BlockchainAdvanced#DeFi#Tokens#Elastic Supply
Rebase Token
R
Definition
A token design in which a protocol-specific rule can change the unit balance shown to holders or the reported supply. A rebase is not a universal mechanism, price guarantee, yield, or evidence of a stable value.
Source reviewed
- Ampleforth Docs: About the Ampleforth Protocol opens in a new tab
Supports: Documents AMPL's project-specific CPI-adjusted-2019-dollar reference, proportional balance changes, daily policy cadence, parameters, and the distinction between supply changes and market response.
- Ampleforth Contracts opens in a new tab
Supports: Publishes the Ampleforth protocol smart-contract repository and official mainnet-address reference for implementation-level inspection.
- EIP-20: Token Standard opens in a new tab
Supports: Defines the optional ERC-20 balance, transfer, and total-supply interface; it does not define universal rebase, price, yield, oracle, or control behavior.
Concept Diagram
Key Takeaways
1
Rebase describes project-specific balance or supply accounting, not one shared token behavior
2
More or fewer displayed units do not automatically set price, preserve value, or create yield
3
Verify the exact contract, chain, inputs, cadence, permissions, wrapped form, and stated reference rule
4
Use protocol-specific evidence for accounting and tax decisions; consequences vary by implementation and jurisdiction
Practical Example
A dashboard shows a wallet with 100 units before a scheduled supply adjustment and 110 afterward. The reviewer does not call the extra 10 units profit or assume a target price was reached. They identify the exact token contract and its accounting rule, compare market price and liquidity before and after the event, and retain the dated records needed for their own accounting review.
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Related Terms
Macro
Real YieldsA yield expressed after accounting for inflation. Its meaning depends on whether the calculation uses realized inflation, expected inflation, or an inflation-indexed security, as well as its maturity and risk premiums.
Blockchain
LST (Liquid Staking Tokens)A provider-specific token issued against assets delegated to a staking arrangement. It can be transferable or usable in other protocols, but redemption, rewards, backing, governance, fees, and risks depend on the issuer and integration.
Blockchain
Liquidity PoolAssets supplied to a smart-contract market-making system so swaps can execute against its rules instead of a traditional order book. The assets, fees, price curve, liquidity shares, withdrawal conditions, and risks depend on the specific pool and protocol.
Strategy
StakingProtocol-specific participation in proof-of-stake validation or a third-party staking arrangement, with rewards and risks determined by the particular network and provider.
Strategy
TokenomicsA due-diligence framework for a token's disclosed supply, issuance, allocation, rights, controls, and use within a specific network or product.
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