# What is Avalanche? **What is Avalanche?** Avalanche is a new kind of blockchain network that's great for fast, decentralized apps (dApps) and launching new independent networks called L1s. **Key Features of Avalanche:** * **Custom L1s:** These are blockchains built on top of Avalanche or use components of the Avalanche Stack like Snowman Consensus. This lets developers make any kind of specialized dApp or chain with their own rules. Check out how in the docs. * **Interoperability:** Developers can easily move their dApps and digital assets to Avalanche from other networks. Avalanche has a Warp messaging primitive with teleporter built on top for full, native interoperability that is not possible anywhere else. * **Fast and Affordable:** It's built for speedy, low-cost transactions, perfect for today's digital world. AVAX leads the industry in settlement/finality times. Cryptocurrency exposure is optional. * **Government, Institutional, and Enterprise Friendly:** Avalanche plays will play a pivotal role in both traditional and decentralized finance (DeFi). It is the only network that allows for full customization, with siloed compliance, that does not sacrifice interoperability. Evergreen Subnets are built for this. * **Mainstream Ready:** It's a go-to platform for gaming and enterprise applications, thanks to its flexibility and efficiency. The flexibility of Avalanche with makes it a no-brainer for games and enterprises to support millions of players and build their own L1s. AvaCloud makes this easy. It's unique because of its Avalanche consensus which balances speed and security. What makes Avalanche really stand out the ability for the entire network to be customizable and simultaneously interoperable. This previously wasn't possible in Web3 without the use of bridges (bridges are the leading culprit of hacks). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.learnavax.com/build-on-avalanche/what-is-avalanche.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.