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Is the DeFi Success Secret to Earn Points and Gain Rewards?

by Serge BaloyanMay 13th, 2024

Too Long; Didn't Read

How DeFi project use point systems in their marketing and promotion campaigns

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If you’ve been checking DeFi projects last year, I’m sure you’ve noticed that many projects are using a point system to reward and celebrate active users.

Of course, this point-reward system helps to attract new users and make them active. And increase the main key metrics for any DeFi projects, such as TVL, trading volume, liquidity, etc.

These point systems are designed to reward users for various activities within these metrics, such as staking, liquidity provision, and referrals, among others. Projects like EigenLayer and Blast utilize point systems as a marketing and strategic tool, which in turn helps in bootstrapping network activity and fostering community growth.

So, in this article, let’s take a look at how and why DeFi projects can use point systems to grow. And in the end, I will take a look at a couple of examples.

I think this article would be useful for both DeFi projects and DeFi degens, as understanding the motivation behind a project's campaigns and activities will help to build the right DeFi strategy and understand the project's status. This also will help to analyze data the right way so that you can see it on different platforms like CoinGecko, different DEX, and API-integrated tools. If you run a DeFi or crypto project and need advice on marketing and community building, you can always message me directly!

Why DeFi projects use point rewards systems:

As we spoke earlier, DeFi projects use points as a marketing instrument to reward users in several strategic ways, enhancing user engagement, loyalty, and overall participation within their ecosystems.

And here’s why:

1. Token Airdrop Preparation

Most of the time, points mean share in the upcoming airdrop. At least, most of the users think so. Sometimes, airdrops are announced as preliminary, but most of the time, users don’t know how much they will finally get. That makes them intrigued and engaged. Some of the projects fuel it up with rumors that they spread among degen chats and influencers. Upcoming airdrop expectation works pretty well.

2. Incentivizing Specific Behaviors

Points are awarded to users for engaging in desired activities such as trading, staking, or providing liquidity. This not only boosts platform activity but also helps maintain a healthy and liquid market.

3. Hype and Buzz

One of the biggest parts of promotional strategies is to create buzz around the project. For example, by hosting competitions or challenges where points can be earned, projects can increase visibility and attract new users. And, of course, potential airdrops can be a topic to talk about for different KOLs, Twitter accounts, and media. Read more in my article on how Blast successfully did that.

4. Building Community

Points foster a sense of community by encouraging users to interact with each other and participate in community goals. This can lead to a more engaged and loyal user base, which is crucial for the long-term success of any DeFi project.

5. Creating a Habit

Point system makes users interact with the platform often. In some cases, even every day. It creates a habit and provides a better understanding of platform usage. That means that even after airdrop is done and/or the user needs some actions, he will use this platform even without rewards.

6. Long-term Participation

Points can be structured to reward long-term participation, discouraging users from abandoning the platform after receiving initial incentives. This can help maintain a stable and growing user base.

7. Enhancing User Experience through Gamification

By incorporating game-like elements such as points, leaderboards, and achievement badges, DeFi projects can make the user experience more enjoyable and engaging. This gamification can lead to increased user retention and more active participation.

8. Regulatory Navigation

In some jurisdictions, the regulatory status of tokens can be uncertain. By using points, DeFi projects can engage users and grow their ecosystems without immediately issuing tokens, thus navigating regulatory challenges more effectively.

9. Performance Metrics

And, of course, besides the big and active community, DeFi projects need high performance. More users create higher key metrics like TVL, pool liquidity levels, and so on that new potential audiences can see via analytical tools and graphics. High TVL brings more users and hype around the project. And these two factors go one after another.

Examples

Let’s take a look at projects that use a point system to reward their users as one of the marketing strategies.

EigenLayer - This Ether restacking protocol awards points to users for restocking Ethereum or Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs) within its ecosystem. These points may qualify users for potential airdrops and prioritize them in various protocol activities.

Blast - a Layer 2 solution built on Ethereum, employs a point system that rewards users for staking ETH, using dApss, and participating in its referral program. The points accrued can significantly enhance user rewards, including eligibility for airdrops of BLAST tokens.

Blur - As an NFT marketplace, Blur introduced a points system to reward users who list and bid on items, as well as those who lend their assets.

Friend.Tech - A web3 social networking app that supplies points to users who interact with the platform. These points could potentially convert into tokens in the future.

My advice is to check different projects that use the point system as a tool and check how they do it. They all have something in common, but at the same time, many projects use pretty unique point system design.

Points serve as a tool in DeFi and crypto marketing strategies, helping projects to incentivize desired behaviors, manage regulatory risks, promote user loyalty, and enhance the overall user experience. This multifaceted approach not only drives user engagement but also supports the growth and sustainability of DeFi projects and its key metrics.