Gate Launchpad is Gate’s early-stage token subscription platform, designed to allow users to invest in promising projects at a fixed or preferential price during their initial launch.
On December 22, 2025, Gate completed the token distribution for its fifth Launchpad project, Kodiak (KDK), and plans to officially open KDK/USDT spot trading at 14:00 UTC on December 23.
01 Project Overview: Core Mechanisms of Gate Launchpad Phase Five
The fifth Launchpad project, Kodiak (KDK), has drawn widespread attention for its "100% one-time unlock" mechanism. This means that all successfully subscribed tokens are fully unlocked and available for use immediately after distribution.
This stands in stark contrast to the linear vesting or long-term lock-up models adopted by many new projects, significantly reducing both the time commitment and uncertainty for participants.
The subscription for this Launchpad round took place from December 19 to 21, 2025, with a total issuance of 3,000,000 KDK. The subscription featured a dual-asset structure, offering both USDT and GUSD channels.
Of the total, the USDT subscription pool accounted for 70% (2,100,000 KDK), while the GUSD pool made up 30% (900,000 KDK), with both pools offering a subscription price of 1 KDK = $0.35.
02 In-Depth Rules: Dual-Asset Subscription and Allocation Logic
Gate Launchpad Phase Five seeks to balance fairness and capital efficiency. The system sets a personal subscription cap, with each account able to acquire up to 30,000 KDK—21,000 KDK from the USDT pool and 9,000 KDK from the GUSD pool.
Final token allocation is not determined by a simple "first come, first served" approach, but rather by the "average locked amount" during the subscription period.
Table: Kodiak (KDK) Launchpad Subscription Key Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Token Symbol | KDK |
| Total Subscription | 3,000,000 |
| Subscription Price | 1 KDK = 0.35 USDT / 0.35 GUSD |
| Subscription Assets | USDT (70%), GUSD (30%) |
| Personal Cap | 30,000 KDK (USDT pool: 21,000; GUSD pool: 9,000) |
| Token Unlock | 100% one-time unlock |
During the 48-hour subscription period, the system takes hourly snapshots of users’ locked amounts and calculates the average. This means users who subscribe early and maintain their locked position throughout the period gain a greater allocation advantage under equal capital conditions.
03 Ecosystem Background: Kodiak (KDK)’s Potential and Support
Kodiak is not a project that appeared out of nowhere. It is a vertically integrated decentralized liquidity platform focused on token issuance, trading, and liquidity management.
The project was incubated by the "Build a Bera" accelerator within the Berachain ecosystem and has received backing from prominent investors such as Hack VC and Amber Group, with total funding exceeding $5.3 million.
Within the Berachain ecosystem, Kodiak commands over 90% of the spot and perpetual contract DEX market share, demonstrating strong market competitiveness and ecosystem integration. These solid fundamentals provide substantial support for the long-term value of the KDK token.
04 Platform Evolution: From Plasma (XPL) to Kodiak (KDK)
The Gate Launchpad mechanism is constantly evolving. Comparing the previous fourth-phase Plasma (XPL) project, we can clearly see the platform’s ongoing optimization and innovation.
The XPL project also issued 3,000,000 tokens, but the subscription asset was limited to GUSD, with a price of 1 XPL = 0.35 GUSD. Eligibility was determined by users’ cumulative trading volume during a specified period, with distinct tiered thresholds.
Table: Plasma (XPL) Subscription Eligibility and Trading Volume Thresholds
| Subscription Tier | Required Cumulative Trading Volume (USD) |
|---|---|
| Up to 3,000 XPL | 120,000 |
| Up to 15,000 XPL | 1,000,000 |
| Up to 30,000 XPL | 3,000,000 |
With the KDK project, Gate introduced dual-asset subscription and average lock-up calculation, making participation more flexible and encouraging users to commit capital more steadily. This reflects the Launchpad product’s move toward greater sophistication and capital efficiency.
05 Participation Guide and Extended Opportunities
Participating in Gate Launchpad requires some preparation. Users must first have a Gate account with completed KYC verification.
For projects like KDK where subscription has ended, the focus shifts to secondary market trading and upcoming platform activities. According to the announcement, Gate is celebrating the KDK launch and the New Year with the "VIP 2026 New Year Red Envelope Rain" and a spot trading competition.
The Red Envelope Rain event features a total prize pool worth approximately 70,000 USDT, including 85,714 KDK and 200,000 CYS. The trading competition offers a prize pool of 107,142 KDK, with a maximum individual prize of 7,560 KDK.
Additionally, Gate has announced that users who successfully participate in Launchpad and subsequently invest their funds in YuCoin USDT financial products may enjoy extra annual yield bonuses.
06 Risk Awareness: Uncertainty Behind the Opportunity
While Launchpad provides a channel to participate in projects at early-stage prices, the risks involved should not be overlooked. Newly listed tokens often experience high price volatility, with the potential for rapid surges or sharp declines.
Moreover, early-stage projects face challenges in technology implementation, market promotion, and liquidity. Even if you acquire tokens successfully, limited market depth at launch may make it difficult to realize gains at ideal prices.
Gate, as a platform, screens Launchpad projects but does not guarantee any post-listing price performance. Investors must make decisions based on thorough research (DYOR) and their own risk tolerance.
When KDK/USDT trading officially opens on the evening of December 23, all eyes will be on its price movement. The market will test the value of Kodiak’s ecosystem narrative and assess the real impact of the 100% one-time unlock mechanism on initial selling pressure.
Meanwhile, Gate’s own brand is also evolving. In 2025, Gate launched its new Gate.com international domain and brand identity, signaling its commitment to becoming the "next-generation super unicorn exchange."
