What is Ronin (RON)?

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

Ronin was created by Sky Mavis in 2021 to solve scalability issues for Axie Infinity, which strained Ethereum’s network. It processes transactions faster (12x Ethereum’s speed) and cheaper (near-zero fees), enabling seamless in-game economies. The chain has since expanded to support 50+ games and apps, including DeFi protocols like Uniswap v3 and Compound, while maintaining a focus on gaming use cases like NFTs and microtransactions.

2. Technology & Roadmap

Originally an EVM-compatible sidechain, Ronin is transitioning to an Ethereum Layer 2 using Arbitrum’s Orbit stack and ZK-proofs for security. This shift, targeted for 2026, will let developers leverage Ethereum’s ecosystem while retaining Ronin’s gaming-specific optimizations. Key features include:
- Sponsored transactions: Players avoid gas fees, lowering entry barriers.
- Cross-chain NFT support: Assets move between Ethereum and Ronin.
- Customizable AI agents: Integrated tools for dynamic in-game experiences.

3. Ecosystem & Growth

Ronin hosts a thriving gaming universe:
- Axie Infinity: The flagship game with $9.4B+ lifetime DEX volume.
- DeFi integrations: Rocket Pool’s rETH and Impossible Finance provide liquidity.
- Builder grants: Over $1M allocated to projects like AI-driven prediction markets and crowdfunding platforms.
Community initiatives like Ronin Profiles (onchain identity) and Creator Rumble competitions foster engagement, while partnerships with Arbitrum and Ethereum aim to solidify its role as a gaming hub.

Conclusion

Ronin is reshaping blockchain gaming by merging high throughput with Ethereum’s security, supported by a tokenomics model that rewards developers and players alike. As it transitions to an L2, will its focus on gaming-first infrastructure attract the next wave of Web3 users?