Axie Infinity is one of the most influential Web3 games ever built, onboarding millions of players into blockchain gaming, generating over $4.3 billion in cumulative NFT sales, and helping define the global play-to-earn (P2E) model. As of 2026, the Axie ecosystem continues to show meaningful on-chain activity, with over 100,000 daily unique active wallets (UAWs) interacting with the game and its smart contracts, more than 1 million on-chain transactions per day, and $100+ million in contract balances secured on Ronin, reflecting persistent asset ownership and capital locked in the ecosystem.
Axie Infinity on-chain statistics | Source: DappRadar
Powered by its purpose-built Ronin blockchain, Axie Infinity has transitioned from a speculative NFT boom into a more sustainable, skill-driven gaming economy, marked by free-to-play access via Axie Origins, competitive seasonal formats, and redesigned reward mechanics such as bAXS. While short-term activity fluctuates with market cycles, the scale of wallets, transaction throughput, and retained on-chain value positions Axie Infinity as one of the largest and most battle-tested Web3 gaming ecosystems still operating in 2026.
In this article, you’ll learn what Axie Infinity (AXS) is, how the game works today, how to start playing Axie Origins for free, and how rewards, tokens, and progression function in the current Axie ecosystem, so you can decide whether to play Axie Infinity, trade AXS, or both.
What Is Axie Infinity (AXS) and How Does the Web3 Game Work?
Axie Infinity is a Web3-native gaming ecosystem that blends competitive gameplay with on-chain asset ownership. At its core, Axie Infinity is built around Axie Origins, a turn-based, card-driven battle game where players assemble teams of creatures called Axies and compete in PvE and ranked PvP modes. Unlike traditional games, Axies and selected in-game assets can exist as NFTs, giving players verifiable ownership, the ability to trade freely, and the option to use the same assets across multiple Axie experiences.
From an infrastructure standpoint, Axie Infinity operates on Ronin, a purpose-built, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain designed specifically for gaming scale. Ronin was created by Sky Mavis to solve the cost and speed constraints of Ethereum, enabling millions of low-fee transactions, frequent asset upgrades, NFT trading, and reward distribution without disrupting gameplay. The network uses a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) model secured by a limited validator set, balancing performance with decentralization, an essential design choice for high-frequency, player-driven economies.
Economically, Axie Infinity functions as a player-owned digital economy. Gameplay activity, progression, and competition feed into an on-chain system governed by ecosystem tokens such as AXS, while newer mechanics like bAXS introduced in January 2026 are designed to reduce speculative sell pressure and keep value circulating among active players. This structure allows Axie Infinity to function not just as a game, but as a self-contained Web3 economy where gameplay, NFTs, and tokens are tightly integrated.
Who Created Axie Infinity and When Did It Launch?
Axie Infinity was created by Sky Mavis, a Vietnam-based Web3 game studio founded by Trung Nguyen and Aleksander Larsen. Development began in 2017, with the first playable versions launching on Ethereum in 2018, inspired by Pokémon-style creature battling and early experiments in NFT ownership. The project reached its first major inflection point in 2020–2021, when Sky Mavis launched the Ronin blockchain to support lower-cost transactions, unlocking mass adoption and driving Axie Infinity to billions of dollars in NFT trading volume during the global play-to-earn boom.
Key milestones include Axie Infinity becoming one of the highest-grossing NFT projects in history at over $4.3 billion in lifetime NFT sales as of January 2026, onboarding millions of players worldwide, and playing a major role in popularizing play-to-earn gaming in Southeast Asia. After market and security challenges in 2022, the team shifted focus toward sustainability, free-to-play access, and skill-based gameplay, culminating in the launch of Axie Origins, ongoing seasonal competitive formats, and the introduction of bAXS in 2026 to stabilize the in-game economy and align rewards with long-term player engagement.
What Are the Native Tokens in the Axie Infinity Ecosystem?
Axie Infinity uses a multi-token economic model to separate governance, gameplay activity, and long-term value alignment, reducing inflation risk while keeping incentives tied to real player engagement rather than pure speculation.
