assistant, which seeks to address any complexities or challenges that users might encounter when onboarding to the Aptos blockchain, and to aid developers to build smart contracts and dApps on the blockchain by directing them toward relevant and accessible resources.

Aptos also partnered with MoonPay to integrate the latter’s fiat on-ramp feature to its native wallet Petra. This allows users to buy APT (the network’s native token) using any major payment method, including Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay. In addition, it collaborated with gaming studio Npixel to bring blockchain games to its platform and will host the latter’s Web3 gaming universe, Metapixel.

Funding and financials

In July 2022, Aptos Labs raised USD 150 million in a Series A funding round co-led by FTX Ventures and Jump Crypto to support the development of the blockchain. Following this round, the company’s valuation is estimated to have doubled from its previous valuation of USD 1 billion achieved in March 2022.