Sonic is an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain platform designed to provide high-performance decentralized infrastructure with sub-second transaction confirmation times and extensive scalability capabilities ^{[1] [3]}.

Overview

Sonic operates as a Layer-1 blockchain that combines Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility with high-speed transaction processing. The platform claims to achieve over 400,000 transactions per second (TPS) with real-time confirmation times while maintaining average transaction costs of approximately $0.001 ^[1].

The platform is built on three core technological components: SonicVM, SonicDB, and Sonic Gateway, which together form the foundation of its blockchain infrastructure. ^[1]

In 2024, Sonic was established out of a rebrand from Fantom also leading to the return of Andre Cronje, a key figure in DeFi. The team decided to pivot from a blockchain that was merely fast and cost-effective to a restructured architecture featuring parallel execution, native stablecoin integration, a revamped economic model, and a more developer-friendly ecosystem. The blockchain was reengineered to meet the needs of modern DeFi applications. ^[5]

Technical Architecture

SonicVM

The SonicVM serves as the platform's execution environment with the following characteristics:

• Full EVM compatibility supporting Solidity and Vyper programming languages
• Enhanced security features to reduce application crashes
• Optimized for high-speed execution ^[1]

SonicDB

The platform's database infrastructure features:

• Low latency operations for fast transaction processing
• Specialized node types (RPC, validator, and observer nodes)
• Optimized storage requirements
• Cost-efficient maintenance structure ^[1]

Sonic Gateway

The native bridge system provides:

• Cross-chain connectivity with Ethereum and other networks
• Security audits completed by multiple firms including:
  • OpenZeppelin - Certora
  • Quantstamp ^[1]

Developer Incentives

Sonic implements a unique developer incentive model called Fee Monetization, which allows developers to:

• Earn up to 90% of their application's generated fees
• Receive rewards for contributing to network traffic
• Build and deploy applications with reduced operational costs ^[1]

Ecosystem

The Sonic ecosystem includes various decentralized applications and services:

DeFi Platforms

• Silo Finance
• Equalizer Exchange
• Beethoven X
• Debita
• PaintSwap
• Curve
• KyberSwap ^[1]

Gaming and NFTs

• Estfor Kingdom
• Sacra
• Thunder Dome ^[1]

Infrastructure

• Unstoppable Domains
• Layer3
• TokenPocket ^[1]

Governance and Token

The platform utilizes the S token - the native token of Sonic, which serves multiple purposes:

• Network governance
• Staking rewards
• Protocol security
• Fee payments ^[6]

Tokenomics

At Sonic’s launch, the total supply of S is 3.175 billion. As decided by multiple governance proposals, the additions below will gradually be implemented into the tokenomics of the S token. ^[6]