Deep Dive
1. Purpose & Value Proposition
SLP serves as Axie Infinity’s primary reward currency, incentivizing players to engage in Ranked Arena battles and daily missions. Players earn SLP by winning matches (with higher rewards for using NFT Axies) and lose eligibility if relying solely on starter characters (Axie Infinity Support). It also acts as a resource for crafting in-game items like runes and charms, creating a sink for token circulation.
2. Tokenomics & Governance
SLP’s supply is capped at 44 billion (current supply: ~41.4B as of 2025), enforced via social consensus and emission controls. A 2% deflation target is maintained through a buyback fund: 20% of burned SLP is redirected to stabilize prices, while 80% is permanently removed. This mechanism combats inflation risks from over-minting, aligning with Axie’s goal of long-term token viability (Axie Blog).
3. Ecosystem Integration
SLP is deeply tied to Axie’s core gameplay loop:
- Breeding: Required to create new Axies, with costs rising per breed count.
- Crafting: Converts in-game SLP into items, requiring deposits via the Axie Portal.
- Rewards: Locked for 24 hours post-earning to prevent exploitation, ensuring fair distribution.
Conclusion
SLP is Axie Infinity’s lifeblood, balancing player incentives with controlled scarcity. Its deflationary model and capped supply aim to sustain utility amid evolving gameplay dynamics. As blockchain gaming matures, can SLP’s hybrid design—part DeFi asset, part gaming token—remain a blueprint for sustainable in-game economies?