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What is Aligned Token (ALIGN)?
Quick Facts
- Token symbol: ALIGN
- Blockchains: Ethereum (ERC-20) and Base
- Project type: ZK proof verification and Ethereum infrastructure
- Founded: 2023 by Federico Carrone and Roberto 'RJ' Catalán of LambdaClass
- Core product: Proof Verification Layer (AVS on EigenLayer)
- Token uses: Service fee payments and network staking
- Auditors: Consensys Diligence, Trail of Bits, Least Authority, Fuzzing Labs
Introduction
Aligned Token (ALIGN) is the native asset of Aligned Layer, a full-stack Ethereum infrastructure platform focused on zero-knowledge proof verification, aggregation, and settlement. The project's mission is to make Ethereum the financial backend for the world by dramatically lowering the cost and complexity of building on it.
Aligned targets fintechs, institutions, and enterprises that want to launch remittances, neobanks, stablecoin payment rails, and digital identity systems on Ethereum — all through a single integration.
History & Background
Aligned Layer was founded in 2023 by Federico Carrone and Roberto 'RJ' Catalán, both from LambdaClass, a research and engineering firm with deep roots in ZK technology. The project raised significant funding across a seed round and a Series A led by Hack VC.
The flagship product, the Proof Verification Layer, launched on mainnet beta in late 2024. It operates as an Actively Validated Service (AVS) on EigenLayer, secured by billions of dollars of restaked ETH across dozens of operators.
How Aligned Token Works
Aligned's Proof Verification Layer solves a core Ethereum bottleneck: verifying ZK proofs directly on Ethereum L1 is slow and expensive. Aligned aggregates and verifies proofs off-chain, then settles the result on-chain at a fraction of the cost.
The platform supports multiple proof systems, including SP1, RISC Zero, STARKs, and SNARKs. Builders access the stack through a unified SDK. Beyond proof verification, Aligned also offers a Proof Aggregation Service, Rollup-as-a-Service (RaaS), Wallet-as-a-Service (WaaS), and an in-house RISC-V zkVM.
Tokenomics
ALIGN is the economic engine of the entire Aligned ecosystem. Its design ties token demand directly to platform usage: developers pay ALIGN to access proof verification, aggregation, rollup hosting, and wallet services.
Builders can pay per proof or stake tokens for a subscription model granting unlimited monthly verification. Stakers also earn protocol fees in exchange for helping secure the network. The long-term design targets a dual-stake model combining ALIGN staking with EigenLayer-restaked ETH. Token allocations span the team, investors, ecosystem grants, a foundation reserve, future provisions, an airdrop, and community sales.
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Circulating Supply
| 3.88 billion ALIGN |
|---|---|
| |
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Total supply
| 10.00 billion ALIGN |
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Max supply
| -- ALIGN |
Ecosystem & Use Cases
ALIGN is used to pay fees across the full Aligned product suite — Proof Verification, Proof Aggregation, RaaS, and WaaS. Cross-chain use cases are also planned: when the Interoperability Protocol launches, ALIGN will cover cross-chain proof verification and bridge validation fees.
Ecosystem builders deploying rollups or integrations through Aligned's SDK can receive ALIGN grants and performance-based rewards. Real-world applications already in the ecosystem include digital identity for government services and crypto-linked revenue financing.
Team, Governance & Community
The project is led by co-founders from LambdaClass, a firm known for contributing to ZK research and Ethereum tooling. The Foundation allocation is earmarked for long-term protocol stewardship, while the Ecosystem allocation funds developer grants and protocol integrations.
The community participates via Discord, Telegram, and X (@alignedlayer). A Future Provisions allocation is reserved for strategic opportunities that arise after launch.
Advantages
- Cost efficiency: Dramatically reduces ZK proof verification costs compared to Ethereum L1 directly.
- Broad proof system support: Compatible with SP1, RISC Zero, STARKs, and SNARKs.
- EigenLayer security: Inherits economic security from billions in restaked ETH.
- Full-stack offering: One integration covers wallets, rollups, interoperability, and ZK services.
- Rigorous audits: Reviewed by four independent security firms.
Risks & Challenges
- EigenLayer dependency: The project's security model relies heavily on EigenLayer's continued integrity and adoption.
- Competitive landscape: Multiple ZK infrastructure projects are racing for developer adoption.
- Token unlock pressure: Staggered vesting schedules across multiple categories could create sell pressure over time.
- Ecosystem maturity: RaaS, WaaS, and the Interoperability Protocol are still in development stages.
Long-Term Vision
Aligned's roadmap frames Ethereum as a global financial backend — the settlement layer for institutions, fintechs, and governments worldwide. The platform aims to progressively expand its product suite, reduce ZK integration friction to near-zero, and grow native operator decentralisation through dual staking.
If ZK proof usage scales as widely as proponents expect, ALIGN's demand-linked fee model positions it as infrastructure at the centre of that growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Aligned Layer?
Aligned Layer is a ZK proof verification and Ethereum infrastructure platform. It aggregates and verifies zero-knowledge proofs off-chain before settling results on Ethereum, making the process faster and cheaper than verifying directly on L1.
- What is the ALIGN token used for?
ALIGN is used to pay for services across the Aligned stack, including proof verification, proof aggregation, Rollup-as-a-Service, and Wallet-as-a-Service. Holders can also stake ALIGN to help secure the network and earn protocol fees.
- On which blockchains is ALIGN available?
ALIGN is an ERC-20 token deployed on both Ethereum mainnet and Base. The official contract addresses are publicly confirmed by the Aligned team.
- What is an AVS and why does it matter for Aligned?
An Actively Validated Service (AVS) is a service that borrows economic security from EigenLayer by leveraging restaked ETH. Aligned operates as an AVS, meaning its proof verification layer is backed by billions of dollars in restaked ETH without needing to bootstrap its own validator set from scratch.
- Who founded Aligned Layer?
Aligned Layer was founded in 2023 by Federico Carrone and Roberto 'RJ' Catalán, both from LambdaClass, a research and engineering firm specializing in ZK and blockchain technologies.
- What proof systems does Aligned support?
Aligned supports a range of ZK proof systems, including SP1, RISC Zero, STARKs, and SNARKs. This broad compatibility allows developers using different ZK frameworks to use the same verification infrastructure.
- How does the ALIGN subscription model work?
Instead of paying per individual proof, developers can stake ALIGN tokens to access unlimited proof verification for a fixed monthly period. This subscription model is designed to benefit high-throughput applications.
- Has Aligned Layer been audited?
Yes. The protocol has been audited by Consensys Diligence, Fuzzing Labs, Least Authority, and Trail of Bits. Least Authority also completed a second AVS-specific review after the mainnet beta launch.