Can AKT Continue to Go Up with Upgrade News?

The decentralized cloud sector is becoming one of the most interesting narratives in crypto. As artificial intelligence workloads expand and demand for large-scale computing power grows, developers are increasingly exploring alternatives to traditional cloud providers.

This is where Akash Network enters the picture. Built within the Cosmos blockchain ecosystem, the platform allows users to rent computing resources through a decentralized marketplace rather than relying on centralized providers such as Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud.

Its native token, AKT, powers the ecosystem through staking, governance participation, and payments for compute deployments. Recently, attention around the token has surged following a series of network upgrades and new tokenomics proposals.

With AKT trading near $0.41 and posting strong short-term gains, many investors are asking the same question: can AKT keep rising as the Akash Network evolves?

Key Takeaways

• Infrastructure upgrades improve the network: Recent technical updates aim to enhance scalability, developer tools, and reliability.

• New tokenomics may introduce supply pressure: The upcoming Burn-Mint Equilibrium model could reduce token supply if network activity grows.

• Adoption remains the key factor: Long-term price growth will depend on whether developers actively use Akash for decentralized computing.

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What is Akash Network?

Akash Network is a decentralized cloud computing marketplace designed to challenge traditional infrastructure providers. Instead of renting servers from centralized corporations, developers can deploy applications on a peer-to-peer network of independent compute providers.

This marketplace model introduces several advantages:

• Lower infrastructure costs due to open competition

• Increased censorship resistance and decentralization

• Global accessibility for both developers and providers

The network operates within the Cosmos blockchain ecosystem and relies on AKT as its economic backbone.

AKT is used to:

• Secure the network through staking

• Participate in governance decisions

• Pay for decentralized compute resources

Because the platform focuses heavily on distributed computing infrastructure especially for artificial intelligence workloads, it sits at the intersection of two powerful crypto narratives: AI and decentralized infrastructure.

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AKT Price Overview

At the time of writing, AKT trades around $0.4114, with a market capitalization of roughly $118 million and daily trading volume approaching $58 million.

The token has shown notable momentum in recent weeks:

• 24-hour change: +18.4%

• 7-day change: +31.6%

• 30-day change: +47.7%

Despite this surge, AKT still sits roughly 95% below its all-time high of $8.07, recorded in 2021 during the previous bull cycle.

This large gap highlights both opportunity and uncertainty. While the token has room to recover, sustained growth will depend on whether Akash Network can translate development progress into real ecosystem adoption.

Much of the recent optimism is tied to the project’s upgrade roadmap.

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Mainnet 16 Upgrade: Strengthening the Infrastructure

The Mainnet 16 upgrade, launched on March 4, 2026, focused primarily on improving network performance and developer experience.

Improved Lease Transparency

Providers can now specify why compute leases are closed. This added transparency helps developers understand potential issues such as provider instability or network disruptions.

Security and Consensus Improvements

The upgrade included fixes related to the consensus engine, strengthening the security and reliability of the network.

Faster Data Queries

Several modules were migrated to more efficient indexed data structures. This significantly reduces query times and improves scalability as the network grows.

Better Developer Experience

Enhanced indexing for deployment data allows developers to filter and search deployments more efficiently within tools like the Akash Console.

While these changes do not directly impact token supply, stronger infrastructure can attract more developers, an essential factor for long-term ecosystem growth.

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Mainnet 17 and AKT 2.0: A Major Tokenomics Shift

The more significant catalyst is the proposed Mainnet 17 upgrade, introduced through Proposal 318.

This upgrade is part of a broader transition toward AKT 2.0, which introduces new tokenomics and advanced features designed to align token value with network activity.

Burn-Mint Equilibrium Model

One of the most important changes is the Burn-Mint Equilibrium (BME) system.

Under this model:

1. Users convert AKT into a compute token called ACT.

2. ACT is used to pay for compute deployments.

3. ACT is burned when those deployments consume resources.

This mechanism ties token supply directly to network usage. If compute demand grows, more tokens may be burned, potentially creating upward price pressure.

Governance-Controlled Smart Contracts

The upgrade also introduces CosmWasm smart contracts, enabling governance-approved applications to run on the network.

