Since the second half of 2024, mainstream platforms have been strengthening the construction of Alpha zones, attracting on-chain participants through a "points + airdrop" mechanism. Whether it is the on-chain trading section embedded in centralized platforms or the staking incentive systems launched by L2 native protocols, points have evolved from an initial activity guidance tool into a core weapon for competing for liquidity, user time, and behavioral decision-making.
However, the accompanying "involution" has become increasingly significant. On one hand, some platforms have high thresholds for points and complex algorithms, requiring users to bear substantial financial or time costs, thus invisibly raising the participation threshold; on the other hand, due to the lack of transparency in incentive expectations, some users have "exploited without results" and begun to turn to more cost-effective systems. Against this backdrop, Gate launched a new version of the Alpha points system on July 29, attempting to reorganize user trading behavior with lower thresholds and clearer rules.
Compared to most platforms that rely on high-frequency, large-amount participation to earn incentive points, the current points model introduces a logarithmic growth structure, allowing users to earn basic points starting from 2 USDT, with the point value increasing sequentially as the trading amount doubles (e.g., 4U earns 2 points, 8U earns 3 points), forming a design logic of diminishing marginal returns. This model enables small and medium participants to enter the points range, helping to build a more sticky behavioral path.
In terms of the points evaluation structure, the system has set up a dual model of "daily asset balance points + effective trading points." The trading portion only counts "buy" actions and is limited to a specified asset range, excluding internal trading and non-target asset transactions, significantly reducing the possibility of obtaining rewards through inefficient volume manipulation. Points incentives are no longer linearly tied to total trading volume but adopt a capped prize pool + tiered distribution method, combined with a guaranteed points design, reducing the dropout rate for novice users.
Additionally, the value of points has been further strengthened by binding it to subsequent rights, such as TGE project participation qualifications, airdrop tickets, and priority access to platform activities. The system has also introduced a time decay mechanism—points that are about to expire are deducted first, encouraging users to participate actively within the cycle. Overall, this structure emphasizes user-friendly participation thresholds, effective behavior, and reasonable resource allocation, enhancing the efficiency of points usage within the cycle while considering fairness.
Since the system went live a week ago, trading volume in the Alpha zone has seen a phased increase. According to data disclosed by the platform, as of early August, overall trading volume has grown by about 380% compared to before the launch, with daily trading volumes for projects like KOGE, BR, and NAORIS showing concentrated increases.
It is worth noting that Gate Alpha has currently connected with mainstream public chains such as SOL, ETH, BNB Chain, and Base, allowing users to directly participate in on-chain asset purchases using USDT in their spot accounts, eliminating the need for cross-chain currency exchanges, manual recharges, and Gas authorizations. This simplified process is significantly more user-friendly for those unfamiliar with on-chain operations.
Although the trend of active trading growth cannot yet be compared to leading platforms, from the perspective of threshold design and participation paths, Gate Alpha indeed offers a more "lightweight" option, especially suitable for users with medium to small capital and those focused on airdrop-type targets.
From the overall industry trend, the points system is no longer just a tool for attracting users; it is transforming into an important mechanism for platforms to regulate user behavior and achieve ecological feedback. The effectiveness of this mechanism depends on whether it can accurately map user behavioral preferences and build a sustainable participation incentive model. In the "low trust, high liquidity" crypto market, this incentive design is becoming one of the key parameters for measuring the maturity of platform strategies.
The points system currently adopted by Gate Alpha reflects a tendency to favor mid- to long-tail user groups in its strategic design. By offering lower entry thresholds and a relatively friendly points rhythm, this system attempts to shorten the distance between ordinary users and the platform's core functions. Although it is still in the early testing phase, with an overall focus on user onboarding, its closed-loop design logic of "binding behavior with points—promoting asset liquidity—returning incentives" has initially shown a certain degree of ecological synergy.
From the perspective of the incentive model itself, the current design does not emphasize "high intensity, high return" short-cycle inducement strategies but focuses on light incentives and stable rhythms, gradually guiding user behavior through replicable rules. In the context of the ongoing evolution of on-chain user structures and increasing user sensitivity to input costs, this lightweight design provides the platform with a potentially more sustainable growth path.
Looking to the future, as more platforms join the competition for Alpha points, the points system will not only be a technical or design issue but also a concentrated reflection of product operation capabilities and user understanding depth. How to establish a more stable feedback mechanism between platform reward efficiency and user participation expectations may become the key to competition in the next cycle.
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