Daedalus’ Labyrinth: Uncovering the “Token Economic Model” Hidden from Retail Investors | Bee Network
Compiled by Odaily Planet Daily ( @OdailyChine )
Translator |Azuma ( @azuma_eth )
Editor’s note: The token economic model has always been an important criterion for investors to evaluate a certain target, but L1D partner 0xLouisT revealed in his recent article that in addition to the conventional token economic model shown to the market, many projects also hide another invisible token economic model underwater. Except for the team and related persons, it is difficult for outsiders to know the true distribution plan of a certain token. In the article, 0xLouisT compared the story of Daedalus Labyrinth in Greek mythology, arguing that these hidden token economic models are like mazes, and the project parties that create these mazes are like Daedalus, who will eventually be trapped in their own cocoons and go to destruction. The following is the original content of 0xLouisT , translated by Odaily Planet Daily. In Greek mythology, there is a bloodthirsty creature called the Minotaur, which has a body structure of half man and half bull. King Minos was afraid of this creature, so he invited the genius Daedalus to design an intricate maze from which no one could escape. However, when the Athenian prince Theseus killed the Minotaur with the help of Daedalus, Minos was very angry and retaliated by imprisoning Daedalus and his son Ikaros in the maze built by Daedalus himself.Although Ikaros ultimately fell because of his recklessness (he flew too high during his escape and the sun burned his wings), Daedalus was the true architect of their fate – without him, Ikaros would never have been imprisoned.
This myth reflects the hidden “insider trading” that is prevalent in the current cryptocurrency cycle. In this article, I will reveal these types of trades — the labyrinthine structures orchestrated by insiders (Daedalus) that doom projects (Ikaros) to failure.
What is Insider Trading The high FDV, low circulation token structure has become a hot topic, and the market has debated a lot about its sustainability and impact. However, there is a dark corner in this discussion that is often overlooked – insider trading. These transactions are often made by a small number of market participants through off-chain contracts and agreements, which are usually covered up and almost impossible to identify from the chain. If you are not an insider, you will most likely never know about these transactions. In @cobie’s latest post, he introduced the concept of “phantom pricing”, highlighting how real price discovery is done in private markets. With this background, I want to introduce the new concept of “phantom tokenomics” to reveal how the public token economics model is used to disguise the real “phantom token economics model” – the publicly visible token economic model often only represents the “upper range” of a certain allocation category, but this is misleading, and the “phantom version” is the most accurate allocation. While there are many types of insider trading, some of the most noteworthy types of trading are listed below. Advisor Allocations: Investors can earn additional tokens for advisor services, which are usually categorized under the team or advisor category. This is often a means for investors to reduce their costs, and they provide little or no additional advice. I have personally seen an institution where the advisors share was 5 times the investors share, which can reduce the institutions true cost by 80% compared to the official financing and valuation data. Market making allocation: A portion of the token supply will be reserved for market making on centralized exchanges (CEX). This is positive in that it enhances the liquidity of the token, but it creates a conflict of interest when market makers are also investors in the project — allowing them to use their market making share to hedge their investment share, which is still locked up. CEX listing: In order to be listed on top CEXs such as Binance, project owners often need to pay marketing and listing fees. If investors can assist and ensure that the token is listed on these exchanges, they sometimes receive additional business fees (which can be as high as 3% of the total supply). Arthur Hayes previously published a detailed article revealing that these fees can be as high as 16% of the total token supply. TVL leasing: Whales or institutions that can provide liquidity are often promised a higher rate of return. Ordinary users may be satisfied with a 20% annualized rate of return, while some whales can quietly earn 30% with the same contribution through private transactions with the foundation . This practice may also have some positive significance and help maintain early liquidity, but the project party should disclose these transactions to the community in the token economic model. OTC “Fundraising”: OTC “Fundraising” is common and not necessarily bad in nature, but these deals tend to be highly opaque because the terms are usually not disclosed. The most notorious of these is the so-called “KOL round”, which is seen as a short-term catalyst for token prices. Some top Layer 1s (I don’t want to reveal their names) have also recently adopted this strategy – KOLs can subscribe to tokens at a large discount (about 50%) and a short lock-up period (six months of linear unlocking). For the sake of their interests, they will work hard to market xxx as the next xxx (you can bring in a Layer 1 here) killer. If you have any questions, you can check out my previous KOL translation guide. Selling staking rewards: Since 2017, many PoS networks have allowed investors to stake locked tokens and claim staking rewards at any time, which has become a way for early investors to profit in advance. Celestia and EigenLayer have both been pointed out to have this situation recently.All these insider transactions together build a ghost version of the token economic model. As a community member, you may often see the token economic model chart like the one below and be satisfied with its distribution and transparency.
