Blast
Blast is a Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) network designed to enhance scalability and transaction efficiency on the Ethereum blockchain. Launched in February 2024, Blast introduces a novel concept of native yield, allowing users to earn passive income in cryptocurrency by holding certain tokens in their wallets. Founded by Tieshun Pacman Roquerre, also known for creating the NFT marketplace Blur, Blast has quickly gained attention within the blockchain community, surpassing $1 billion in total value locked shortly after its mainnet release. [3]
Features and Functionality
Blast operates as an EVM-compatible optimistic rollup solution, significantly increasing Ethereum's transaction throughput while reducing costs compared to the mainchain. Unlike traditional Ethereum staking, where users manually lock tokens for rewards, Blast automates this process. Assets bridged to Blast are automatically staked, generating yields that are distributed as ether (ETH) or stablecoins (such as USDT, USDC, and DAI) directly to users' wallets.
The platform offers a 4% yield on ETH and a 5% yield on stablecoins, compounded over time based on the Risk-free Interest Rate (RFR) yield structure. ETH yield is sourced through liquid staking partnerships, leveraging Ethereum's proof-of-stake (PoS) model. Meanwhile, stablecoins earn yield through protocols like MakerDAO's T-bill mechanism, enhancing asset value preservation and growth within Blast's ecosystem.
Native Yield and Benefits
Blast's native yield mechanism stands out in the L2 landscape by allowing users to earn without actively staking assets, contrasting with other L2 networks primarily focused on scalability. This approach not only incentivizes long-term asset holding but also integrates DeFi, gaming, SocialFi, and NFT ecosystems into a unified platform for users and developers alike. [2]
Tokenomics
Overview
- Ticker: BLAST
- Total Supply: 100 Billion
Token Distribution
1. Community (50%)
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Amount: 50,000,000,000 BLAST
50% of the total BLAST supply is allocated to the community. This allocation is distributed through various incentive campaigns and unlocks linearly over 3 years from the Token Generation Event (TGE), following schedules set by the Blast Foundation.
2. Core Contributors (25.5%)
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Amount: 25,480,226,842 BLAST
Tokens for core contributors are subject to a 4-year lockup period. 25% unlocks 1 year after the TGE, with the remaining tokens unlocking linearly each month over the following 3 years.
3. Investors (16.5%)
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Amount: 16,519,773,158 BLAST
Investor tokens have a 4-year lockup period, with 25% unlocking 1 year after the TGE, followed by a linear monthly unlock over the subsequent 3 years.
4. Blast Foundation (8%)
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Amount: 8,000,000,000 BLAST
The Foundation's allocation is reserved for infrastructure and ecosystem growth. These tokens unlock linearly over 4 years from the TGE.
5. Phase 1 Airdrop Allocation
- Blast Points (7%)
- Blast Gold (7%)
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Amount: 7,000,000,000 BLAST
Users who contributed to Dapps' success earned Blast Gold and will receive 7% of the total BLAST supply.
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6. Vesting
The top 0.1% of users (approximately 1000 wallets) will vest part of their airdrop linearly over 6 months, contingent on meeting a monthly Points threshold based on Phase 1 activity.
7. Blur Foundation (3%)
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Amount: 3,000,000,000 BLAST
The Blur Foundation will receive 3% of the total BLAST supply for distribution to the Blur community for both retroactive and future airdrops.
BLAST tokenomics is designed to distribute tokens in a way that supports the community, incentivizes contributors, and attempts to ensure sustainable growth of the Blast Network ecosystem through allocation and vesting schedules. [6]
The Blast Airdrop
The Blast Airdrop is an integral part of Blast’s community engagement strategy. It is structured into two distinct point systems: Blast Points and Blast Gold. Blast Points reward users for bridging assets and referring new members and can be redeemed as BLAST tokens starting in May 2024. Blast Gold is reserved for developers to incentivize dApp creation and growth within the Blast ecosystem.
Phase 1
The initial phase of the Blast airdrop began on June 26, 2024, distributing 17% of the total token supply to early users. This distribution was part of the Ethereum Layer 2 Blast network’s launch for early adopters, as announced on June 25, 2024. Of the total supply, 7% was allocated to users who bridged Ether (ETH) or US Dollar Blast (USDB) to the network. Another 7% was distributed to those who contributed to the success of decentralized applications (DApps) on Blast, and 3% was allocated to the Blur Foundation for future airdrops to its community.
An accompanying report detailed that wallets ranked in the top 1,000 in terms of points would vest part of their airdrop linearly over six months, preventing these accounts from selling all their tokens immediately. The Blur Foundation plans to distribute its share of the token rewards to traders and holders who have used or will use its platform. One percent of the total supply will go to traders and holders in Season 3, 0.5% will be reserved for Season 4, and another 0.5% will be reserved for future use. The remaining 0.5% has not been specified.
