Is Render's Token, RNDR, a Cause for Concern?

By Michael @ CryptoEQ | CryptoEQ | 11 Mar 2024


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Token Overview

RNDR token overview Source

Cost Efficiency

One of the key economic advantages of the Render Network is its ability to leverage underutilized computational resources from participating devices connected to the network. By tapping into these resources, the Render Network can perform complex rendering tasks without relying on dedicated, costly infrastructure, such as traditional rendering farms.

This approach not only reduces the overall costs associated with rendering services but also maximizes the efficiency of existing resources. As a result, the Render Network can offer more affordable and competitive pricing for its rendering services, making it an attractive option for artists and developers seeking cost-effective solutions for their projects.

Dynamic Pricing and Incentivization Methods

The Render Network employs a dynamic pricing model that adjusts based on the demand and availability of rendering resources within the network. This model allows for more efficient resource allocation and ensures that users pay a fair price for the services they consume.

As the demand for rendering resources fluctuates, the Render Network can dynamically allocate resources across the network to meet the demand, ensuring that users receive the optimal level of performance at any given time. This adaptive resource allocation, combined with the platform's decentralized nature, allows the Render Network to offer competitive pricing for its rendering services while maintaining high-quality output and rapid turnaround times.

The Render Network incentivizes users to contribute their computational resources to the network by offering rewards in the form of RNDR tokens. These rewards are distributed to users based on the amount of computational power they contribute and the duration of their participation in the network.

By providing a tangible incentive for users to join and contribute to the network, the Render Network encourages the growth of its rendering infrastructure and ensures a consistent supply of computational resources to meet the demand for rendering services. This incentive mechanism also fosters a sense of community and collaboration among network participants, as users are rewarded for their efforts in supporting the platform's growth and success.

In addition to rewarding users for contributing computational resources, the Render Network also enables creators to monetize their digital assets through the platform's tokenized marketplace. By facilitating the exchange of digital assets for RNDR tokens, the platform provides artists and developers with a new revenue stream and allows them to capitalize on their creative efforts.

This economic model not only benefits creators but also encourages the production of high-quality digital assets, as creators are incentivized to produce content that is in demand within the platform's ecosystem. As a result, the Render Network fosters an environment of innovation and creativity, driving the development of new digital assets and expanding the platform's offering for users.

Overall, the economics of the Render Network are designed to create a sustainable and thriving ecosystem that benefits all participants, from artists and developers to resource providers and users. By leveraging underutilized resources, implementing dynamic pricing, and incentivizing participation, the Render Network offers a unique and powerful solution for cost-efficient rendering services and digital asset monetization.

Revenue Model

Powering the Render Network is the RNDR token, which is used to compensate node operators for rendering services. Although a fee switch exists - charging between 0.5% to 5% in transaction fees for managing the network - the fees are presently set at zero. The absence of implemented staking utility or burn mechanism means that token holders' potential value increases rest on speculative market activity rather than intrinsic value accrual.

Users have the option to purchase RNDR tokens or RNDR Credits. The latter is an ideal option for newcomers or non-crypto users, available for purchase through PayPal or Stripe and backed by RNDR Tokens obtained by the Render Network Team on CEXs. This ensures node operators are always compensated in RNDR tokens for their services.

The Render Network has devised a multifaceted revenue model that encompasses various monetization strategies to foster growth, ensure sustainability, and support the platform's long-term success. These revenue-generating strategies include:

  • Rendering Services: As the core functionality of the platform, rendering services provide a significant revenue stream. Users who require rendering services pay for them using RNDR tokens, which directly contribute to the platform's earnings.
  • Digital Asset Marketplace: The Render Network operates a digital asset marketplace that facilitates the sale, rental, or licensing of digital assets. The platform receives a percentage of each transaction as a commission, which further adds to its revenue.
  • Platform Fees and Premium Services: To cater to the diverse needs of its user base, the Render Network offers premium features, services, and priority access to resources for an additional fee. This tiered approach to platform access provides another source of revenue while enhancing the user experience for those who choose to take advantage of these premium offerings.

Inital Supply and Supply Schedule

With a current maximum supply of 536,870,912 tokens, approximately 68% of RNDR tokens are currently circulating in the crypto market.

The distribution of RNDR tokens upon its inception comprised of three key categories:

  • Public and Private sales (2017 and 2018): 25% of the tokens that didn't undergo vesting were distributed through these sales.
  • RNDR Reserve: 10% of the tokens were allocated for marketing and user acquisition strategies.
  • Token Emissions: A majority of 65% was marked for flowback into the network, functioning as a tool for managing token supply and demand ("Render Network").

rndr token emission schedule Source: Render Network

The Render Network (RNDR) has implemented a strategic emission schedule for its RNDR token, meticulously designed to regulate the token's total circulating supply while systematically rewarding participants within the network. This schedule is bifurcated into two distinct phases: the Launch period and the Growth period, each tailored to meet the network's evolving needs and objectives over time.

