Alright, let’s cut to the chase. If you want Santa shimmying down your chimney with a sack full of gifts in a few days, you’ve got to come clean about one thing: how many times have you actually used those shiny new layer-1s [L1s] since the airdrop? Be honest. We’re all friends here.  

Let’s put things in perspective: This year alone, we’ve seen a host of network launches, each hyped to the heavens, tossing out low-float, high-FDV tokens like candy at a parade. And yet, what happens next? Crickets.

Many of these networks hit the same wall: a flurry of post-airdrop activity followed by... basically nothing.  

I’m absolutely not judging you, by the way. When you look into most of these networks, you begin to get the full picture — zero killer apps, just a native DEX soaking up most of the volume, followed by a few other apps struggling for attention.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no good news in sight.

With even more L1s gearing up for launch, we’re heading toward an oversaturation of similar L1s, which will lead to peak fragmentation. Users, liquidity, attention — it’s all going to be dispersed more than ever.

These issues are not exclusive to newer L1s; certain older L1s are facing the same “no actual users” situation, which leaves them trying different approaches and looking for anything that will stick.

The challenge is that while taking an agile approach to tackling these problems is beneficial, it can also create new issues — like falling behind in technology or losing relevance as narratives swing like a pendulum.

Looking at it through this lens, it’s clear why retail is beginning to gravitate toward older network chains — ”dinos,” if you will — that have stood the test of time and are still thriving.

While the tokenomics of these OG protocols might play a part — most have their total supply in circulation, have weathered multiple bear markets, and can arguably be considered fairly valued.

There’s more to their resurgence than just the numbers. The renewed appeal of these OG protocols goes far beyond tokenomics.

Today, we’ll spotlight SKALE as a prime example of these OG networks.

We genuinely believe SKALE was built to fit this narrative, but don’t just take our word for it. Stick with us through the next few paragraphs and see for yourself — this is the bull case.

SKALE: Built to outlast the competition

The first question is obvious: Why should SKALE be considered an OG network?

Well, any network that’s been around for nearly six years earns its OG status. SKALE has been in the game since 2018, and throughout this time, it has maintained a laser-focused mission: delivering a seamless and unique user experience for both dApps and end users.

SKALE’s priority is clear: Building an ecosystem that isn’t just a “many apps, no actual users” scenario, but a thriving network of meaningful activity and engagement.

SKALE’s goal isn’t just to attract applications — it’s to ensure those applications are actively used. In other words, SKALE is focused on creating a concentrated and meaningful experience within its network.

How does SKALE achieve this?

Zero gas fee and appchain technology

SKALE employs a two-pronged strategy to drive real activity on its network — first by optimizing for applications and then by optimizing for users. Think of it this way: SKALE enhances the experience for developers first, paving the way to deliver a seamless and rewarding experience for end users.

Pioneering appchain thesis

At the forefront of SKALE’s strategy is its appchain design — a concept that has gained significant traction today, thanks in large part to SKALE's pioneering efforts. SKALE is among the first networks to implement this model.

SKALE is specifically designed to deliver seamless deployment of gas-free, EVM compatible L1 appchains through the SKALE Manager (a set of smart contracts deployed on the Ethereum network responsible for the creation and destruction of SKALE chains).

This innovative architecture enabled the creation of appchains — dedicated SKALE chains where decentralized applications utilize their own blockspace, functioning much like independent L1 networks.

By allowing apps to either own their blockspace or share it with similar applications through hub chains, SKALE eliminates the competition for blockspace that plagues general-purpose L1 networks (study latency issues).

SKALE, due to its foundational architecture, exists as a network of limitless, independent, and interoperable appchains and hubchains. These chains seamlessly interact with one another, all unified under a shared economic system with the SKL token at its core.

Proprietary Chain Subscription Model: Making zero gas fees sustainable

SKALE takes it a step further by enhancing the developer experience with its proprietary innovation: the Chain Subscription Model.

This model allows SKALE chains to operate on a flat monthly subscription rate, ensuring their continued existence on the network.

This approach offers two key advantages: developers gain predictable overhead costs, while validators enjoy a stable and reliable source of incentivization.

We lied. The subscription model has a third advantage: It serves as the framework for SKALE, enabling end users to have a gas-free experience.  

Zero gas fee

On the SKALE network, users don’t pay transaction fees with tokens that hold economic value. This is because validator rewards come from the Chain Subscription Model, where appchain developers pay a flat monthly fee to sustain their chains and fund network operations.

That said, SKALE does have a gas token called sFUEL, but it’s unique — valueless and available from a faucet, so that users don’t bear any cost when transacting on SKALE chains.

This design ensures a frictionless experience while maintaining network functionality and protecting against spam and Sybil attacks

Through the gas-free model, SKALE offers a truly unique experience to apps and their users, allowing applications to attract real users.

As of this writing, SKALE’s gas-free model has saved users a total of over $10 billion in lifetime gas fees.  

SKALE as a super fast network

Transaction per second (TPS) and time to finality (TTF) are important metrics for evaluating how efficiently a network processes transactions.

As the emphasis on these benchmarks grows, any network aiming to deliver a top-tier experience for dApps and end-users must prioritize reliability in both transaction speed and processing.

In this area, SKALE stands out.

As of the time of writing, SKALE outperforms other L1 networks, with its independent SKALE chains boasting an average TPS of 397.7, according to a study by Dartmouth.

Collectively, the network achieves an impressive TPS of over 7,000, making it verifiably one of the fastest blockchains today.

This makes SKALE attractive to high-end data applications that need the required speed to function and provide an optimal user experience.

