Sonic Labs is preparing to push its native token, $S, into the heart of U.S. traditional finance with plans for exchange-traded products, ETFs, and participation in NASDAQ private investment in public equity (PIPE) structures. The proposal, revealed on X, outlines a roadmap to strengthen institutional adoption and secure a larger foothold in the American market.
The initiative will be carried out by a newly formed subsidiary, Sonic USA LLC, which is set to recruit a chief executive officer and assemble a U.S.-based team to address regulatory challenges and market opportunities. To accelerate its expansion, the proposal introduces revised tokenomics that involve fresh token allocations. These include backing a $100 million NASDAQ PIPE, setting aside $50 million for ETFs, and dedicating 150 million $S tokens to fund Sonic USA’s operations.
Sonic’s leadership emphasised that the company has less control over its token supply compared to many rival Layer-1 chains, which often retain 50–90 percent of their tokens for partnerships and growth strategies. By reshaping its token model, Sonic aims to narrow this gap and position itself for greater agility in the market.
The plan outlines three major uses for the new token supply. First, Sonic will collaborate with BitGo to secure institutional-grade custody and work alongside an ETF partner to launch $S-based products. The tokens will also support liquidity and compliance requirements. Second, part of the allocation will be channelled into NASDAQ PIPE structures to lay the groundwork for treasury holdings and open-market expansion. Finally, Sonic USA will invest in leadership hires, open a New York office, and pursue regulatory alignment to strengthen domestic growth.
Changes are also being made to the project’s gas fee system. For FeeM transactions, 90 percent of fees will go to builders, five percent to validators, and another five percent will be burned. For non-FeeM transactions, half will be awarded to validators and the other half destroyed. The adjusted structure is designed to curb inflation, encourage deflationary pressure, and ultimately enhance the value of the token.
With these updates, Sonic Labs is positioning itself to compete more effectively in both crypto and traditional finance spaces. The strategy could increase visibility across leading market trackers, encourage adoption among institutional players, and improve long-term market resilience.
