Last Updated: March 2026
Aptos (APT) is a Layer 1 blockchain built by former Meta (Facebook) engineers using the Move programming language. Alongside Sui, Aptos represents the next generation of blockchains that emerged from Meta’s abandoned Diem project.
History and Founders
Founded by Mo Shaikh (CEO) and Avery Ching (CTO), both former Meta engineers who worked on the Diem blockchain. Aptos Labs raised $350M+ from a16z, Jump Crypto, and other top VCs before launching mainnet in October 2022. The project inherited years of research and engineering from Meta’s blockchain efforts.
How Aptos Works
Aptos uses the Move programming language (developed at Meta) for safer smart contracts — Move prevents common vulnerabilities like reentrancy attacks by design. The Block-STM parallel execution engine processes transactions simultaneously rather than sequentially, enabling high throughput (160,000+ TPS theoretical). Uses a variant of BFT consensus. See smart contract guide.
Tokenomics
Supply: 1.1B APT initial. Staking: ~7% APY. Inflation: Starts at 7%, decreasing to 3.25% over time. See tokenomics guide and staking guide.
Ecosystem
- DeFi: Thala, Liquidswap, Aries Markets. See DeFi guide
- Microsoft partnership: Exploring AI + blockchain integrations
- Gaming and NFTs: Growing gaming focus with Move-based assets
Pros and Cons
- Pro: Move language prevents common smart contract bugs
- Pro: Parallel execution for high throughput
- Pro: Strong VC backing and ex-Meta engineering
- Con: Heavy VC token allocation (early investor sell pressure)
- Con: Competes with Sui (same Move language, similar origin). See Sui guide
- Con: Smaller ecosystem than Ethereum/Solana
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aptos better than Sui?
Both use Move language. Different architectures. Neither has clearly won yet.
Is APT a good investment?
Strong tech and VC backing but heavy token vesting creates sell pressure.
How is Aptos different from Solana?
Aptos uses Move for safer smart contracts vs Solana’s Rust. Different architectures and ecosystems.
