Our community recently voted on how the first batch of Ecosystem Rewards should be distributed. Thank you to the 7,747 Borgers who took part and helped shape this important governance decision.
The Initial Results
The question was:“How would you like to see the first batch of Ecosystem Rewards distributed?”
The outcome was as follows:
- A - 100% to Elite Rank, 0% to Top Traders: 37%
- B - 75% to Elite Rank, 25% to Top Traders: 29%
- C - 50% to Elite Rank, 50% to Top Traders: 23%
- D - 25% to Elite Rank, 75% to Top Traders: 5%
- Abstain - 6%
While Option A received the highest share of votes, no option achieved a clear majority. Without a definitive outcome, we cannot confidently move forward with implementation.
Re-Running the Vote for a Definitive Choice
Governance decisions around Ecosystem Rewards are long-term and foundational. They directly affect how loyalty to BORG is recognised and how value flows through the SwissBorg ecosystem.
As outlined in the BORG Community White Paper and reinforced during our end-of-year BORG Assembly presentation, BORG is the bedrock of our community. Locking and holding BORG is a clear demonstration of trust, alignment, and long-term commitment to the success of the ecosystem.
Ecosystem Rewards were introduced to replace the old BORG yield model, which had become unsustainable. Instead of draining the treasury, rewards now come from the growth of the wider SwissBorg ecosystem - including projects such as XBorg, Galactica, AgoraHub and BORGY. As more projects join the ecosystem, the volume and diversity of rewards can grow sustainably alongside it.
Context Behind the First Vote
During the December BORG Assembly presentation, we shared that over $10 million worth of ecosystem rewards are becoming available over time, with the first unlocked tokens most likely coming from XBorg and BORGY. The key question was not whether to distribute these rewards - that principle was already overwhelmingly approved by the community - but how to distribute the very first batch.
Two philosophies emerged:
- Loyalty-first (passive): prioritising Elite Rank members who lock significant amounts of BORG, rewarding long-term commitment.
- Activity-inclusive: allocating a portion of rewards to Top Traders, recognising those who actively contribute to volume, liquidity and buyback pressure within the app.
The four original options reflected different balances between these two approaches, ranging from fully passive (100% to Elite Rank) to more activity-driven distributions.
While the discussion highlighted that all options reward positive behaviour, the final result did not deliver a clear majority. Given that this decision will set a precedent for future Ecosystem Rewards, moving forward without strong consensus would risk undermining the governance process.
Vote Summary (Swiss Vote Info)
What is being decided
How the first batch of Ecosystem Rewards will be distributed between Elite Rank holders and Top Traders.
Why this matters
This decision sets the precedent for how future Ecosystem Rewards are allocated and how loyalty and activity are balanced within the BORG ecosystem.
Options
To reach a clear and actionable outcome, the vote will be re-run with two concrete options, plus the ability to abstain:
- Option A: 100% to Elite RankMaximises rewards for long-term BORG holders and reinforces scarcity.
- Option B: 75% Elite Rank / 25% Top TradersBalances long-term loyalty with trading activity that fuels BORG buybacks and Cashback.
- Option C Abstain: No preference
Who benefits
- Option A: Elite Rank members
- Option B: Elite Rank members and active traders
- A or B: BORG ecosystem sustainability
The outcome of this vote will be implemented as the distribution model for the first batch of Ecosystem Rewards.
Why Option B Plays a Key Role in Strengthening the BORG Flywheel
As part of this re-run, it’s important to clearly explain why Option B (75% to Elite Rank, 25% to Top Traders) exists and why many in the community see it as a strong, balanced outcome.
Top Traders are not rewarded arbitrarily. Every trade executed in the SwissBorg app generates fees, and those fees directly fuel BORG buybacks, which in turn power Cashback and long-term demand for the token. In other words, trading activity creates a continuous buy-pressure loop that benefits all BORG holders.
By allocating a portion of Ecosystem Rewards to Top Traders:
- Active users are incentivised to trade more within SwissBorg rather than elsewhere
- Increased trading volume strengthens the BORG buyback mechanism
- More buybacks mean more Cashback distributed in BORG
- Stronger Cashback reinforces the value of climbing ranks and locking BORG
Option B preserves the core principle of loyalty-first rewards - with the majority still going to Elite Rank members - while recognising that activity is a growth engine for the ecosystem. It reinforces a healthy flywheel where holding, locking, and trading all work together to support BORG’s long-term sustainability.
This is why Option B is often viewed as a way to align long-term commitment with ongoing economic contribution, without diluting the importance of Elite Rank.
Why Option A Also Resonates With the Community
Option A (100% to Elite Rank, 0% to Top Traders) reflects a clear and powerful philosophy: prioritising those who have demonstrated the strongest long-term conviction in BORG.
Elite Rank members lock significant amounts of BORG, often for extended periods, reducing circulating supply and reinforcing the token’s role as the backbone of the ecosystem. From this perspective, Ecosystem Rewards act as a form of passive recognition for long-term alignment, rather than an incentive for short-term activity.
Supporters of Option A value its:
- Simplicity and clarity - rewards flow entirely to long-term holders
- Strong signal of loyalty - commitment is rewarded above all else
- Supply-side impact - locked BORG strengthens scarcity and long-term confidence
For some, this approach best reflects the idea that Ecosystem Rewards are a direct extension of staking and governance participation, rather than an activity-based incentive.
Moving Forward Together
The community has already shown overwhelming support for distributing ecosystem tokens to BORG holders, reinforcing our shared belief in loyalty, sustainability, and long-term alignment.
This re-run is not about revisiting principles - it is about finalising execution with clarity and confidence.
As always, SwissBorg is built with its community, not around it. Your vote directly shapes the future of BORG and the wider ecosystem.
Vote Timeline
- Vote opens: 0900 CET Thursday 15th Jan 2026
- Vote closes: 2359 CET 22nd Jan
- Results announced: BORG Assembly January 27th
The vote will take place directly in the SwissBorg app. Eligible locked BORG holders will be able to participate during the voting window above.
Be Healthy. Be Wealthy. Love our BORG.
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