Blockchain gaming is evolving, with new platforms emerging to bridge innovation and accessibility. Decentralized technologies enable developers to create, publish, and scale blockchain-native games while fostering strong player communities. A key player in this space offers a chain-agnostic publishing solution, allowing developers to reach wider audiences and integrate blockchain functionalities seamlessly. With over 60 games and intellectual properties leveraging its platform, it is shaping the future of decentralized gaming. By prioritizing accessibility, engagement, and innovation, it aims to redefine the industry. MON Protocol aims to stand at the forefront of this transformation, driving the adoption of blockchain in gaming.

What is MON (MON)?

MON Protocol’s history traces back to the launch of the Pixelmon project on February 8, 2022. Initially, the project introduced 7,750 Pixelmon NFTs through a Dutch auction, selling at 3 Ethereum (ETH) each. However, controversy quickly followed when buyers discovered that the NFTs did not match the high-quality designs shown in promotional materials. Additionally, concerns arose about the team’s anonymity and similarities to an existing Minecraft mod. The backlash cast doubt on the project’s credibility.

Despite this rocky start, the project took a significant turn in September 2022 when Web3 studio LiquidX acquired a 60% stake in Pixelmon. Under the leadership of Giulio Xiloyannis, co-founder of LiquidX, the project underwent a major restructuring. A new team was formed, and a revised roadmap was introduced, ensuring a more transparent and structured development process. The first milestone under this new direction was securing $50 million in investment, setting the stage for a complete rework of Pixelmon into a leading blockchain gaming franchise.

This evolution led to the birth of MON Protocol in May 2024, designed to provide sustainable tokenomics for Pixelmon and other blockchain games. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, MON Protocol integrates with major networks like Solana, Immutable X, and Aptos, expanding its reach in Web3 gaming. Today, MON Protocol supports a diverse gaming ecosystem, including in-house-developed titles such as Pixelpals, Warriors of Nova Thera, and Hunting Grounds.

How Does MON Work? Protocol and Launchpool

MON Protocol operates as a multi-layered user-acquisition funnel designed to address fragmentation in the Web3 gaming space. By structuring its onboarding process across different engagement levels, MON Protocol ensures that users and projects connect efficiently, fostering sustainable growth within the ecosystem.

At its core, MON Protocol is an infrastructure that integrates gaming intellectual properties (IPs) and user engagement on-chain. The platform leverages blockchain technology to bring popular gaming characters, universes, and experiences into the decentralized landscape, making them accessible to a wider audience. This approach mitigates the challenges of fragmented IP ownership and enhances the discoverability of blockchain-based games.

The funnel begins with the broadest entry point, the Catch-All Layer, where MON Protocol attracts general users through marketing campaigns and initial NFT sales. This layer ensures mass exposure, onboarding a diverse audience into the ecosystem. The second layer, known as the Outer Core, filters for key users who contribute meaningfully to the protocol. These users receive prioritized airdrops based on factors such as NFT holdings, rarity, and engagement history. This targeted incentivization ensures that users with the highest potential value to the ecosystem are rewarded accordingly.

The final layer, the Inner Core, further refines participation by identifying active key users who consistently provide value. This group is encouraged to remain engaged through additional incentives beyond airdrops. Rather than relying solely on one-time rewards, MON Protocol integrates sustained engagement mechanisms to ensure users contribute to the platform’s long-term success. The MON Launchpool plays a crucial role at this stage, providing proportional rewards to users actively interacting with the ecosystem.

Source: monprotocol.ai

The key advantage of this structured approach is its ability to optimize user incentives dynamically. Unlike traditional flat user-acquisition funnels that distribute rewards indiscriminately, MON Protocol’s tiered model ensures that each level of engagement is proportionately incentivized. This prevents inefficiencies such as over-rewarding passive participants while ensuring high-value contributors receive appropriate recognition.

Beyond gaming, MON Protocol’s flexible framework can extend to other Web3 verticals requiring structured user engagement. While gaming remains the primary focus, future expansions may incorporate other blockchain-based applications that benefit from targeted user acquisition strategies.

Launchpool

The MON Protocol Launchpool is designed as an efficient reward mechanism that benefits users and partner projects. MON holders can earn valuable tokens from Web3 gaming and blockchain projects by staking their MON tokens. This system incentivizes participation without requiring users to part with their initial holdings, making it a capital-efficient way to gain exposure to new ecosystems.