1. Axie Infinity Shards (AXS)
AXS is the core value and governance token of the Axie Infinity ecosystem. It anchors long-term ecosystem ownership and is used for governance decisions, staking, and major protocol-level incentives. As of Axie’s mature phase, AXS functions less as a daily reward token and more as a strategic asset tied to the success of the Ronin-powered Axie ecosystem, ecosystem upgrades, and competitive play. Mechanisms such as staking, locking, and bAXS conversion fees are designed to reduce circulating supply pressure over time.
2. Smooth Love Potion (SLP)
Smooth Love Potion (SLP) is a utility-driven gameplay token historically earned through battles and primarily used for breeding Axies. Unlike AXS, SLP is intentionally inflationary and demand-linked; its value depends on how actively players breed and expand the Axie population. Over multiple economic resets, SLP has evolved from a pure “play-to-earn” reward into a consumption-based token, helping balance player activity with Axie supply growth rather than serving as a long-term store of value.
3. Bonded AXS (bAXS)
Introduced in 2026 with Axie Origins Season 16, bAXS is a non-transferable, app-level reward token backed 1:1 by AXS. All seasonal competitive rewards are now paid in bAXS, which can be used inside the ecosystem for breeding, ascending, evolving, staking, or converted into AXS by paying a treasury fee that scales with Axie Score. This design directly links rewards to reputation and long-term participation, discouraging short-term “farm and dump” behavior while keeping value circulating among active players.
How the Tokens Work Together in the Axie Infinity Ecosystem
Together, AXS, SLP, and bAXS form a layered economic system: SLP absorbs high-frequency gameplay activity, bAXS controls reward outflows and aligns incentives with reputation, and AXS captures long-term ecosystem value and governance power. This separation allows Axie Infinity to function as a sustainable Web3 game economy, rather than a single-token system vulnerable to inflation shocks.
How to Play Axie Infinity (Origins): Step-by-Step Guide
Axie Infinity is designed with a progressive onboarding flow; you can start playing in minutes for free, then move on-chain only when you’re ready to own assets, compete at higher levels, or interact with the broader Ronin economy.
1. Start Free with Axie Origins, Best for Beginners
You can download Axie Infinity: Origins on PC or Android and start playing without buying NFTs. The game provides free starter Axies, allowing you to learn core mechanics such as turn order, energy management, card synergies, and team positioning. This free-to-play mode is intentionally built as a risk-free learning layer, so you can understand the meta and pacing before committing capital.
2. Create Your Axie Account
Axie Origins uses the Sky Mavis / Axie account system, which links your game progress to the Axie ecosystem. Account creation takes only a few minutes and does not require a wallet initially. Once logged in, you can immediately access adventure and beginner PvP modes using starter Axies and begin progressing through early ranks.
3. Learn the Core Axie Gameplay Loop
Axie Origins is a turn-based, card-driven strategy game. Each Axie has a defined class, abilities, and cards that interact with energy and turn order. Matches reward skill, sequencing, and synergy rather than reaction speed. As you improve, you can transition from casual and adventure modes into ranked PvP, where seasonal rewards and competitive rankings are determined.
4. Move From Free-to-Play to Player-Owned, Essential for Advanced Play
To fully participate in Axie’s on-chain economy and competitive ecosystem, you’ll eventually need player-owned assets:
• Create a Ronin wallet to hold Axie NFTs and tokens
• Acquire Axies through the Ronin ecosystem or marketplace
• Sync your NFTs into Axie Origins to use them in ranked play and seasonal competitions
At this stage, players typically fund their Ronin wallet with ecosystem tokens such as AXS or RON. You can buy AXS or RON tokens on the BingX spot market, then transfer the tokens to your Ronin wallet to cover NFT purchases, upgrades, or ecosystem interactions, streamlining the transition from gameplay to on-chain ownership.
Learn more about how to buy Ronin (RON) tokens to fund your wallet in our beginner's guide.
How to Earn Rewards in Axie Infinity in 2026
Source: Axie Infinity blog
Axie Infinity now uses a skill-weighted, reputation-aware reward system that prioritizes active players and long-term contributors over short-term farming, with rewards tightly integrated into the game’s competitive structure.
