Question 1

What is ACU?

Accepted Answer

ACU is the native utility token of the Acurast network. Acurast has compute providers in the network perform computing work; developers pay the costs of deployment and execution, while parties that provide devices and collateral receive incentives according to network rules. ACU therefore connects demand for computing, network interactions, and participant incentives. ACU is a native asset on Acurast mainnet; ACU appearing on other chains may be corresponding instances created through official bridging. Both must be identified in the context of their respective networks and cannot be determined solely from the token ticker.

Question 2

How are ACU fees incurred, and what do they pay for?

Accepted Answer

When developers submit a compute deployment, they must pay compute costs in ACU; submitting an on-chain transaction also requires payment of network fees. The former is the cost of using the network’s computing capacity, while the latter is the cost of submitting an operation to the chain. They are not the same service, but both are settled in ACU. Fees provide clear economic incentives for compute providers and network participants, while also making frequent or ineffective on-chain interactions costly, helping to deter spam transactions. The actual amount paid still depends on the feature used, deployment requirements, and network rules at the time, and cannot be inferred solely from the amount of tokens held.

Question 3

How do compute providers and delegated stakers participate?

Accepted Answer

Compute providers participate in the network by supplying device computing power and staking collateral for the computing capacity they commit. They have a basis for receiving relevant rewards only when they complete assignable computing work in accordance with network requirements. In other words, rewards are not generated automatically simply by holding ACU; they are related to providing capacity and fulfilling participation rules. Token holders who do not run devices can participate through delegated staking. Delegation does not mean becoming a compute provider yourself: device operation, task execution, and the corresponding participation responsibilities remain with the delegated party. Delegators should separately verify the specific interface, term, fees, and risk rules.

Question 4

How are ACU supply and new issuance arranged?

Accepted Answer

ACU has an initial supply of 1 billion tokens, and the protocol sets fixed annual inflation of 5%. This 5% describes the protocol’s annual new issuance rule, not a fixed return rate for any holder; newly issued tokens change the overall supply basis. Official tokenomics documentation allocates new issuance to areas including the staked compute pool, compute pool, on-chain treasury, and block producers. This arrangement uses part of the new tokens for computing and block-production incentives and retains a funding source for the on-chain treasury; the actual conditions for receiving tokens in each area remain subject to the respective network rules.

Question 5

What governance can ACU holders participate in?

Accepted Answer

In addition to payment and incentive uses, ACU is also used for on-chain governance. Holders can vote on proposals submitted by the community and participate in deciding the directions supported by the on-chain treasury. The actual exercise of governance rights depends on whether a proposal enters the on-chain process, the voting rules, and the governance interface available at the time. Holding tokens itself does not mean that a proposal will necessarily pass, nor does it equate to company equity or control over any third-party service.

Question 6

Why must you confirm the network of ACU before transferring?

Accepted Answer

Before transferring, first confirm that the sending and receiving sides support the same ACU instance and network. ACU on mainnet is a native asset; when using an officially bridged instance on another chain, also confirm that the wallet, address format, and receiving platform support the corresponding asset on that chain. Moving across networks normally requires a bridging route rather than sending an ordinary transfer directly to an address on another chain. Selecting the wrong mainnet asset, bridged asset, or network may result in assets not being credited as expected; when uncertain, first verify the official route and conduct a small test transfer.

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