A new governance proposal tied to Mission70 is setting out a plan to reshape the token economics of the Internet Computer, with the aim of reducing inflation while supporting broader adoption of the network.
The proposal outlines a target to cut ICP inflation by at least 70 per cent by the end of 2026. It combines measures to curb token issuance with efforts to increase demand, reflecting a dual approach that supporters say is needed to stabilise long-term value.
At the centre of the plan is a push to grow network usage. Developers behind the proposal point to emerging applications such as Caffeine.ai, which uses the Internet Computer to run what has been described as a “self-writing cloud” model. This type of application, along with broader “cloud engine” infrastructure, is expected to drive higher consumption of computational resources, increasing the amount of ICP burned in the process.
The concept of cloud engines is positioned as a bridge between decentralised systems and more familiar cloud services. These systems would allow individuals and organisations to configure private subnets, manage workloads and choose infrastructure locations, while still operating within the network’s framework. Revenue generated from these environments would partly flow back into the system through token burn mechanisms.
The proposal also reflects a wider shift towards automated development, with the network aiming to position itself as a platform for software agents. As these systems take on more tasks, including building applications and managing services, demand for decentralised compute could expand, though the pace and scale of that transition remain uncertain.
Alongside demand-side changes, the proposal sets out adjustments to voting rewards, which form a core part of the network’s incentive structure. These include shorter lock-up periods for participants, a revised reward curve to maintain incentives for longer commitments, and an eventual cap on reward distribution. Early estimates suggest these changes could reduce overall voting rewards by around 40 per cent.
Node rewards are also under review, particularly for older infrastructure. The proposal recommends scaling back payments for early-generation nodes, citing lower utilisation and improved hardware efficiency. It also suggests a greater reliance on newer secure hardware and smaller subnets, which could increase overall network capacity without raising costs.
The rollout is expected to be gradual, with changes introduced in stages and adjusted as technical details are finalised. Some elements, such as pricing for storage and compute, would be implemented over time to limit disruption.
Supporters of Mission70 argue that refining token supply while encouraging real usage is necessary to keep the network competitive as it seeks wider adoption beyond niche applications. Critics and analysts, however, note that such changes can affect incentives for participants, particularly node operators and long-term holders, and may take time to show measurable outcomes.
The proposal is now open for consideration within the network’s governance system, where token holders will ultimately decide whether to adopt the changes. Its impact will depend on both uptake of new use cases and how the revised incentives shape behaviour across the ecosystem.
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