Most tokens kick off strong when hype is fresh—but that honeymoon phase doesn't last forever. The real test comes when the spotlight fades and you're left asking: what keeps people actually engaged?

Here's the thing: mechanics matter more than most realize. The way a project structures its rewards from day one—who benefits, what the distribution schedule looks like, whether builders and community members have real reasons to stick around—that's the dividing line between projects that survive and those that fizzle out.

The incentive layer is everything. If contributors see a path forward. If early participants feel their stake matters. If token holders have reasons to care beyond speculation. That's when ecosystems get traction.

Projects that nail this upfront tend to build staying power. They understand that launch momentum is just the opening move—real momentum comes from sustainable mechanics that reward the right behaviors over time.