Sushi Plans to Use SUSHI as Launch Quoting Asset
Sushi CEO Alex McCurry stated that the protocol plans to use SUSHI as a quoting asset in the token launch process for initial trading pairs and liquidity configuration of new tokens.
This design means that users may need to use SUSHI as the pricing and settlement asset when purchasing or participating in new tokens in the launch system; SUSHI will no longer only serve governance or liquidity incentive functions but will be embedded in the trading entry of new projects.
Alex McCurry mentioned that the launch process will create an asset locking mechanism for SUSHI, which will lock a portion of SUSHI along with the initial liquidity pool if the new token trading pair is paired with SUSHI, reducing the immediately circulating supply.
This mechanism also aims to reward token creators with SUSHI, linking their income to the protocol's native token; the actual incentive strength depends on the reward ratio, unlocking conditions, transaction fee distribution, and the number of new tokens launched, with specific parameters not disclosed in the public post.
The CEO also reminded users to only use the specified contract address, which is 0x0bb40D7fbaE7f0C69Bc5910C601987dce697d85F; however, public search results show that this address is marked as "$TOKEN" on the LaunchClaw page and is not a verifiable Sushi official SUSHI main contract. Therefore, the network, deployment entity, and relationship with Sushi of this address have not been cross-verified by official documentation, and users should not transfer or authorize based solely on social posts.
In market mechanics, buyers are traders and project creators wishing to participate in the Sushi new token launch, while sellers are holders of SUSHI providing quoting assets to the liquidity pool. If the launch demand continues to grow, purchasing SUSHI to establish trading pairs, locking pools, and paying creator rewards will create new demand; however, once the SUSHI rewards obtained by project parties and early participants are concentrated and sold, or if the launch project lacks real trading demand, SUSHI will face selling pressure from incentive emissions and liquidity exits.
Source: Public Information
ABAB AI Insight
Sushi originated from SushiSwap, which forked from Uniswap in 2020, and its early growth path relied on "vampire attacks": attracting liquidity migration from Uniswap with SUSHI token rewards. This model quickly established trading volume and TVL but also made the protocol's value highly dependent on token emissions, market-making incentives, and governance coordination. By re-embedding SUSHI into the launch platform, it effectively transforms the native token from a subsidy tool into a settlement layer that must be passed through for each new asset creation, attempting to fix the disconnection between the token and business activities.
In terms of capital flow, the launch platform will direct the funds users spend to buy new assets towards SUSHI trading pairs and liquidity pools: project parties need to acquire SUSHI to configure the initial pool, traders may need to purchase SUSHI first to enter new projects, and creator rewards will be paid in SUSHI. If the protocol simultaneously extracts revenue from transaction fees, launch fees, or liquidity management, it can convert "new coin speculative traffic" into demand for the native token and protocol-level fees; however, this also ties the price of SUSHI to the highly volatile new token issuance cycle.
A historical analogy is Binance embedding BNB into Launchpad, fee discounts, and on-chain Gas systems, while SOL serves as the base currency for on-chain transactions, staking, and new asset liquidity in the Solana ecosystem. The difference is that the demand for BNB and SOL comes from ongoing usage scenarios like exchange scale or public chain Gas; if SUSHI primarily relies on new coin launches, the quality of demand is closer to short-cycle speculative traffic from platforms like Pump.fun, needing to rely on locking mechanisms and long-term transaction fees to avoid a "launch and release" cycle.
Essentially, this represents a transfer of pricing power. Sushi attempts to shift the pricing entry for new tokens from stablecoins, ETH, or SOL to SUSHI: those who want to create liquidity, participate in early price discovery, or receive creator incentives will need to engage with SUSHI. The effectiveness of the mechanism does not depend on the "locking" itself but on whether the launch side continues to generate real transactions and fees; if new projects only create short-term trading volume, SUSHI will transform from a quoting asset into a volatility transmitter, rather than a stable protocol value capture tool.
ABAB News · Cognitive Laws
Demand for tokens does not equal value for tokens
Locking reduces circulation but does not automatically create cash flow
Quoting assets control the entry and also bear speculative volatility