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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): General Questions

Answers to some of the most common, general questions about æternity.

More FAQ resources:

If you have more questions, please add them in the Forum. The text was updated on 21.06.2018.

What is æternity?

In very simple terms, æternity is a new blockchain platform, but it is also a vision for the future. This vision is being realized by a global community of believers, convinced in the disruptive potential of scalable, public blockchain technology. It is a movement that aims to propose decentralized, trustless alternatives to the existing governance, economic and financial intermediaries.

From a technological point of view, æternity is a public, open-source, blockchain-based distributed computing and digital-asset platform that builds upon decentralized cryptographic P2P technology. The platform is open to anyone, anywhere in the world to use.

For more detailed information, visit the GitHub page.

Here are some community-generated resources:

What can the AE token be used for?

AE are the access tokens to the æternity blockchain and act as a unit of account for the resources spent on æternity. AE tokens are the energy (or “crypto-fuel”) used to power any application implemented on the platform. Every action (and even inaction) on the æternity platform costs something, even if only fractions of cents.

AE tokens are the fuel for the new types of trustless apps (or æpps) that will be enabled by æternity. For more information regarding applications, visit the æpps website or visit the æpps FAQ.

Upon Mainnet launch, the AE token will formally evolve from an ERC20 token on the Ethereum network, to the cryptocurrency of æternity. Any user owning ERC20 AE tokens, will be able to swap them for AE cryptocurrency. A step-by-step guide on how to do the swap will be shared as soon as it is ready.

What are some of the more interesting applications that can be created on æternity?

æternity enables a high transaction throughput. Broadly speaking, any type of application that requires high transactional speed will run smoothly on æternity. Here are some of the use cases:

Nano and micro payments

Supply Chain Management

Information markets

Multiplayer video games where the rules are enforced by the blockchain. Poker, chess, Go, first person shooter games.

Toll API

Insured crowdfunding

Cross-chain atomic swaps

Assets and portfolio replication

Contracts for powering crowdsales to finance projects in the public interest and create a sustainable economy

Everything else that we (and You) haven’t thought of yet

How to get involved?

We are constantly on the lookout for new talent. Meaningful contributions to æternity’s GitHub or any other type of support are appreciated and will be rewarded. If you are an applications developer, go to dev.aepps.com. If you are interested in joining the project, please send an email to [email protected] mentioning your competencies and experience.

What are the community terms and conditions?

æternity communication channels are friendly virtual spaces where everyone can express their opinion and receive information about the æternity platform. We have established simple rules to best facilitate creativity and innovation within the community, which we highly recommend you to read.

Where can I meet the team in person?

The æternity team frequently participates in events within the blockchain, fintech, and technology spaces. You can see æternity’s list of past and future events. We keep it updated.

Where is æternity’s main project board at GitHub?

æternity’s main project board is here.

Where can I read past æternity newsletter updates?

You can find all of our newsletters here, including the latest one. The January and February 2018 edition is here.

What initiatives would you like to see from the community’s side?

The æternity community has been incredibly supportive so far and the team is very appreciative. Resharing information about æternity in different channels is always welcome (when it is on topic), as well as creating valuable educational content such as blog posts, video guides or info-graphics.

From the developer side, any comments and suggestions in GitHub are more than welcome. Contributions to the æternity repository will be highly valued too! Also, if you have any æpps ideas please let us know in the æpps-dedicated category in the Forum.

Community members can also join æternity’s Æmbassador program and start organizing local æternity-focused meetups. We also encourage members to speak about æternity during blockchain-related events. If you are interested check out this blog post (including a link to the registration form). If you have any questions about the Æmbassador program, you can share them in the dedicated Forum category.

What is the legal status of æternity?

æternity is registered in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. The æternity team is in close and direct contact with legal experts and regulators in order to remain up-to-date with any regulatory developments. Here is the address of the Aeternity Establishment:

Dr. Grass Str. 12, FL-9490 Vaduz

[email protected]

PEID / Steuernummer: 2528358

Vat-Nr.: 60351

Can I still claim the æternity-branded Ledger Nano S?

The æternity-branded Ledger Nano S was available to the first 1000 users who contributed more than 11.9 ETH (or BTC equivalent) in a single transaction during Phase 1 only. The deadline for claiming the device was August 21, 2017.

If you have more questions, please add them in the Forum.