Beldex (BDX) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency and its own native Layer-1 blockchain, Beldex Chain, rather than a token issued on a host chain.
The project began in 2018 as a CryptoNote/Monero-lineage proof-of-work coin and moved to a proof-of-stake model secured by masternodes through the "Bucephalus" hard fork around December 10, 2021. Beldex Chain underpins a suite of privacy applications, including the BChat encrypted messenger, the BelNet decentralized routing network, a censorship-resistant Beldex Browser, and the BNS Web3 naming system.
Beldex differentiates itself by pairing a masternode-secured privacy chain with an integrated application suite — messaging, routing, browsing, and naming — rather than a single privacy-transaction feature.
BDX captures this by functioning as the collateral and reward asset for the masternodes that secure the network and route this traffic. A 2026-08-20 funding round of $8 million, led by Sigma Capital, brought disclosed cumulative capital raised to $36 million, directed toward extending this suite with shielded smart contracts and encrypted identities for AI agents.
BDX functions as a utility and staking token rather than a conventional governance token, though masternode operators who hold it also vote on protocol proposals.
Holders lock BDX as collateral to run a masternode, which secures Beldex Chain and routes BChat, BelNet, and Beldex Browser traffic in exchange for block rewards. Masternode operators use their status to participate in protocol-level voting on network changes.
Beldex launched through a 2018 token sale followed by a 2019 mainnet and exchange debut, a year after the project's 2018 founding.
Its public sale ran June 16–August 15, 2018, targeting a $187.5 million soft cap. Beldex Chain's mainnet and initial exchange listings followed on June 7, 2019, at a cited price of $0.0967. Later private funding included a 2023 round of $28 million from DWF Labs and Block Alpha, and an $8 million round in August 2026 led by Sigma Capital, bringing disclosed cumulative capital raised to $36 million.
Beldex runs on its own native Layer-1 blockchain, Beldex Chain, secured by a proof-of-stake masternode network rather than a shared host chain.
The chain launched in 2018 as a CryptoNote/Monero-lineage proof-of-work coin and transitioned to proof-of-stake with masternodes at the "Bucephalus" hard fork around December 10, 2021. Beldex is categorized as a Layer 1 (L1) / DePIN network. Wrapped BDX representations also exist on BNB Smart Chain and Solana solely to support exchange interoperability, separate from the native chain.
Beldex's publicly reported founder is Afanddy B. Hushni, described as an investor and crypto economist with roughly 20 years of traditional-finance experience.
Additional named contributors reported include Co-Founder and CEO "Kim," credited with a background in confidential systems and cryptographic protocols, and Niyas N., listed as Chief Technology Officer. The project's whitepaper dates to 2018, with mainnet and exchange launch in 2019. Backers include DWF Labs, Block Alpha, Sigma Capital, NTC, Nxgen, Digital Consensus Fund, and EAK Ventures.
Beldex is maintained and issued under Beldex International Inc., named as the governing entity in the project's own website disclaimer.
That disclaimer describes BDX as a non-security utility token, non-refundable and non-exchangeable for cash, carrying no ownership or dividend rights, and states that U.S. citizens and Chinese residents may not participate. Beldex International Inc. develops the Beldex Chain protocol together with its BChat, BelNet, Beldex Browser, and BNS application suite.
Beldex is governed jointly by its corporate steward, Beldex International Inc., and by masternode operators who vote on protocol proposals.
Masternode operators, who stake BDX to run network infrastructure, both secure Beldex Chain and participate in decisions on protocol changes. A portion of each block reward — set at the Bucephalus hard fork — is allocated to a Beldex Governance fund rather than distributed directly to masternode operators.
Beldex's disclosed 2025-2026 priorities center on privacy infrastructure for AI agents, funded by an $8 million round announced 2026-08-20.
CertiK audited Beldex Chain in May 2022, finding no critical or major vulnerabilities among 24 total findings.
The audit gave an overall Skynet score of 70.51 (BBB) and a Code Security sub-score of 35%, with 3 medium, 9 minor, and 12 informational findings; Beldex has no active bug bounty program.
Separately, in June 2026 an exploit of the BDX-BSC bridge (not the audited native chain) allowed roughly 38.2 million unauthorized tokens to be minted and sold; Beldex migrated legitimate holders to a new contract. DEX liquidity relative to market capitalization is assessed as a high-risk factor.