< BlogTokenomics Taxonomy

A token's life runs top to bottom: it is created, handed out, comes to hold value, and is then governed. Hover any concept for a definition; click to freeze the tooltip.

Supply

How many tokens exist, and how that number changes over time.

Supply Policy

policy · whatthe rule that governs total supply
Fixed Supply
Inflationary
Deflationary
Event Triggered

Issuance Mechanisms

mechanism · howthe machinery that mints or removes supply
Bonding Curves
Rebase / Elastic Supply
Algorithmic Stabilisation
Reserve Backed Supply

Distribution

Who receives the tokens, and through what channel they arrive.

Allocation Policy

policy · whatwho the supply is earmarked for
Founder / Team Allocation
Treasury / Ecosystem Allocation
Community Allocation
Investor Allocations

Delivery Mechanisms

mechanism · howhow tokens actually reach wallets
Mining / Stake / Validation
Initial Sale
Airdrops
Vesting / Unlocks

Value

Why the token is worth holding — the demand and cash-flow side.

Supply-Driven Scarcity

value from shrinking the float
Burn Mechanisms
Buyback Programs

Yield Distribution

value from protocol cash flows
Fee Capture
Staking Yields
MEV Redistribution

Utility Driven Demand

value from needing the token to do things
Access and Usage
Collateral and Locking
Governance Rightssee Governance ↓

Treasury Claims

value from a claim on protocol assets
Liquidation Waterfall Rights
Treasury Backed Floor
Index Token Redemption
Surplus Distribution

Governance

Who holds power, how decisions are made, and where the limits are. power → process → incentives → boundaries

Power Models

how voting weight is assigned
Token Weighted
Quadratic Voting
Conviction Voting
Delegated Voting
Ve-Tokenomics
Exit Rights

Economic Layer

the markets that form around votes
Vote Incentives
Gauge Wars
Futarchy & Holographic
Meta Governance
Governance Extractable Value

Pipeline

Proposal → Vote → Execution
Gatingpermissionless · token-gated · reputation-gated · delegate-only
Voting Methodssimple majority · supermajority · quorum · ranked choice · approval · shielded / ZK
On-Chain vs Off-ChainSnapshot signaling (non-binding) · on-chain proposals (auto-execute)
Executiontimelock delay · optimistic w/ veto window · multisig · autonomous on-chain
Emergency Overridesguardian veto · security council · circuit breakers
Scope Rangesparameter tuning · treasury allocation · protocol upgrades · changing voting rules