This could allow:

• DeFi integrations

• automation tools

• new infrastructure services built on Akash

Decentralized Price Oracles

Another feature is a price oracle module that aggregates decentralized price feeds to provide reliable data for on-chain applications.

Real-Time Price Feed Integration

Integration with external oracle networks allows the system to access real-time AKT price data. This improves pricing accuracy for compute services and enhances network functionality.

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How the Upgrade Could Impact AKT Price

Protocol upgrades frequently influence crypto markets, particularly when they introduce new economic mechanisms.

Increased Token Utility

If ACT becomes the standard currency for compute deployments, demand for AKT could increase as it functions as the underlying collateral.

Potential Supply Reduction

The burn component of the new tokenomics model could gradually reduce circulating supply if network activity increases.

Alignment With AI Infrastructure Trends

As demand for decentralized compute rises particularly in AI development Akash could benefit from broader market narratives surrounding distributed infrastructure.

Risks That Could Slow the Rally

Even with promising upgrades, several factors could limit AKT’s price growth.

Governance Risks

The Mainnet 17 proposal requires sufficient voting participation to pass. Failure to reach quorum could delay the upgrade.

Competitive Landscape

Akash competes with other decentralized infrastructure platforms and traditional cloud providers. Adoption will determine long-term value.

Tokenomics Balance

Although the burn mechanism may reduce supply, the mint component must remain balanced to avoid inflationary pressure.

Market Volatility

Broader crypto market conditions, especially movements in major assets like Bitcoin, can significantly influence smaller tokens such as AKT.

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AKT Crypto Price Prediction and Market Outlook

Predicting crypto prices always involves uncertainty, but several scenarios provide insight into potential outcomes.

Short-Term Outlook

If the Mainnet 17 proposal passes and upgrade excitement continues, AKT could maintain bullish momentum.

In that scenario, the token could test a $0.60 to $0.80 range in the near term.

Medium-Term Outlook

If the AKT 2.0 model successfully drives network usage, long-term demand could push the token toward $1 or higher during a strong market cycle.

Bearish Scenario

If adoption fails to grow or the upgrade faces delays, the token could retrace toward $0.30–$0.35 as speculative interest fades.

Ultimately, real usage not speculation will determine the sustainability of price growth.

AKT Crypto Investment Outlook

Akash Network occupies a unique position within the crypto infrastructure landscape. Its focus on decentralized computing and AI workloads gives it a strong narrative advantage in the evolving Web3 ecosystem.

However, the investment case depends heavily on execution.

Two factors will determine AKT’s long-term trajectory:

• developer adoption of decentralized compute

• successful implementation of new tokenomics

For investors, AKT represents a high-potential but high-risk infrastructure asset within the broader blockchain economy.

Conclusion

Akash Network is strengthening its role in decentralized cloud computing as demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow. The Mainnet 16 upgrade improves network performance, while the proposed Mainnet 17 upgrade introduces major changes to tokenomics and functionality.

If these upgrades drive real network usage, AKT could benefit from stronger utility and potential supply pressure through its burn mechanism. However, sustained price growth will depend on adoption rather than speculation.

In the coming months, governance outcomes and ecosystem activity will likely determine whether AKT can maintain its upward momentum.

FAQ

What is Akash Network?

Akash Network is a decentralized cloud computing marketplace that allows developers to deploy applications using distributed compute providers instead of centralized cloud services.

What is AKT used for?

AKT is used for staking, governance voting, and paying for compute services within the Akash ecosystem.

Why is AKT price rising recently?

Recent price momentum is largely driven by network upgrades, including Mainnet 16 and the proposed Mainnet 17 upgrade that introduces new tokenomics and infrastructure features.

Can AKT price keep rising in 2026?

AKT could continue rising if network upgrades increase adoption and demand for decentralized compute resources. However, broader market conditions may also affect its price.

Is AKT a good long-term investment?

AKT offers potential due to its focus on decentralized computing and AI infrastructure, but like all cryptocurrencies, it carries risk and should be researched carefully before investing.

Disclaimer: The views expressed belong exclusively to the author and do not reflect the views of this platform. This platform and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or suitability of the information provided. It is for informational purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice.