Axelar network is excited to announce that registration has begun to participate in the incentivized testnet! Participants can now register to join the testnet and once accepted will have the opportunity to work through a series of activities and exercises to help strengthen the network.

With blockchain on the verge of mass adoption, and as the technology continues to attract new use cases from DeFi to asset tokenization, the solutions Axelar network provides are now more relevant than ever. By allowing heterogenous blockchain ecosystems to communicate, and allowing their users to transact with each other from their wallets, Axelar network connects autonomous blockchains and allows for scaled interoperability between platforms. In order to achieve this and ensure a robust platform, we need your help!

So how will the Axelar network’s testnet work?

Initially, Axelar network will run a closed testnet that will be invite only, with participants chosen from the signup forms. As new, updated iterations of the testnet are introduced, new exercises will be added for participants to work through as new features are added.

Participants will be given a series of tasks with different exercises to complete, all varying in their degrees of complexity and difficulty. The incentives awarded to eligible participants will be scaled appropriately according to the complexity of the exercise, with more exercises to come.

The genesis supply of the Axelar network at the launch will be 1B Axelar Tokens. Subject to potential modification by the Axelar Foundation, currently it is estimated that up to 3% of the genesis supply will go towards the testnets participants and early partners. The token rewards from the incentivized testnet will be distributed to eligible participants in the future at the mainet launch.

Testnet participants will be accepted on a rolling basis, with new users added incrementally as we scale the technology and the team.

Every interested participant must fill in one of these two forms, based on their country of residence to be added to the waitlist:

Registration for US/Canada-based participants

Registration for non US/Canada-based participants

Once accepted, participants will be given access to several private testnet channels, where the full set of onboarding instructions will be provided. These channels are also where testnet participants will provide feedback and submit updates on their progress on the exercises.

Please note that while chosen testnet participants will have the opportunity to begin working through the exercises immediately, token allocation based on your services to the community will be contingent upon and subject to your successful completion of all relevant verification and other compliance procedures at a later date. If you are deemed to be ineligible as a result of these checks, you will not receive any token rewards for your services.

For any signup related or general testnet questions, please join our Axelar Developer Discord and post in the #testnet-signup-qa channel.

Q & A

Why should I participate?

As more and more autonomous blockchain platforms emerge, there currently exists no unified approach for developers to communicate with the wider ecosystem. However, Axelar network’s universal tools and API addresses this by offering cross-chain communication across the entire blockchain space, allowing developers to build on the best platforms for their needs and leverage a simple protocol suite and API to access global cross-chain liquidity, users, and data.

We invite you to join Axelar’s global community and contribute to this vision of scaled, seamless, cross-chain communication between blockchain platforms. By participating in the testnet, you’ll be helping to secure and scale the core pipes of the blockchain ecosystem.

What are the technical requirements to participate?

You should have prior knowledge of Docker, terminal, and GitHub workflows, with experience troubleshooting in a test environment. The exercises vary in their complexity, so prior involvement running a node or participating in a testnet is a plus.

How will I know if I have been accepted into the testnet?

Once selected, a member of the Axelar team will reach out via the email provided in the form to instruct you on next steps and getting started. All communication will come from an official Axelar account.

Where can I learn more about the testnet?

To stay up to date with new announcements and project updates, join our Developer Discord as well as our Community Telegram Channel and Announcements Channel. News on the Axelar network testnet will be announced across all social channels, so be sure to follow us to never miss an update!

Who is eligible to receive tokens in the testnet?

For participants outside of the US/Canada, you will need to complete a KYC/AML check, verify your citizenship and residency, as well as any other verifications and checks deemed necessary by the Axelar Foundation to comply with applicable laws in order to be eligible to receive tokens for your involvement. These forms and checks will be available at a later date prior to network launch. The token rewards from the incentivized testnet will be distributed to eligible participants in the future at the mainet launch.

For participants within the US/Canada, you must be an accredited investor and be able to prove your accreditation status, as well as pass a KYC/AML check, and any other verifications and checks deemed necessary by the Axelar foundation to comply with applicable laws in order to be eligible to receive tokens for your involvement. These forms and checks will be available at a later date prior to network launch. The token rewards from the incentivized testnet will be distributed to eligible participants in the future at the mainet launch.

Axelar Network opens registration for its incentivized testnet was originally published in Axelar on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.