Sonic adjusts its tokenomics: 92.2 million tokens allocated for future incentives

The Sonic blockchain is making a significant strategic shift in its token supply management. After realizing that its first wave of massive distributions created uncontrollable selling pressure, the project is redirecting its approach toward a gradual incentive scheme spread over two years.

Redistribution Figures

In June 2025, Sonic launched its initial offering of 190.5 million S tokens. About 98 million were released directly during the first half of the year and at the Kaito event. This aggressive airdrop strategy paid off in the short term with accelerated adoption but was accompanied by urgent sales that weighed on prices.

The remaining 92.2 million tokens now serve as a different leverage for value creation. Instead of mass distribution in the short term, Sonic plans to gradually mobilize them to support targeted incentives throughout 2026 and 2027.

A Multi-Leverage Strategy

The project has multiple options for utilizing these reserves: staggered distributions, incentives for validators and developers, or partial burns to reduce inflation. This flexibility reflects a more thoughtful approach to tokenomics, prioritizing long-term stability over short-term engagement metrics.

By adjusting the initial airdrop model, Sonic implicitly acknowledges that the early volume explosion had compromised the supply-demand balance. The coming months will be crucial to see if this reallocation preserves the project’s credibility within its ecosystem.