Aptos (APT) sustainability report

NameBlockNodes SAS
Relevant legal entity identifier969500PZJWT3TD1SUI59
Name of the crypto-assetAptos
Beginning of the period to which the disclosure relates2025-04-29
End of the period to which the disclosure relates2026-04-29
Energy consumption333862.67125 kWh/a

Consensus Mechanism

Aptos is present on the following networks: Aptos Coin.

The Aptos blockchain network leverages a robust Proof-of-Stake (PoS) framework, integrated with a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus protocol, to achieve high transaction throughput, minimal latency, and fortified security. A foundational component of this architecture is Block-STM, a parallel execution engine that allows for the simultaneous processing of multiple transactions. This parallel processing capability is critical for enhancing the network's overall performance and scalability, enabling it to handle a significant volume of operations efficiently. The consensus mechanism operates on a leader-based BFT model, where a specific validator is elected to propose new blocks. Following the proposal, other validators on the network are responsible for validating and subsequently finalizing these transactions. This structured approach ensures that transactions are processed in an orderly yet highly efficient manner.

To further bolster decentralization and mitigate the risk of collusion, Aptos incorporates a dynamic validator rotation system. This mechanism regularly shuffles the set of active validators, preventing any single entity or small group from gaining undue influence over the network's consensus process. A key feature of the Aptos network is its commitment to instant finality. Once transactions are validated by the network's participants, they achieve immediate and irreversible finality. This means that confirmed transactions cannot be altered or reversed, providing users and applications with a high degree of certainty and reliability. The combination of PoS for economic security, BFT for fault tolerance, parallel execution for performance, dynamic rotation for decentralization, and instant finality for reliability positions Aptos as a high-performance and secure blockchain platform designed for scalable applications.

Incentive Mechanisms and Applicable Fees

Aptos is present on the following networks: Aptos Coin.

The Aptos blockchain network employs a comprehensive system of incentive mechanisms and applicable fees designed to ensure network security, encourage participation, and maintain operational efficiency. A core incentive for network participants is the validator reward system. Validators, who are crucial for validating transactions and producing new blocks, earn rewards in the network's native token. These rewards are distributed proportionally, reflecting both the amount of tokens staked by the validators themselves and the contributions from their delegators. This direct financial incentive encourages validators to maintain high uptime and act honestly in their network duties.

Further promoting broader participation, Aptos allows for delegator involvement. Token holders who prefer not to operate their own validator nodes can delegate their tokens to existing validators. By doing so, delegators earn a share of the staking rewards, effectively participating in network security and earning passive income without the technical overhead of running a node. To uphold accountability and safeguard network integrity, a slashing mechanism is in place. Validators who engage in malicious activities, such as double-signing transactions, or who experience prolonged inactivity, face penalties that involve the forfeiture of a portion of their staked tokens. This economic disincentive acts as a strong deterrent against dishonest behavior.

Regarding applicable fees, users engaging with the Aptos network are required to pay transaction fees in the native token for sending transactions and interacting with smart contracts. These fees are not static; Aptos features a dynamic fee adjustment system that recalibrates fees based on current network activity and resource utilization. This dynamic approach helps ensure cost efficiency for users and prevents network congestion during periods of high demand. The collected transaction fees are then distributed among validators and their delegators, providing an additional layer of economic incentive for their continued active participation and crucial role in securing the network.

Energy consumption sources and methodologies

Aptos is present on the following networks: Aptos Coin.

The methodology for calculating the energy consumption of the Aptos network, like other digital ledger technologies (DLTs), employs a 'bottom-up' approach, focusing primarily on the energy consumption of individual nodes within the network. This comprehensive method aggregates energy usage across various components contributing to the network's operation. The core assumption underpinning this calculation is that the nodes represent the most significant factor in the network's overall energy footprint. These estimations are built upon empirical data gathered from diverse sources, including publicly available information sites, as well as both open-source and proprietary in-house crawlers.

