Deep Dive
1. Skate AMM Growth & Multi-VM Integration (Bullish Impact)
Overview: Skate’s Automated Market Maker (AMM) now spans Ethereum, Solana, and SuiNetwork, with shared liquidity pools enabling cross-VM swaps. Recent milestones include $1.2M+ volume on PythNetwork Express Relay and a planned SUI-USDC pair expansion. The protocol is finalizing audits (Nethermind Security) to enable user liquidity provisioning by late August 2025.
What this means: Successful cross-chain adoption could attract developers building stateless apps, directly increasing SKATE’s utility demand. However, thin liquidity on newer chains like Sui (current TVL undisclosed) poses execution risks.
2. DAO Governance & Buyback Proposal (Mixed Impact)
Overview: Skate DAO’s inaugural proposal aims to use protocol revenue (from AMM fees and AVS services) to buy back SKATE tokens. With EigenLayer AVS securing $5B+ in economic trust, revenue streams are scaling but remain untested under stress.
What this means: Buybacks could counter inflation from the 45.5% community allocation still entering circulation. However, revenue sustainability depends on Skate AMM gaining traction against incumbents like Uniswap V3, which dominates ~60% of DEX volume.
3. EigenLayer AVS Security Upgrades (Bearish Risk)
Overview: Skate’s Actively Validated Service (AVS) plans to introduce slashing by Q4 2025, penalizing validators for downtime or malicious acts. While this enhances security, it raises operational risks for node operators.
What this means: Overly aggressive slashing parameters could deter participation in Skate’s AVS, weakening network security and eroding stakeholder confidence. Monitoring the staking APR post-upgrade (currently unannounced) will be critical.
Conclusion
SKATE’s price trajectory hinges on executing its cross-VM liquidity vision while navigating validator incentives and market volatility. The upcoming Skate DAO vote and AVS slashing implementation will serve as litmus tests for protocol resilience.
Can Skate AMM’s multi-chain liquidity pools outpace sector-wide DeFi contraction (-38% monthly volume per global metrics)?