Aptos Proposes Tokenomics Overhaul to Cap Supply and Cut Staking

Aptos Foundation aims to cap APT supply at 2.1 billion, cut annual unlocks by ~60%, lower staking rewards to 2.6%, and raise gas fees tenfold as part of a performance-based tokenomics plan.

Rich by Coin

2026-02-19

Aptos Foundation has disclosed a governance proposal to reduce APT issuance by tying supply dynamics to network activity and performance. A core element is setting a total supply cap of 2.1 billion APT, with the annual unlocked supply expected to decline by about 60% after the October unlock cycle ends. The foundation notes there is currently no maximum supply cap, with circulating supply around 1.196 billion APT.

The plan would lower annual staking rewards from 5.19% to 2.6%, raise gas fees tenfold, and permanently lock 210 million APT to curb overall issuance. The staking reward structure would shift to reward long-term participants more, despite the lower overall rate. Gas fees paid in APT would be burned, creating deflationary pressure and supporting the foundation’s operations.

The subsidy framework would become more performance-based, applying stricter KPIs and potentially triggering token buybacks or reserve contributions when needed. The move accompanies growing ecosystem activity, with institutions such as BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and Apollo deploying hundreds of millions of dollars on-chain.