🧬Axolotl Standard

Axolotl Model

Introduction

The Axolotl Standard establishes a comprehensive framework for evolving digital assets on the Sui blockchain. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable regenerative capabilities of the axolotl salamander, this standard introduces a new paradigm for NFTs that can transform and evolve over time while maintaining complete on-chain permanence.

Initial Implementation & Proof of Concept

The Axolotl Standard's first implementation is deployed with the Genesis VRAM NFT collection on Walrus, leveraging Sui's object-centric model. The implementation demonstrates key capabilities:

• Initial state rendering with default image

• Evolution through admin-managed image hash updates

• Full transaction history preserved on-chain

• Attribute modifications that maintain the NFT's identity

• Metadata enrichment over time

The current implementation uses a centralized approach for image updates but establishes the foundation for more autonomous evolution mechanisms in future iterations.

Open Source Implementation

The core components of the Axolotl Standard will be available through the VRAM AI GitHub repository following the Genesis NFT launch. This will enable developers to implement and extend the standard within their own projects, fostering innovation in evolving digital assets across the Sui ecosystem.

Technical Foundation

Object-Centric Model

The Axolotl Standard leverages Sui's unique object-centric model and mutable storage capabilities to enable true on-chain evolution of digital assets. Unlike traditional NFTs that remain static after minting, Axolotl-compliant NFTs can change their form, attributes, and capabilities while preserving their entire historical record.

NFT Storage Architecture

VRAM NFTs utilize a hybrid storage approach that combines on-chain data with Walrus, Sui's decentralized blob storage solution, for optimal performance, permanence, and cost-efficiency:

• On-chain data: All critical metadata, ownership records, and evolution history are stored directly on the Sui blockchain

• Decentralized blob storage: The actual NFT image assets are hosted on Walrus, a fully decentralized blob store using Sui for coordination and governance

• Hash verification: Image integrity is maintained through on-chain hash verification, ensuring assets cannot be altered without authorization

• Permanent Web3 storage: Unlike traditional cloud storage, Walrus ensures NFT assets remain permanently accessible in a truly decentralized manner

• Censorship resistance: The combination of on-chain metadata and decentralized blob storage creates NFTs that are resistant to censorship or single points of failure

This architecture allows for efficient asset management while maintaining the security and permanence benefits of blockchain technology. By leveraging Walrus's distributed storage network, VRAM NFTs achieve true Web3 status – where both the ownership record and the digital asset itself exist permanently in decentralized infrastructure.

VRAM NFT Storage Architecture

On-Chain Evolution Mechanics

Technical Implementation Examples

State Management

In the Axolotl Standard, evolution states are tracked through mappings that associate wallet addresses with their assets' current states:

// Example of how state management works in the Axolotl Standard
public struct Treasury has key {
    id: UID,
    // Track current image mapping for each address
    imgListOf: VecMap<address, String>,  
    // Track attribute keys for each address
    attrKeysListOf: VecMap<address, vector<String>>,  
    // Track attribute values for each address
    attrValuesListOf: VecMap<address, vector<String>>,  
    // Historical record of all images by ID
    imgHistoryOf: VecMap<u64, String>,
}

Evolution Mechanisms

The Axolotl Standard enables multiple evolution patterns

Reveal-based Evolution

Assets begin with a placeholder image and "evolve" through the reveal process:

// Example of reveal function
public entry fun reveal_update_nft(
    name: String,
    description: String,
    ownerKiosk: &mut Kiosk,
    ownerKioskCap: &KioskOwnerCap,
    vramObjectId: ID,
    treasury: &mut Treasury,
    ctx: &mut TxContext
) {
    let account = tx_context::sender(ctx);
    if(vec_map::contains(&treasury.imgListOf, &account)){
        // Apply the updated image hash
        let v0 = kiosk::borrow_mut(ownerKiosk, ownerKioskCap, vramObjectId);
        v0.image_url = get_image_for_account(treasury, account);
    }
}

Attribute-based Evolution

NFTs can evolve by updating their attribute metadata:

