ArcBlock is a platform and an ecosystem for building and deploying decentralized blockchain applications. The platform goes beyond providing the necessary foundational components for using blockchain to power complex business rules. It connects your existing system to blockchain networks, enabling you to automate business processes using the data and identities associated with existing systems.
ArcBlock (ticker ABT) is a platform and ecosystem designed to make building decentralized applications easier for developers. Think of it as a toolkit that handles the heavy lifting of blockchain development, so teams can focus on their product rather than the underlying infrastructure. The ABT token powers this ecosystem, serving as payment for services and as a stake in the network's components.
ArcBlock is not just another cryptocurrency — it's a development platform for decentralized applications (dApps). Its key differentiator is the Open Chain Access Protocol, which lets developers build apps that aren't locked into a single blockchain. This means an application can work across multiple chains and adapt as technology evolves, instead of being tied to one network's fate.
At the core of ArcBlock are Blocklets — modular components that provide ready-made building blocks for identity, wallets, smart contracts, and more. The platform runs on ABT Nodes, which are cloud-based development environments that let teams deploy decentralized apps without managing complex infrastructure. This architecture abstracts away blockchain complexity while keeping the benefits of decentralization.
ABT has a fixed total supply of 186 million tokens, so no new coins are minted beyond that cap. The token was originally issued as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, which makes it easy to track and verify through the smart contract at 0xb98d4c97425d9908e66e53a6fdf673acca0be986. A fixed supply means scarcity is built into the design from the start.
Since ABT is an ERC-20 token, it works with any Ethereum-compatible wallet — popular options include MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and hardware wallets like Ledger. You'll need a small amount of ETH in the same wallet to cover transaction fees when moving tokens. Within the ArcBlock ecosystem, ABT is used to pay for platform services, run ABT Nodes, and access various developer tools.