Tokenomics Guide | Get It Right First Time for Ultimate Success!

The Tale of Two Tokens: Axie Infinity (AXS) and Terra Luna (LUNA)

Axie Infinity: A Case of Misaligned Incentives

First, let’s talk about Axie Infinity. This play-to-earn game was the toast of the town, with its native AXS token reaching dizzying heights. However, the tokenomics model, which heavily relied on new players buying in to sustain rewards for the existing player base, started to show cracks. As the influx of new players slowed down, the rewards began to dwindle, leading to a decrease in the value of AXS. The lesson here? Sustainable growth is key. If your tokenomics model is a high-speed train with no brakes, you’re bound to crash sooner or later.

In more detail, Axie Infinity’s tokenomics model had a fundamental flaw: it incentivised short-term profit over long-term engagement. Players could earn AXS tokens by breeding Axies and selling them on the marketplace. This led to a breeding frenzy, with players creating as many Axies as possible to earn more tokens. The problem was that the supply of Axies quickly outpaced demand. As the market became saturated with Axies, their value plummeted. Players who had invested heavily in breeding Axies found themselves with a horde of worthless creatures. The value of AXS tokens also fell, as players lost faith in the game’s economy.

Terra Luna: A Case of Overreliance on a Single Mechanism

Terra Luna, a blockchain platform that uses a basket of stablecoins to power its ecosystem, also had a promising start. Its native token, LUNA, was used to stabilise the value of the stablecoins.

Digging deeper, Terra Luna’s downfall was due to the complexity and interdependence of its tokenomics model, A blockchain protocol that aimed to create a stablecoin for the decentralised economy, serves as a cautionary tale in the world of tokenomics. The project was ambitious, promising a stablecoin (UST) backed by its native token (LUNA). However, the Terra Luna project faced a catastrophic collapse, with its token value plummeting from a high of over $100 to nearly zero in a matter of days. This collapse was not a random event but the result of a series of missteps and oversights in the project’s tokenomics design.

The first lesson from Terra Luna’s collapse is the importance of stable reserves for stable assets. Terra Luna’s stablecoin, UST, was algorithmically backed by LUNA. However, LUNA’s value was volatile, and when UST holders began to redeem their holdings en masse, the value of LUNA plummeted, leading to a death spiral for both UST and LUNA. This could have been prevented if UST was backed by a more stable and liquid asset.

However, Terra Luna’s tokenomics model was overly reliant on this single mechanism. When the demand for stablecoins fell, there was no mechanism to increase the supply of LUNA tokens. As a result, the value of LUNA tokens fell dramatically.

Lessons Learned: How to Get Tokenomics Right the First Time

The failures of Axie Infinity and Terra Luna offer valuable lessons for blockchain projects. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Ensure sustainable growth: Don’t rely on a constant influx of new users to sustain your token’s value. Design your tokenomics model in such a way that it can maintain its value even if the number of new users starts to decline.
2. Be transparent and accountable: Ensure that your tokenomics model is transparent and that you’re accountable to your users. If your users don’t understand how your model works or if they feel like they’re being taken advantage of, they’re likely to lose trust in your token.
3. Have a solid backing: If you’re creating a stablecoin, make sure it’s backed by a stable and liquid asset. If the asset backing your stablecoin isn’t stable or liquid, it can lead to problems if many users decide to redeem their tokens at once.
4. Keep it simple: Avoid overly complex tokenomics models. If your model is too complex, it can be difficult to understand and manage, which can lead to unforeseen problems down the line.
5. Align Incentives with Long-Term Goals: Axie Infinity’s tokenomics model incentivised short-term profit over long-term engagement. To avoid this pitfall, align incentives with your project’s long-term goals. For example, you could reward players for participating in the game over a long period, rather than for breeding as many Axies as possible in a short time.
6. Diversify Your Mechanisms: Terra Luna’s tokenomics model was overly reliant on a single mechanism. To avoid this pitfall, diversify your mechanisms. For example, you could use a combination of burning and minting tokens to stabilise their value.
7. Plan for Different Market Conditions: Both Axie Infinity and Terra Luna failed to plan for different market conditions. To avoid this pitfall, design your tokenomics model to be resilient in a variety of market conditions. For example, you could include mechanisms that adjust the supply of tokens based on demand.
8. Test Your Model: Before launching your tokens, test your tokenomics model to ensure it works as intended. You could use simulations to predict how your model will behave under different conditions.

Introducing ANSG: Your Guide to Tokenomics Success

After understanding the pitfalls and learning from the failures of Axie Infinity and Terra Luna, it’s time to introduce a solution that can help you navigate the complex world of tokenomics.

ANSG can help you navigate the treacherous waters of tokenomics. Whether you’re launching a new token or trying to improve the tokenomics of an existing one, ANSG can provide the guidance and support you need. They can help you design a sustainable growth model, simplify your tokenomics, understand market dynamics, adapt to changes, and so much more, through their tokenomics guide.