Avalanche9000 Upgrade Launches on Testnet, Offering $40 Million in Grants, 99% Cheaper Deployments, and 96% Cheaper Gas Fees

Nov 25, 2024, 06:01 PM

The Avalanche blockchain has launched the Avalanche9000 upgrade on its Fuji testnet, introducing significant cost reductions for developers. The upgrade, known as Etna, allows for permissionless Layer 1 (L1) deployments that are 99% cheaper, alongside a 96% reduction in gas fees on the C-Chain. The Avalanche Foundation has also announced a total of $40 million in retroactive grants, part of the Retro9000 initiative, to incentivize innovation on the platform. This major update is expected to enhance interchain communication and is part of a broader technical overhaul scheduled for a full launch in 2025. The upgrade is already generating increased trading activity on Avalanche's Layer 1s and C-Chain, indicating a positive reception from the developer community.