Aptos Foundation proposes tokenomics overhaul to lock 210 million APT and halve staking rewards
The Aptos Foundation has unveiled plans for an overhaul of APT tokenomics that includes locking 210 million tokens, halving staking rewards, hiking gas fees tenfold, and capping total supply at 2.1 billion tokens.
The Aptos Foundation has unveiled plans for a major tokenomics overhaul aimed at aligning supply mechanics with network usage. Under the proposal, the Foundation plans to permanently lock and stake 210 million APT tokens, cut annual staking rewards from 5.19% to 2.6%, increase transaction gas fees tenfold, and establish a hard supply cap of 2.1 billion APT. According to BSCN, the proposed changes still require approval.[1][2][4]
The 210 million locked tokens account for nearly 18% of the current circulating supply and about 37% of the original tokens held by the Foundation at mainnet. According to Foundation documentation shared by Wu Blockchain, these tokens will never be sold or distributed, functioning as a token burn. Rather than selling treasury tokens, the Foundation plans to fund ongoing operations with perpetual staking rewards. Crypto Briefing reported that while relying on staking rewards could bolster network security and sustainability, it may also strain the Foundation's budget amid lower reward rates.[1][2][3]
The initiative aims to make APT deflationary by driving token burns above new issuance, particularly via the Decibel exchange. Additional measures under consideration include tying future ecosystem grants to performance milestones and launching a buyback program supported by cash reserves and future revenue. Emissions are also projected to taper as annualized token unlocks decrease by 60% when the network's initial four-year unlock cycle finishes in October 2026.[1][2][4]
Key facts
- The Aptos Foundation proposed permanently locking and staking 210 million APT, representing nearly 18% of circulating supply and approximately 37% of its initial mainnet holdings.
- The proposal would cut annual staking rewards from 5.19% to 2.6% and raise network gas fees tenfold.
- The proposal introduces a 2.1 billion APT supply cap.
- The Foundation plans to fund operations using staking rewards instead of selling treasury tokens, describing the permanent lock as functionally equivalent to a burn.
- The changes aim to make APT deflationary by having token burns exceed issuance, particularly via the Decibel exchange.
- A token buyback program funded by cash reserves and future revenue is under consideration, while future ecosystem grants will be tied to performance milestones.
- Annualized token unlocks are expected to fall 60% following the end of the initial four-year cycle in October 2026.
- BSCN reported that the proposed tokenomics changes still require approval.
Sources · 4 sources
- BS
BSCN@BSCNewsPost on X ·
Aptos Targets Deflation With 210M APT Permanently Locked Aptos (@Aptos) is proposing one of its biggest tokenomics changes yet, including a permanent lock of 210 million aptos:native. This makes up almost 18% of the existing number of tokens. Meanwhile, staking rewards will be reduced from 5.19% to 2.6%, and transaction fees may soar ten times. The main purpose is to achieve the situation where the burns of the tokens will outnumber the issuance, especially via Decibel exchange. A 2.1 billion APT supply cap and potential buybacks are also on the table. The proposals still need approval.
Open source - WB
Wu Blockchain@WuBlockchainPost on X ·
Aptos Unveils Tokenomics Overhaul: 210M APT to Be Permanently Locked, Staking Rewards to Be Halved Aptos Foundation unveiled plans to revise APT tokenomics, proposing to cut annual staking rewards from 5.19% to 2.6%, increase gas fees tenfold, and cap total supply at 2.1 billion APT. The Foundation also committed to permanently locking and staking 210 million APT, nearly 18% of current supply, with operations funded by staking rewards rather than token sales. Future ecosystem grants will be tied to performance milestones, while a buyback program funded by cash reserves and future revenue is under consideration. Annualized token unlocks are expected to fall 60% as the initial four-year unlock cycle ends in October 2026. The changes aim to reduce emissions and increase token burns, potentially making APT deflationary.
Open source - CB
Crypto BriefingArticle ·
Aptos Foundation locks 210M APT, shifting to staking rewards Aptos Foundation's shift to staking rewards may enhance network security and sustainability but could strain its budget amid reduced rewards. The post Aptos Foundation locks 210M APT, shifting to staking rewards appeared first on Crypto Briefing .
Open source - TB
The Block@TheBlockCoPost on X ·
THE BLOCK: The Aptos Foundation plans to propose a 2.1 billion APT supply cap, halve staking rewards, and raise gas fees 10-fold. It also pledges to permanently lock 210 million aptos:native as it pushes to burn more tokens than the network creates. https://t.co/RqKovwE0jL
Open source