In total, 50% of the Blast token supply is planned to be distributed to the community, with 17% released in Phase 1. The remaining 33% will be distributed in subsequent phases to be announced later. Additionally, 25.5% of the total supply is allocated to core contributors, 16.5% to investors, and 8% to the Blast Foundation to support infrastructure development and ecosystem growth. Tokens given to core contributors, investors, and the foundation are vested and unlocked over a four-year period. [4][5][7][8][9]
Phase 2
Phase 2 of the Blast airdrop involves the allocation of 10 billion BLAST tokens to build the Fullstack Chain. This phase will continue until June 2025, spanning 12 months. Half of the Phase 2 rewards are allocated to Blast Points, while the other half is allocated to Blast Gold.
Wallet Balance
50% of Phase 2 rewards are allocated to Blast Points. Wallets earn points automatically every block based on their ETH, WETH, or USDB balance, which is reflected in real-time on the Blast.io dashboard. To increase points, users can bridge more assets to Blast. Points earnings grow over time as wallet balances increase due to the native yield on Blast (approximately 4% for ETH/WETH and 5% for USDB).
ETH and WETH balances earn points at a constant rate, while USDB and BLAST balances earn points at a variable rate depending on the current price of ETH. The conversion rates for USDB/ETH and BLAST/ETH for points are updated whenever accounts receive or send USDB or BLAST. Additionally, BLAST earns points at twice the rate of ETH/WETH/USDB.
Dapps
Dapps earn points at the same rate as wallets based on their TVL. When users transfer ETH, WETH, or USDB from their wallets to Dapps, the Dapps start earning points based on the transferred amounts. Dapps are expected to distribute the points they earn back to users through integration with the Blast Points API.
Multipliers
Multipliers increase both points balance and earnings rate. For example, if a user has 100 points and earns 20 points per hour, a 2x multiplier would double both the points balance and earnings rate. Multipliers are released over time, with only 12 available before points redemption in June 2025. Users can earn multipliers by interacting with Dapps.
Earn Gold
50% of Phase 2 rewards are allocated to Blast Gold. Unlike points, gold is distributed manually by the Blast incentives committee on a bi-weekly basis. Gold is intended to incentivize Dapp growth, with Dapps required to give 100% of any gold they earn to their users via integration with the Blast Points API.
Dapp Incentives
Phase 2 incentives are split between Blast Points and Blast Gold. Blast Points are distributed automatically every block based on balances of ETH, WETH, USDB, and BLAST. Blast Gold is distributed manually to Dapps by the Blast Foundation. Points reward liquidity, while gold is used as incentive for Dapp growth. Dapps should redistribute points and gold to their users via the Blast Points API. [10][11][12][9]
Blast Network Reduces Bridge Process to 7 Days
Blast has reduced the withdrawal time for bridging assets from Blast to the Ethereum Mainnet to seven days, down from the previous 14 days. This change was implemented following an analysis of withdrawal activity over the past four months, which indicated that a smaller buffer would still meet nearly all withdrawal requests.
The network announced this update via a social media post on July 16, explaining that the adjustment aims to enhance efficiency and user experience on its platform. The previous 14-day bridging period was initially implemented to provide a buffer for Lido withdrawals, which Blast relies on for Ethereum yield. However, the recent analysis showed that this extended timeframe is no longer necessary.
Despite this improvement, Blast noted that in rare cases, the bridging process might still take more than seven days. The reduction in bridge time applies exclusively to transfers from Blast to the Ethereum Mainnet, while transfers from Ethereum to Blast continue to be processed in just a few minutes. This change is expected to enhance liquidity and flexibility for users engaging with the Blast network for their blockchain transactions.
Layer 2 Classification and Future Plans
Recently, Blast's social media presence removed references to "Layer 2" from its handle and profile details. In a video statement, Blast founder Tieshun Roquerre clarified that while the network currently operates as a Layer 2 solution, this status might change if it benefits users and adds value. Roquerre emphasized that being classified as a Layer 2 is an "implementation detail" and that the distinction does not fundamentally alter the network’s functionality. Blast's vision statement from June indicates an ambition to evolve into a "full stack chain".
Additional Updates
In response to community feedback, BLIP 2 has passed successfully, leading the Blast Foundation to implement a 2X Points boost for all BLAST token holders. This adjustment means that holders will receive double Points, retroactively calculated based on their balances since the Token Generation Event (TGE). The new policy, set to be implemented soon, ensures that Points earned from BLAST holdings will contribute towards vesting thresholds. [13][14][15]
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its promising features, Blast has faced scrutiny over its operational transparency and security practices. Concerns include the multi-signature approval process for asset withdrawals and recent security incidents affecting affiliated platforms like Munchables and Juice Finance. These challenges underscore ongoing community discussions around Blast's governance and risk management frameworks. [1]
