A tokenomics resource on how DePIN and Web3 protocols design their token economies, including case studies on networks like Hivemapper and Helium, explainers on mechanisms like burn-and-mint and vesting, and market analysis grounded in on-chain data. Written by Hilary Brown, Founder of GridEcon, drawing on the same rigor applied to client engagements.
Latest From the Field
AI is driving real demand across Helium, GEODNET, NATIX, Hivemapper, and DIMO. This piece tests whether each network's tokenomics actually converts that demand into token holder value.
Tokenomics 101
New to tokenomics? These fundamentals connect token design to real business strategy decisions.
Case- Studies
See how token design and business strategy come together in real DePIN networks.
More Insights
How to Launch a Token: A Step by Step Framework
An eight step framework for the decisions that determine whether a TGE succeeds, drawn from patterns across Helium, Hivemapper, GEODNET, and Render.
DePIN Tokenomics 101: The Economics of Early Issuance
Why the first two years of token distribution determine long-term success in DePIN networks. A practical guide to balancing early stakeholder incentives, milestone-based emissions, and sustainable network growth through responsible token issuance.
From Free Money to Sticky Users: What Makes an Airdrop?
Exploring what separates successful airdrops from failed token giveaways. Learn how clear objectives, Sybil resistance, and sustained engagement transform free tokens into long-term protocol growth, featuring insights from Plume Network's launch.
DePIN Tokenomics 101: a Guide for Builders
A practical framework for designing sustainable token economies in DePIN protocols, covering supply mechanisms, stakeholder alignment, and the balance between incentivizing contributors and creating long-term value.