But if we peel off the layers of disguise and reveal the hidden ghost token economic model, you will find that the real token distribution may look like the picture below, which does not leave much opportunity for the community.
Like Daedalus designing his own prison, this distribution sealed the fate of many tokens — insiders trapped their projects in a maze of opaque transactions, causing the tokens’ value to bleed away from them in all directions.
How did we get here?Like most problems caused by market inefficiencies, this one stems from a severe imbalance between supply and demand. There is an oversupply of projects entering the market, many of which are byproducts of the 2021/2022 VC boom, many of which have waited more than three years to launch a token, and now they are all crowded together, struggling to compete for TVL and attention in a colder market environment – please note that this is not 2021 anymore. In turn, demand cannot keep up with supply, and there are not enough buyers to absorb the frantic influx of new listings. Similarly , not all protocols can attract funds and accumulate TVL, making TVL a scarce resource. Instead of finding product-market fit (PMF), many projects fall into the trap of overpaying token incentives, artificially boosting key metrics and masking the lack of sustainable appeal. Today, many deals are done privately. Most VCs and funds are struggling to maintain meaningful returns as retail investors flee, and their profits have shrunk, forcing them to generate excess returns through insider trading rather than simply picking appreciating assets. One of the biggest issues remains token distribution, with regulatory barriers making it nearly impossible for projects to distribute tokens to retail investors, leaving teams with limited options — typically only airdrops or liquidity incentives. If you are a project that is trying to solve the token distribution problem through IC0 or other alternatives, talk to us. Revelation There is nothing inherently wrong with using tokens to incentivize stakeholders or accelerate project growth, and it can indeed be a powerful tool. The real problem is that it can easily lead to a complete lack of transparency in the token economic model. Here are a few key takeaways for cryptocurrency founders to increase transparency: Don’t offer advisory shares to investors: Investors should provide your company with as much help as they can without requiring additional advisory shares. If an institution requires additional tokens to invest, then they probably lack true confidence in your project. Do you really want such a person on your list of investors? Find the right market-making quote: Market-making services are highly marketed, and you should look for competitive quotes . There is no need to overpay. To help founders solve this problem smoothly, I have written a guide . Don’t confuse fundraising with unrelated operational matters: During the fundraising process, you should focus on finding funds and investors that can help add value to your project. During the fundraising phase, you should avoid discussing market making or airdrops, and don’t sign any documents related to these topics. Maximize on-chain transparency: The public token economic model should accurately reflect the true situation of token distribution. In the token genesis phase, tokens can be transparently distributed through different addresses to reflect the true token economic distribution. For example, in the following pie chart, you need to make sure you have six main addresses, representing the allocation of groups such as the team, consultants, and investors. You can proactively contact the following teams such as Etherscan, Arkham, and Nansen to mark addresses, contact Tokenomist to make unlocking schedules, and contact Coingecko and CoinMarketCap to display correct circulation and supply data. Use on-chain unlocking contracts: For team, investor, OTC, or any type of unlocking, ensure it is transparently executed on-chain via smart contracts. Locking up staking rewards: If you allow investors or insiders to stake locked tokens, at least make sure the staking rewards are also locked up. You can read my detailed thoughts on this practice in this post . Focus on the product and forget about CEX listing: Stop worrying about whether you can be listed on Binance. This will not solve your fundamental problems or improve your fundamentals. Take Pendle as an example. It only stayed on the decentralized exchange (DEX) at the beginning, but after finding the product market fit (PMF), it easily got the support of Binance. Focus on product construction and community growth. As long as your fundamentals are solid enough, CEX will rush to list tokens at more favorable prices.
Don’t use token incentives unless necessary: If you’re giving away your tokens easily, there’s something wrong with your strategy or business model. Tokens have value and should be used with caution for specific goals. Incentives can be a growth tool for a period of time, but they should not be a long-term solution. When planning a token incentive program, you should ask yourself: “What metric will change once the incentive stops?” If you think a metric will drop by 50% or more when the incentive stops, then your token incentive program is likely flawed.
