Basic Info
John: Hey everyone, welcome to our chat about Sonic, previously known as FTM or Fantom. I’m John, and with me is Lila. Today, we’re diving into this exciting blockchain project that’s been buzzing on X lately. Sonic is essentially a high-speed blockchain network that’s evolved from Fantom, aiming to make transactions super fast and cheap. It’s like upgrading from a regular bike to a speedy electric one for moving data and money around the digital world. If you’d like a broader beginner’s overview of exchanges themselves, have a look at this guide.
Lila: Hi John! I’m really curious about this. So, what’s the backstory? Why did it change from FTM to Sonic, and why are people talking about it now?
John: Great question, Lila. Let’s break it down with time in mind. In the past, Fantom started back in 2018 as a blockchain focused on solving speed issues in crypto. It used something called Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) tech to make things faster than older chains like Ethereum. It grew popular for DeFi, which is like digital banking, because of low fees and quick confirmations.
Lila: Oh, that makes sense. And as of now?
John: As of now, in 2025, Fantom rebranded to Sonic around late 2024. This wasn’t just a name change; it came with major upgrades, like becoming a full Layer-1 blockchain with even better speed—think 10,000 transactions per second or more. People on X are excited because of recent mainnet launches and token swaps, where old FTM tokens became S tokens. Trends show folks discussing its potential in DeFi and gaming due to that speed.
Lila: Wow, sounds zippy! Looking ahead, what might make it even bigger?
John: Looking ahead, Sonic aims to integrate more with Ethereum and other chains, potentially attracting more apps and users. With Web3 growing, projects like this could power everyday apps, from finance to social media.
Lila: I love how it’s evolving. It’s like a story of growth!
Core Technology / Features
John: Alright, let’s talk tech without getting too nerdy. Sonic’s core is built as an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain. EVM means it works with Ethereum’s tools, so developers can easily move their apps over. It’s like having a phone that runs all the popular apps without glitches.
Lila: That’s helpful! What about its foundation and how it handles speed?
John: In the past, as Fantom, it used Lachesis, a consensus method that’s like a group vote but asynchronous—meaning it doesn’t need everyone to agree at the exact same time, which speeds things up. This helped it avoid the slowdowns Ethereum faced during busy times.
Lila: Async what? Can you explain with an example?
John: Sure! Imagine a group chat where not everyone has to reply instantly for the conversation to move forward. That’s asynchronous consensus. As of now, Sonic has upgraded to support up to 400,000 transactions per second (TPS) with sub-second finality—meaning deals are confirmed almost instantly, like sending a text that arrives in a blink.
Lila: Sub-second? That’s faster than my coffee order! And looking ahead?
John: Looking ahead, they’re focusing on even more scalability, like better bridges to other blockchains for seamless asset transfers. Special features include fee monetization, where up to 90% of gas fees (the cost of transactions) go back to app developers, encouraging more building on Sonic.
Lila: That’s smart—like rewarding creators to keep the party going.
John: Exactly! Another cool bit is its high throughput, making it great for real-time apps, such as gaming where you don’t want lag.
Lila: I can see why gamers would love that.
Tokenomics / Supply Model
John: Tokenomics is basically how the project’s coin, S, works—like the rules of money in a game. Let’s timeline this.
Lila: Okay, start with the past.
John: In the past, FTM launched in 2018 with a total supply of about 3.175 billion tokens. It had staking where you lock tokens to help secure the network and earn rewards, like putting money in a savings account for interest.
Lila: Simple enough. Now?
John: As of now, after the rebrand to Sonic in late 2024, there was a 1:1 swap from FTM to S, plus an airdrop of 190.5 million S tokens. The supply is managed with staking and burning—some fees are burned (permanently removed) to reduce supply over time, which could make each token more valuable, like scarcity in collectibles.
Lila: Airdrop? That’s like free samples!
John: Yep! Looking ahead, plans include more incentives tied to governance, where S holders vote on changes, and continued burning to control inflation. The model supports the ecosystem by funding development from a treasury.
Lila: So it’s designed to grow sustainably.
Use Cases & Ecosystem
John: Sonic shines in real-world uses. Think DeFi for lending and borrowing crypto without banks, NFTs for digital art, and even business tools like supply chain tracking.
Lila: Cool! Historical uses?
John: In the past, as Fantom, it powered DeFi apps with low fees, attracting projects like SpookySwap for trading. It integrated with wallets and exchanges, making it user-friendly.
Lila: And currently?
John: As of now, Sonic’s ecosystem includes over 225 apps, with big names like Aave (a lending platform) using its fee monetization. Partnerships with Ethereum via bridges allow easy asset moves, and it’s gaining traction in gaming for fast, on-chain interactions.
Lila: Like playing without waiting for levels to load.
