Overview
Step Network attempts to create a dedicated Layer 1 blockchain for fitness and move-to-earn applications. The project emerged during the 2022 move-to-earn craze kicked off by STEPN and aims to provide optimized infrastructure for fitness dApps, step tracking, and wellness-related decentralized applications.
The technical thesis for a fitness-specific L1 is weak — general-purpose chains can easily handle step-counting and reward distribution logic. Step Network's differentiation is largely branding rather than genuine technical necessity. The ecosystem consists of a small number of fitness-related dApps with negligible user counts.
The move-to-earn narrative has largely collapsed, with even category leader STEPN seeing massive user declines. Step Network, as a much smaller player, has been hit even harder. The project represents a cautionary tale about building dedicated infrastructure for trend-driven use cases.
Risk Factors
- Move-to-earn narrative has collapsed — user activity near zero
- No technical justification for a fitness-specific L1 vs general-purpose chains
- Tiny ecosystem with no meaningful dApp diversity
- Token has lost the vast majority of its value from listing
Conclusion
Step Network is a fitness L1 searching for relevance after the move-to-earn trend died. The 1.6 score reflects the absence of technical differentiation, near-zero ecosystem activity, and the fundamental question of why fitness apps need their own blockchain. The answer appears to be: they don't.