q/acc: The Ethical Token Launchpad Built on Polygon zkEVM

If there’s one thing this market cycle has proven good at spawning, aside from memecoins, it’s memecoin launchpads.

quadratic Accelerator (q/acc) has officially debuted on the Polygon zkEVM, aiming to set a new standard for how tokens are brought to market. And the early signs are promising. Rather than feeding a frenzy that leads to quick P&Ds and hollow value, q/acc integrates innovative tokenomic principles to support long-term sustainability.

But don’t take our word for it. Here’s a closer look at how q/acc is changing the game for token launches on zkEVM.

Building a Better Bonding Curve

q/acc draws on a range of tools to create a more sustainable token launch dynamic. Augmented Bonding Curves (ABC) play a key role, introducing a logarithmic curve to the bonding function. This curve adjusts dynamically based on the number of tokens sold, starting out steeper and gradually flattening as the sale progresses.

The result is a curve that’s more sensitive to early contributions, offering greater rewards to early supporters. As the token sale gathers steam, the curve adjusts to ensure a fairer distribution of tokens among a wider pool of participants. This principle is further enhanced by Quadratic Funding (QF), which aligns the interests of early supporters, project founders, and the wider ecosystem.

q/acc also integrates several mechanisms to curb speculative behavior and encourage long-term thinking among token-holders. Identity verification tools like Privado zkID and Passport XYZ limit how much any single participant can contribute, putting a damper on the influence of whales and ensuring fairer distribution. Lock-up schedules also reduce the likelihood that tokens will be quickly dumped onto the market.

Is an Ethical Launchpad Possible?

The arrival of q/acc couldn’t be timelier. Waves of low-quality projects and outright scams have eroded trust in token launchpads platforms. In contrast, just eight projects out of more than 200 applicants were chosen for q/acc’s inaugural round, which commenced on Dec. 6.

One of these early projects, x23, has already captured attention with its proposal to leverage artificial intelligence for onchain governance. Other projects set to launch via q/acc include a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator, a Web3 social network, and a modular NFT marketplace.

The q/acc protocol has also garnered support from established entities like Giveth, Commons Stack, General Magic, and Inverter Network. These partnerships add credibility to q/acc’s efforts to redefine token launches on zkEVM.

Polygon’s emerging AggLayer and zkEVM network, meanwhile, provide the technical framework for a frictionless user experience. This combination of technical innovation, thoughtful incentives, and community curation points toward a future where token economies can work for all parties.

The simple, unadorned bonding curve formula so adored by memecoin launchpads isn’t going to disappear overnight, and it still has its place for quick and easy token launches. But for more serious projects looking to go the distance, there’s a lot to like about q/acc. In a sector too often characterized by fleeting hype cycles, q/acc offers a viable alternative: a pathway to sustainable token economies that serve everyone involved, from core teams to enthusiastic early adopters.