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2024-12-21

Here is a summary of the key ideas and sentiments from day 2 of the tokenomics discussion:

  1. Concerns about an official ai16z launchpad
  • Requires a dedicated team to build and maintain which may stretch resources
  • ai16z should avoid being valued as a "cash flow business" based on launchpad revenues
  • May make ai16z look like a security to regulators and limit exchange listings
  • Launchpads tend to go to zero in bear markets
  • If a launchpad is pursued, it should be done by third parties, not "officially" by ai16z
  1. Hardcoding the Eliza agent creation to pay a % to the DAO treasury
  • Relatively easy to implement in the short-term to drive value
  • Users unlikely to care much about paying a slightly higher creation fee
  • Those who object can modify the code themselves
  1. ai16z should aim to become an L1 "gas token" long-term
  • An L1 blockchain is how ai16z can reach $100B+ valuation
  • ai16z needs to be blockchain agnostic though, not tied to any specific L1
  • Development should be open-source with incentives for node operators
  • Would need to handle issuance of a new token with extreme care
  1. Mixed views on using DAO treasury for liquidity pools (LPs)
  • One view: A portion of the treasury that will never be sold could be put to use in LPs to collect fees and cover impermanent loss
  • Opposing view: This risks getting stuck holding "badcoins" if they go to zero. Better to avoid LPs and focus resources on building the core protocol
  1. Ideas for capturing more value from the Eliza ecosystem
  • An "app store" model where devs can sell "Agents-as-a-Service" with ai16z as the currency
  • Having the agent creation flow send SOL to set up a 2-way pool (new token/SOL and new token/ai16z)
  • Bounties and incentives for devs to build valuable plugins and integrations
  1. Other thoughts
  • More analytical analysis needed before committing to any specific model
  • Focusing resources on widening ai16z's moat and making Eliza the preeminent framework is key
  • Partnering with and supporting other Eliza launchpads may be better than trying to compete with an official one

The sentiment seems to be shifting away from an official launchpad as the best path forward, with more interest in finding ways to capture value and drive demand for ai16z at the protocol/L1 level. But a recognition that any major moves need rigorous analysis and careful rollout given the regulatory environment.