Astar Network Development: Japan's Gateway to Web3 with Multi-VM Innovation

Why Astar? Japan's Enterprise Blockchain with Multi-VM Architecture

Astar Network has positioned itself as Japan's blockchain of choice, backed by major corporations including Sony, Toyota, NTT Docomo, and SoftBank. As Polkadot's leading smart contract parachain, Astar combines the security of Polkadot's shared consensus with innovative features designed for both Web3 natives and traditional enterprises entering blockchain. This East-meets-West positioning makes Astar unique—deep roots in Japan's corporate world while maintaining global crypto community engagement.

The technical architecture is genuinely innovative. Astar is the only production blockchain supporting both EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) and WebAssembly (Wasm) smart contracts on the same network. Developers can deploy Solidity contracts for Ethereum compatibility or use Rust/ink! for Wasm's superior performance and flexibility. This dual-VM approach future-proofs applications—start with familiar EVM tools, migrate to Wasm when needed, or use both simultaneously.

What makes Astar exceptional is its Build2Earn (dApp staking) mechanism. Unlike other chains where developers compete for grants, Astar allows token holders to stake on applications they support, generating rewards for both stakers and developers. This creates sustainable developer funding without central committees deciding winners—the community directly supports valuable projects through economic incentives.

• Japanese enterprise partnerships: Sony, Toyota, NTT Docomo, SoftBank backing—unmatched access to Japan's blockchain ecosystem.
• Dual-VM innovation: Both EVM (Solidity) and Wasm (Rust/ink!) on same network—unique multi-VM architecture.
• Build2Earn funding: dApp staking provides sustainable developer revenue without grant committees.
• Polkadot ecosystem: XCM cross-chain messaging with 50+ parachains, shared Polkadot security.

What We Build on Astar

Astar Development Process

1. Phase 1 - Polkadot Strategy & Market Positioning: Determine EVM vs Wasm vs hybrid approach, identify XCM integration opportunities with other parachains (Acala, Moonbeam, Phala), plan Japanese market positioning if targeting enterprises, and establish dApp staking community engagement strategy.
2. Phase 2 - Smart Contract Development: Build EVM contracts using Hardhat/Foundry (Solidity) or Wasm contracts using ink! (Rust), implement dual wallet support (MetaMask for EVM, Polkadot.js/SubWallet for native), and design unified account experience with EVM+.
3. Phase 3 - Cross-Chain Integration: Implement XCM for cross-parachain messaging and asset transfers, integrate with Polkadot DeFi ecosystem (Acala stablecoins, Moonbeam bridges), build multi-parachain data queries, and optimize for Astar's position as Polkadot DeFi hub.
4. Phase 4 - Launch & Community: Prepare dApp staking listing materials, build community for staking support, implement Japanese localization if targeting Japan market, coordinate with Astar enterprise partnerships if applicable, and deploy with proper monitoring.

Astar Development Timeline: Cross-Chain DeFi Aggregator

Astar-Specific Development Patterns

Here's what makes Astar development unique with Polkadot integration and dual-VM support:

// Support both EVM and Substrate wallets on Astar
import { useConnect, useAccount } from 'wagmi';
import { useExtension } from '@polkadot/extension-dapp';
import { useState } from 'react';

const DualWalletConnect = () => {
  const { connect, connectors } = useConnect(); // EVM wallets
  const { extensions, connectPolkadot } = useExtension(); // Substrate wallets
  const [walletType, setWalletType] = useState<'evm' | 'substrate'>();

  // EVM connection (MetaMask)
  const metaMask = connectors.find((c) => c.name === 'MetaMask');

  // Substrate wallets (Polkadot.js, SubWallet, Talisman)
  const polkadotWallets = extensions.filter((ext) =>
    ['polkadot-js', 'subwallet-js', 'talisman'].includes(ext.name)
  );

  return (
    <div>
      <h3>Connect Wallet</h3>

      {/* EVM Wallets (familiar to Ethereum users) */}
      <div>
        <h4>EVM Wallets</h4>
        {metaMask && (
          <button
            onClick={() => {
              connect({ connector: metaMask });
              setWalletType('evm');
            }}
          >
            MetaMask (EVM)
          </button>
        )}
      </div>

      {/* Substrate Wallets (native Polkadot ecosystem) */}
      <div>
        <h4>Polkadot Wallets</h4>
        {polkadotWallets.map((wallet) => (
          <button
            key={wallet.name}
            onClick={() => {
              connectPolkadot(wallet);
              setWalletType('substrate');
            }}
          >
            {wallet.name} (Substrate)
          </button>
        ))}
      </div>

