Axie Infinity, the blockchain-based creature-battling game developed by Sky Mavis, has announced an upcoming airdrop of a new in-game token called bonded AXS (bAXS). According to an official statement released on Tuesday, the airdrop will be distributed to eligible wallets based on a snapshot taken on February 5.
The airdrop will distribute a total of 100,000 bAXS, with each token backed 1:1 by AXS, the native governance token of the Axie Infinity ecosystem. Wallets that have staked at least 10 AXS—worth approximately $16.90 at current prices—will qualify for the distribution.
For participants staking more than 10 AXS, the allocation will be influenced by two factors:
the amount of AXS staked, and
the player’s Axie Score, a metric reflecting in-game activity and engagement.
What Is bAXS and How Will It Be Used?
At launch, bAXS will mirror many of the core functions of the original AXS token. Players will be able to use bAXS for activities such as Axie evolution, breeding, and participation in secondary markets. However, unlike standard AXS, the bonded version is specifically designed to encourage in-game usage and strengthen the internal economy of Axie Infinity.
Sky Mavis co-founder Jeffrey Zirlin explained that a significant portion of AXS spending currently takes place through Axie Core, a system that requires players to consume AXS to upgrade Axie attributes. Each body part upgrade consumes AXS, making token usage closely tied to gameplay progression.
With the expansion of part evolution mechanics, demand for upgrade-related tokens is expected to increase across the ecosystem. Zirlin noted that the upcoming releases of Atia’s Legacy and Terrariums are likely to significantly amplify this demand, positioning bAXS as a key utility token within future gameplay loops.
bAXS Distribution Beyond the Initial Airdrop
In addition to the first airdrop, Sky Mavis confirmed that bAXS will also be distributed to players of Terrariums, an upcoming land-based game set within the Axie Infinity universe.
According to official descriptions, Terrariums is envisioned as the foundation of Axie Core—a living environment where Axies reside, grow, and earn rewards through a wide range of activities. These include mini-games, exploration, guild participation, territorial gameplay, accessories, and collectible items.
Zirlin stated that the launch of Terrariums will further increase demand for both AXS and bAXS, as both tokens will gain additional utility within the Terrarium system. Use cases are expected to include purchasing consumable power-ups for Terrariums and Axies, as well as other gameplay-related enhancements.
The Terrariums land game is scheduled for release in Q2, following the official launch of bAXS and the completion of two separate airdrop phases. Details regarding the second airdrop have not yet been disclosed.
AXS Price Context and Market Background
The introduction of bAXS comes during a period of heightened volatility for AXS. Over the past 30 days, AXS has surged 57%, reaching approximately $1.55, but remains down roughly 35% over the past week after briefly spiking to $2.92 in late January.
Despite the recent rebound, AXS is still trading nearly 99% below its all-time high of $164.90, recorded in 2021 when Axie Infinity surpassed one million daily active users at the peak of the play-to-earn boom. Since then, both Axie Infinity and the broader blockchain gaming sector have faced structural challenges amid shifting market conditions.
Axie Infinity is built on Ronin, an Ethereum scaling network focused on gaming and developed by Sky Mavis. The Axie brand continues to expand, with Axie Infinity: Atia’s Legacy, a new MMO title first revealed last year, representing the next phase of the franchise’s evolution.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and are solely responsible for any investment decisions they make.
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