John: Precisely. Looking ahead, expect more integrations in Web3, perhaps with AI or real-world assets, expanding to enterprise use like secure data sharing in healthcare.
Lila: The possibilities seem endless!
Developer Team & Community Engagement
John: The team behind Sonic comes from Fantom Foundation, with experts in blockchain and tech. Key figures include those who’ve worked on scaling solutions for years.
Lila: Impressive. Past engagement?
John: In the past, they were active with regular updates and AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions) on X and Discord, building a loyal community.
Lila: Now?
John: As of now, updates are frequent, with the first governance vote happening recently on X discussions. The community is energetic, with posts about milestones like 130 million transactions and active chats on tech improvements.
Lila: Sounds lively!
John: Looking ahead, more community-driven decisions and events could strengthen ties, like hackathons for new apps.
Lila: That keeps everyone involved.
Rewards & Incentives (if applicable)
John: Yes, Sonic has ways to earn. Staking S tokens secures the network and gives rewards, like interest on savings.
Lila: Past versions?
John: In the past, FTM staking offered yields, and liquidity mining rewarded providing funds to pools.
Lila: Current?
John: As of now, with Sonic, staking continues, plus chain-level incentives where apps get gas rebates. There’s also treasury-funded grants for builders.
Lila: Incentives for everyone!
John: Looking ahead, more programs like airdrops or yield farming could emerge to boost adoption.
Lila: Exciting for users.
Competitor Comparison
- Let’s compare Sonic to Solana and Ethereum. Solana is known for high speed too, but Sonic claims even faster TPS with better Ethereum compatibility. Ethereum is the big player but slower and costlier without layers.
John: Sonic stands out with its sub-second finality and fee returns to devs, making it developer-friendly unlike Solana’s occasional outages.
Lila: True, reliability matters.
John: Compared to Ethereum, Sonic’s native speed avoids needing extra layers, plus it’s cheaper for everyday use.
Risk Factors and Challenges
John: No project is perfect. Risks include security—like potential hacks, though Sonic has audits.
Lila: Past issues?
John: In the past, Fantom faced some exploits in DeFi apps, not the core chain.
Lila: Now?
John: As of now, with upgrades, it’s more secure, but regulation changes could affect it, like new crypto laws.
Lila: And future?
John: Looking ahead, challenges like network congestion if adoption spikes, or sustainability from energy use, though it’s efficient. Always DYOR!
Lila: Good reminder.
Industry Expert Insights
John: From X, analyst Ansem highlighted Sonic’s 10k TPS, sub-second finality, and Ethereum tooling, calling it like a faster ETH Layer-2 but with its own gas.
Lila: Insightful!
John: Another, from DoctorDeFi, noted recent buybacks of 30M S tokens and integrations like being FT’s settlement layer, boosting its utility.
Lila: Experts see big potential.
X Community Buzz & Roadmap Updates
John: On X, buzz is high with posts about Sonic’s speed evolution from Fantom and 2021-like runs.
Lila: Past hype?
John: In the past, FTM surged in 2021, exciting the community.
Lila: Now?
John: As of now, trends show talks on mainnet milestones, governance votes, and app growth.
Lila: Ahead?
John: Looking ahead, roadmap includes more cross-chain features, zero-fee trading pilots, and ecosystem expansions.
Lila: Can’t wait!
FAQ (minimum 6 questions)
Question 1: What is Sonic’s main advantage?
John: Its blazing speed—up to 400,000 TPS with instant confirmations.
Lila: Like a sports car in the blockchain world!
Question 2: How do I get S tokens?
John: Through exchanges or swapping old FTM if you had them.
Lila: Always use trusted platforms.
Question 3: Is Sonic good for beginners?
John: Yes, with user-friendly tools and low fees.
Lila: Perfect for dipping toes into crypto.
Question 4: What’s the token used for?
John: Paying fees, staking, and voting.
Lila: Multi-purpose!
Question 5: Any environmental concerns?
John: It’s efficient, using less energy than proof-of-work chains.
Lila: Greener choice.
Question 6: How does it compare to Bitcoin?
John: Sonic is for smart contracts and apps, while Bitcoin is more like digital gold.
Lila: Different tools for different jobs.
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Final Reflections
John: After exploring Sonic (prev. FTM) S together, I can say it’s one of those projects that’s both interesting and approachable for newcomers.
John: It’s great to see how it blends innovation with a friendly, active community. I think it’s worth keeping an eye on! And if you’d like a simple primer on exchanges in general, you might also enjoy this global guide.
Lila: Absolutely, John! I learned so much today. I love how blockchain projects like this can be explained without all the confusing jargon.
Lila: I’m looking forward to checking in on Sonic (prev. FTM) S in the future to see how it grows!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research (DYOR) before making any investment or usage decisions.