Astar Network launches Cross-Virtual Machine (XVM) public testnet

The multichain smart contract platform Astar Network (ASTR/USD), has launched its Cross-Virtual Machine (XVM) functionality on the public testnet Shibuya. XVM is intended to allow for seamless Interoperability between different smart contract environments including Ethereum Virtual Machine and WebAssembly (WASM)

With XVM, smart contracts will now work seamlessly on Astar Network regardless of the language they are built in or the smart contract environment they use.

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About the XVM functionality

Cross-Virtual Machine (XVM) is a custom pallet and set of interfaces that enable smart contracts in one virtual machine to communicate with smart contracts in other virtual machines as if they are in the same environment.

The XVM public testnet will make bi-directional calls between WASM and EVM smart contracts and it is the first major product in line with Astar Network’s 2023 roadmap.

Developers will now be able to build cross-chain projects while tapping into the user bases and assets across multiple smart contract environments rather than having to only use one. This specifically opens a way for EVM users to also tap into WASM, which is gaining popularity among developers since it can be used with different programming languages including C/C++, RUST, TypeScript, and GO.

Commenting about the public testnet launch, the Chief Technology Officer at Astar Network, Hoon Kim, said:

“We’ve been working hard to create the foundation of the future, regardless of outside influences that are happening now. And today, I am proud to introduce one of our most important features to achieve the Astar Vision; the Cross-Virtual Machine (XVM). It will be the start of the next wave of innovation for dApps. Astar will not only have interoperability through XCM (Cross-chain Messaging) with other parachains but also have interoperability between different smart contract environments.”