Axie Infinity (AXS), launched in November 2020, is the governance and utility token of the Axie Infinity ecosystem, a blockchain-based game built on the Ronin Network, an Ethereum-linked sidechain. Developed by Sky Mavis, Axie Infinity blends Pokémon-style gameplay with NFTs, allowing players to collect, breed, battle, and trade digital creatures called Axies. AXS powers governance, staking, in-game transactions, and access to features like Atia’s Legacy, with $700M in total value locked (TVL).

Key Features

  • Play-to-Earn (P2E): Players earn AXS and Smooth Love Potion (SLP) through battles, quests, and tournaments.
  • Ronin Network: Ensures fast, low-cost transactions (~$0.01) compared to Ethereum’s gas fees.
  • NFT Marketplace: Players trade Axies and land plots, with a record $2.3M land sale in 2021.
  • Ecosystem: Includes games like Atia’s Legacy, 1.2M+ active users, and integrations with Binance and Coinbase.

AXS Token

  • Purpose: Used for governance voting, staking rewards, breeding Axies, and marketplace purchases.
  • Supply: Circulating supply of ~162 million AXS, with a max supply of 270 million.
  • Contract Address: On Ethereum, AXS’s contract is 0xbb0e17ef65f82ab018d8edd776e8dd940327b28b (addable to MetaMask). CoinGecko CMC.

Who Are the Founders of Axie Infinity?

Axie Infinity was founded in 2018 by Sky Mavis, led by Trung Nguyen (CEO) and Aleksander Larsen (COO). Nguyen, a former software engineer, drew inspiration from CryptoKitties to create a player-owned game economy. The team, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, raised $485M in 2021, backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Paradigm.

What Makes Axie Infinity Unique?

Axie Infinity pioneered P2E gaming:

  • Player Ownership: Axies are NFTs, giving players true ownership and tradability.
  • Delegation Center: Allows guilds to lend Axies, onboarding new players via scholarships.
  • Community Governance: AXS holders vote on treasury spending and game updates.
  • Cultural Impact: Peaked at 2.7M daily players in 2021, especially in the Philippines, driving crypto adoption.

AXS Network Upgrades (2025)

  • Atia’s Legacy (Q2 2025): Launched an Axie-based MMO, boosting engagement with preregistration open.
  • Delegation Center (June 2025): Simplified Axie lending, increasing guild collaboration and player onboarding.
  • ApeChain Integration (June 2025): Enabled cross-chain Axie trading via ApeChain, adding $100M in TVL.

How Is AXS Secured?

Axie Infinity and AXS are secured through:

  • Ronin Network: Uses Proof-of-Authority (PoA) with 20+ validators, optimized for low-latency gaming.
  • Ethereum Integration: Inherits Ethereum’s Proof-of-Stake security for cross-chain assets.
  • Smart Contract Audits: Regular audits by firms like CertiK ensure marketplace and dApp integrity.
  • Governance: AXS holders vote on protocol upgrades, ensuring decentralized oversight.

Conclusion

Axie Infinity (AXS) powers a leading P2E gaming ecosystem, blending NFTs, DeFi, and community governance on the Ronin Network. With 1.2M+ active users, $700M TVL, and upgrades like Atia’s Legacy, Axie Infinity drives Web3 adoption.