The process is straightforward: users buy and hold MON, stake it to earn MON Points, and then use these points to participate in Launchpool events, where they receive airdrops from partner projects. This structured approach ensures that the most engaged and active community members receive meaningful rewards while maintaining long-term ecosystem stability.

One of the core benefits of the Launchpool is its role in MON Protocol’s broader user-acquisition funnel. By onboarding high-quality projects, MON Protocol ensures that Web3 gaming experiences remain curated and avoid oversaturation. This selective process helps onboard users into promising blockchain-based games while allowing projects to access a dedicated and engaged audience. As a result, MON Protocol functions as a key gateway for Web3 game publishing, providing both users and developers with a reliable onboarding mechanism.

Source: monprotocol.ai

Since its launch in June 2024, MON Launchpool has already distributed over $3.3 million in tokens to its participants. These rewards have come from partnerships with well-established projects, including Aethir ($ATH), Nyan Heroes ($NYAN), Blocklords ($LRD), Pixelverse ($PIXFI), and Memeland ($MEME). Each of these projects represents a different segment of the Web3 ecosystem, from gaming and strategy to meme culture, demonstrating the broad utility of MON’s reward structure.

Launchpools on MON Protocol are listed based on market conditions and project timelines, typically at a rate of at least one new Launchpool every two weeks. Some weeks may feature multiple Launchpool events simultaneously, ensuring a steady flow of opportunities for users. From June to December 2024, MON Protocol executed 15 Launchpools with over 20+ projects, and the number is expected to grow significantly, with 80+ new Launchpools planned for the following year.

The value of rewards distributed in each Launchpool depends on two key factors: the total supply allocated by partner projects and their fully diluted valuation (FDV) at launch. Additionally, individual rewards are influenced by the number of participants in each Launchpool. Smaller Launchpools with fewer bidders can result in larger individual rewards, making each event unique in its earning potential.

MON Use Cases

By addressing challenges like user acquisition, engagement, and project sustainability, MON Protocol streamlines the integration of blockchain technology into gaming ecosystems. Here are the key ways MON Protocol is utilized:

• Game and IP Publishing: MON Protocol is a chain-agnostic platform that helps developers launch and manage blockchain-native games and IPs. By providing the necessary tools, infrastructure, and funding, it enables game creators to reach a broader audience while ensuring seamless interoperability across multiple blockchain networks.
• User Acquisition and Retention: The protocol operates as a sophisticated user-acquisition funnel, allowing Web3 gaming projects to onboard high-quality users while filtering out low-engagement participants. Through targeted airdrops and incentive mechanisms, MON Protocol ensures that engaged players and investors contribute value to partnered projects, reducing fragmentation.
• Launchpool Rewards and Incentives: MON Protocol’s Launchpool provides a capital-efficient way for users to gain exposure to new projects. By staking MON tokens, participants earn MON Points, which can be used to access exclusive airdrops from partnered games. This system benefits users and developers, fostering a mutually rewarding ecosystem where high-quality projects gain visibility.

MON Main Features

Launchpools

MON Protocol’s Launchpool is a core feature that allows users to stake MON tokens and earn rewards from over 100 partner projects. By staking MON, users accumulate points, which they can use to bid for airdrops from upcoming gaming and blockchain projects. This system ensures that users gain access to valuable partner tokens while retaining their original MON holdings. The Launchpool has already distributed over $6 million in tokens, including those from major projects like Memeland, Aethir, and Nyan Heroes. Users can maximize their rewards by staking for longer durations, earning more points, and increasing their chances of receiving exclusive airdrops.

Source: monprotocol.ai/launchpools

Missions

MON Missions offers an interactive way for users to earn rewards by completing simple social tasks. By connecting their Twitter accounts, users can participate in daily activities such as following MON Protocol, engaging with partner projects, and referring friends. Each completed mission earns points, which can later be redeemed for MON tokens. A unique feature of Missions is the Daily Spin, which allows users to spin a virtual wheel for additional rewards. Additionally, the referral system rewards both referrers and referees with bonus points, further encouraging community growth. Missions are designed to drive user engagement and expand MON Protocol’s ecosystem while providing users with an accessible and rewarding experience. Future updates will introduce point-to-token conversion, ensuring that participation in Missions translates into tangible benefits for the community.

