Points and Alpha: A New Paradigm for User Rise in the Web3 Ecosystem

In the Web3 world, points and Alpha are no longer simple incentive tools, but have evolved into a complex mechanism for guiding user behavior and ecosystem development. From the initial transaction rebates to today's ecological governance weights, the positioning and role of points have undergone fundamental changes.

Evolution of the Points Mechanism

Early exchange points were primarily simple rebate tools aimed at increasing trading volume. However, this mechanism struggles to retain long-term users and fails to create real community stickiness.

After 2017, with the emergence of platforms like Binance Launchpad, points began to be linked with "investment opportunities." Users need to stake assets or remain active to qualify for participating in high-quality project IDOs. Points transformed from mere rewards into a tool for filtering users.

The DEX ecosystem has reshaped the meaning of points in a more aggressive way. The UNI airdrop from Uniswap is a representative example, where points are no longer just short-term incentives but are directly linked to protocol governance rights. Curve's veToken model further strengthens this trend, allowing points to directly determine the distribution of ecosystem profits.

Nowadays, both CEX and DEX are strategically designing points rules to regulate user attention, asset flow direction, and even the development trend of the entire ecosystem. Points have become a real ecological strategic weapon.

The Alienation of the Alpha Mechanism

Compared to the clear rules of points, Alpha drives user behavior with a vague but strong expectation. It is not necessarily tied to points, but often creates the strongest desire for participation.

The charm of Alpha lies in uncertainty. Because users do not know the specific rewards, they are more willing to actively participate and stay engaged. This is a typical psychological game: vague hopes are more attractive than clear rules.

Currently, there are three mainstream Alpha models:

1. Narrative-driven: Such as zkSync, StarkNet, etc., relying solely on rumors of "possible airdrops" to stimulate user interaction.
2. Point-linked: like Binance Alpha Points, clearly tied to points.
3. Behavior capturing type: such as LayerZero, there is no formal points system, but it secretly records user behavior.

However, the ambiguity of Alpha can also easily lead to overstimulation and behavioral alienation. When Alpha becomes normalized, it may instead lose its filtering value and pollute the ecology.

The Synergistic Evolution of Points and Alpha

In order to more finely control user behavior, the platform has started to explore a "points + Alpha" hybrid mechanism:

• Use points to standardize behavioral paths to avoid systemic abuse.
• Use Alpha to create vague expectations and stimulate long-term participation enthusiasm.

This dual-track driving mechanism not only optimizes user tier screening but also enhances the platform's ability to control the ecological rhythm. Users no longer act solely to exchange for rewards, but participate in order to "leave a mark" and be recognized by the system.

The Mechanism Integration of CEX and DEX

As the point and Alpha mechanism mature, the boundaries between CEX and DEX are becoming blurred. CEX is beginning to introduce on-chain behavior recognition, light governance modules, and other DEX elements; while DEX is borrowing operational techniques such as CEX's point system and task structure.

Users' selection criteria have shifted from simply "choosing a platform" to "choosing a mechanism": whether there are reasonable points rules, whether real Alpha rewards are provided, and whether there are identifiable identity tracks. The focus of platform competition has shifted from "user numbers" to "mechanism design capability".

Future Outlook: From Points to Identity Verification

The future points system may no longer be limited to a single platform, but instead form a "trust network" of cross-ecological recognition. User behavior on one platform may affect their rights on other platforms. Points will evolve from simple "evidence of behavior" to a comprehensive understanding of user value by the ecosystem.

At the same time, with the increase in regulatory pressure, the platform may be more cautious in its design of points and Alpha. A truly effective mechanism will no longer simply stimulate interaction, but rather design a participation structure that encourages users to stay and be recognized.

Conclusion

In the evolution of points and Alpha, users have evolved from "luming party" to "candidates". Our participation in interactions is no longer solely for short-term gains, but to build an identity that can be recognized by the ecosystem. The competition between platforms has also transformed from simple incentive games into a deep design of order.

Ultimately, what users will remember is not the specific number of points or Alpha rewards, but which platform truly recognized and valued their worth. This is the core driving force behind the long-term development of the Web3 ecosystem.