Avail (AVAIL)

Data Availability

Avail provides a scalable data availability layer that allows blockchain rollups and app-specific chains to publish and access data efficiently. This helps reduce costs and congestion on networks like Ethereum by moving data off-chain while ensuring it remains accessible and secure.

Interoperability

Avail enables seamless communication and asset transfers between different blockchain ecosystems. Its Avail Nexus layer unifies rollups and chains, making it easier for users and developers to interact across multiple blockchains.

Network Security

Through Avail Fusion, holders of major crypto assets like BTC and ETH can stake their tokens to secure the Avail network. This shared security model strengthens the network’s protection using multiple assets.

Developer Use Cases

Developers can build high-throughput applications such as social media (SocialFi), gaming (GameFi), and decentralized finance (DeFi) on Avail’s modular blockchain base layer. It supports lightweight clients that run efficiently on mobile devices and laptops.

Ecosystem Support

Avail’s infrastructure supports modular blockchains by providing unlimited blockspace, fast transaction finality, and trust-minimized data availability. This foundation helps scale Web3 applications and unlocks new possibilities for decentralized apps.

Pros of Avail

• Modular Blockchain Design: Avail provides a shared security and data availability layer that supports multiple blockchains, rollups, and dApps, making it easier for developers to build scalable and connected applications.
• Cross-Ecosystem Support: It connects with major blockchain ecosystems like Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, Cosmos, and others, enabling seamless interoperability and access to users and liquidity across networks.
• Cost Efficiency: Transactions on Avail are reported to be about 90% cheaper than on Ethereum, with faster transaction verification times (~15x faster).
• Security: Uses advanced cryptographic techniques like KZG polynomial commitments and data availability sampling to ensure data integrity and network security.
• Developer Friendly: Simplifies blockchain integration by removing the need to manage validator sets or tokenomics, supporting zero-knowledge and fraud-proof applications.
• Strong Backing and Vision: Raised significant funding ($75 million+) and led by experienced blockchain professionals, aiming to unify Web3 ecosystems with a three-phase roadmap (Avail DA, Nexus, Fusion).

Cons of Avail

• Market Performance: AVAIL token has experienced price volatility and underperformance compared to some other smart contract platforms recently.
• Complexity for New Users: The modular and technical nature of Avail’s architecture might be challenging for beginners to fully understand.
• Ecosystem Maturity: As a relatively new project spun out in 2023, the ecosystem and adoption are still growing, which may limit immediate use cases or liquidity.
• Competition: Faces competition from other data availability and modular blockchain projects like Celestia, EigenLayer, and Ethereum’s proto-danksharding solutions.

Overall, Avail offers a powerful and innovative infrastructure layer aimed at improving blockchain scalability and interoperability, with strong technical features and developer support balanced by typical early-stage ecosystem challenges.

Founders of Avail

• Anurag Arjun: Co-founder of Avail, previously involved with Polygon Labs. He has a background in decentralized systems and blockchain technology.
• Prabal Banerjee: Co-founder with expertise in cryptographic protocols and blockchain research, also formerly part of Polygon Labs.

These two co-founders started Avail in 2020 as a modular blockchain project spun out from Polygon.

Investors in Avail

Avail has raised $75 million in funding. Key investors include:

• Founders Fund
• Dragonfly Capital
• Cyber Fund
• SevenX Ventures
• Nomad Capital
• Figment Capital
• Various angel investors

These investors support Avail's mission to build a modular blockchain base layer focused on data availability, interoperability, and security.

Halal Status of Avail

• No definitive public ruling found: There is no specific, widely recognized Islamic finance or Shariah compliance certification or fatwa publicly available for Avail.
• General principle: Cryptocurrencies can be considered halal if the project and its use comply with Islamic finance principles, such as avoiding interest (riba), excessive uncertainty (gharar), and prohibited activities.
• Recommendation: Since Avail is a blockchain infrastructure project without explicit halal certification, its halal status depends on individual interpretation and further scholarly review.

Short answer: No clear yes or no can be given based on available public information. It requires personal or expert Islamic finance consultation.