BNB Chain is overhauling its $100 million incentive program, shifting its focus from centralized exchange (CEX) listings to direct token acquisitions as part of a broader strategy to better support high-performing native projects.
From Listings to Direct Investment
Originally launched in March 2024, the incentive program aimed to reward native BNB Chain projects for securing listings on top centralized exchanges. The tiered system offered rewards between $10,000 and $500,000 depending on the exchange level, with platforms like Binance, Coinbase, and Upbit leading the list, and others such as Kraken, OKX, Bybit, and KuCoin categorized in lower tiers.
The goal was to boost liquidity and visibility for BNB Chain-native tokens by incentivizing their presence on widely used trading venues.
However, following a three-week pilot, feedback revealed that the original approach was not delivering the expected impact across sectors such as DeFi, AI, gaming, and memecoins. In response, BNB Chain announced a strategic pivot to a more direct form of ecosystem support.
New Model: Token Purchases for High-Performing Projects
Under the revamped model, BNB Chain Foundation will now purchase tokens directly from qualified native projects. These purchases will be capped at $100,000 per project and will be made at the Foundation’s discretion, offering more targeted and flexible support.
To be eligible, projects must meet minimum performance metrics, including:
- Market cap over $1 million
- Daily active traders exceeding 300, or
- Total value locked (TVL) of $20 million
Additional metrics, such as security practices and on-chain activity, will also be considered during the selection process.
“BNB Chain Foundation also keeps the flexibility to decide when to purchase tokens and how to handle the purchased tokens,” the platform noted in its official update.
Boosting the Native Ecosystem
The program is limited to tokens that are 100% BNB Chain native, although projects that have successfully migrated from other chains may also qualify. The move comes as developer activity on BNB Chain accelerates, with new launches across multiple verticals.
Some recent additions to the BNB Chain ecosystem include:
- Quex Tech – Infrastructure solutions
- Crypto Use – Blockchain-based payments
- BNB4.AI – AI-powered Web3 launchpad
- Market.Win – Oracle-based prediction market platform
These projects reflect the growing diversity and innovation within the BNB Chain environment, particularly in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, memecoins, and Web3 gaming.
Final Thoughts
BNB Chain’s pivot to direct token acquisition marks a significant shift in how it supports its growing ecosystem. Rather than relying on exchange listings to drive adoption, the network is now putting capital directly into projects that demonstrate strong fundamentals, active communities, and real on-chain performance.