In summary, if there is only one core point of this article, it is prioritize transparency . I wrote this article not to blame anyone, but to spark a real debate to improve industry transparency and reduce the phenomenon of ghost token economic models. I sincerely believe that this will improve over time. This article is sourced from the internet: Daedalus’ Labyrinth: Uncovering the “Token Economic Model” Hidden from Retail Investors Related: Aethir and Auros Partner to Simplify Fiat-Crypto Conversion for Enterprise Clients Aethir recently announced regular annual revenue of $36 million , making it a leader in the Decentralized Infrastructure Network (DePIN) industry. As an enterprise-level distributed GPU cloud computing service provider, Aethir is converting this revenue into ATH (Aethir Token) in a Web3 way. ATH will become the official currency for purchasing computing power in Aethirs DePIN ecosystem. In order to ensure that the fiat-to-crypto conversion process for customers is smooth and unimpeded, Aethir has established a partnership with Auros . Auros is a leading crypto-native algorithmic trading and market-making company dedicated to providing optimal liquidity for Web3 platforms. Auros will help ensure that revenue is smoothly converted into ATH tokens and subsequently used for computing services. This partnership will provide a streamlined ATH payment process for clients in industries such… # Analysis# Airdrop# crypto# Exchange# guide# Market# Token# Tool© Copyright NoticeThe copyright of the article belongs to the author, please do not reprint without permission. Pre As various chains compete to “pump.fun”, is Memecoin about to reach its peak? Next Bitwise: Why should traditional investors pay attention to stablecoins? Related articles “Painting the door” twice a day: In a hellish market, some people can still make $5 million 6086cf14eb90bc67ca4fc62b 18,812 Beyond Polymarket, how can DeAgent AI become the value center for predicting the market? 6086cf14eb90bc67ca4fc62b 16,625 Polymarket’s $9 Billion Valuation War: A Hidden Gold Mine for Arbitrageurs 6086cf14eb90bc67ca4fc62b 17,710 Full record of Odaily editorial department investment operations (June 5) 6086cf14eb90bc67ca4fc62b 38,923 Binance Alpha star GriffinAI suffered a cross-chain hijack: a malicious issuance of 5 billion tokens caused a 99% price 6086cf14eb90bc67ca4fc62b 19,315 1 One-week token unlock: ZRO unlocks 7.3% of circulating supply. 6086cf14eb90bc67ca4fc62b 16,800 2 1 comments You must be logged in to leave a comment! Login immediately aburean Guest Ok 1yrs ago (2024) Bee.com The world's largest Web3 portal Partners CoinCarp Binance CoinMarketCap CoinGecko Coinlive Armors Download Bee Network APP and start the web3 journey White Paper Roles FAQ © 2021—2026. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Services Download Bee Network APP and start the web3 journey The world's largest Web3 portal Partners CoinCarp Binance CoinMarketCap CoinGecko Coinlive Armors White Paper Roles FAQ © 2021—2026. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Services Search SearchInSiteOnChainSocialNews Hot to you: Airdrop Hunters Data Analysis Crypto Celebrities Trap Detector English 繁體中文 简体中文 日本語 Tiếng Việt العربية 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia हिन्दी اردو Русский English智能索引记录
-
2026-03-02 13:59:48
综合导航
成功
标题:捉蚊趣事作文
简介:在平平淡淡的日常中,大家都跟作文打过交道吧,根据写作命题的特点,作文可以分为命题作文和非命题作文。那么问题来了,到底应如
-
2026-03-02 10:11:14
综合导航
成功
标题:校园作文400字(经典4篇)
简介:在平平淡淡的日常中,大家或多或少都会接触过作文吧,作文是由文字组成,经过人的思想考虑,通过语言组织来表达一个主题意义的文
-
2026-03-02 14:17:54
