Z.ink, an SVM Layer 1 blockchain built by the team behind Star Atlas, has kicked off its closed a.lpha test season ahead of its upcoming $ZINK token airdrop. The test began on October 30 and is open only to those with an access code. This early launch marks the start of a broader plan to fix long-standing cost and scalability issues in web3 gaming. With this network, ATMTA is moving Star Atlas and its ecosystem onto its own chain tailored for high-volume, low-cost onchain activity.

The core of this project is the zProfile, a digital identity layer that tracks player actions and converts them into gamified XP (zXP). This XP determines how much of the $ZINK airdrop users will receive once the official campaign begins.

A.lpha Test Season Begins

The a.lpha phase is the first of 3 key seasons in the Z.ink airdrop roadmap. Launched on October 30, this early season is meant to help fine-tune the platform ahead of the official token launch. Only those with access codes can join for now, and testers will receive an exclusive A.lpha Tester badge. They can also keep up to 20 levels of their zProfile progress into the main airdrop campaign, giving them a head start once the full campaign begins.

To create a zProfile at z.ink, you'll first need an access code. These codes can be obtained by reposting this post on X, after which the team may send one via DM, or by receiving one directly from an existing user. Once you have a code, you can set up your profile, which may involve a small fee paid in $SOL.

Z.ink: What the New Blockchain Offers

According to the team, Z.ink is not just another SVM Layer 1. It has been built from the ground up to work smoothly with the Star Atlas ecosystem, which includes games and marketplaces that produce millions of transactions daily. While fully compatible with Solana platforms, Z.ink is meant to run independently to avoid the rising network fees and delays that recently affected the Solana chain.

During periods of high congestion, players reported that up to 30% of their earnings were eaten by transaction fees. Z.ink was introduced to solve this issue by offering far cheaper transactions. The platform achieves this by maintaining the same core fee structure as Solana but using a much lower-cost native token ($ZINK), which is set to reduce fees by over 99%.

This drop is critical for onchain gaming, where frequent transactions are the norm. Z.ink is expected to process around 20 live transactions per second at launch, already more than several other Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks.

How the zProfile System Works

A major part of Z.ink's setup is the zProfile. This identity system acts as a web3 single sign-on and helps track user activity across the network. It supports privacy via zero-knowledge proofs and offers features like dApp permissions and optional Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification.

More than just a login, the zProfile also lets users build a reputation through a gamified system of zXP. These points are earned by completing actions in the Star Atlas world, whether that's playing games, staking tokens, or trading assets. The more zXP a user earns, the higher their profile level, and the bigger their share of the $ZINK token drop when it goes live.

Users can also join premium subscription tiers (Alpha, Aura, and Apex), which give them XP multipliers ranging from 1.25x to 2x, as well as access to other features like domain names and battle passes.

z.ink airdrop roadmap

Airdrop Structure and Timeline

The Z.ink airdrop is broken into 3 phases, with the current a.lpha test season being the first. Each phase is meant to prepare and scale the network while rewarding early adopters.

The second phase, called the O.rigin Airdrop Season, will begin in mid to late December 2025. This will be the first main campaign where ZINK tokens are distributed based on user activity. A full 10% of the token's total supply has been set aside for this campaign. Unlike past Star Atlas campaigns, no prior activity from earlier years will count toward this airdrop. This decision was made to give all new users a level playing field.

Actions that earn zXP during this season include playing Star Atlas games, using the marketplace, and engaging with game assets. Some of the heaviest XP rewards are tied to locking ATLAS and POLIS tokens or spending money in the marketplace. Taking part in matches within the UE5 shooter or racing modes also helps build your XP total. 

The third phase, titled Airdrop & Genesis, is set to take place around mid to late March 2026. This marks the full network launch and token generation event. It will also include the mainnet rollout of Sage C4, which will evolve the module into a full 4X game.

Token Details and Use Cases

$ZINK is the native token of the Z.ink network. It will be used for transaction fees, staking, validator rewards, and incentives. Half of all transaction fees will be burned to help support long-term value. $ZINK is being launched as a new asset so that existing Star Atlas tokens like ATLAS and POLIS are not diluted.

In total, 10% of the ZINK token supply is allocated to the first airdrop campaign. Another 5% goes to the Star Atlas DAO, which will operate a validator and use its rewards to cover player transaction fees in the future.

Road to Decentralization

While the early phases of Z.ink are permissioned to ensure low fees and stability, the long-term goal is full decentralization within 18 to 24 months. Validators will eventually be able to join by acquiring $ZINK tokens and staking them.

To kickstart staking activity, Z.ink is launching with a high inflation rate of 12% of the circulating supply, which will slowly decay over 8 years.

The team maintains that Z.ink is more than just a new network. It's intended to become the core infrastructure for everything Star Atlas plans to build going forward. The airdrop seasons act as an entry point into this system, giving users a way to test, earn, and shape how the network develops.

The a.lpha test season is now live. The O.rigin airdrop follows in December, with the Genesis event arriving by March next year.