# Avalanche
Avalanche is an open-source platform for launching DApps and enterprise blockchain deployments.
Avalanche consists of the following main chains:
- Platform Chain (P-Chain) — the metadata chain that coordinates validators, tracks the X-Chains and the C-Chains, and allows for the creation of X-Chains and C-Chains.
- Exchange Chain (X-Chain) — the chain for creating and exchanging digital assets. The X-Chain is an instance of Avalanche Virtual Machine (AVM).
- Contract Chain (C-Chain) — the chain for smart contracts. The C-Chain is an instance of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
# Consensus
Avalanche has the Snowman consensus (opens new window) algorithm with validators that stake AVAX to participate in the consensus.