Astar

Astar Network helps developers build decentralized applications ([dApps](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/decentralized-applications-dapps)) and [layer 2](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/layer-2) solutions by providing interoperable [web 3.0](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/web-3-0) infrastructure, financial incentives, incubation programmes and technical support. It seeks to provide the best solution for all developers by supporting EVM and making a parachain where EVM and WASM smart contracts can co-exist and communicate with each other. Astar connects the [Polkadot](https://www.coinlive.com/coin/polkadot-new) ecosystem with [layer 1 blockchains](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/layer-1-blockchain) like [Ethereum](https://www.coinlive.com/coin/ethereum) and [Cosmos](https://www.coinlive.com/coin/cosmos). It's a Polkadot Parachain, and was designed as a multi-chain Polkadot dApp hub with support for [DeFi](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/defi), [NFTs](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/non-fungible-token), [DAOs](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/decentralized-autonomous-organizations-dao), where developers can move beyond infrastructure and focus more on application development. The project, which is backed by Binance Labs and Coinbase Ventures, operates on two layers: the first layer is built on the [Substrate](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/substrate) framework, and the second is built using OVM or Optimistic Virtual Machine, for scalability.