Ronin: The Engine Powering Axie Infinity’s Growth

·

Ronin has emerged as a pivotal force behind the rapid expansion of Axie Infinity, revolutionizing how blockchain games handle scalability, user experience, and in-game economies. Built as an Ethereum sidechain by Sky Mavis, Ronin addresses the critical limitations of Layer-1 blockchains—high fees, slow transactions, and poor user onboarding—that once threatened to stifle mass adoption of play-to-earn gaming.

Today, Ronin stands as one of the most active blockchain networks tailored specifically for gaming, processing millions of microtransactions daily with near-instant finality and minimal costs. This article explores Ronin’s architecture, core features, ecosystem tools like Katana DEX and AXS staking, and its strategic roadmap toward greater decentralization.

What Is Ronin?

Ronin is a purpose-built Ethereum sidechain designed exclusively for Axie Infinity and future blockchain games. Developed by Sky Mavis, it operates parallel to Ethereum but offers significantly faster transaction speeds and lower costs—key requirements for seamless gameplay and scalable GameFi economies.

Why Build a Custom Blockchain?

Before Ronin, Axie Infinity relied on Loom Network, another Layer-2 solution. However, when Loom shifted focus toward enterprise use cases, interoperability with Axie Infinity diminished. This misalignment prompted Sky Mavis to create a dedicated chain where game performance, user accessibility, and developer control could be prioritized.

Unlike general-purpose Layer-2 solutions such as Optimistic Rollups (e.g., Arbitrum) or ZK-Rollups (e.g., zkSync), which were still maturing at the time, Ronin offered immediate scalability through a Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus model.

👉 Discover how next-gen blockchain networks are transforming digital gaming experiences.

Understanding Proof-of-Authority (PoA)

Ronin currently uses PoA, a consensus mechanism that relies on a limited set of trusted validators—such as Binance, Ubisoft, and Animoca Brands—who are selected based on reputation rather than token stake. These validators process transactions quickly, achieving block times of approximately 3 seconds compared to Ethereum’s average of 13 seconds.

While PoA enables high throughput and low latency, it introduces a degree of centralization since ordinary users cannot run validator nodes. However, this trade-off was necessary during early development to ensure network stability and rapid iteration.

Sky Mavis has committed to gradually decentralizing Ronin over time. A major step forward was the launch of the first community-operated validator node managed by 50 members of the AxieChat community—marking the beginning of a broader governance transition.

Ronin Wallet: Seamless Onboarding for Gamers

User experience is central to Ronin’s design philosophy. To eliminate friction in wallet setup and asset management, Sky Mavis developed the Ronin Wallet—a non-custodial wallet available as both a browser extension (Chrome) and mobile app.

The wallet supports direct fiat on-ramps via integration with Ramp Network, allowing players to purchase AXS or SLP using traditional payment methods without needing prior crypto knowledge.

At its peak in November 2021, Ronin saw over 1.1 million daily active addresses interacting with the network—a testament to its mass-market appeal. Even today, it consistently maintains hundreds of thousands of daily users, making it one of the most widely used blockchain wallets in gaming.

Transaction Speed & Cost Efficiency

One of Ronin’s most compelling advantages is its cost structure:

This model contrasts sharply with Ethereum’s volatile gas market, where fees often exceed $50 during peak congestion—prohibitive for microtransactions common in games.

In November 2021 alone, Ronin processed over 560% more transactions than Ethereum, demonstrating its superior throughput for game-specific workloads.

👉 Learn how scalable blockchain solutions are unlocking new possibilities in digital entertainment.

Katana: Ronin’s Native Decentralized Exchange

Katana, also known as Ronin DEX, is the primary decentralized exchange on the Ronin network. It enables seamless swapping of in-game tokens like AXS, SLP, and WETH without leaving the ecosystem.

Liquidity Pools & Incentives

Katana hosts two main liquidity pools:

Liquidity providers (LPs) earn 0.25% of all trade fees proportional to their share in the pool. To accelerate adoption, 10% of the total $RON supply will be distributed over 90 days exclusively to LPs—making this the **only way to acquire $RON tokens** during the initial phase.

This incentive attracted over $900 million in liquidity shortly after launch. Despite fluctuations in dollar value due to market conditions, on-chain data shows consistent net inflows into pools like AXS-WETH—indicating strong long-term confidence among participants.

AXS Staking: Earning Rewards Within the Ecosystem

Beyond liquidity provision, users can stake AXS tokens independently through Axie Infinity’s official staking dashboard.

Key benefits include:

As of early 2025, over 20.7 million AXS tokens are staked—representing roughly 30% of circulating supply. The total value locked continues to grow despite price volatility, signaling deep commitment from long-term holders.

Additionally:

These metrics reflect strong community engagement and belief in the platform's long-term viability.

Transferring Assets to Ronin

There are two primary ways to move assets onto the Ronin network:

1. Ronin Bridge (from Ethereum)

Users can bridge ERC-20 assets like ETH, AXS, and SLP from Ethereum wallets (e.g., MetaMask). While functional, this method incurs Ethereum gas fees—making small transfers uneconomical.

Ronin Bridge ranks among the top three EVM bridges by volume, behind only Polygon and Avalanche.

2. Direct Transfers via Binance

Binance supports direct deposits and withdrawals of Ronin-based AXS and SLP. Transactions occur natively on Ronin, so fees are minimal—often less than $1.

For example:

This cost efficiency makes centralized exchanges a preferred entry point for many players.

The Path Forward: Decentralization & Expansion

While Ronin’s current PoA model enables speed and reliability, it falls short of full decentralization. Recognizing this, Sky Mavis has outlined a clear roadmap:

Once stabilized, Ronin aims to evolve beyond Axie Infinity, becoming a foundational platform for next-generation blockchain games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Ronin a Layer-1 or Layer-2 blockchain?
A: Ronin is an Ethereum sidechain—technically classified as a Layer-2 solution—built to scale game-specific transactions while maintaining compatibility with Ethereum.

Q: Can I run a Ronin validator node?
A: Currently, only approved entities operate validators. However, Sky Mavis has launched pilot programs for community-run nodes, signaling future openness.

Q: How do I get $RON tokens?
A: During the initial phase, $RON is distributed exclusively to liquidity providers on Katana DEX. No other acquisition methods are available at launch.

Q: Are transactions really free on Ronin?
A: Yes—each wallet gets 100 free transactions per day. After that, nominal fees (expected under $1) will apply once $RON is live.

Q: Why not use Polygon or Arbitrum instead?
A: Most existing Layer-2s prioritize DeFi and payments. Ronin is optimized specifically for gaming—offering better UX, lower costs, and tighter integration with Axie Infinity.

Q: Can other games build on Ronin?
A: Yes—once the network matures and decentralizes further, Sky Mavis plans to open Ronin to external developers building blockchain games.

Ronin represents a bold experiment in vertical blockchain design—one that puts gaming needs first. By solving real-world pain points like gas fees and slow confirmations, it has empowered millions to participate in the play-to-earn economy.

As decentralization progresses and new games join the ecosystem, Ronin may well become the go-to platform for immersive, player-owned digital worlds.

👉 Explore the future of blockchain gaming with tools built for speed, security, and scalability.