Table of Contents Airdrop Claim Process and EligibilityIn-Depth Look at $KITE TokenomicsThe Role of the Kite FoundationRecent Investment BoostFrequently Asked Questions Kite AI, a blockchain project focused on AI-native payments and autonomous agents, has released the economic model for its native token $KITE just as the claim period for its community airdrop begins. The announcement, made through the Kite Foundation, details how the token will support network operations and incentives. This comes amid recent developments, including a new investment from Coinbase Ventures and the launch of the foundation itself. The airdrop claim window, which opens on November 3 and runs through November 17, aims to distribute tokens to community members and ecosystem contributors who have supported Kite's progress. Airdrop Claim Process and Eligibility Participants can check their eligibility via the airdrop portal, where a dedicated checker tool verifies qualifications based on past involvement. Those who qualify include long-term community supporters, such as users who engaged in testnet activities, contributed to discussions, or helped promote the project across crypto platforms. The allocation method prioritizes sustained contributions over one-time actions, ensuring that tokens go to individuals who have demonstrated ongoing commitment to Kite's growth. For instance, active participants in broader crypto ecosystems—those who collaborated on AI-related initiatives or integrated with Kite's tools—may also receive portions. To claim, users connect their compatible wallets to the portal during the two-week period. The process involves simple verification steps, after which tokens are transferred directly. Kite emphasizes that this distribution recognizes real value added to the network, rather than random selection, and encourages recipients to use their $KITE for staking or governance once the mainnet launches. While exact allocation amounts vary by contribution level, the overall airdrop draws from the ecosystem and community pool, which forms a significant part of the token supply. This approach not only rewards early adopters but also seeds broader participation in the network's upcoming features. In-Depth Look at $KITE Tokenomics With the airdrop underway, attention turns to the tokenomics that underpin $KITE's role in the ecosystem. The total supply is fixed at 10 billion tokens, a cap designed to prevent inflation and tie value directly to network activity. This structure supports Kite's vision of enabling seamless payments for AI agents, where tokens facilitate transactions, security, and decision-making. $KITE Token Allocation The allocation breaks down into four main categories. Nearly half, or 48%, goes to ecosystem and community initiatives, funding airdrops like the current one, liquidity provision, and growth programs that reward users and validators. Another 20% is reserved for modules—specialized services within the network that provide AI capabilities, such as compute resources or agent applications. These modules earn rewards based on usage, encouraging developers to build high-quality tools. The team, advisors, and early contributors receive 20%, with multi-year vesting to align their interests with long-term success. Finally, investors get 12%, also under vesting schedules to promote stability. $KITE Utility $KITE's utilities roll out in phases, starting with foundational features at token generation and expanding at mainnet. In the initial phase, module owners must lock tokens into liquidity pools, scaling with their service's size and demand; this removes tokens from circulation and ensures commitment. Builders need to hold $KITE for ecosystem integration, acting as an access mechanism that fosters alignment. Incentives from this pool go to value-adding users and businesses. Once mainnet arrives, utilities deepen. The protocol collects commissions from AI service transactions, converting them into $KITE buys on the market to create buy pressure linked to real usage. Staking secures the network, with roles for module owners, validators using proof-of-stake consensus, and delegators who support them. Holders can vote on governance matters, from protocol upgrades to incentive adjustments. This setup transforms $KITE from a simple asset into a tool for participation, where emissions bootstrap early activity before shifting to revenue-funded rewards. Value capture relies on reinforcing loops: as AI services grow, they generate fees, lock more liquidity, and incentivize further development. The non-inflationary model avoids dilution, with a "piggy bank" system for rewards that encourages holding—claimants can sell accumulated emissions but forfeit future ones. Participants include validators who stake for security and governance, and delegators who contribute to network resilience. Overall, this economics aims to scale token value with adoption, making $KITE integral to an autonomous economy. The Role of the Kite Foundation Behind these announcements stands the newly introduced Kite Foundation, launched on November 8 to guide the project's decentralized aspects. It operates independently, focusing on three pillars: driving adoption of autonomous infrastructure through grants and resources; growing the network via governance and community initiatives; and empowering builders with developer programs and technical support. The foundation manages $KITE's governance and ensures that token utilities align with community needs. Developers and entrepreneurs can apply for involvement through its website, where details on grants and collaborations are available. This entity separates operational duties from the core team, promoting transparency and sustainability. By funding forums for collaboration and educational efforts, it helps build a resilient ecosystem around AI payments. Recent Investment Boost Adding momentum, Kite recently secured funding from Coinbase Ventures, building on its $33 million Series A led by PayPal Ventures and General Catalyst. The investment targets advancements in agentic payments, particularly through integration with the x402 protocol—a standard for AI agent transactions that enables secure identities, programmable limits, and instant settlements. As one of the first layer-1 blockchains to adopt x402 natively, Kite positions itself for high-volume microtransactions with low fees and sub-second finality. Chi Zhang, Kite's CEO and co-founder, noted that current financial systems falter for AI use, emphasizing the need for an AI-native infrastructure. The funds will support a programmable trust layer via the Agent Passport, scalable blockchain features, and integrations with platforms like PayPal and Shopify to enable agentic commerce. This backing validates Kite's approach, potentially accelerating its role in the emerging agent economy. In summary, the unveiling of $KITE tokenomics alongside the airdrop opening marks a key milestone for Kite AI. Community members now have a window to claim rewards, while the detailed economic model provides a roadmap for future utility and growth. With the foundation in place and fresh investment, the project continues to develop tools for AI-driven payments. Readers interested in participating should visit the official sites for the latest updates and ensure they meet eligibility criteria before the claim period ends. Sources: Official Tokenomics Overview (Kite Foundation blog): https://kite.foundation/tokenomics About $KITE Airdrop (Kite AI Foundation on X): https://x.com/kiteaifdn/status/1984704813851099136?s=46 Coinbase Ventures Investment Announcement (Kite Medium): https://medium.com/@KiteAI/kite-announces-investment-from-coinbase-ventures-to-advance-agentic-payments-with-the-x402-protocol-cd9e3639329f