Every Web3 project faces the same challenge when designing its token economy: Should we push hard staking or focus on real utility?

Staking seems like an easy win, lock tokens, reduce circulating supply, stabilize price. But if staking is just a temporary sink with no real demand drivers, it becomes a ticking time bomb.

So, which one should you prioritize? Let’s break it down.

The Problem with Hard Staking

Many projects introduce staking with high APY, believing it will create long-term holders. In reality, it often leads to:

• Inflation issues - If staking rewards come from emissions, the token loses value over time.

• Artificial demand - Users stake just to earn, not because they believe in the ecosystem.

• Dump cycles - As soon as staking rewards unlock, sell pressure wipes out gains.

Hard staking only works when paired with real token demand. Otherwise, it’s just delayed selling.

Why Utility Wins in the Long Run

Instead of forcing people to lock tokens, give them a reason to use them. A token with strong utility creates natural demand, which is far more sustainable than staking rewards.

Here’s how:

• Incentivized Spending - Offer exclusive access, fee discounts or premium features for token holders.

• Revenue-Backed Burns - Use platform earnings to buy and burn tokens, reducing supply naturally.

• Network Effect - As the ecosystem grows, so does the token’s value.

• Real Yield - If staking exists, rewards should come from actual revenue, not just inflation.

The Best Approach? A Balance of Both

The strongest token economies combine utility with sustainable staking models:

• Soft staking with real benefits - Governance power, fee reductions and boosted rewards.

• Utility-first design - Tokens should be needed within the ecosystem, not just held for speculation.

• Controlled emissions - Staking should enhance the ecosystem rather than dilute value.

Final Takeaway

Web3 is still figuring out what sustainable tokenomics look like. The projects that last won’t be the ones with the highest APY, but the ones where tokens have real use cases. The key isn’t just locking supply, it’s creating an economy where holding and using the token makes sense.