Astar Network is a multichain smart contract platform designed to bridge the Polkadot and Ethereum ecosystems. It supports both Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and WebAssembly (Wasm) environments, enabling developers to build interoperable decentralized applications (dApps). Astar’s unique Cross-Virtual Machine (XVM) facilitates seamless interaction between EVM and Wasm smart contracts. The platform incentivizes developers through its Build2Earn program and allows users to stake ASTR tokens to support dApps via dApp staking. Astar also integrates with Soneium, an Ethereum Layer 2 solution developed by Sony, to enhance scalability and foster Web3 adoption in Japan and beyond.