Gate (GT) Cryptocurrency: Comprehensive Overview
Core Definition and Technology
GateToken (GT) is the native cryptocurrency of GateChain, a blockchain focused on secure digital asset transfers, and powers Gate.io's expanding Web3 ecosystem. GateChain is a public blockchain which facilitates digital asset transfers, and claims to be "dedicated to asset safety."
Blockchain Architecture
GateChain's core components include a main chain handling basic transactions and smart contracts using PoS consensus, a vault chain managing vault accounts for enhanced security and asset recovery, a cross-chain protocol enabling interoperability with other blockchains, a smart contract layer supporting decentralized applications and DeFi functionality, and a clearing system providing liquidation protection and insurance mechanisms.
GateChain boasts a block time of just 4 seconds and can achieve up to 2,745 transactions per second (TPS), while offering low gas fees of as little as $0.0001 per transaction. It's also fully integrated with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), making it easy to deploy Ethereum-based smart contracts on the platform.
Layer 2 Infrastructure
Gate has launched Gate Layer, a Layer 2 network built on OP Stack and fully EVM-compatible, anchored by GateChain as its settlement layer. With over 5,700 transactions per second, 1-second block generation, and ultra-low transaction costs, Gate Layer delivers high-performance, low-cost on-chain services for both users and developers. Through LayerZero-powered cross-chain interoperability, it enables seamless asset circulation across ecosystems.
Primary Use Cases and Applications
Exchange Utility
GT is mainly used to pay transaction fees, but users can also stake it to validate transactions and secure the network in exchange for rewards. Holders receive up to 50% discounts on transaction fees when paying with GT.
Blockchain Applications
GateChain has various use cases including decentralized applications (dAPPs), supply chain and logistics, digital identity and security, and banking and finance. It also supports trading through GateDeFi and NFTs on GateNFT.
Staking and Governance
Like Ethereum, GateChain is proof-of-stake (PoS) and allows you to stake GT. Users can take advantage of native staking yields up to 10%. Gate Token (GT) represents an integral component of the Gate.io ecosystem, offering users numerous benefits ranging from fee discounts to governance participation.
Launchpad Access
GT holders receive early access to new project subscriptions on the Startup platform, as well as participation in GT-exclusive airdrops and investment opportunities.
Founding Team and Project History
Founder and Leadership
Gate was founded by Dr. Han in April 2013 under the name Bter.com. Lin Han, the founder of Gate.io, is a Chinese scientist and crypto enthusiast. In the early 2010s, Han stumbled upon the Bitcoin whitepaper by chance. Han got involved in exchange trading and fell victim to scammers, losing 100 BTC. This stumbling block was an inspiration for Lin Han's desire to create a secure 'gateway to crypto' - his own platform for trading digital assets.
Project Evolution
Due to the cryptocurrency restriction imposed by the regulators of China starting from September 2017, Gate moved its operation out of the country, progressively serving the global market. In August 2019, Gate launched its trading token GateToken (GT) on its GateChain mainnet. A little later in 2021, GateChain mainnet announced that it officially supports Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
Current Status
Founded in 2013, Gate is one of the top 3 cryptocurrency exchanges globally by real trading volume, providing secure, reliable, transparent, and authentic digital asset trading services to over million users.
Tokenomics
Supply Structure
There are 97,810,057 GT tokens circulating as of June 2023. The maximum supply is 300,000,000. GateToken has a fixed supply capped at 300,000,000 GT. The token was launched in 2019, but with an initial supply of 1,000,000,000 tokens. This supply was later burned and reduced to the current maximum supply.
Deflationary Mechanics
Over 180 million GT have been burned, equivalent to 60.18% of the initial supply. This is considered one of the deepest deflationary reductions in the industry. GT employs a dual burn mechanism: quarterly burns based on exchange revenue (e.g., $35M burned in Q3 2025) and EIP-1559-style burns for every transaction on Gate Layer.
