<p>Axie Infinity's $AXS token became one of the standout performers in the crypto market this January. A relatively quick 3x move from December lows, between $0.759 and $2.26, drew massive attention back to a project. While volume spikes and technical breakouts are easy to spot on the charts, they don't often tell the whole story.</p><p><a href="https://funjible.games/games/Axie-Infinity">Axie Infinity</a> and its ecosystem went through various changes throughout 2025, and Sky Mavis is still looking to implement multiple features in its games in 2026, including the upcoming release of&nbsp;<a href="https://funjible.games/games/atias-legacy">Atia’s Legacy</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.funjible.games/news/atias-legacy-reveals-new-combat-system-for-playtest-2">Axie Infinity MMO with a new combat system</a>.</p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:74.69%;"><img src="https://assets.funjible.games/AXSUSDT_2026_2b6418c1f8.png" alt="AXSUSDT 2026 screenshot" srcset="https://assets.funjible.games/AXSUSDT_2026_2b6418c1f8.png 226w, https://assets.funjible.games/AXSUSDT_2026_2b6418c1f8.png 500w" sizes="100vw"></figure><h2>Why is $AXS Pumping in January 2026?</h2><p>Axie Infinity’s $AXS pumped in January 2026 because Sky Mavis overhauled Axie Infinity's reward system to fix bot farming and sell pressure problems that killed the game's economy in previous cycles.</p><p>The core change is the introduction of bAXS. This is a new token that players earn through gameplay rather than receiving liquid AXS rewards. The bAXS token is bound to player accounts and can't be sold immediately on open markets.</p><div class="raw-html-embed">
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            bAXS is designed to evolve the Axie Infinity ecosystem.
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            It allows us to reward active players and ensure that the value generated within the digital nation stays within the community to support long-term sustainability.
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            bAXS isn’t just a token, it’s part of the foundation to… <a href="https://t.co/bJaoPsjtIr">pic.twitter.com/bJaoPsjtIr</a>
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        — Axie Infinity (@AxieInfinity) <a href="https://twitter.com/AxieInfinity/status/2012556951918456933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2026</a>
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</div><p>However, players can stake bAXS, spend it in-game, or sell it with a variable fee that depends on their Axie Score. Higher-reputation players pay lower fees, while extractors get steeper costs. The fees paid in this process go back to development.</p><p>At the same time, Sky Mavis stopped Smooth Love Potion (SLP) emissions in Axie Origins on January 7. SLP had become a magnet for bots that farmed and dumped tokens without contributing real engagement. Overall, Sky Mavis aims to create a healthier economic model by cutting off the SLP tap and shifting to bAXS rewards.</p><p>Axie Infinity Origins and Classic will also get new competitive seasons on January 21 and 22. Payouts for these seasons will also be in bAXS tokens, so January 2026 marks a clean break from the old inflationary structure and gives the market confidence that Axie Infinity is serious about fixing its tokenomics.</p><p>As avid GameFi fans, we’ve enjoyed watching the market’s reaction to all the Axie Infinity news. During the process, $AXS’ trading volume exceeded $400 million at its peak. While it’s relatively difficult to comment on the future of this price movement, other GameFi projects’ tokens, like&nbsp;<a href="https://funjible.games/games/My-Neighbor-Alice">My Neighbor Alice</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://funjible.games/news/new-multiverse-quest-launches-for-enjin-web3-games">Enjin</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://funjible.games/games/Alien-Worlds">Alien Worlds</a>, also tried to keep up in the meantime, including Ronin's $RON.</p><div class="raw-html-embed">
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Axie Infinity Classic

Axies are dangerous animals who enjoy fighting and hunting for wealth! So, grab an Axie collection in an ever-expanding Axie Infinity universe!

Axie Infinity-Homeland

Axie Infinity: Homeland is a land-based strategy game of adventure. Use Axies to build your settlement, then expand, craft, conquer, and adventure.

Axie Infinity - Origins

A fast, turn-based card battler game where you and your Axies battle against fierce foes and other players.

Axie Infinity-Raylights

Axie Infinity Raylights gives players a different, upgraded gaming experience in the Axie Infinity metaverse with new plants, recipes, and land plots.

Atia's Legacy

Axie Infinity: Atia's Legacy is an MMO experience where you assemble Axies, battle through Lunacia's ancient ruins, and compete in guild wars.


Why Axie Infinity's AXS Token Is Pumping in January 2026?

Axie Infinity Classic

Axie Infinity-Homeland

Axie Infinity - Origins

Axie Infinity-Raylights

Atia's Legacy

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