Waves is a blockchain platform that supports a variety of use cases, including decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts. Launched in June 2016, Waves conducted an initial coin offering (ICO). The platform's primary goal is to aim to enhance the functionality, speed, and user-friendliness of blockchain technology. The native token of the platform is WAVES, an uncapped supply token primarily used for standard payments such as block rewards.

Waves operates using a modified proof-of-stake algorithm known as WavesNG, which is based on Bitcoin-NG, a scaling proposal by Bitcoin advocate and Cornell University developer Emin Gün Sirer. The platform supports the development of smart contracts and DApps, striving to provide speed and ease-of-use. Waves also introduced Gravity, a cross-chain and oracle network, and Neutrino, a platform focused on decentralized finance (DeFi). In 2020, Waves announced its interoperability with the Ethereum network by releasing the WAVES token as an ERC-20 standard asset.

Waves aims to cater to potential business clients seeking to leverage blockchain technology to improve their processes or create new services. The platform supports the development of smart contracts and DApps, providing a foundation for businesses to build their own blockchain-based applications. Additionally, Waves has introduced other products such as Gravity, a cross-chain and oracle network, and Neutrino, a platform focused on decentralized finance (DeFi). These features expand the potential use cases of Waves, making it a tool in the blockchain space.

Waves was launched in June 2016 by Ukrainian-born scientist Alexander Ivanov, also known as Sasha Ivanov. Before founding Waves, Ivanov was already involved in the cryptocurrency space, having launched the now-defunct instant exchange Coinomat and indexing site Cooleindex. He also created an early version of a stablecoin, CoinoUSD, tied to the U.S. dollar. Waves conducted an initial coin offering (ICO), and since its launch, the platform has undergone various changes and added new features to build on its original design.