Asentum will open its Incentivized Testnet on September 17, launching a competition for users to test its new post-quantum blockchain and earn experience points, or XP. The network incentivizes engagement beyond simple usage; daily activity streaks can yield XP multipliers up to 3x, and staking ASE for 30 days unlocks tiers ranging from 2x to 10x.
Finding flaws is as valuable as utilizing functioning applications, with valid bug reports earning between 500 and 25,000 XP depending on severity. Asentum’s design aims to broaden testing beyond traditional developers, allowing anyone who can use a decentralized application to participate.
Asentum Season 1: Incentivized Testnet & XP Earning Mechanics
The Asentum Season 1 incentivized testnet, launching on September 17, utilizes this XP system to reward a broad range of contributions, from application exploration to validator operation. Staking ASE for 30 days further amplifies XP gains, offering tiered multipliers ranging from 2x to 10x, establishing a clear incentive for long-term commitment within the Asentum ecosystem and encouraging capital lock-up.
This approach actively encourages security testing and positions flaw detection as equally valuable as utilizing functioning applications. A permanent 1.2x XP multiplier is also awarded to those running a validator, and the system is designed to prevent accumulation of large testnet balances from disproportionately influencing validator rewards; XP earned is based on blocks signed, not bonded assets.
Asentum’s design prioritizes accessibility, aiming to broaden testing beyond traditional developer circles; anyone capable of using a decentralized application can participate in the incentivized testnet, the company says. The underlying technology powering this competition is a Layer-1 blockchain built around post-quantum security, employing ML-DSA-65 signatures standardized by NIST. Unlike projects planning future migrations away from classical cryptography, Asentum integrates post-quantum cryptography from its foundation. The blockchain supports JavaScript smart contracts, allowing developers to deploy readable source code on-chain using a widely-used programming language.
Native Cron, Vault, and Workers capabilities expand the potential for applications capable of scheduled execution, secure credential access, and interaction with external services, creating a versatile environment for DeFi, AI agents, and autonomous applications. The company states that “Everyone starts at zero,” emphasizing the open and competitive nature of Season 1, which begins September 17 at 4:00 p.m. UTC.
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