Akash Network is a decentralized cloud computing marketplace where unused computing resources can be leased and rented. It is open source and is developed and maintained by Overclock Labs, co-founded by Greg Osuri.
Its mainnet launched in 2020 as a sovereign blockchain built with the Cosmos SDK. The project aims to offer an open alternative to centralized cloud providers.
Developers post the CPU, GPU and memory they need, and providers bid on the work in a reverse auction. Anyone can join as a provider without permission, so prices are shaped by competition.
Applications are deployed as containers, and GPU leasing for AI training and inference has become a major share of demand. Settlement and records of deals are handled on the blockchain.
Data provided by CoinGecko
AKT is the native token used for staking to secure the network, governance voting and payment settlement. In March 2026 the network activated Burn-Mint Equilibrium (BME), where paying for compute burns AKT to mint ACT, a dollar-pegged settlement credit.
In November 2026 Governance Proposal 346 passed, approving a plan to leave the Cosmos chain and move to Solana. After audits, AKT is set to launch as an SPL token, with a migration portal for 1:1 conversion of existing tokens.
Commonly cited strengths include its link to real compute demand and its role as an alternative in the AI GPU market. Its permissionless supply side can encourage price competition.
Risks include competition from large cloud providers, uneven provider quality and technical challenges from a major chain migration. Views also differ on whether network usage translates into token value, so careful review is warranted.
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