đŸșEmerging Markets Editorial #1

What's coming hot off the line, how to get involved, and how to front run the opps!

Author

Noah Major
May 05, 2025

Hey Y’all! Hope you’re having a killer Monday morning. We at WOLF are trying out a new emerging markets section of sorts, if you love new projects in crypto, then Monday Mornings will quickly become your thing! Stay tuned for info dump below!

Jumping right into it, we’ll be diving into:

  • Sophon

  • OpenLedgerHQ

  • Humanity Protocol

  • Overview: Sophon is a ZK-powered Layer 2 blockchain built on zkSync’s Elastic Chain, focusing on consumer-centric applications like gaming, social platforms, and ticketing. It aims to make crypto accessible with seamless, scalable, and secure user experiences.

  • $SOPH Token:

    • Total supply: 10 billion SOPH tokens.

    • Utility: Gas fees, node operator rewards, potential governance.

    • Non-transferable until Q1 2025.

  • Tokenomics:

    • Node Rewards: 20% (3-year distribution for Guardians and operators).

    • Ecosystem Reserve: 30% (grants, incentives, ecosystem growth).

    • Sophon Foundation: 25% (protocol development, operations).

    • Investors: 20% (backers like Binance Labs, Spartan Group).

    • Advisors: 5% (strategic guidance).

    • Note: Tokenomics subject to change.

  • Technology:

    • Validium architecture: High throughput, low fees, Ethereum security.

    • ZK Stack: Native account abstraction, paymasters for gasless transactions, instant finality.

    • Elastic Chain: Seamless interoperability with other ZK chains.

  • Ecosystem Goals:

    • Targets mass adoption via user-friendly apps in entertainment and lifestyle.

    • Integrates crypto invisibly into consumer experiences, avoiding complexity.

    • Supports developers with scalable infrastructure for high-throughput dApps.

  • Strengths:

    • Strong backing ($73.26M raised, reputable investors).

    • Consumer focus differentiates it from infrastructure-heavy projects.

    • Scalable, secure, and interoperable tech stack.

  • Considerations:

    • Tokenomics not finalized, creating uncertainty.

    • Success depends on mainstream adoption and developer uptake.

    • Full node decentralization timeline unclear, reliant on Matter Labs’ ZK Stack development.

  • Overview: OpenLedger is a blockchain network designed for decentralized AI, enabling transparent data attribution, scalable model serving, and incentivized contributions through a Proof of Attribution system. It aims to create a trustless, verifiable AI infrastructure.

  • $OPN Token:

    • Utility: Rewards data providers, node operators, and model developers; supports network transactions.

    • Distribution: Airdrop campaigns (e.g., $10K announced) and node-based point systems (convertible to tokens).

    • Non-transferable during Testnet; future mainnet plans unclear.

  • Tokenomics:

    • Unspecified total supply or allocation details in the whitepaper.

    • Rewards: Node runners earn “heartbeat” points daily (e.g., 50 points for “Daily Rewards,” 10% of direct referral points, 5% of secondary referral points).

    • Airdrop tasks: Node operation, social engagement, Testnet participation, and DePIN contributions.

  • Technology:

    • Proof of Attribution: Cryptographic mechanism linking data contributions to AI outputs, ensuring transparency and immutable on-chain records.

    • Open LoRA: Efficient framework for serving thousands of fine-tuned LoRA models on a single GPU, with dynamic adapter loading and low-latency inference.

    • Data Intelligence Datanet: Curates internet data for AI, with node-based infrastructure (Windows, Android, Chrome, Linux support).

    • zkML and DeepProve: Enable provable execution for verifiable AI processes.

  • Ecosystem Goals:

    • Democratizes AI development by enabling anyone to build and monetize models.

    • Scales decentralized AI with open-source infrastructure and tokenized incentives.

    • Enhances trust through on-chain provenance and decentralized governance.

  • Strengths:

    • Innovative Proof of Attribution ensures fair compensation and data traceability.

    • Open LoRA’s cost efficiency (claimed 99% cost reduction) and scalability for AI models.

    • Active community engagement via Testnet airdrops and referral programs.

  • Considerations:

    • Lack of finalized tokenomics (supply, vesting, allocation) creates uncertainty.

    • Heavy reliance on node participation; success hinges on network growth and user adoption.

    • Potential risks of centralized control during Testnet; full decentralization timeline vague.

Humanity Protocol Whitepaper Review Summary

  • Overview: Humanity Protocol is a zkEVM Layer-2 blockchain built on Polygon CDK, focusing on decentralized, Sybil-resistant digital identity verification using palm-based biometrics and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). It aims to empower users with self-sovereign identity, combat bots, and enhance privacy in Web3 and beyond.

  • $H Token:

    • Total supply: 10 billion $H tokens.

    • Utility: Rewards zkProofers (identity verifiers), supports transactions, potential governance.

    • Distribution: 24% Ecosystem Fund, 18% Identity Verification Rewards, 19% Team, 12% Community Incentives, 12% Foundation Treasury, 10% Investors, 5% Human Institute Reserve.

    • Non-transferable during Testnet; mainnet token launch date unspecified.

  • Tokenomics:

    • Community Incentives (12%): Airdrops (“fairdrops”), Testnet rewards.

    • Identity Verification Rewards (18%): For zkProofers validating identities.

    • Ecosystem Fund (24%): Grants, partnerships, dApp development.

    • Team (19%): Vested for core contributors.

    • Investors (10%): Backers like Animoca Brands, Jump Crypto.

    • Foundation Treasury (12%): Operations, protocol maintenance.

    • Human Institute Reserve (5%): Strategic initiatives.

  • Technology:

    • Proof of Humanity (PoH): Uses palm scans (Phase 1) and palm vein scans (Phase 2) for non-invasive biometric verification, paired with ZKPs for privacy.

    • zkEVM Layer-2: Built on Polygon CDK for scalability, low fees, Ethereum security.

    • zkProofers: Decentralized nodes verify identities without storing personal data.

    • Human ID: Unique, permanent credential for ecosystem interactions.

  • Ecosystem Goals:

    • Onboard 1 billion users to Web3 with a human-centric identity layer.

    • Enable applications like on-chain gaming, DeFi, DeSO, RWAs, and DePIN.

    • Ensure bot-free, fraud-resistant platforms with Sybil resistance at network and app layers.

    • Bridge online-offline identity for use cases like payments and event access.

  • Strengths:

    • Non-invasive palm biometrics enhance accessibility and privacy vs. iris scans.

    • Strong funding ($50M raised, $1.1B valuation) from Animoca Brands, Polygon Labs, others.

    • Testnet engagement (2M+ Human IDs reserved) shows community interest.

    • ZKP integration ensures data sovereignty and security.

  • Considerations:

    • Tokenomics finalized, but TGE date and airdrop details remain unclear.

    • Phase 2 (palm vein scanning) requires specialized devices, potentially limiting accessibility.

    • Success relies on mass adoption and developer integration of PoH.

    • Centralized control risks during Testnet; full decentralization timeline vague.

Airdrops farming referrals:

Referrals to be aware (farming):