Akash is a decentralized and open-source cloud computing platform. The network connects server owners that need computing power to host applications with cloud computing resources through the Akash Marketplace, where users can buy and sell computing resources.

The Akash Marketplace runs on Akash, a Tendermint-based blockchain built using the Cosmos SDK. Akash relies on a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism. The network is secured by a group of validators responsible for producing blocks and processing transactions and state changes. To run validator nodes, users must meet node hardware requirements and stake the network’s native token, AKT.