What Waterfall Network does

Waterfall Network is a Layer 1 blockchain platform built on a Directed Acyclic Graph (BlockDAG) architecture with Proof of Stake consensus and full EVM compatibility, enabling smart contract execution and decentralized application deployment. The core technical stack pairs a BlockDAG network for transaction propagation with a separate coordination network running the Gozalandia consensus protocol and the Salto Collazo BFT-based finality mechanism, a design documented in peer-reviewed IEEE and ACM publications. The platform claims 32,434 TPS achieved on mainnet, with private tests reaching 128,333 TPS sustained and 175,000 TPS peak, and supports low-cost transactions through dynamic block production rate adjustment.

The product portfolio includes the Waterfall mainnet, multiple testnets (Testnet9, Testnet8, RC1), Docker-based and Native Node App deployment tools, a cross-chain bridge to Ethereum and BSC via Wanchain, and WRC-20 / WRC-721 token standards. Waterfall's served audience is two primary segments: developers and dApp builders who use public RPC endpoints, developer documentation, and EVM toolchain integrations (Hardhat, Truffle, Remix) plus six wallet providers, and validators and node operators who stake 32,000 WATER tokens per node to secure the network using consumer-grade hardware (4.0 CPU, 12.0 RAM minimum). Secondary end-users include blockchain users and traders accessing DeFi reference deployments such as Uniswap, Aave, and Curve, and trading WATER on Gate.io.

Waterfall's revenue model is protocol-native rather than enterprise SaaS: near-zero transaction fees flow through validator rewards, the WATER token underpins staking and governance, and the company itself is pre-revenue with no public pricing or disclosed contract values. Distribution is entirely self-service and community-led, with documentation, Discord, Telegram, X, Medium, and YouTube channels, plus Reg S token compliance that excludes U.S. persons. The project is governed by a DAO operating as a Switzerland Association, with core development handled by Blue Wave Inc.

Name

Waterfall Network

Legal name

Waterfall

Website

https://waterfall.network

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Waterfall Network is a Layer 1 blockchain platform using BlockDAG architecture and Proof of Stake with EVM compatibility to support smart contract deployment. It serves developers building decentralized applications and validators who secure the network by staking WATER tokens.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Layer 1 Blockchain Platform

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Smart Contract Developer Platforms & Tooling (SDKs, APIs, frameworks, indexing) (FSAPAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cross-Chain Developer Tooling (messaging SDKs, relayers, interoperability APIs) (FSAPABAF), NFT Commerce, Ticketing & Utility Enablement (token-gated access, memberships, passes, ticketing rails) (FSAPAFAJ), RPC / Node API Infrastructure Providers (FSADAKAD)

Keywords

• Layer 1 blockchain
• Smart contract platform
• Blockchain infrastructure
• Decentralized protocols
• Block explorer

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Validator Staking Rewards: Validators stake 32,000 WATER tokens to operate nodes and earn rewards in WATER coins for block production and validation activities. Rewards are distributed based on validator performance and participation.
2. Transaction Fees: Network generates revenue through transaction fees. Block production rate adjusts dynamically to maintain low transaction fees while ensuring network sustainability.
3. Token Value (WATER): Native token WATER serves multiple purposes within the network including staking, governance participation, and transaction settlement. Token has no guaranteed value outside the network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Waterfall Network is a Layer 1 blockchain platform built on DAG-based BlockDAG technology with Proof of Stake consensus and EVM compatibility. It provides a scalable and decentralized smart contract platform supporting tokens, NFTs, and decentralized applications (dApps), with node operations available through Docker containers or a native desktop application. The platform claims 32,434 TPS on mainnet and offers near-zero transaction fees, public RPC endpoints, and developer tools including integrations with Hardhat, Truffle, and Remix.