      {/* Show appropriate UI based on wallet type */}
      {walletType === 'evm' && <EvmInterface />}
      {walletType === 'substrate' && <SubstrateInterface />}
    </div>
  );
};

// Unified Accounts (EVM+) helps bridge these two worlds
// Single address works for both EVM and Substrate contracts

// Transfer assets between Astar and other parachains via XCM
import { ApiPromise, WsProvider } from '@polkadot/api';

const xcmTransfer = async (
  amount: string,
  destinationParachain: number,
  recipientAddress: string
) => {
  // Connect to Astar
  const provider = new WsProvider('wss://astar.api.onfinality.io/public-ws');
  const api = await ApiPromise.create({ provider });

  // XCM message to transfer assets to another parachain
  const destination = {
    V3: {
      parents: 1, // Go up to relay chain
      interior: {
        X2: [
          { Parachain: destinationParachain }, // Target parachain (e.g., Acala)
          {
            AccountId32: {
              network: null,
              id: recipientAddress,
            },
          },
        ],
      },
    },
  };

  const asset = {
    V3: [
      {
        id: {
          Concrete: {
            parents: 0,
            interior: 'Here', // Native ASTR token
          },
        },
        fun: {
          Fungible: amount,
        },
      },
    ],
  };

  // Execute XCM transfer
  const tx = api.tx.polkadotXcm.limitedReserveTransferAssets(
    destination,
    { V3: recipientAddress },
    asset,
    0, // Fee asset index
    'Unlimited' // Weight limit
  );

  await tx.signAndSend(signer);

  console.log('XCM transfer initiated to parachain', destinationParachain);
};

// Example: Transfer ASTR from Astar to Acala
xcmTransfer('1000000000000000000', 2000, acalaAddress);

// XCM enables native cross-chain communication
// Access liquidity and features across Polkadot ecosystem

// ink! smart contract in Rust for Astar Wasm
#![cfg_attr(not(feature = "std"), no_std)]

use ink_lang as ink;

#[ink::contract]
mod defi_vault {
    use ink_storage::{
        traits::SpreadAllocate,
        Mapping,
    };

    #[ink(storage)]
    #[derive(SpreadAllocate)]
    pub struct DefiVault {
        /// Total staked by each user
        stakes: Mapping<AccountId, Balance>,
        /// Total staked in vault
        total_staked: Balance,
        /// Reward rate (basis points per block)
        reward_rate: u128,
    }

    impl DefiVault {
        #[ink(constructor)]
        pub fn new(reward_rate: u128) -> Self {
            ink_lang::utils::initialize_contract(|contract: &mut Self| {
                contract.reward_rate = reward_rate;
                contract.total_staked = 0;
            })
        }

        /// Stake tokens in vault
        #[ink(message, payable)]
        pub fn stake(&mut self) {
            let caller = self.env().caller();
            let amount = self.env().transferred_value();

            let current_stake = self.stakes.get(&caller).unwrap_or(0);
            self.stakes.insert(&caller, &(current_stake + amount));
            self.total_staked += amount;

            self.env().emit_event(Staked {
                user: caller,
                amount,
            });
        }

        /// Calculate pending rewards
        #[ink(message)]
        pub fn pending_rewards(&self, user: AccountId) -> Balance {
            let stake = self.stakes.get(&user).unwrap_or(0);
            // Simplified: (stake * reward_rate * blocks)
            stake * self.reward_rate / 10000
        }

        /// Withdraw stake and rewards
        #[ink(message)]
        pub fn withdraw(&mut self) {
            let caller = self.env().caller();
            let stake = self.stakes.get(&caller).unwrap_or(0);
            assert!(stake > 0, "No stake to withdraw");

            let rewards = self.pending_rewards(caller);
            let total = stake + rewards;

            self.stakes.remove(&caller);
            self.total_staked -= stake;

            self.env().transfer(caller, total).unwrap();

            self.env().emit_event(Withdrawn {
                user: caller,
                amount: total,
            });
        }
    }

    #[ink(event)]
    pub struct Staked {
        user: AccountId,
        amount: Balance,
    }

    #[ink(event)]
    pub struct Withdrawn {
        user: AccountId,
        amount: Balance,
    }
}

// ink! provides:
// - Rust's safety and performance
// - Better type system than Solidity
// - Formal verification capabilities
// - Smaller bytecode than EVM

These patterns leverage Astar's unique features: dual EVM+Wasm VMs, XCM cross-chain messaging with Polkadot ecosystem, dApp staking for sustainable funding, and Japanese enterprise positioning. Build for Astar's differentiation.

Who Should Build on Astar

Frequently Asked Questions