What is Ronin (RON)?

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

Ronin was launched in 2021 as a dedicated blockchain for Axie Infinity, addressing Ethereum’s scalability limitations during peak gaming activity. It processes transactions faster and cheaper (0.1-second finality, $0.001 fees), enabling seamless in-game interactions like NFT trades and token swaps. The network has processed over $9.4B in DEX volume and $6B in NFT sales, proving its capacity for mass adoption.

2. Technology & Architecture

Originally an Ethereum sidechain, Ronin is transitioning to a ZK-powered Ethereum Layer 2 via partnerships with Arbitrum Orbit and EigenDA. This upgrade (planned for 2026) will retain EVM compatibility while offering 12x faster transactions and native RON gas fees. Its delegated proof-of-stake consensus (22 validators) balances decentralization with efficiency, a design refined after a 2022 bridge hack led to stricter security protocols.

3. Tokenomics & Governance

RON (max supply: 1B) serves three core functions:
- Gas token for transactions and smart contracts.
- Staking to secure the network, though rewards will shift to builders via a 2026 “Proof-of-Distribution” model.
- Governance for ecosystem decisions, including grants and protocol upgrades.

Conclusion

Ronin is evolving from a gaming-centric chain into a versatile Ethereum L2, blending Web3 gaming infrastructure with DeFi and NFT innovation. As it expands beyond Axie Infinity, can it maintain its dominance in blockchain gaming while attracting broader decentralized applications?