Ronin is a blockchain built for Web3 gaming. Created by Sky Mavis, the team behind Axie Infinity, it supports fast and low-cost transactions. Ronin is EVM-compatible, meaning it works well with Ethereum tools and apps.
It was launched to solve the high fees and slow speeds of Ethereum for games. Since then, Ronin has grown into a full gaming ecosystem. It now powers popular titles like Axie Infinity and Pixels.
With tools for developers, an NFT marketplace, and its own wallet, Ronin is quickly becoming a top choice for blockchain-based games and digital ownership. Learn more in this article!
What is Ronin Network?
Ronin Network is an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain built for Web3 gaming. Developed by Sky Mavis, the creators of Axie Infinity, Ronin helps players truly own, trade, and benefit from in-game assets. It powers top blockchain games like Axie Infinity and Pixels and aims to support a wide range of future games and studios.
Ronin launched its testnet in December 2020 and mainnet in February 2021. Since then, it has evolved into a full-stack infrastructure for blockchain games. Ronin is fast, low-cost, and user-friendly, making it ideal for developers and gamers alike.
Sky Mavis is the company behind Ronin Network. Their goal is to give economic freedom to gamers by letting them earn and own assets in the games they play. Sky Mavis also built tools like Mavis Hub (a game launchpad), Mavis Market (an NFT marketplace), and Mavis Account (for seamless login across its products).
The company, based in Vietnam and Singapore, has over 250 employees worldwide. It has raised $172 million over several funding rounds. In 2022, after a major hack on the Ronin Bridge, Sky Mavis quickly raised $150 million to cover all user losses. It later reduced this amount to $11 million after using its own funds to repay users.
With strong support from investors like a16z, Animoca Brands, and Paradigm, Ronin Network is becoming a major force in the blockchain gaming space. It’s helping build a future where gamers have real digital ownership and can earn as they play.
How Does Ronin Work?
Ronin Network was originally powered by Proof of Authority (PoA), where a small group of trusted validators verified transactions. This system made Ronin fast, efficient, and low-cost, but it lacked decentralization.
To improve this, Sky Mavis upgraded Ronin to include Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS). Now, any user holding enough RON tokens can become a validator or delegate their tokens to vote for one. This helps spread control and makes the network more decentralized.
DPoS still keeps Ronin’s original strengths — fast transactions and low fees. Validators are rewarded for their work, but if they act dishonestly, they are penalized through a process called slashing.
By combining PoA’s efficiency with DPoS’s decentralization, Ronin offers a balanced blockchain that’s ideal for gaming. Players benefit from quick, affordable transactions, and the network remains secure and transparent thanks to community participation. This upgrade strengthens Ronin’s goal of supporting large-scale blockchain games and ecosystems.
The Ronin Ecosystem
The Ronin Network has evolved from simply powering Axie Infinity into a vibrant ecosystem supporting a range of Web3 games and services.
Games
Axie Infinity, created by Sky Mavis, was the first major success on Ronin. It introduced play-to-earn gaming and grew rapidly after moving from Ethereum to Ronin in 2021 due to high gas fees on Ethereum. Within seven months of Ronin’s launch, Axie surpassed 1 million users, later hitting 9 million.
Following this success, Ronin began adding more games in 2023 like The Machines Arena, Tribesters, and Axie Champions. Later additions included Wild Forest, Fight League, Apeiron, and farming game Pixels. Pixels alone reached over 1 million daily active users in just seven months, helping Ronin’s gaming ecosystem thrive.
NFTs
Ronin supports major NFT platforms like Mavis Market and Axie Infinity Marketplace. In April 2024, Kaidro sold out 9,999 NFTs in seconds on Ronin, raising $2 million. This shows strong user demand and healthy creator rewards, thanks to Ronin’s royalty-respecting system.
DeFi
Ronin hosts Katana DEX, the platform’s biggest decentralized exchange, handling over 90% of its TVL. Other DeFi tools include Ronin Bridge, staking services, MetaLend for loans, and the Sablier payment protocol.
Wallet
Ronin Wallet is the main gateway for users, with browser and mobile versions. It supports token management, NFT viewing, and features like Social Login and MPC security.
Together, these parts make Ronin a fast-growing, gaming-focused blockchain ecosystem with active users, strong infrastructure, and real-world use cases.
Ronin Benefits
Just like any blockchain, Ronin has some benefits that make it special. Let’s take a look!
Specialized Gaming Infrastructure
Ronin is built for games. It processes transactions nearly instantly with fees under $0.001. It’s EVM-compatible, making development simple for studios. Developers also get access to a full suite of tools through Ronin and Mavis products. With sponsored transactions, game studios can cover gas fees for players, making onboarding easy for Web3 newcomers. The recent shift to Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) boosted decentralization while keeping speeds high and fees low.
Active On-Chain Community
Ronin’s user base is huge and growing fast. Daily active users jumped from 17,000 in October 2023 to over 1.37 million in May 2024 — an 80x increase, mainly thanks to Pixels. This shows Ronin has one of the most engaged Web3 gaming communities in the world.
Proven Publishing Expertise
Sky Mavis brings experience and powerful tools. Its team supports games from launch to growth with expert promotion and development help. The Mavis Suite offers integrated, easy-to-use tools built with developers in mind.
The RON Token
The RON token is the native utility token of the Ronin Network. It’s used to pay transaction fees, buy NFTs, and make in-game purchases. Players can also stake RON to help secure the network and earn rewards. RON is accepted across games, marketplaces, and ecosystem tools.
The total supply is capped at 1 billion tokens, distributed over 108 months. Allocation includes 30% to Sky Mavis, 30% to community incentives, 25% for rewards, and 15% to the ecosystem fund.
Stakers enjoy benefits like airdrops, whitelist spots, and launchpad access. For example, a 20 million PIXEL token airdrop was given to RON stakers in February 2024.
RON gained momentum from October 2023 to May 2024, rising from $0.40 to over $3.00, peaking at $4.40 in March, according to CoinMarketCap. RON is not just for fees — it plays a central role in fueling the Ronin ecosystem, benefiting gamers, developers, and token holders alike.
The Bottom Line
Ronin is a Layer 1 blockchain built for gaming. It’s fast, efficient, and easy to use, making it ideal for Web3 games.
As an EVM-compatible network, it supports smooth integration with Ethereum-based tools. With ongoing security upgrades and a growing ecosystem of games, NFTs, and DeFi apps, Ronin is gaining momentum.
Its ability to handle high transaction volumes at low cost sets it apart. As the platform continues to grow, Ronin is well-positioned to become the top choice for developers and players in the Web3 gaming space.