1. Ranked PvP in Axie Origins, Primary Reward Path
The main way to earn rewards is by competing in Axie Origins ranked PvP seasons. In Season 16, rewards are distributed based on final leaderboard placement, with the Top 2,000 players sharing an 80,000 bAXS prize pool. Each season is divided into clearly defined phases, Rare, Epic, Mystic, and Final Eras, which structure matchmaking, rankings, and progression. Higher ranks require stronger team composition, deeper game knowledge, and consistent performance rather than time spent grinding.
2. bAXS rewards for Core Gameplay Incentives
All seasonal rewards are now paid in bAXS (Bonded AXS), a non-transferable utility token backed 1:1 by AXS. bAXS can be used directly inside the ecosystem for actions such as breeding, evolving, ascending Axies, and staking-related mechanics. Players who choose to convert bAXS into AXS must pay a Treasury fee that scales with Axie Score, a reputation metric that favors long-term, high-integrity players. This system reduces immediate sell pressure and keeps value circulating among active participants.
3. Collectible Axie Incentives and Bonus Pools
Players holding Collectible Axies can unlock additional reward paths. In Season 16, eligible collectible holders who finish the Rare Era at Tiger rank or higher while holding their collectible Axie throughout the era can earn Collectible Chests, which contain Tickets redeemable for a share of a 10,000 bAXS bonus pool. This mechanism directly rewards long-term holding and competitive play rather than passive ownership.
4. Ecosystem Participation and Progression Benefits
Beyond direct token rewards, Axie Infinity incentivizes progression through account reputation, Axie Score, and ecosystem engagement. Higher-reputation players benefit from lower bAXS-to-AXS conversion fees and preferential treatment in future reward structures, aligning incentives with consistent gameplay and ecosystem contribution rather than extractive behavior.
Compared with earlier play-to-earn systems that relied heavily on inflationary payouts, Axie Infinity’s current model combines competitive skill, reputation, and controlled token release. The result is a more sustainable reward loop where earnings are tied to performance, commitment, and long-term participation, positioning Axie Infinity as a play-and-progress Web3 game, not a pure farming economy.
Top 5 Tips to Earn Higher Rewards in Axie Infinity
Earning more in Axie Infinity is less about grinding and more about decision quality, timing, and capital efficiency, especially under the current bAXS-based reward system.
1. Master fundamentals before spending capital: Use the free starter Axies to perfect turn sequencing, energy management, and card timing. Most ranked losses at lower tiers come from misusing energy or overcommitting cards early. Improving these basics directly increases win rates before you ever touch NFTs.
2. Climb ranked with intent, not volume: Treat ranked PvP as a feedback loop, not a grind. Review why you lost - was it poor matchup selection, inefficient card usage, or misreading opponent intent? Small adjustments in sequencing and target prioritization often produce larger rank gains than changing Axies.
3. Study the meta before going on-chain: Competitive Axie teams are meta-sensitive. Before buying NFTs, observe which Axie classes, synergies, and card effects dominate the current season and era. Entering the market without this context often leads to underperforming teams and unnecessary upgrades.
4. Optimize for reputation, not just rewards: Since bAXS conversion fees scale with Axie Score, consistent play, fair behavior, and long-term participation matter. Players with higher reputation retain more value when converting rewards, giving them a structural edge over short-term farmers.
5. Deploy capital only when your playstyle is clear: Go on-chain once you know whether you prefer control, tempo, or combo-based strategies. Buying Axies that match your actual playstyle reduces churn, minimizes replacement costs, and improves long-term reward efficiency.
Bottom line: Players who earn the most in Axie Infinity are those who learn cheaply, invest deliberately, and play consistently, not those who rush into NFTs without understanding the competitive environment.
How to Trade Axie Infinity Shards (AXS) on BingX for Market Exposure
BingX lets you trade AXS on both spot and futures markets, supported by BingX AI insights that highlight trends, momentum, and risk signals, making it easier to trade AXS whether you’re a player funding your Ronin wallet or a GameFi market-focused trader.