Burn Allocation
Gate uses 15% of its business profits from crypto to crypto, margin, and futures trading to buy back and burn GT. Another 5% of its profits go to GT research and development. This puts the total profit put into buybacks and burning GT at 20%, which is adjusted every four years depending on market and industry conditions.
Insurance Reserve
The official reserve of Gate holds 30,000,000 GT, which is permanently frozen as an insurance fund. It can only be used for token burns.
Consensus Mechanism and Network Security
Proof of Stake
GateChain is secured by a proof-of-stake algorithm. Users can stake their GT tokens and become validators responsible for security of the network and process transactions in exchange for a share of the transaction fees, paid in GT tokens.
Asset Safety Features
The GateChain team also developed an on-chain safety account and customizable time-delay recovery features to offer users asset safety even if private keys are hacked. This is supported by the Vault Account technology and its transaction model design, which provides a guaranteed safe clearing mechanism and solves the issues of theft and loss of private keys.
Key Partnerships and Ecosystem Integrations
Sports and Entertainment
On August 24, Gate became the official sleeve sponsor of FC Internazionale Milano. Deep collaborations with FC Internazionale Milano and Oracle Red Bull Racing in F1 not only increase brand visibility in the international market but also introduce GT into broader consumer scenarios.
Compliance and Security
In 2023 Gate partnered with Coinfirm, a platform for real-time anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) risk management for digital assets and cryptocurrencies.
Payment Integration
In November 2022, Gate launched its crypto-based payment solution, Gate Pay. Gate Pay allows users to make purchases using cryptocurrencies securely, further driving crypto and Web 3.0 adoption to the public.
Regulatory Licenses
Gate operates under multiple licenses and regulatory registrations in jurisdictions including Dubai, Japan, Lithuania, Malta, Italy, Gibraltar, Argentina, Bahamas, and Hong Kong.
Competitive Advantages and Value Proposition
Exchange-Backed Utility
GT facilitates fee discounts, staking rewards, and governance on Gate.io, one of the largest crypto exchanges. This comprehensive tokenomics upgrade represents an evolution—transforming GT from a "CEX token" into the backbone of a broader Web3 ecosystem.
Deflationary Design
Over 60% of GT's initial supply has been burned via quarterly token burns and transaction fee destruction. GT's burning mechanism is a core driver of its value. Consistently burning GT reinforces its scarcity and bolsters its value, which is advantageous for holders. This model is similar to BNB, where burning supports a deflationary mechanism ensuring long-term growth and sustainability.
Multi-Chain Implementation
With its multi-chain implementation, staking opportunities, and deflationary tokenomics, GT continues to evolve as a utility token with significant advantages for holders.
Platform Strength
Gate.io differentiates itself from competitors through its extensive offerings in crypto assets and its advanced trading features. It has over 13 million registered users and offers over 2700 cryptocurrencies for trading. Gate.io's competitive advantages include its high liquidity, user-friendly interface, and robust security measures.
Development Activity and Roadmap
Recent Milestones
GateToken's codebase saw major Layer 2 integration and Ethereum-compatible upgrades in late 2025. Gate plans iterative upgrades to its Web3 trifecta: Perp (Decentralized perpetuals exchange targeting CEX-level liquidity), Gate Fun (No-code token launchpad for small projects), and Meme Go (Real-time meme token tracking and trading).
Burn Schedule
GateToken's deflationary model includes scheduled quarterly burns, with 180.5M GT (60% of initial supply) already destroyed by Q3 2025. The Q1 2026 burn is expected to remove ~2M GT (worth ~$20M at current prices).
User Growth
In the first quarter of 2025, Gate.io's user base surpassed 22 million. This surge in users not only signifies increased platform activity but also drives growth in both spot and derivatives trading volumes.
Future Direction
The upgraded tokenomics mechanism positions GT not merely as an exchange token but also establishes GT as the evolving "fuel" of Gate's Web3 ecosystem.
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