> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.syfu.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.syfu.io/token-design/evt-softcap-stages.md).

# 7.7 Why EVT Is “Practically Finite” (Soft Cap / Stage Unlocking)

Because EVT is an excavation-based token, some people may wonder:\
“Isn’t it minted infinitely over time?”

This page explains — at a structural level — why EVT can be considered **“practically finite.”**

***

### What you’ll learn on this page

* A clear answer to the “infinite issuance” concern
* What **5,000 EVT per store** means
* The logic of **stage-based unlocking** (500 → gradual unlocking)
* How this relates to National Pool difficulty (50% / 75% / 90%)

***

### 1) Theoretical upper limit (Soft Cap)

SyFu is designed around the concept that, in theory,\
**global merchants (card-accepting stores)** are the target universe, and:

> each store has a predefined amount of EVT “reserved” in it.

#### Maximum reserves per store

* **Maximum: 5,000 EVT**

This is the theoretical upper bound assigned to each store.

#### How the National Pool is built

A country’s National Pool is formed by:

> the total EVT reserved in stores that have been unlocked in that country.

Because the number of stores depends on each country’s merchant base,\
each country naturally has a **theoretical upper limit (soft cap)**.

***

### 2) Only unlocked stores become excavatable in practice

The key point is:

> not all theoretically eligible stores are unlocked at all times.

In practice, what becomes excavatable is mainly:

* the portion of stores that users have unlocked using **Right Scroll**
* the portions that have been unlocked after meeting **stage-based conditions**

In other words:

* “Having more eligible stores does not immediately increase the mineable (unlocked) supply.”

***

### 3) Stage-Based Unlocking: The Full 5,000 EVT Is Not Released From the Start

Even though the maximum reserve per store is **5,000 EVT**,\
it is **not** fully unlocked from the beginning.

#### Unlocking flow

* **Stage 1:** Only **500 EVT** is unlocked
* After that, based on ecosystem indicators, additional supply is unlocked\
  **gradually by +2% to +10%**
* Over time, it can reach the maximum of **5,000 EVT**

The indicators here are intended to reflect overall ecosystem growth, such as:

* the number of BIND payment records
* NFT prices and trading activity
* broader ecosystem growth signals

Specific indicators and ratios may be adjusted over time to maintain ecosystem stability.

***

### 4) National Pool difficulty increase (automatic inflation control)

EVT is controlled not only through “caps,” but also through an\
**automatic pacing mechanism** for excavation.

As excavation progresses and a country’s National Pool becomes more depleted,\
the excavation efficiency (difficulty) changes in stages once certain consumption thresholds are crossed.<br>

* 50%
* 75%
* 90%

As each threshold is crossed, excavation efficiency is reduced.

This mechanism helps ensure:

* When mining (supply flow) risks accelerating too rapidly, the mining pace automatically slows
* The growth of supply remains aligned with the growth of the ecosystem

***

### Summary

EVT can be considered “practically finite” for three main reasons:

1. **A maximum reserve of 5,000 EVT per store**
2. **A staged structure where only unlocked portions become excavatable**
3. **A difficulty adjustment mechanism based on National Pool consumption**

EVT is not a simple issuance-based token.\
It is designed as a **structurally controlled model** that combines\
a theoretical upper limit, stage-based unlocking, and difficulty control.