What Is Autonomi (ANT)?

Autonomi is a post-quantum, peer-to-peer data network. It is not a blockchain. It uses a distributed hash table to store data permanently across everyday devices, from home PCs and Raspberry Pis to spare capacity in data centres, with no central servers, no accounts, and no intermediaries between uploader and storage.

Four properties set Autonomi apart from other decentralised storage networks:

• Post-quantum cryptography throughout. ML-DSA-65 signatures (FIPS 204) and ML-KEM-768 key exchange (FIPS 203) secure identity, node authentication, and the QUIC transport itself. No classical fallback. The underlying self-encryption scheme (ChaCha20-Poly1305 + BLAKE3) is backed by an IEEE peer-reviewed paper.
• True peer-to-peer via QUIC NAT traversal. Nodes run from any home internet connection without port forwarding, relay servers, or configuration. Every new home node adds capacity and lowers cost for everyone.
• Pay once, store permanently. A single upfront payment, then data persists for the lifetime of the network. Retrieval is always free.
• Client-side encryption by default. Data is chunked and encrypted on the user's device before it leaves. The network never sees plaintext. Content is self-verifying, de-duplicating, and tamperproof.

ANT is the utility and payment token for the network. It is used for:

• Uploading and storing data on Autonomi
• Rewarding node operators for providing storage and bandwidth
• Paying for services built on the network, including messaging, live coordination, AI skills, and Trusted Data Layer access
• Agent-to-agent payments across the emerging agent economy

Autonomi launched on 11 February 2025 as a storage network. Autonomi 2.0, which added full post-quantum security, geographic diversity enforcement in the DHT, and zero-config home-node operation, went live on 7 April 2026.

How Many ANT Are in Circulation?

Total supply is 1.2 billion ANT, created at genesis. Around 20% of supply is emitted to node operators over a 12-year schedule as a reward for providing storage and bandwidth. Emissions were paused on 20 January 2026 while the economic model was finalised for the 2.0 upgrade. Circulating supply as of April 2026 is approximately 300 million ANT.

Who Are the Founders of Autonomi?

Autonomi was founded by Scottish inventor and networking specialist David Irvine, who has been working on the problem of autonomous peer-to-peer networks since 2006. In that year he founded MaidSafe, a software development company based in Ayr, Scotland. The project was known as the Safe Network for most of its history and rebranded to Autonomi in 2024 ahead of mainnet launch.

Two legal entities support the network:

• MaidSafe (Scotland) builds the core technology. It does not receive token emissions.
• The Autonomi Foundation (Switzerland, not-for-profit) holds the token, supports ecosystem growth, and handles regulatory matters.

David Irvine is named inventor on more than 30 patents covering distributed networking, self-encryption, and autonomous data systems, many of which have been placed in the public domain for use by the network and the wider research community.

Where Can I Buy ANT?

ANT trades on a growing number of exchanges:

• MEXC
• Uniswap V3 (Arbitrum)
• BitMart
• Ourbit