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- Chainlink will replace Build token payments with commercial agreements based on LINK.
- The current LINK Rewards season will end Build-related token rewards on July 7, 2026.
- Chainlink Labs will redirect resources toward broader network growth and economic initiatives.
Chainlink Labs has announced a major change to its ecosystem growth strategy. The company will transition its Build program away from project token payments and adopt commercial agreements that rely on LINK or other liquid assets.
The decision reflects changing market conditions and a broader effort to strengthen long-term network development. The company explained that it regularly reviews its ecosystem programs to ensure they continue delivering value.
After evaluating the current landscape, Chainlink Labs decided that the existing Build model no longer matches the needs of the ecosystem. The updated strategy aims to create a more sustainable framework for supporting projects while strengthening the LINK network.
Chainlink Shifts Beyond the Build Program
The Build program has been instrumental in the Chainlink ecosystem ever since its inception. More than 80 early-stage and mid-stage projects joined the program and benefited from technical assistance, strategic advice, marketing help, and connections within the ecosystem.
These services enabled many teams to create their products faster and get them to the market. The program also facilitated the LINK Rewards Program. Stakers of LINK tokens were provided with almost $20 million in tokens issued by Build projects.
This allowed for fostering the participation of the community while assisting projects in gaining more visibility in the ecosystem. Nevertheless, Chainlink Labs considers that the models of funding have evolved greatly in recent years.
The company came to the conclusion that the LINK-based commercial partnerships are much more solid than token payments. In the future, the existing agreements of the Build program will be discontinued, while new commercial partnerships will be formed in accordance with past participation of projects.
Chainlink Ends Rewards Program and Updates Growth Strategy
The upcoming season of Chainlink Rewards will be the last season for token rewards associated with the Build program. All participants who qualify will need to file their claim before July 7, 2026. After this deadline, the firm will finalize its transition to the new business model.
Chainlink Labs believes that revenues from future partnerships will automatically get converted into LINKs. The funds will be used by the company for further ecosystem expansion through programs like the LINK Reserve.
Such a solution may help increase incentives in the network long-term and establish a stable funding source. Also, Chainlink Labs will reallocate product and engineering teams responsible for running the Rewards program. These efforts will be focused on high-priority economic projects that can be useful for the whole Chainlink network.
Apart from that, the firm will optimize future ecosystem growth programs. In particular, it will not apply the same program to multiple projects but only focus on partnerships that match the long-term vision of LINK.
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