Sonic SVM: The Solana L2 That Set Its Sights on TikTok

In the Web3 world, traffic entry often determines the success or failure of a project. As a Layer-2 expansion solution on Solana, Sonic SVM has set its sights on the short video platform TikTok and successfully attracted more than two million players by launching the point-to-earn game SonicX.

Sonic SVM (SONIC), a Layer-2 (L2) scaling solution for Solana, has recently concluded its token generation event (TGE) and entered the crypto market with a clear goal: to enhance the efficiency and interoperability of blockchain gaming platforms.

As a crucial component of the Solana ecosystem, Sonic SVM is designed to provide dedicated block space and advanced developer and player tools to facilitate optimal performance and user experience in the realm of blockchain games.

With the increasing popularity of dAPPs, Solana, despite its exceptional performance capabilities, is bound to encounter challenges, especially during periods of high activity.

For instance, the launch of new servers, holiday events, and limited-time promotions can generate a substantial impact on the Solana L1 main chain, particularly during moments of peak usage.

This phenomenon not only affects the overall performance of the Solana L1 chain but also hinders the playability and user experience of each game, including aspects such as response speed and data availability.

To address this issue, Sonic SVM, which entered the public eye in March 2024, seamlessly integrates with Solana through the innovative HyperGrid extension mechanism to deliver a high-performance gaming experience and efficient transaction aggregation.

Among its core features are atomic interoperability, the HyperGrid framework for deploying optimistic aggregation on Solana, and the Rush ECS framework for simplifying on-chain games and autonomous world construction.

Furthermore, Sonic provides commercial tools for payment, settlement, and user acquisition for games and applications.

In terms of practical applications, Sonic SVM boasts the integration of Mini Pay, a payment tool that enables users to directly purchase game items using fiat currency, and Origin, a network for deploying and discovering games.

Additionally, Sonic Frontier, a network for deploying large-scale games, and Nova, a network for deploying games with high chain usage, are also available.

In the second and third quarters of 2024, Telegram-based tap-to-earn mini games, such as Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, and others, enjoyed a surge in popularity within the crypto-game landscape.

These games attracted a vast player base and generated significant buzz; however, many encountered difficulties and ultimately ceased operations, leaving behind a trail of disappointed users.

In this context, Sonic SVM opted for a distinct approach by setting its sights on another top traffic pool: TikTok.

In October 2024, Sonic SVM launched SonicX, a point-earning game on TikTok, to capitalize on the platform's massive user base and integrate Web3 elements into mainstream entertainment.

The art style of SonicX draws inspiration from the classic video game Sonic The Hedgehog, presenting a familiar and engaging visual aesthetic.

Similar to the mini-programs on Telegram, TikTok allows users to open web pages in their native browsers, enabling players to begin playing games and collecting game points after logging in with social media.

SonicX employed TikTok ads to introduce the game to potential new users, and these ads garnered millions of views within a month, a portion of which were converted into active users.

According to Sonic SVM, the game achieved the milestone of one million players a month after its launch and currently boasts over two million users.

When comparing SonicX to the Telegram mini-games that boasted user counts in the millions, its numbers may appear modest.

However, it is crucial to note that TikTok users must provide phone numbers and undergo identity verification for KYC, while Telegram imposes no such restrictions.

As a result, SonicX users may be considered "higher quality" in this regard.

Sonic SVM's vision for SonicX on TikTok extends beyond hosting games; the aim is to cultivate a Web3 gaming layer that mainstream audiences can easily access and participate in.

To achieve this goal, Sonic SVM provides infrastructure for developers who wish to publish games on TikTok, enabling them to effortlessly deploy games through its guides and leverage the Sonic Origin and Sonic Frontier networks.

With the successful launch of the SONIC token, Sonic SVM aims to open its business to third-party developers and fund them through SONIC tokens.

This move is expected to further expand the Web3 game ecology on TikTok and attract more developers to join the platform.

However, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain.

A large number of American users have recently begun to stage a "cyber exodus" and flocked to Xiaohongshu for "refuge."

In the meantime, the U.S. Congress passed the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversaries Controlling Applications Act," which could lead to a ban on TikTok in the country.

According to the law, TikTok's parent company ByteDance must divest its shares in TikTok by January 19, failing which the app will face a nationwide ban.

TikTok has repeatedly stated that it will not sell its U.S. business.

However, according to The Information, TikTok plans to shut down its app for U.S.