A distribution archetype is a project-type template that sets defensible ranges for each allocation bucket, vesting length, and TGE float. An RWA protocol and a DePIN network have materially different archetypes, so we calibrate allocation to the archetype rather than a generic rule of thumb.
Archetype selection is the first calibration step. Apply the wrong one and every bucket negotiation that follows starts from the wrong number.
How it works
An archetype captures how a category of protocol creates and captures value, then turns that into constraints on supply design: community minimum, maximum insider concentration, vesting duration per bucket, TGE float, and emission shape.
A DePIN protocol must bootstrap a physical hardware network, which needs heavy early operator incentives and a larger ecosystem bucket. An RWA protocol must satisfy compliance requirements and often has institutional investors who need shorter lockups for regulatory reasons. The same table that fits one is wrong for the other.
Design consequence
Apply the wrong archetype and supply mechanics fall out of step with adoption reality. A GameFi protocol built on a DeFi infrastructure archetype under-allocates to player rewards and over-weights treasury, failing to create the in-game economy that drives retention.
A DePIN protocol built on a Layer 1 archetype under-weights operator economics and over-weights validator incentives that have nothing to do with its physical infrastructure growth model.
Common mistake
Teams adopt a generic template from an online resource without mapping it to their value creation mechanism. Those defaults, often cited as 15% team, 15% investors, 40% community, 30% treasury, came from one cohort of protocols in one market cycle and are not universally defensible.
An archetype-calibrated table is the difference between one that survives institutional due diligence and one that generates follow-up questions the team cannot answer confidently.
See Token Allocation Strategy Guide for how this applies in practice.
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