Ronin’s journey over the first half of 2024 has marked a significant turning point in the world of blockchain gaming. With rapid growth in users, partnerships, and technological advancements, Ronin has solidified its position as one of the leading gaming blockchains. This article is a summary of their mid-year report, which offers an in-depth look at Ronin’s rise, the innovations driving its growth, and what the future holds.

The Ronin Effect

The past six months have seen notable growth for the Ronin Network, particularly in its user base and gaming ecosystem. By mid-2024, Ronin’s Daily Active Users (DAU) surged from 200,000 to over 1.5 million, reflecting a 6.8x increase since December 2023. This significant growth was accompanied by a tenfold increase in the trading volume on Mavis Market, with NFT collections like Kaidro and Ragnarok contributing millions in RON sales.

Active Addresses and Transactions

One of the major catalysts for this growth was the listing of Ronin’s native token, RON, on prominent exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. This not only provided easier access for millions of users but also boosted Ronin’s presence in the global blockchain landscape. Today, there are over 10.3 million RON holders, with Ronin Wallet downloads surpassing 3 million. Integration with BinancePay and CoinbasePay further streamlined the onboarding process for new users.

Ronin’s gaming ecosystem now features 15 playable titles, ranging from MMORPGs to puzzle games, demonstrating the platform’s versatility. This variety has attracted gamers from across the world, reinforcing Ronin’s position as a key player in the blockchain gaming space.

The Blockchain Forged For Gamers

Notable Gaming Highlights for 2024

As 2024 progressed, the “Ronin Effect” became increasingly evident. Games and NFT collections migrating to Ronin experienced exponential growth. Notable highlights include Pixels, Apeiron, and Ragnarok, all of which saw remarkable success following their integration into Ronin.

• Pixels, the top-performing crypto game, reached a peak of 1.7 million Monthly Active Users (MAU) by June. Players spent over 5.3 million $PIXEL tokens in the past month alone, highlighting the growing demand for the game.
• Apeiron launched its governance token, $APRS, in March, with over $74.5 million staked by the Ronin community. The game’s daily active users have held steady at around 70,000, further cementing its place within Ronin’s thriving ecosystem.
• Ragnarok introduced its first NFT collection, which sold out in under five seconds, marking a milestone for the billion-dollar franchise.

Ronin Ecosystem 

The Importance of Powerful Tech

To sustain its rapid expansion, Ronin has focused heavily on enhancing its technical infrastructure. In June 2024, Ronin developers announced plans to adopt zkEVM technology using Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK), aimed at decentralizing the network further while increasing transaction capacity.

The adoption of zkEVM will allow Ronin to process higher transaction volumes at reduced costs while maintaining robust security. With the potential to scale up to 400 million or even 4 billion transactions per day, Ronin’s network could see the deployment of multiple Layer 2 chains. This development will also enable third-party builders to create custom blockchains on Ronin, potentially leading to exclusive chains for major games like Pixels and Apeiron.

Ronin zkEVM Powered by Polygon

Enhancements to Ronin Wallet and Ronin Bridge

Ronin’s wallet saw a major upgrade in early 2024, introducing multi-chain support, stronger security through MPC technology, and a new user interface. The Ronin Wallet now integrates seamlessly with platforms like Katana DEX, allowing users to manage assets, stake RON, and trade NFTs with ease.

Additionally, the Ronin Bridge was enhanced to facilitate smooth token transfers between Ronin and Ethereum. By mid-2024, the bridge had processed over $1.6 billion in volume, providing developers with the tools needed to integrate their tokens and assets across networks.

Katana DEX and the Rise of New Tokens

The Katana DEX, Ronin’s decentralized exchange, also underwent a transformation in 2024. The addition of five new tokens, including $PIXEL and $APRS, has strengthened its position as a key component of the Ronin ecosystem. Katana’s Innovation Zone, launched this year, now provides an open platform for new token launches and further decentralizes the network.

 Katana DEX New Updates

Future Roadmap

Looking forward, Ronin is focusing on expanding its ecosystem with more partnerships, games, and infrastructure through the Ronin Forge program. This initiative, launched in June, provides early access for Web3 developers and studios to build and launch games on Ronin. Successful applicants receive grants, access to Ronin’s technical infrastructure, and direct engagement with the growing community.

As Ronin moves into the second half of 2024, several exciting developments are on the horizon:

• More games will migrate or launch on Ronin, expanding its library and attracting new players.
• Further upgrades to the protocol, including enhancements through Ronin Evolution Proposals (REPs), will continue to refine the platform.
• The implementation of a reputation system is expected to reward committed users and foster deeper community engagement.

Ronin Forge Program Apply Now

Final Thoughts

Ronin’s growth in 2024 is the culmination of years of hard work and innovation. From its early days with Axie Infinity to becoming one of the top gaming blockchains, Ronin has maintained a focus on scaling its technology and expanding its ecosystem. As the year continues, Ronin is well-positioned to lead the next wave of blockchain gaming, bringing more users, developers, and games into its rapidly evolving digital landscape. You can read the original report here.