Product overview

Waterfall Network is a Layer 1 blockchain platform built on DAG-based BlockDAG technology with Proof of Stake consensus and EVM compatibility. The core product portfolio includes the mainnet blockchain with claimed 32,434 TPS throughput, the WATER native token for staking and fees, Docker-based node deployment, a Native Node App for desktop node management, a cross-chain bridge connecting to Ethereum and BSC, and token standards (WRC-20 and WRC-721). The platform supports multiple test networks (Testnet9, Testnet8, RC1/Testnet7) for pre-deployment testing. Developer tools include integration with Hardhat, Truffle, and Remix for smart contract development, plus a block explorer and faucet for testing. The network has undergone extensive academic research documented in IEEE/ACM publications covering consensus protocols, tokenomics, and scaling solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waterfall Mainnet The primary Layer 1 blockchain network of Waterfall, featuring DAG-based BlockDAG architecture with PoS consensus and EVM compatibility. Supports smart contract execution, validator operations, and token transfers with claimed throughput of 32,434 TPS.
• Native Node App Desktop application for simplified node management. Available for macOS (ARM and Intel), Windows, and Linux (AppImage and DEB formats). Supports mainnet and testnet with features including validator list management, bulk operations, monitoring, and automatic updates.
• Docker Node Deployment Docker-based deployment solution for running Waterfall nodes. Users pull images from private registry (registry.waterfall.network) and run nodes with configurable validator counts. Supports mainnet and testnet deployments with detailed port configurations.
• Cross-Chain Bridge Two-way bridge for transferring assets between Waterfall Network and external blockchains including Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain. Supports WETH, WEETH, WBBNB, and WBNB token transfers. Bridge accessible at wanchain.waterfall.network.
• WATER Token Native cryptocurrency of the Waterfall Protocol. Used for staking (32,000 WATER required per validator), transaction fees, and network governance. Listed on Gate.io exchange.
• WRC-20 Token Standard Waterfall's native token standard for fungible tokens on the network. Documentation provided for token creation alongside ERC-20 compatibility.
• WRC-721 Token Standard Waterfall's native NFT (Non-Fungible Token) standard for creating unique digital assets on the network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 32,434 TPS achieved on mainnet
• +5 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Blue Wave InccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore developer of the Waterfall Protocol. The protocol operates with Blue Wave and its DAO as a Switzerland Association for governance and development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fantom: DAG-based, EVM-compatible L1 with a focus on high performance and low transaction fees. The closest architectural analog to Waterfall's BlockDAG positioning.
• Cardano: PoS L1 with research-driven development, formal verification, and a slow but deliberate ecosystem rollout. Comparable as a research-first L1 pursuing decentralization and security.
• Near Protocol: Sharded, EVM-compatible L1 focused on scalability and low fees with account abstraction. Comparable to Waterfall as a younger L1 emphasizing throughput and developer accessibility.
• Aptos: High-throughput L1 with parallel execution and Move-based smart contracts. Comparable as a newer L1 chasing performance and developer mindshare, though not EVM-compatible.
• Sui: Parallel-execution L1 with Move smart contracts and strong throughput claims. Comparable to Waterfall as a recently launched high-performance L1 competing for ecosystem capital.
• Algorand: PoS L1 with academic roots and emphasis on performance plus decentralization. Comparable to Waterfall's research-driven positioning and IEEE/ACM-validated protocol design.

Broad incumbents

• Solana: High-throughput L1 with parallel execution and a strong DeFi/NFT ecosystem. Competes for the same high-TPS, low-fee dApp workload that Waterfall targets with its BlockDAG design.
• Avalanche: High-throughput EVM-compatible L1 with a subnet architecture and broad validator ecosystem. Comparable to Waterfall as a competing smart contract platform targeting high TPS and EVM developer migration.
• Cosmos (Tendermint / IBC chains): Ecosystem of interoperable app-chains using Tendermint BFT PoS consensus. Comparable to Waterfall in targeting cross-chain interoperability and customizable validator economics.
• Polygon (Polygon PoS): EVM-compatible scaling-focused blockchain with extensive developer tooling and major brand partnerships. Closely comparable to Waterfall's positioning as an EVM-compatible, low-fee chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/waterfall_dag
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@waterfall_network
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waterfallnetwork

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waterfall Network