Bittensor has rolled out a major change to how new subnets are created. With the latest mainnet upgrade, registering a subnet now requires burning TAO — not locking it like before.
The update, announced on October 7, 2025, aims to make subnet creation more meaningful by tying it to real economic commitment. Every new registration permanently removes TAO from circulation, creating deflationary pressure and discouraging scams or low-effort projects.
What Changed
Previously, subnet owners had to lock TAO as a refundable deposit. They could deregister later and get their tokens back.
Now, that TAO is burned forever — gone from the supply.
Given that Bittensor typically sees two to three subnet launches a month, this could permanently remove thousands of TAO from circulation each year.
Why It Matters
This shift changes the economics of the Bittensor network.
- Before: Locked TAO didn’t affect total supply.
- Now: Burned TAO reduces it, making TAO scarcer.
- Before: Subnet creation was reversible (because owners could get their reg cost back after dereg).
- Now: It’s permanent — you can’t get the TAO back.
That permanence means only serious teams will commit to launching subnets, improving overall project quality and reducing noise in the ecosystem.
Community Reactions
Bittensor community members have generally welcomed the change, calling it a “genius move” that adds real commitment and long-term value to the ecosystem. Some have raised questions about how existing locked TAO will be handled — current understanding suggests those will remain locked and the update only affects new registrants.
The Bigger Picture
This update reinforces TAO’s deflationary design and aligns with the upcoming halving event set for December 2025. With every new subnet removing more TAO from supply, the token becomes scarcer and more valuable over time, requiring more “skin in the game” from subnet owners.
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