How to Buy and Sell AXS on the Spot Market
AXS/USDT trading pair on the spot market powered by BingX AI insights
Spot trading is the simplest and lowest-risk way to buy or sell AXS, especially if you plan to use the tokens for gameplay, staking, or transfers.
1. Create and verify your account on BingX: Complete identity verification to unlock full trading and withdrawal features.
2. Fund your account with USDT: Deposit USDT via supported payment methods or transfer from another wallet or exchange.
3. Go to the AXS/USDT spot pair: Navigate to the Spot Market and search for AXS/USDT to view live prices, order book depth, and BingX AI trend indicators.
4. Place your trade: Use a market order for instant execution or a limit order to buy or sell AXS at your preferred price.
5. Hold, withdraw, or use AXS: After purchase, you can hold AXS on BingX, transfer it to a Ronin wallet, or use it later for ecosystem participation.
Spot trading AXS is best suited for Axie players funding gameplay, long-term holders, and traders who want direct price exposure without leverage.
Learn more about how to buy Axie Infinity Shards in our comprehensive guide.
Long or Short AXS Perpetuals with Leverage on the Futures Market
AXS/USDT perpetual contract on the futures market powered by BingX AI
AXS futures trading allows you to speculate on price movements with leverage, without owning the underlying tokens.
1. Enable futures trading on BingX: Activate futures access from your account dashboard and complete the risk acknowledgment.
2. Transfer USDT to your futures wallet: Move funds internally from your spot wallet to your futures account.
3. Select the AXS/USDT perpetual contract: Open the AXS perpetual futures contract to view funding rates, open interest, and BingX AI-powered market signals.
4. Choose your position and leverage: Go long if you expect AXS to rise or short if you expect it to fall. Select leverage carefully to manage liquidation risk.
5. Set risk controls: Always use stop-loss and take-profit orders to manage downside and lock in gains, especially during high-volatility periods.
Trading AXS futures is best suited for experienced traders seeking short-term opportunities or hedging exposure during major Axie updates, seasons, or tokenomics changes.
Top 5 Risks to Consider Before Playing Axie Infinity
While Axie Infinity offers a unique mix of gameplay, NFTs, and crypto rewards, it’s still a Web3 ecosystem where outcomes depend on both game design decisions and market conditions.
1. Token price volatility: The value of AXS, SLP, and bAXS-linked rewards can fluctuate sharply based on market sentiment, tokenomics updates, and broader crypto cycles, directly affecting the real-world value of in-game earnings.
2. Economic and reward changes: Axie’s reward structure is actively managed. Updates such as bAXS, emission changes, or breeding cost adjustments can materially impact earning potential from one season to the next.
3. NFT liquidity risk: Axies are NFTs, not guaranteed liquid assets. Selling underperforming or off-meta Axies may require accepting lower prices, especially during market downturns.
4. Skill and competition risk: Rewards are increasingly concentrated among higher-ranked players. Casual or inexperienced players may earn little or nothing without improving gameplay fundamentals.
5. Blockchain and platform risk: Although Ronin is purpose-built for gaming, smart contract risks, network issues, or past security incidents highlight the importance of using official tools and maintaining good wallet security.
Conclusion: Should You Play Axie Infinity in 2026?
Axie Infinity in 2026 is best viewed as a skill-driven Web3 game, not a passive income product. With free-to-play access through Axie Origins, structured competitive seasons, and tighter reward controls like bAXS, the ecosystem has shifted toward sustainability, long-term engagement, and player reputation. For strategy game fans who enjoy competitive PvP, progression systems, and optional on-chain ownership, Axie Infinity offers a more refined experience than its early play-to-earn iterations.
That said, outcomes still depend on player skill, time commitment, and market conditions. Token prices, reward structures, and game balance can change, and NFT purchases carry liquidity and volatility risks. If you decide to play, start free, learn the mechanics, and treat any financial exposure, whether NFTs or tokens, as speculative. Axie Infinity can be rewarding for the right players, but it works best when approached as a game first, with informed expectations about risk.