Avail Network is set to launch the second phase of its Kate testnet, months after spinning-out from layer-2 scaling protocol Polygon, developers shared with journalists. This second phase will include a more thorough testing environment to encourage validator participation. Validators are entities that utilize their personal computing resources to help validate network transactions and maintain security, typically in return for token rewards.
On the testnet, users can acquire AVL testnet tokens to test staking and nomination functions, create modular blockchain applications or chains that publish data to Avail, and join the testnet as validators or light clients, allowing them to verify data availability. Avail also intends to address data availability problems faced by scaling applications, its developers say. This is a complex problem faced by blockchain developers: How are nodes sure about when a new block is produced? Avail uses advanced mathematical techniques to assess blockchain data provided by node operators to determine the authenticity of data, without needing to rely on all node operators to verify the data, its developers claim.
As such, Avail plans to onboard hundreds of new validators to join, participate, and engage with its community. As the testnet progresses, the project aims to significantly increase its operational capacity to handle larger numbers of validators. The Kate testnet is expected to run through the third quarter of this year.