A critical determinant in assessing hardware energy consumption involves identifying the specific hardware required to run the client software for the network. The energy consumption profiles of these hardware devices are meticulously measured in certified test laboratories, ensuring accuracy in the base data. When conducting these calculations, if available, the Functionally Fungible Group Digital Token Identifier (FFG DTI) is utilized to accurately identify all implementations of the crypto-asset within scope. These mappings are regularly updated, drawing data from the Digital Token Identifier Foundation, to maintain the most current and precise attribution.

Information concerning the specific hardware deployed across the network and the total number of participants is derived from assumptions. These assumptions are subjected to rigorous verification efforts using empirical data to ensure their best possible accuracy. A general principle guiding these assumptions is that network participants are largely economically rational actors. Furthermore, adopting a precautionary stance, in instances of doubt, conservative estimates are applied, meaning higher figures are used for potential adverse impacts to ensure a robust and responsible assessment of energy consumption.

Key energy sources and methodologies

Aptos is present on the following networks: Aptos Coin.

The methodology for determining the key energy sources utilized by the Aptos network, and by extension the proportion of renewable energy, begins with precisely identifying the geographical locations of its operational nodes. This intricate process involves the systematic use of public information sources, coupled with advanced open-source and proprietary in-house crawlers, to pinpoint where these nodes are situated. In scenarios where direct geographical information for specific nodes is unavailable or insufficient, the methodology intelligently references comparable DLT networks. These reference networks are carefully chosen based on their similarities in incentivization structures and consensus mechanisms, providing a proxy for estimating energy source mixes.

Once the geographical data for the nodes is established, it is then meticulously integrated with publicly available energy mix data provided by 'Our World in Data.' This comprehensive dataset offers detailed insights into the energy generation profiles across various regions, allowing for an informed estimation of the renewable energy proportion powering the network's operations. The energy intensity metric, which quantifies the energy cost per additional transaction, is calculated as the marginal energy cost associated with processing just one more transaction. This provides a granular view of the energy efficiency.

The data sources for renewable energy usage, which are crucial for this assessment, include a range of reputable publications such as Ember (2025) and the Energy Institute's Statistical Review of World Energy (2024). These sources are heavily processed by Our World in Data to generate the 'Share of electricity generated by renewables' dataset, which is directly referenced. Users seeking to explore this data further can consult the original source: Share of electricity generated by renewables - Ember and Energy Institute. This robust approach ensures that energy consumption and renewable energy integration are assessed with the highest possible degree of transparency and accuracy.

Key GHG sources and methodologies

Aptos is present on the following networks: Aptos Coin.

The methodology for quantifying Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions attributable to the Aptos network relies on a detailed analysis that starts with identifying the geographical locations of its network nodes. Similar to energy source determination, this involves extensive data collection using public information sites, alongside specialized open-source and in-house developed crawlers. Should specific geographical data for nodes be incomplete, the approach mandates the use of reference networks that exhibit comparable incentivization frameworks and consensus mechanisms. This ensures that a reasonable estimation of the emission profile can still be achieved, even when direct information is scarce.

Upon obtaining the geographical distribution of nodes, this geo-information is subsequently integrated with publicly accessible data from 'Our World in Data.' This critical step allows for the correlation of node locations with regional carbon intensity of electricity generation, thereby enabling the calculation of associated GHG emissions. The overall GHG intensity is then calculated as the marginal emission generated by each additional transaction. This provides a precise measure of the environmental impact per unit of network activity, highlighting the efficiency of the network's operations from an emissions perspective.

The primary data sources underpinning these GHG emission calculations are contributions from Ember (2025) and the Energy Institute's Statistical Review of World Energy (2024), which undergo significant processing by Our World in Data. Specifically, the 'Carbon intensity of electricity generation' dataset is utilized for these estimations. Further details and the original data can be found at: Carbon intensity of electricity generation - Ember and Energy Institute. This information is licensed under CC BY 4.0, emphasizing its open and verifiable nature.