Akash Network Decentralized Cloud
Decentralized cloud marketplace where independent providers bid to run Docker containers and GPU workloads.
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Akash Network key facts
| Category | Decentralized compute |
|---|---|
| Chains | Akash Network (own Cosmos SDK chain, IBC-enabled) |
| Platforms | Web, CLI, API |
| Free plan | Trial: $1 in free credits, no card, 30 days; 24-hour limit per deployment |
| Token | AKT (staking, governance, gas); ACT is a USD-pegged compute credit |
| Open source | Apache 2.0 |
| US availability | Available: terms restrict only sanctioned jurisdictions |
AKT token
- Price
- $0.6245 +2.1% 24h
- Market cap
- $187.2M
- Fully diluted value
- $187.2M
- 30-day change
- -18.8%
Market data: CoinGecko, updated Nov 10, 2026. Educational content, not financial advice.
What is Akash Network?
Akash Network is a decentralized cloud computing marketplace: you describe resources in a YAML file, independent providers bid, and your container runs under a lease. Its docs claim up to 85% lower cost than traditional clouds and list providers in 85+ countries. AKT is used for staking, governance and gas; deployments are funded with ACT, a USD-pegged compute credit.
How Akash Network works
A deployment starts as an SDL file, a YAML format close to Docker Compose, listing CPU, memory, storage and GPU.
Creating it posts an order on the Akash blockchain, and providers whose software can meet the spec bid automatically, usually within 30 to 120 seconds. Each bid carries a price in uact per block, a location and attributes such as persistent storage, dedicated IP or a specific GPU model. You accept one bid, a lease is created on-chain, and you send the manifest straight to the provider over HTTPS, not through the chain.
While the lease runs, your escrow account pays the provider, which receives ACT at settlement. If escrow runs out, the lease moves to insufficient_funds, containers stop, and you need a new deployment to restart. Some providers carry an audited attribute, and the signedBy field in your SDL can limit bids to them.
How to start with Akash Network
- The quickest route is Akash Console: sign in with Google, GitHub or an emailed 6-digit code, and you get $1 in trial credits with no card.
- Onboarding offers starter templates, including a Hello World Next.js app estimated at about $0.25 a month, or you can enter your own Docker image, click Request quotes and pick a provider by region, uptime and price.
- Trial credits are CPU-only, so GPU deployments need a card or crypto funding first.
- For self-custody, use Console Air or the Akash CLI with a Keplr wallet.
- No KYC is required, and you fund deployments with ACT, minted by burning AKT, while keeping some AKT for gas.
- Console Air is self-hostable and has no time limit on deployments.
- Before minting, the CLI docs suggest checking the burn-mint status with akash query bme status, since minting stops while the circuit breaker is active.
Akash Network fees and limits
- The docs' example of 10,000 uact per block works out to 6 ACT an hour, with ACT pegged near $1.
- Console onboarding notes the same small spec can range from about $1.50 to $27 a month depending on provider and region.
There is no rate card: you pay the winning bid, quoted per block. Dedicated IPs and persistent storage are billed on top. On the self-custody path, every transaction, including lease updates, also costs AKT gas.
Risks to know before using Akash Network
- Providers are independent operators, and the docs advise checking uptime history and Discord feedback and avoiding brand-new providers or suspiciously low bids.
- If a provider does not answer in Discord within 24 hours, the guidance is to close the lease and redeploy elsewhere.
- Trial deployments stop after 24 hours each.
- Minting ACT halts while the burn-mint circuit breaker is active, and during chain outages Console switches to read-only, so new deployments cannot start, although running ones continue.
Akash Network usage
From DefiLlama (fees users paid), updated Nov 10, 2026.
Akash Network alternatives
Other projects people compare with Akash Network.
Decentralized cloud network of user-run FluxNodes that host Docker apps, WordPress and other workloads.
Peer-to-peer compute marketplace where requestors rent CPU and GPU time from providers and pay in GLM.
Distributed GPU rendering network that connects artists who need render power with GPU owners, built on OTOY software.
Where Akash Network ranks on DappAtlas
Listed next to Akash Network
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Akash Network pros and cons
- Trial with $1 in credits, no card required, for 30 days
- Runs anything packaged as a Docker container, including GPU workloads
- Node software is open source under Apache 2.0
- Trial deployments stop after 24 hours each
- Permissionless use requires a Keplr wallet and funding with ACT or AKT
- Prices are set by provider bids, so there is no fixed rate card
Akash Network FAQ
What is Akash Network?
Akash Network is a decentralized cloud computing marketplace: you describe resources in a YAML file, independent providers bid, and your container runs under a lease. Its docs claim up to 85% lower cost than traditional clouds and list providers in 85+ countries. AKT is used for staking, governance and gas; deployments are funded with ACT, a USD-pegged compute credit.
Which chains does Akash Network support?
Akash Network (own Cosmos SDK chain, IBC-enabled).
How much do users pay Akash Network in fees?
$216,721 over the last 30 days, according to DefiLlama on Nov 10, 2026.
Does Akash Network have a token?
Yes, AKT. Its market cap was $187.2M on CoinGecko on Nov 10, 2026. Educational content, not financial advice.
Is Akash Network available in the US?
Available: terms restrict only sanctioned jurisdictions, according to Akash Network’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026).
Sources
How this page works
Sources: Akash Network: official site, Akash: What is Akash Network?, Akash: GitHub akash-network/node. Data as of Sep 26, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.