<h4 class="heading-node">Track Overview</h4>This track invites individual researchers to submit an original article that explores an aspect of Solana’s economic ecosystem. The scope is intentionally broad to encourage diverse perspectives—from tokenomics and market trends to ecosystem growth and comparative blockchain analysis. Phase aims to deepen financial research while showcasing innovative insights that can inform the broader community.<h4 class="heading-node">Deliverables</h4>Participants are required to submit a single research article (minimum 1,000 words) that provides a detailed exploration of a chosen topic related to Solana’s economic activity. Each submission should include:<ul class="list-node"><li>An Executive Summary: A concise overview highlighting key findings and insights.</li><li>Data &amp; Sources: Clear citations and links to data sources, methodologies, and references.</li><li>Visual Aids: Charts, graphs, or tables that effectively illustrate the analysis.</li></ul><h4 class="heading-node">Judging Criteria</h4>Submissions will be evaluated based on:<ol class="list-node"><li>Analytical Depth: The rigor of the research, clarity of methodology, and the quality of the analysis.</li><li>Originality &amp; Insight: How innovative are the ideas, and do they contribute fresh perspectives on Solana’s economic ecosystem?</li><li>Clarity &amp; Presentation: The overall writing quality, readability, and effective use of visual aids.</li><li>Relevance: The extent to which the article informs and contributes to the broader discourse on Solana’s financial dynamics.</li><li>Attribution &amp; Transparency: Proper citation of all data sources and adherence to academic standards.</li></ol><h4 class="heading-node">Submission Requirements</h4><ul class="list-node"><li>Language: Submissions must be written in English.</li><li>Original Work: Each article must be entirely original. Proper attributions are required for any referenced data or materials.</li><li>Length: The article must be a minimum of 1,000 words.</li><li>Public Accessibility: Submissions must be published in a publicly accessible format (e.g., a blog post or academic platform) at the time of the deadline.</li><li>Submission Format: Participants must submit a link to their article along with a brief cover document summarizing their key insights (a TLDR so we can judge it efficiently). ALSO extra points for submitting and tagging @phaselabs_ and @heliuslabs on twitter with your submission :)</li></ul><h4 class="heading-node">Prize Details</h4><ul class="list-node"><li>Total Prize Pool: $2,000 USDC</li><li>Award Structure: Four winners will be selected, each receiving $500 USDC.</li><li>Winning Criteria: Winners will be determined based on the overall quality, impact, and clarity of the research as assessed by a panel of judges.</li></ul>

Research Article: Unpacking Solana’s Economic Activity