peaq network (PEAQ) Tokenomika

The native token of the Peaq Layer 1 blockchain, PEAQ, is central to securing the network, incentivizing participation in the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) it hosts, and facilitating the machine economy. The tokenomics are designed for long-term sustainability through a disinflationary model and a structured allocation and vesting schedule.

Issuance Mechanism

The PEAQ token operates under a disinflationary economic model with a maximum total supply of 4.2 billion tokens.

• Initial Inflation Rate: The inflation rate is initially set at 3.5% annually to provide substantial incentives for early adopters and network participants.
• Disinflationary Schedule: This rate is programmed to decrease by 10% each year until it stabilizes at a final rate of 1%, which is projected to occur 12 years after the mainnet launch.
• Governance Control: This economic model is subject to change, as on-chain governance allows token holders to vote on proposals related to PEAQ's economic framework.

Allocation Mechanism

The initial distribution of the 4.2 billion PEAQ tokens is structured across various stakeholder groups, with a strong emphasis on community and ecosystem growth.

Note: These distributions were proposed and subject to change.

Usage and Incentive Mechanism

The PEAQ token serves multiple critical functions within the ecosystem, primarily focused on network security, transaction utility, and future governance.

Core Utility

1. Transaction Fees: PEAQ is the native currency used to pay transaction fees on the network.
2. Staking and Network Security: The token is used to secure the network through a Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism. Token holders can stake their PEAQ to support validator nodes or delegate their tokens to preferred validators, earning rewards for ensuring reliable block production.
3. Governance: PEAQ is slated to play a crucial role in future on-chain governance, granting token holders voting rights on key decisions regarding network updates, economic policies, and ecosystem grants.

Future and Advanced Utility

• Machine Reputation Proof: Peaq anticipates the token will function as a machine reputation proof. Machine owners will be able to stake PEAQ on their devices to vouch for their quality and reliability. If a machine fails to serve its intended purpose, the staked tokens would be subject to slashing.
• Machine DeFi and Tokenization (RWA): Future plans include expanding utility into Machine DeFi and Machine Tokenization (Real World Assets), enabling the tokenization of physical machines for use in the decentralized finance ecosystem.

Locking Mechanism and Vesting Schedule

Token allocations are subject to various lock-up periods and vesting schedules designed to align long-term incentives and manage circulating supply.

Unlocking Timeline

The token supply is projected to increase steadily, with significant unlocks contributing to the circulating supply over time.

Projected Unlocks (Q2 2025 - Q3 2025)

• Q2 2025: Approximately 294.1 million PEAQ tokens were projected to enter circulation.
  • By the end of Q2 2025, the circulating supply breakdown was projected to include: Community (28.0%), Investors (14.8%), Treasury (small addition), Network Security (1.2%), and Inflation (2.3%).
• Q3 2025: Approximately 327.3 million PEAQ tokens were projected to unlock.
  • The primary contributors to the Q3 2025 unlock were projected to be Investors (187.9 million PEAQ, or 20.2% of circulating supply), Community (70.2 million PEAQ, or 7.6% of circulating supply), and Core Contributors (26.8 million PEAQ, or 2.9% of circulating supply).

Long-Term Unlocks (2027-2028)

Looking further out, the token emission schedule shows consistent monthly unlocks in the later years of the vesting period. For instance, between October 2027 and July 2028, monthly unlocks are scheduled to release 23,333,334 PEAQ tokens each month, with each event representing an impact of approximately 1.55% on the circulating supply at that time.

Staking Activity

Staking activity demonstrates strong community participation, with the percentage of total issuance staked showing an overall upward trend from the mainnet launch in November 2024.

• By the end of Q1 2025 (March 31, 2025), 41.2% of PEAQ's total issuance was staked (1.75 billion PEAQ out of 4.25 billion total issuance).
• Staking activity saw a dip in Q2 2025, falling to 29.3% by the end of June 2025.
• However, staking participation recovered significantly, reaching 47.4% of total issuance staked by the end of Q3 2025 (September 30, 2025).