Source: app.monprotocol.ai/questing

NFT Staking

MON Protocol integrates NFTs into its ecosystem through the Hunting Season staking program. Users can stake their Pixelmon and Trainer NFTs to earn MON tokens, accumulating daily throughout the staking period. The staking process is divided into three phases: Accumulation, Drip, and Grace. During the Accumulation Phase, users lock their NFTs to earn MON rewards. In the Drip Phase, the accumulated MON gradually unlocks over 20 days, allowing users to claim rewards daily or in bulk. Finally, the Grace Period gives users additional time to claim any remaining MON before it is forfeited. This system encourages long-term staking.

Source: app.monprotocol.ai/hunting-season

Pixelmon Partnership

MON Protocol has partnered strategically with Pixelmon, a major decentralized gaming publisher. Pixelmon aims to establish a Decentralized Game IP Ownership (DGIO) model, where players can benefit from free-to-play gaming while earning rewards through play-to-own mechanics. The project features two NFT categories: Genesis NFTs, which provide fractional ownership and royalty rights, and in-game NFTs, which players can earn through gameplay. As part of their collaboration, MON Protocol supports Pixelmon’s governance structure, helping to manage the on-chain IP rights of over 200 characters. Pixelmon, in turn, leverages MON Protocol’s infrastructure and network to expand its presence in the web3 gaming space.

Source: pixelmon.ai

What is the MON Coin?

MON is the native token of MON Protocol, used for staking, governance, and rewards. Its total supply counts 1 billion units, of which 315.9 million are already in circulation (February 2025).

MON token serves multiple functions: governance, gaming transactions, creator grants, community rewards, and fractionalized IP licensing. Within the Pixelmon ecosystem, MON is the preferred gaming currency, enabling in-game transactions, tournament rewards, and engagement incentives.

Source: monprotocol.ai

Token distribution ensures a strong connection with the community, with 36% of the total supply allocated directly to Pixelmon holders. This includes a 30% community claim, split into an initial 5% available at TGE and 25% vested over 30 months. Additionally, 6% is allocated to a community pre-sale, setting the initial fully diluted valuation (FDV) of MON.

The ecosystem fund comprises 29% of the total supply, with 19% dedicated to ecosystem growth and 10% reserved for the MON Foundation treasury. These funds aim to support MON’s broader expansion, strengthening the Pixelmon and MON Protocol ecosystems.

Further allocations include 5% for market makers and launch liquidity, 15% for MON Protocol team vesting grants, 2% for strategic and legal advisors, and 13% for strategic round participants, subject to different vesting schedules.

Source: monprotocol.ai

Decentralized IP Governance

MON Protocol enables decentralized IP governance, starting with Pixelmon’s 200+ fractionalized monster characters. Through MON DAO, holders will participate in key decisions, ensuring fair licensing and expansion of intellectual property. The governance model incentivizes community-driven growth across multiple projects and industries. Initially, MON Protocol’s governance will be overseen by the MON Foundation, with a gradual transition into a fully decentralized DAO. This structure will allow NFT holders to govern IP rights through dedicated sub-DAOs. However, governance features will be introduced progressively as the ecosystem develops.

Source: monprotocol.ai

Is MON a Good Investment?

MON Protocol offers a strong use case by integrating blockchain-native intellectual property (IP) governance and web3 gaming, backed by strategic partnerships with Pixelmon, Immutable, and Solana. This gives it a clear utility beyond speculation. However, its success depends on user adoption and the execution of its roadmap. Web3 gaming is still a niche market, and projects in this space face challenges in maintaining long-term engagement. Investors should consider these factors when evaluating MON’s potential.

How to Own MON?

To own MON, you can use the services of a centralized crypto exchange. Start by creating a Gate.io account and get it verified and funded. Then, you are ready to go through the steps to buy MON.

News on MON

On 17 January 2025, via its official X channel, MON Protocol announced that MON has become the first EVM-compatible ERC20 token to launch on Hyperliquid Spot. This milestone enhances MON’s liquidity and integration within the evolving Hyperliquid ecosystem. As the ecosystem token for Pixelmon, MON powers in-game economies, unlocks airdrop rewards, and enables governance. With trading already available on major CEXs and DEXs, this move strengthens MON’s position in blockchain gaming and decentralized finance.