Introduction

Ronin is a Layer 1 blockchain built specifically for Web3 gaming. Developed by Sky Mavis, the studio behind Axie Infinity, it is designed to support game studios that need low fees, fast confirmation times, and tools that reduce friction for new players. The network focuses on live games, player retention, and creator tools rather than general-purpose DeFi activity.

Gaming focus and tools

Ronin’s infrastructure is organised around onboarding and day-to-day play. Core components include the Ronin Wallet, the Katana DEX, and the Mavis Market NFT platform. Sponsored transactions and gas abstractions allow studios to cover or simplify transaction fees for players, which is useful for mobile and browser titles that aim to reach audiences outside the usual crypto user base.

Notable games on Ronin

Several active Web3 projects currently build on Ronin, covering different genres and levels of complexity:

• Axie Infinity – battler and breeding game built around NFT creatures and land, with PvP, PvE, and long-running progression systems.
• Pixels – farming and social MMO that migrated from Polygon to Ronin, bringing large spikes in daily active wallets and on-chain activity.
• Forgotten Runiverse – fantasy MMORPG tied to the Forgotten Runes Wizard Cult IP, combining crafting, exploration, and on-chain lore elements.
• Lumiterra – survival and resource-gathering MMO with seasons, gathering loops, and frequent live updates.
• Additional titles – games such as The Machines Arena and other competitive or casual projects broaden the catalogue beyond Axie-focused activity.

This mix positions Ronin as a chain with multiple live games competing for attention, rather than a single-game ecosystem.

How users can earn

On Ronin, most earning paths run through individual games and basic DeFi primitives rather than complex financial products. Players and users interact with the ecosystem in several ways:

• In-game rewards – some games distribute tokens or items for ranked play, quests, seasonal milestones, or event participation.
• NFT trading – players buy and sell in-game assets such as characters, land, or cosmetic items via marketplaces like Mavis Market.
• Liquidity and staking – users can provide liquidity in the Katana DEX or stake RON, receiving a share of fees or network rewards depending on the pool or validator.
• Creator programs – certain projects and the core ecosystem run grants, tournaments, or builder incentives that allocate rewards to map-makers, streamers, or community organisers.

Earning depends on the specific game or program, and conditions often change between seasons or balance updates, so most activity is tied to individual project rules rather than a single unified system.

RON token, staking, and rewards

The native token RON underpins transactions and network security. It is used for gas fees, validator staking and delegation, liquidity incentives, and certain ecosystem programs. The supply is capped at 1 billion RON, with emissions and unlocks following a multi-year schedule that includes allocations for the team, investors, and ecosystem incentives.

Holders can stake or delegate RON to validators, receiving rewards in return for contributing to network security. RON is tradeable on the Katana DEX and on several centralised exchanges, and is also used in fee structures for Mavis Market and other ecosystem tools. An ecosystem fund is available to support studios building on Ronin, including grants, investments, and marketing support for new or expanding games.

Node program

Ronin secures the network through a validator set run by approved operators. Validators are responsible for proposing and confirming blocks, maintaining uptime, and participating in network decisions. Running a validator requires technical setup, server management, and a meaningful amount of staked RON, either self-staked or delegated by other holders.

Most users interact with the system by delegating RON to existing validators rather than operating their own infrastructure. Delegators share in the rewards earned by the validator they choose, subject to network rules, commission settings, and unbonding periods.

Detailed requirements, minimum stake expectations, and application steps for becoming a validator are available on the official Ronin validator portal at validator.roninchain.com. There is currently no separate NFT-based or “home node” program; participation is organised through staking and validator operations rather than collectible node products.

Tech and background

Ronin initially launched in 2021 as a sidechain for Axie Infinity and later evolved into a more general gaming-focused Layer 1. It is EVM-compatible, which allows developers familiar with Ethereum tooling to deploy contracts and reuse parts of their existing stack. The chain is backed by investors such as a16z, Binance Labs, and Animoca Brands, and has processed significant NFT trading volume across Axie Infinity and other projects.

While it currently operates as a standalone Layer 1, Sky Mavis has announced plans to transition Ronin toward an Ethereum Layer 2 built using the OP Stack, with this migration expected over the coming years. That roadmap is intended to align Ronin more closely with Ethereum’s security model while retaining its gaming-focused UX.

The broader ecosystem includes Ronin Wallet, Katana DEX, Mavis Market, and integrations with external tools and services that support analytics, cross-chain movement, and security. With a catalogue of active games, seasonal events, and ongoing developer support, Ronin functions as a specialised network for studios that want a gaming-first environment with relatively straightforward onboarding for non-crypto-native players.