This is especially important for AI, social, and other high throughput dApps that need to push millions of transactions at zero cost.

Proof-of-activity  

With these points, we’ve demonstrated that SKALE is purpose-built to attract both dApps and users. However, it’s equally important to provide proof of real, growing activity on the network.

The first indicator of SKALE’s vitality lies in its validation metrics.

The network boasts over 888 nodes, operating as part of 111 supernodes. What’s even more impressive is that nearly 50% of the network’s native token supply is staked, actively supporting the validation process.

This level of engagement underscores SKALE’s growing momentum.

Additionally, at the time of writing, there are 18 dApps on the SKALE network with over 10,000 monthly users, showing a diverse and active ecosystem.

Unlike other L1 networks, where one or two decentralized exchanges usurp the network’s activity, SKALE’s Calypso and Nebula chain hubs host several apps buzzing with users and activity.

Outside of these hubs, independent appchains such as Exorde [an AI protocol that collects and analyzes data from the vast expanse of the Internet, capturing everything from breaking news to social media trends in real-time] also fall into the above 10k monthly UAW category.

In addition, SKALE is constantly seeking ways to optimize its ecosystem by onboarding more users and applications through a synergistic strategy.

One example of this is its focus on aligning with current narratives, such as AI, through its expanding Titan Hub — a hub designed to attract and support AI-driven applications.

All of these metrics point to a growing and thriving ecosystem where applications are satisfied by their demand for users and actual usage.

Building around the SKL token

As mentioned earlier, there’s a noticeable shift in retail focus toward OG networks and infrastructure. While this trend reflects a preference for protocols that have stood the test of time, the role of token economics in driving this interest cannot be overlooked.

In the SKALE ecosystem, the SKL token serves as the foundation, offering utility across four key frontiers.

Payments via the Chain Subscription Model

Developers pay SKL tokens monthly to keep applications on the network. This creates a model with relatively constant demand for the SKL token.

The chain subscription will ideally take a progressive route with payments, starting from an affordable slope progressively to steeper prices.

Nonetheless, to keep pricing reasonable, SKALE adopts a dynamic pricing model that takes into consideration the network’s utilization rate, defined as CA/NS.

C represents the number of SKALE chains existing on the network, A represents the number of nodes in each SKALE chain (16 nodes), N represents the number of active nodes on the network, and finally, S represents the number of available slots on the node.  

Network validation (staking)

The SKL token is central to the network’s validation process, requiring validators to stake at least 2 million SKL tokens. Delegators can also participate by staking their SKL tokens with validators, earning rewards distributed in SKL tokens.

Rewards for network participation

The SKL token is also a reward mechanism, incentivizing active participation. Delegators receive monthly rewards in SKL, while validators earn revenue on an epoch basis. This revenue is generated through SKL inflation and monthly payments from developers via the Chain Subscription Model.

SKALE also offers 10% APY on staked SKL, allowing users to earn handsome returns on their participation in the network.

Governance

Holding the SKL token qualifies holders to participate in the SKALE network's decision-making process, also known as governance. SKL holders can create and vote on proposals, contributing to the protocol's decentralized nature.

In addition to these use cases for the SKL token, there are a lot more coming that we might just not be able to share right now. One thing is sure: SKALE’s architecture is built intentionally from scratch to capture and retain value within the network.

The ultimate goal is establishing a sustainable and successful model, even as SKL inflation trends toward zero. Over time, as more applications join the ecosystem and user activity grows significantly, the Chain Subscription Model is poised to surpass SKL emissions. This shift will create an economically self-sufficient system, enabling SKALE to thrive not only as a blockchain network but also as a decentralized business.

Why devs and users love SKALE

At the heart of SKALE’s holistic design is end-user satisfaction, anchored by its gas-free invisible blockchain model — a feature representing the ultimate SKALE endgame.

Here’s how it works: SKALE chains are EVM-compatible, enabling applications from other networks to deploy seamlessly on SKALE. Decentralized applications extending their reach to SKALE gain a significant advantage — users naturally gravitate to SKALE because they don’t have to pay transaction fees.

This creates a compelling dynamic where developers are incentivized to prioritize the SKALE experience, as their users increasingly prefer SKALE over external chains. It’s a win-win logic that sets SKALE apart.

In addition, dApps benefit from the ability to advance payments, locking in subscriptions for 12 to 24 months, thereby providing them with predictable overhead costs and the luxury of proper fiscal planning.

This capability is especially critical in recent times, where the emphasis has shifted toward true protocol revenue rather than misleading metrics like total value locked (TVL).

Concluding thoughts

SKALE’s network activity doesn’t just align with its structure and goals — it screams success, solidifying its place as one of the OG networks that nail both the tech and the narrative.

Its design has proven immune to the “no real user” curse that has claimed many L1s, thriving instead on a rock-solid ecosystem that’s constantly evolving to attract cutting-edge applications and keep users coming back for more.

But here’s the thing: SKALE isn’t just coasting on its brilliant design. Nope, the protocol is turning up the heat with strategic partnerships, bringing in more developers and users to supercharge its ecosystem.

Let’s spell it out — SKALE is striking all the right chords and is becoming harder to ignore with every new addition to its lineup.

Let’s not forget the Chain Subscription Model. It’s barely two years old and already shaking things up in a big way.

SKALE might be an OG, but this feels like a golden moment for anyone with the vision to jump in early.

SKALE isn’t just offering opportunities — it’s laying them out on a silver platter, wrapped in a bow. The question is: Are you ready to grab it?