Deep Dive
1. Chain Sunset & Base Migration (June 2026)
Overview: Sophon announced it is winding down its proprietary Layer 2 blockchain and will instead build consumer applications directly on Base. This means the underlying infrastructure that powered the network is being decommissioned.
The core technical change is the sunset of the Sophon chain, built on the ZK Stack. New deposits to the chain were disabled on June 25, 2026, though withdrawals remain open until the chain is fully decommissioned, estimated for late 2026. This is a fundamental pivot from being an infrastructure provider to a product studio.
What this means: This is a neutral-to-bearish shift for near-term chain utility but potentially bullish for long-term product focus. Users can no longer interact with the Sophon L2 for new activities and must bridge assets out. The move aims to escape the crowded and unprofitable L2 market by building apps with real revenue. (Source)
2. Buyback-and-Burn Token Model (June 2026)
Overview: With the chain being retired, SOPH's original utilities—paying gas fees and staking for sequencer decentralization—are becoming obsolete. The project is implementing a new economic model where revenue from products like the Pyre neobank funds open-market purchases and permanent burns of SOPH tokens.
The first burn of over 46.5 million SOPH from unused reward pools occurred on June 28, 2026, to initiate the strategy. Future burns will be driven by recurring revenue streams.
What this means: This is bullish for SOPH because it creates a direct link between product success and token value. Successful apps will continuously reduce the supply of SOPH, unlike the old model which relied on speculative chain growth. (Source)
3. Guardian NFT Migration to Ethereum (June 2026)
Overview: The system for rewarding Sophon Guardian NFT holders is being migrated from the Sophon chain to Ethereum mainnet. Guardian NFTs were snapshotted and duplicated on Ethereum, and reward claiming is being transitioned to a unified portal.
The last reward distribution on the Sophon chain is scheduled for September 29, 2026, after which the process continues seamlessly on Ethereum. The companion light node software has been retired.
What this means: This is neutral for node holders, as it maintains their rewards but moves the underlying infrastructure. It simplifies the user experience by consolidating activity on Ethereum and ensures the node program continues unaffected by the chain shutdown. (Source)
Conclusion
Sophon's development trajectory has sharply pivoted from building blockchain infrastructure to creating consumer applications, fundamentally altering SOPH's utility from a gas token to a revenue-backed asset. Will this focus on tangible product revenue prove more sustainable than the previous L2 model?