Avalanche (AVAX) is distinguishing itself in the crowded Layer-1 market through its successful deployment of Subnets—customized application-specific blockchains. As of February 16, 2026, several major gaming studios and financial institutions have launched their own Subnets on Avalanche, driving demand for the AVAX token which serves as the primary unit of account and staking currency for the validators. This architecture allows Avalanche to scale horizontally without the congestion issues that plague monolithic chains, keeping transaction fees stable even during high-traffic events. The price of AVAX is responding to these fundamental drivers, showing strength against competing chains. The network's focus on compliance-friendly architecture has made it a favorite for enterprise blockchain solutions. Furthermore, the interoperability between Subnets continues to improve, creating a seamless ecosystem of interconnected apps. Investors are particularly optimistic about the gaming vertical on Avalanche, which appears to be leading the sector in terms of active daily users. Technical analysis suggests that AVAX is building momentum for a test of upper resistance levels, provided the broader market environment remains supportive of risk assets.