Bitfinex-Backed Stable Layer 1 Unveils Tokenomics Ahead of Dec. 8 Mainnet Launch
Stable, the layer 1 blockchain focused on stablecoin payments and enterprise settlement, has detailed its STABLE token economics and governance model, setting the stage for its highly anticipated mainnet debut on December 8.
In a significant move ahead of its network launch, Stable has publicly released the complete tokenomics design for its native STABLE token. The announcement, made on December 3, outlines the fixed supply, allocation schedule, and governance mechanics that will underpin the new blockchain. Backed by industry heavyweights including Bitfinex and PayPal Ventures, and with over $1.1 billion in pre-deposited funds, Stable is positioning itself as a dedicated infrastructure layer for high-volume, low-cost stablecoin transactions. The mainnet launch marks the culmination of a phased pre-deposit program and establishes a new competitor in the burgeoning market for payment-optimized blockchains.
STABLE Tokenomics: A Fixed Supply Model Built for Ecosystem Growth
The foundational economic blueprint for the Stable network centers on a fixed, non-inflationary token supply. The total supply of STABLE tokens is capped at 100 billion. This finite model is a deliberate design choice aimed at providing long-term predictability for network participants, contrasting with some proof-of-stake networks that employ inflationary models to reward validators.
The allocation of this supply is strategically partitioned to balance immediate functionality with sustained development. The largest single allocation, 40% of the total supply or 40 billion tokens, is dedicated to ecosystem and community growth. This substantial reserve is intended to fund developer grants, user incentives, strategic integrations, and long-term treasury initiatives designed to bootstrap activity and innovation on the chain from day one.
Vesting Schedules and Initial Distribution: Ensuring Long-Term Alignment
A critical component of the tokenomics release is the detailed vesting schedule for locked allocations, a structure implemented to align the interests of founders, investors, and the network’s long-term health. Team members and early investors/advisors are each allocated 25% of the total supply (25 billion tokens each). These tokens are subject to a four-year vesting schedule with a one-year cliff. This standard practice in crypto-economics means no tokens from these allocations will be unlocked or liquid within the first year following launch. After the cliff period, the tokens will begin unlocking linearly over the subsequent three years.
For the ecosystem fund, 8% of its total allocation (3.2 billion tokens) will be unlocked at launch to drive early momentum through incentives and grants. The remaining 32% (12.8 billion tokens) will then vest over a three-year period. A separate 10% of the total supply (10 billion tokens) is designated for initial distribution to provide liquidity and support early adoption upon mainnet launch. This structured approach is explicitly designed by Stable to mitigate sell-side pressure from large holders in the network's formative stages while ensuring committed resources are available for growth.
Governance and Utility: STABLE as the Network's Coordination Layer
The STABLE token is architected to function as the primary coordination and governance mechanism for the layer 1 blockchain. According to Stable's announcement, token holders will have the right to vote on future protocol upgrades and participate in electing network validators. Furthermore, governance participants may be eligible to receive a share of validator revenue, creating a direct economic incentive for active stewardship of the network.
A distinctive feature of Stable's design is its separation of gas fees from its native token. The network will utilize USDT0—a version of Tether’s USDT—as the exclusive asset for paying transaction fees (gas). This model is intended to provide users, particularly enterprises and payment applications, with predictable and stable transaction costs, eliminating the volatility exposure typically associated with using a native crypto asset for gas. In this system, validators collect fees in USDT-based units, while STABLE secures the network’s economic foundation and governance.
The Road to Mainnet: $1.1B in Pre-Deposits and Strategic Backing
The December 8 mainnet launch follows a substantial pre-deposit campaign that demonstrated significant early interest in the network’s capabilities. Stable conducted a two-phase program that ultimately attracted more than $1.1 billion in funds from over 10,000 unique wallets.
The first phase reached its $825 million cap in just 22 minutes, though it was noted that several wallets made exceptionally large deposits, leading to discussions about initial concentration. In response, the second phase implemented Know-Your-Customer (KYC) controls and per-wallet deposit limits to democratize participation; this phase concluded on November 15.
Stable enters the market with formidable strategic backing. Its development is supported by Bitfinex, a major cryptocurrency exchange with deep ties to Tether (USDT). Furthermore, PayPal Ventures participated in a $28 million seed funding round specifically to expand support for PayPal’s own stablecoin, PYUSD, on the Stable network. This backing provides not just capital but also potential pipelines for significant user adoption and liquidity.
Market Context: The Rise of Payment-Focused Layer 1 Blockchains
Stable’s launch occurs within a clear trend in blockchain development: the emergence of specialized layer 1 networks built for specific use cases rather than general-purpose computation. Its focus on fast settlement and stablecoin payments places it in direct competition with other recently launched chains like Arc and Plasma, which also prioritize stablecoin transaction efficiency.
The project’s alignment with Tether is particularly strategic given broader market movements. Tether’s partnership in November with KraneShares and Bitfinex Securities aims to develop a tokenized securities marketplace projected to reach a trillion-dollar scale over time. As a dedicated settlement layer with native USDT integration, Stable is well-positioned to capture institutional flow from such initiatives. This contrasts with general-purpose chains like Ethereum or Solana, where stablecoin activity competes with myriad other applications for block space and can face higher and more volatile fee environments.
Conclusion: A New Contender for Stablecoin Settlement
With its tokenomics now public and a war chest of over $1.1 billion in pre-deposited capital awaiting deployment, Stable approaches its December 8 mainnet launch as a fully formed contender in the blockchain landscape. Its economic model emphasizes long-term alignment through disciplined vesting schedules, while its technical design prioritizes cost predictability by decoupling governance (STABLE) from transaction fees (USDT0).
For observers and potential users, the immediate period following the mainnet launch will be critical to monitor. Key metrics will include the growth of total value locked (TVL) from the pre-deposits into live applications, the volume of stablecoin transactions processed, and the activation of its governance community. Furthermore, the realization of strategic integrations stemming from its Bitfinex, Tether, and PayPal Ventures partnerships will be a significant indicator of its potential to capture enterprise-scale payment flows.
Stable is not launching into a vacuum but into a competitive niche with growing demand. Its success will hinge on its ability to leverage its substantial early resources and strategic relationships to deliver on its promise of reliable, low-fee infrastructure for the next wave of stablecoin adoption.