---
title: Althea
description: Detailed information about Althea
sidebar_position: 5
---

# Althea Network  

## Overview  

Althea Network is a decentralized infrastructure platform built on the Cosmos SDK, designed to revolutionize the telecom and utilities sectors by enabling decentralized, community-owned networks. By leveraging blockchain technology, Althea empowers individuals and organizations to build, fund, and operate infrastructure such as broadband networks, IoT devices, and more. The platform aims to democratize access to essential infrastructure, making it more affordable, transparent, and accessible for communities worldwide.  

## Key Features  
- **Currency:** $ALTHEA (native token).  
- **Buying Currency:** $ALTHEA is available on decentralized exchanges and can be swapped for $USDC on the DePIN DEX integrated into the Althea L1 blockchain.  
- **Utility:**  
  - **Payments:** $ALTHEA is used for microtransactions in machine-to-machine (M2M) payments, enabling automated settlements for services like bandwidth and IoT connectivity.  
  - **Staking:** Stake $ALTHEA to secure the network, earn rewards, and participate in governance.  
  - **Governance:** $ALTHEA holders can vote on protocol upgrades and ecosystem decisions, ensuring community-driven development.  
- **Automation:**  
  - Smart contracts automate billing, payments, and resource allocation, ensuring efficiency and transparency.  
  - Dynamic pricing models allow for flexible and fair pricing based on demand and usage.  
- **API:** Yes. Althea integrates with EVM-compatible smart contracts, enabling developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) for infrastructure management.  
- **User Perspective:**  
  - **Developers:** Build decentralized applications for telecom and utilities, leveraging Althea’s modular and interoperable blockchain.  
  - **Providers:** Monetize infrastructure assets like broadband networks and IoT devices by participating in the Althea ecosystem.  

## How It Works  
1. **Resource Tokenization:**  
   - Real-world infrastructure assets, such as fiber cables and cell towers, are tokenized and fractionalized, enabling new funding and ownership models.  
2. **Task Allocation:**  
   - Users and devices interact with the network, and the platform facilitates automated payments and resource allocation through smart contracts.  
3. **Execution & Payment:**  
   - Transactions are settled on the Althea L1 blockchain, with payments in $ALTHEA or stablecoins like $USDC. Validators ensure network security and transaction finality.  

## Staking  
- **Staking Requirements:**  
  - Validators and delegators must stake $ALTHEA to participate in network consensus and governance. The staking amount influences voting power and rewards.  
- **Rewards:**  
  - **Block Rewards:** Distributed to stakers based on their contribution to network security and participation.  
  - **Slashing:** Malicious actors risk losing staked $ALTHEA, ensuring network integrity.  

## Documentation  
For technical guides, tokenomics, and API integration:  
- [Althea Docs](https://docs.althea.net)  

## Additional Resources  
- **Official Links:**  
  - [Website](https://althea.net) | [GitHub](https://github.com/althea-net) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/AltheaNetwork)  
- **Community:**  
  - [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/hHx7HxcycF)  
- **Partnerships:**  
  - Collaborations with Hawk Networks and other telecom providers enhance the platform’s reach and functionality.  

## Ecosystem Components  
| Product       | Functionality                                                                 |  
| - |-|  
| **DePIN DEX**  | A decentralized exchange for trading tokenized infrastructure assets and services. |  
| **Liquid Infrastructure** | A platform for tokenizing and fractionalizing real-world infrastructure assets. |  
| **Althea Explorer** | Analytics tool tracking network activity, staking rewards, and resource utilization. |  

## Tokenomics  
- **Total Supply:** 20.66M (as of 2024).  
- **Inflation Rate:** 5% (proposed for staking rewards).  
- **Distribution:**  
  - Staking rewards, network fees, and community incentives drive token distribution.  

## FAQ  

1. **Is it usable by the average DePIN user?**  
   Yes, Althea Network is designed to be user-friendly, with plug-and-play open-source wallets and firmware, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical users.  

2. **Can I pay with tokens to use the DePIN product offered by the project?**  
   Yes, $ALTHEA and stablecoins like $USDC are used for payments within the Althea ecosystem, enabling seamless transactions for services like bandwidth and IoT connectivity.  

3. **Can tokens be automatically switched from other standard tokens (e.g., ETH, BTC)?**  
   While $ALTHEA is the native token, users can swap it for other tokens like $USDC on the DePIN DEX. Automatic token switching is not natively supported but can be done through external exchanges.  

4. **If I would provide the service, what is my ROI, do we need to stake, etc.?**  
   Providers can earn revenue by offering infrastructure services, with rewards distributed based on staking and network participation. Staking $ALTHEA is required for validators, and ROI depends on resource utilization and market demand.  

5. **Why does the project exist, why do the people and the planet need it?**  
   Althea Network exists to democratize infrastructure ownership, reducing costs and increasing accessibility for underserved communities. It promotes sustainability by enabling decentralized, community-driven solutions for telecom and utilities.  

6. **Is it geo-aware?**  
   Althea’s decentralized nature allows for global deployment, with localized solutions tailored to specific regions, ensuring flexibility and compliance with local regulations.  

7. **Is it cost-effective?**  
   Althea Network is highly cost-effective, offering infrastructure solutions at a fraction of the cost of traditional providers, with dynamic pricing models ensuring competitive rates.