// Example of attribute update
if(vec_map::contains(&treasury.attrKeysListOf, &account) && 
   vec_map::contains(&treasury.attrValuesListOf, &account)){
    // Get the new attributes for this account
    let keys = get_keys_for_account(treasury, account);
    let values = get_values_for_account(treasury, account);
// Update the NFT's attributeslet nft = kiosk::borrow_mut<NFT>(ownerKiosk, ownerKioskCap, vramObjectId);nft.attributes = vec_map::from_keys_values(keys, values);
}

Multi-stage Evolution

The standard supports progressive evolution through predefined stages:

// Example of multi-stage evolution concept
// Each NFT could progress through several stages
// Stage 1: Initial reveal (placeholder → base image)
// Stage 2: Attribute enhancement (basic → enhanced traits)
// Stage 3: Visual evolution (base → evolved appearance)
// Stage 4: Final form (evolved → legendary status)

Future: Autonomous Evolution

Potential for self-evolving NFTs based on time or ecosystem events:

// Example of potential autonomous evolution
// In future iterations, NFTs could evolve based on:
// - Time elapsed since minting
// - Blockchain events (token launches, protocol upgrades)
// - Owner actions (staking, participation in governance)
// - Cross-collection interactions

Marketplace Integration

Kiosk System Compatibility

The Axolotl Standard fully integrates with Sui's Kiosk marketplace system, ensuring NFTs remain tradable while preserving their evolution capabilities:

// Example of marketplace integration
let (kiosk, cap) = kiosk::new(ctx);
kiosk::lock(&mut kiosk, &cap, policy, nft);
transfer::public_transfer(cap, account);
transfer::public_share_object(kiosk);

Transfer Policy Enforcement

The standard implements a 5% creator royalty through Sui's transfer policy framework:

// Example of royalty implementation
royalty_rule::add<NFT>(&mut policy, &cap, 500, 0);

On-Chain Permanence Demonstration

One of the core strengths of the Axolotl Standard is the complete on-chain permanence of all evolution states and transaction history, combined with decentralized blob storage for the assets themselves.

Asset Permanence Through Decentralized Blob Storage

VRAM NFTs achieve true digital permanence through:

• Walrus integration: Assets are stored on Walrus, Sui's decentralized blob storage network

• Content-addressed storage: Each asset is referenced by its unique content hash, ensuring immutability

• Redundant storage: The decentralized nature of Walrus means assets are stored across multiple nodes in the network

• On-chain references: While the actual image data is stored in blob storage, all references are securely maintained on-chain

• Epochs-based availability: Assets can be stored with specified minimum epoch guarantees, ensuring long-term availability

This hybrid approach provides significant advantages over traditional NFT storage solutions:

1. True decentralization: Both the token and its associated assets exist in decentralized infrastructure

2. Cost efficiency: Storing large media files in blob storage rather than directly on-chain reduces gas costs dramatically

3. Permanent availability: Assets remain accessible even if the original creator or marketplace ceases operations

4. Web3 native: The entire solution exists within the Web3 ecosystem without reliance on centralized services

Object Transaction History

The entire evolution journey of an Axolotl-standard NFT remains visible through Suiscan's transaction explorer:

• Initial object creation: Suiscan Transaction Record

• Evolution state changes: Suiscan Transaction History

Marketplace Discoverability

Despite the complex evolution mechanics, Axolotl NFTs remain fully compatible with standard marketplace interfaces:

• Tradeport Collection View

This dual visibility ensures both the technical permanence of object history on-chain and the user-friendly discoverability through conventional NFT interfaces.

Potential Applications

The Axolotl Standard opens possibilities for numerous creative applications:

• Story-Driven NFTs: Characters that visually evolve as their storyline progresses

• Achievement-Based Evolution: NFTs that transform based on owner accomplishments

• Community-Driven Development: Assets that evolve based on collective governance decisions

• Ecosystem-Reflective Collectibles: NFTs that visually represent milestones in the protocol's growth

• Dynamic Game Assets: In-game items that gain new appearances and capabilities through use

Future Roadmap

The Axolotl Standard will continue to evolve with upcoming features:

• Fully autonomous evolution triggers based on on-chain events

• User-driven evolution paths with multiple possible outcomes

• Cross-collection interaction and evolution mechanics

• Enhanced metadata standards for better marketplace integration

• Advanced visualization capabilities beyond static images