The AXS token from the gaming platform Axie Infinity experienced a remarkable 209% increase this month, surpassing $2.70, marking its highest point since July 2025.

This rise places Axie back into the spotlight for traders at a time when the majority of the crypto market is facing challenges, prompting investors to examine whether adjustments to the token structure can sustain long-term usage.

Overview of the bAXS Initiative

The surge followed a recent announcement from Axie Infinity co-founder Jeffrey “Jihoz” Zirlin, who shared on social media plans to convert AXS rewards into a new bonded version named bAXS. He emphasized that AXS will fully support bAXS and can be utilized within Axie’s primary services, including staking and in-game purchases.

A significant feature of this overhaul is a reputation-based selling fee. Users wishing to sell bAXS will incur a variable fee directed to the Axie treasury, with reduced fees for those boasting higher Axie scores. Zirlin mentioned that the intent is not just short-term pricing manipulations, but establishing “structural changes to supply” slated for 2026.

Additionally, Axie Infinity’s official account reinforced this objective by stating that bAXS aims to keep monetary value circulating within its ecosystem, rather than draining to exchanges.

The community’s reaction seems predominantly supportive, seeing this as a transformative change. Influencer Adrian remarked,

“This sounds really solid for the Axie ecosystem. I am looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, analyst Kevihaiceth referred to it as an interesting method of incorporating reputation into selling strategies. However, some users like Laxo shared cautious optimism, expressing,
“Felt like Axie was fading, but they’re cooking now. Let’s see if reputation-based selling brings real activity or just a new farm meta.”

Price Trends Amid Market Pressure

After briefly reaching $2.71, AXS’s price has recently fallen back to $2.40, although it has increased by over 116% in the past week and nearly 195% over the last month.

With trading volume surpassing $700 million in a single day, there appears to be speculative interest and renewed engagement from long-term holders. In contrast, the overall market has struggled, with Bitcoin (BTC) dropping below $90,000 this week, resulting in a market-wide loss exceeding $250 billion. Ethereum (ETH) has also fallen below the $3,000 threshold due to increasing selling pressure.

Despite the recent spike, AXS remains nearly 60% lower compared to its value last year, trading over 98% beneath its peak of $165 set in November 2021. Nonetheless, this latest rally highlights how specific project updates can momentarily detach from BTC trends during weaker market conditions. The sustainability of this momentum will likely hinge on the expeditious rollout of bAXS and the impact of reputation-focused incentives on user behavior within the Axie economy.