In the initial phase, known as the Launch period, which spans the first five years, the emission strategy is intentionally designed to reward early adopters of the network. This approach aims to attract and incentivize participation by front-loading rewards, thereby driving engagement and growth. During this period, the increase in the RNDR token supply is carefully managed to ensure it does not exceed 10% annually. This controlled release mechanism is crucial for maintaining token value while accommodating the network's expansion. Existing token holders are expected to experience some level of dilution; however, this is offset by the value generated through the engagement of new participants, thus contributing to the network's overall health and dynamism.

Transitioning into the Growth period, which commences in the fifth year and extends into the future, the emission schedule shifts to a more conservative outflow of new tokens. This phase is characterized by a gradual decrease in token issuance, guided by a damping coefficient, initially proposed to be 0.945. The introduction of this damping coefficient, detailed in RNP-001, signifies a deliberate approach to reduce the rate of new token issuance. This reduction is designed to foster network sustainability and stability, ensuring that the supply of RNDR tokens aligns with the long-term growth and development of the Render Network. The employment of such a coefficient underscores the network's commitment to a predictable and controlled token economy, which is vital for maintaining participant confidence and securing the network's future.

It is critical to acknowledge that the RNDR token's emission schedule is not set in stone but is instead open to modifications through future governance procedures.

RNP-001: A Shift in Token Economics (BME Model)

RNP-001was approved in February 2023 and aims to augment the supply of RNDR tokens by revising the emission schedule, leading to a 20% surge in the total supply of RNDR tokens. Consequently, the maximum supply will grow from 536,870,912 to an estimated 644,245,094 tokens.

However, the new RNDR will not be released in one giant token dump but in small batches over time (no more than 10% of the extra allocated supply in a given year). As of 2024, the token balance after BME is implemented will be as follows:

rndr token allocation         Source: Render Github

The new emission schedule, inspired by Helium Network’s burn-and-mint model, strives to incentivize both creators and node operators to partake in the Render Network by ensuring a consistent influx of tokens.

The revised emission schedule introduces a series of notable changes in the allocation of RNDR tokens:

  1. Creators: With the new model, creators receive a portion of their expended RNDR back as RNDR token rewards on a regular basis. This system is intended to stimulate further network usage and reward high-usage users by enabling them to render more creations on the Render Network. The percentage returns could initially be as high as 100% of RNDR spent, tapering off gradually over time.
  2. Node Operators: Node operators are incentivized in two distinct ways:
    • Coupon Token Rewards: Node operators garner incentives for completing jobs submitted to the network.
    • Availability Rewards: Node operators receive incentives for sustaining their availability or "liveness" on the network.
  3. Liquidity Providers: Liquidity providers assume a critical role in the new Burn and Mint Equilibrium (BME) model. They are rewarded per epoch for contributing staked tokens to the liquidity pools on partnered exchanges, ensuring RNDR availability. The reward could be an additional percentage of the tokens staked during that epoch, as determined by the network.
  4. Core Team: Complementing RNP-001 is RNP-003, which proposes that 50% of Year 1’s emissions (4,563,402 RNDR) be allocated to the RNDR Foundation for the purpose of core team expansions and grant programs.

The revised emission schedule offers the potential for RNDR to be a deflationary asset if the demand exceeds the proposed emissions schedule. It introduces the prospect of supplementing the emissions schedule with the "recycling" of burnt tokens, rewarding fulfillers when incentives through minting may be insufficient. Additionally, treasury reserves or Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) contributions could be utilized to further supplement incentives.

Token Distribution

rndr token distribution jan 2024 Token distribution on Solana. Source rndr token distribution on ethereum jan 2024 Token distribution on Ethereum. Source rndr whales jan 2024 Whale concentration. Source: IntotheBlock

Fees, Revenue, and Valuation

Render Network, in its existing state, does not direct any revenue flow to the RNDR Foundation or its token holders. Addressing this lacuna is the soon-to-be-implemented BME model (RNP-002) and an incoming 5% network fee on all transactions. To illustrate, with RNDR currently trading at $2.3 and a 2022 usage of 1.85 million RNDR tokens, a 5% fee would equate to an annualized revenue of approximately $212,750. It is imperative to note that this revenue accrues to the RNDR Foundation and not directly to the token holders. However, token holders could potentially see benefits from the RNDR becoming deflationary due to the new BME model. Importantly, the RNDR Foundation operates separately from OTOY, which generates revenue from OctaneRender subscriptions.

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Michael @ CryptoEQ
Michael @ CryptoEQ

I am a Co-Founder and Lead Analyst at CryptoEQ. Gain the market insights you need to grow your cryptocurrency portfolio. Our team's supportive and interactive approach helps you refine your crypto investing and trading strategies.


CryptoEQ
CryptoEQ

Gain the market insights you need to grow your cryptocurrency portfolio. Our team's supportive and interactive approach helps you refine your crypto investing and trading strategies.

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