What is Beam (BEAM)?

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

Beam targets gaming’s biggest friction points: fragmented ecosystems and limited ownership. It provides tools like the Beam SDK for developers to integrate blockchain features (NFTs, in-game economies) without sacrificing performance. By focusing on gaming-specific needs – such as low fees and 1-second transaction finality – it aims to bridge traditional gaming with Web3 ownership models.

2. Technology & Architecture

Operating as an Avalanche subnet, Beam combines Avalanche’s security with gaming-optimized execution:
- Proof of Authority (PoA): Pre-approved validators ensure 4,550+ TPS during its developer preview phase (Beam Docs).
- EVM Compatibility: Supports Solidity smart contracts, letting developers reuse Ethereum tools while benefiting from Beam’s lower latency.
- Modular Design: Allows games to customize chain parameters (e.g., gas fees) for specific needs.

3. Tokenomics & Governance

The $BEAM token serves three core functions:
- Gas Fees: Powers transactions and smart contract interactions.
- Governance: Holders vote on DAO proposals, including treasury allocations and technical upgrades.
- Staking: Over 4.1B tokens (8.3% of supply) are staked to secure the network, earning rewards (BuildOnBeam).

Conclusion

Beam positions itself as a developer-friendly gateway to blockchain gaming, leveraging Avalanche’s infrastructure while empowering communities through DAO governance. As its ecosystem expands beyond gaming into DeFi and AI, how will it balance specialization with broader utility?