Etherlink Launches Apple Farm Season 2 Offering $3M In Rewards Via 20/80 XTZ Token Structure To Boost DeFi Ecosystem

Etherlink has launched Apple Farm Season 2, a liquidity mining campaign offering over $3 million in rewards to expand its DeFi ecosystem. This follows the success of its inaugural season, which attracted $47 million in total value locked (TVL) and distributed $3 million in XTZ incentives. The new season introduces applXTZ, a reward token designed to balance immediate and long-term engagement by unlocking 20% of rewards upfront and 80% over six months [1]. The initiative aims to incentivize active participation in DeFi protocols such as Jumper.Exchange, Lombard, Curve, Gearbox, and others, with bi-weekly updates to incentives based on activity and demand. David Relkin, Head of DeFi at Nomadic Labs, highlighted that Season 1 demonstrated “strong demand for smart, well-structured incentives” and emphasized Season 2’s focus on “more partners, more flexibility, and reward mechanics designed to keep users active and engaged over time” [1].

The expanded protocol roster now includes 10 platforms, with more expected to join during the campaign. By incentivizing activities like trading, lending, and liquidity provision, Etherlink seeks to solidify its position as a layer 2 solution for Ethereum-based DeFi. The bi-weekly adjustment of incentives reflects a strategic shift toward fostering long-term user behavior rather than short-term speculative activity. Analysts note that the applXTZ structure aligns with broader industry trends toward sustainable ecosystem development. The delayed release of 80% of rewards reduces the risk of reward dumping, a common criticism of liquidity mining programs, while encouraging ongoing contributions [1]. Etherlink’s ability to attract $47 million in TVL during Season 1 underscores market confidence in its infrastructure. The platform’s capacity to scale its incentive model while integrating new protocols positions it as a competitive layer 2 solution. However, the long-term success of Season 2 hinges on sustained user activity and the effectiveness of its reward distribution model.

Source: [1] [Apple Farm Season 2 goes live on Etherlink after record-breaking first run] [https://cryptobriefing.com/apple-farm-etherlink-season-2/].