综合导航
成功
标题:囚绿记(续写)_350字_作文网
简介:我一个人在这上海的租寓里,没有圆窗,没有绿叶,朝北的窗户外是喧杂的闹市,形形色色的人来到这里,然后从这里离开,演绎着一幕
-
2026-03-02 12:35:43
图片素材
成功
标题:暑期的作文750字 描写暑期的作文 关于暑期的作文-作文网
简介:作文网精选关于暑期的750字作文,包含暑期的作文素材,关于暑期的作文题目,以暑期为话题的750字作文大全,作文网原创名师
-
2026-03-02 11:26:51
综合导航
成功
标题:EHS Software to Outpace Risk VelocityEHS
简介:Make your workplace safer, faster with VelocityEHS AI-powere
-
2026-03-02 14:06:42
综合导航
成功
标题:ICF: Strategic Solutions For a Digital World ICF
简介:We work with hundreds of companies and governments to plan,
-
2026-03-02 14:31:17
教育培训
成功
标题:【热门】游玩的作文
简介:在日常生活或是工作学习中,许多人都写过作文吧,借助作文人们可以反映客观事物、表达思想感情、传递知识信息。相信写作文是一个
-
2026-03-02 13:37:17
综合导航
成功
标题:1x.com • In Pursuit of the Sublime
简介:1x.com is the world
-
2026-03-02 14:18:07
图片素材
成功
标题:愚人节的作文1500字 描写愚人节的作文 关于愚人节的作文-作文网
简介:作文网精选关于愚人节的1500字作文,包含愚人节的作文素材,关于愚人节的作文题目,以愚人节为话题的1500字作文大全,作
-
2026-03-02 10:01:00
综合导航
成功
标题:Measuring Power Supply Switching Loss with an Oscilloscope Tektronix
简介:Measuring Power Supply Switching Loss with an Oscilloscope
-
2026-03-02 10:52:53
综合导航
成功
标题:† Vicary a. World English Historical Dictionary
简介:† Vicary a. World English Historical Dictionary
-
2026-03-02 13:54:29
金融理财
成功
标题:个人理财规划期末考试答案2016(个人理财规划期末答案超星尔雅2020)_火必 Huobi交易所
简介:今天给各位分享个人理财规划期末考试答案2016的知识,其中也会对个人理财规划期末答案超星尔雅2020进行解释,如果能碰巧
-
2026-03-02 08:44:23
综合导航
成功
标题:Bitcoin’s “Liquidity Siege” Bee Network
简介:But what
-
2026-03-02 12:19:26
综合导航
成功
标题:写语文老师的作文3篇(精选)
简介:无论是在学校还是在社会中,大家都跟作文打过交道吧,作文可分为小学作文、中学作文、大学作文(论文)。你写作文时总是无从下笔
-
2026-03-02 13:57:11
综合导航
成功
标题:管理预订
简介:Singapore Airlines - Manage Booking
-
2026-03-02 09:57:24
教育培训
成功
标题:【精华】五年级寒假作文锦集6篇
简介:在日复一日的学习、工作或生活中,大家都经常看到作文的身影吧,借助作文可以宣泄心中的情感,调节自己的心情。你知道作文怎样才
-
2026-03-02 13:53:39
综合导航
成功
标题:Verzendofferte Ontvang uw verzendtarief TNT Netherlands
简介:Een TNT-tarief in een paar seconden. Meer informatie over on
-
2026-03-02 13:24:38
综合导航
成功
标题:人族鎮守使-第一千六百七十一章 殺意滔天最新章節-台灣小說網
简介:台灣小說網整理人族鎮守使全集無彈窗在線閱讀,當前章節:第一千六百七十一章 殺意滔天
-
2026-03-02 13:08:53
综合导航
成功
标题:使用ARMS为自建大模型应用构建可观测体系-在线部署-技术解决方案-阿里云
简介:本教程详解如何利用ARMS为LLM应用实现自动监控,轻松分析调用链、性能、Token消耗与会话,助您洞悉应用状态,快速定
-
2026-03-02 10:02:34
教育培训
成功
标题:关于小学年级写景作文汇编五篇
简介:在平时的学习、工作或生活中,说到作文,大家肯定都不陌生吧,作文是人们以书面形式表情达意的言语活动。那要怎么写好作文呢?以
-
2026-03-02 11:29:44
综合导航
成功
标题:Le voleur de misère – Excelsis
简介:Ce livre raconte les débuts de cette aventure : la prise de
-
2026-03-02 10:29:27
综合导航
成功
标题:撩错了我的最新章节_撩错了我的全文免费阅读_恋上你看书网
简介:撩错了我的是由作者:姜倾心霍栩所著,恋上你看书网免费提供撩错了我的全文在线阅读。<br />三秒记住本站:恋上你看书网
-
2026-03-02 14:29:46
综合导航
成功
标题:THE SPIRIT #15 DC
简介:Are diamonds really a girl
-
2026-03-02 13:56:09
综合导航
成功
标题:Office Furniture Services Experience 360° BOS Best in Class
简介:As the only Haworth dealership in Chicago with in-house offi
-
2026-03-02 14:27:26
综合导航
成功
标题:Men's Trekker Jogger Shorts American Eagle
简介:Shop Trekker Jogger Shorts for Men at American Eagle to find
-
2026-03-02 13:36:22
图片素材
成功
标题:一天的作文1200字 描写一天的作文 关于一天的作文-作文网
简介:作文网精选关于一天的1200字作文,包含一天的作文素材,关于一天的作文题目,以一天为话题的1200字作文大全,作文网原创
-
2026-03-02 10:56:11
综合导航
成功
标题:Weekly Token Unlocks: STRK Unlock Accounts for Approximately 4.6% of Circulating Supply Bee Network
简介:Starknet Project Twitter: https://twitter.com/Starknet Proj
-
2026-03-02 13:43:18
综合导航
成功
标题:AI智能索引 - AI智能索引
简介:AI智能索引 - 提供全网公开链接智能索引服务,快速访问目标内容,支持分类筛选和智能导航
-
2026-03-02 14:00:51
综合导航
成功
标题:Tiger Research: We maintain our $200,000 price target amid heightened market volatility. Bee Network
简介:Amid heightened market volatility, we maintain our $200,000
-
2026-03-02 10:08:32
综合导航
成功
标题:Winter & Spring Dresses, Jumpsuits & More American Eagle
简介:Shop Winter & Spring Dresses at American Eagle to find your