Forte Protocol is an infrastructure platform that provides on-chain compliance and economic management tools for blockchain-based projects. Developed by Forte Labs Inc., the protocol is designed to help developers define, launch, and manage virtual asset economies, with an initial focus on the video game industry. ^{[1] [2]}

Overview

Forte Protocol offers an end-to-end infrastructure solution for developers seeking to integrate token-based economies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into their applications. The platform's core offering is the Forte Rules Engine, which allows projects to define and enforce specific rules for the creation, transfer, and destruction of on-chain assets. This enables developers to manage regulatory compliance and implement customized economic controls tailored to their project's needs. The company is based in San Francisco, California. ^[2]

The project is built around the concept of "community economics," which posits an evolution from centralized entertainment experiences to open economic platforms where users and players have greater ownership and agency. By providing tools for compliance, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and transaction screening, alongside flexible economic controls like vesting schedules and supply management, Forte aims to accelerate the go-to-market strategy for Web3 projects. While its origins are in gaming, its tools are designed to be applicable to any Web3 application that requires the management of on-chain token activity. ^[1]

Forte's platform is designed to be compliant and interoperable, supporting multiple blockchain networks. It provides developers with templates and upgradable controls to simplify the integration of blockchain features. The company's pricing model is customized, with the team working directly with clients to develop a tailored rules architecture for their specific requirements. ^[1]

History

Forte's public presence began around January 2019, the month its official X (formerly Twitter) account was created. A significant early development occurred on March 12, 2019, when Forte announced a partnership with Ripple's investment arm, Xpring. This collaboration resulted in the creation of a $100 million fund dedicated to supporting game developers building on blockchain technology. Ethan Beard, an executive from Xpring, stated at the time that Forte was "building the foundation for developers worldwide" in the blockchain gaming space. ^[2]

On November 26, 2019, Forte joined the Blockchain Association, becoming the first member to represent the video games industry. The company's stated goal for joining the association was to help educate policymakers on the applications and benefits of blockchain technology. The following year, on June 18, 2020, Forte announced its support for PayID, an open payment standard, promoting it as a "frictionless solution" for players and developers participating in community-driven game economies. ^[2]

The company saw substantial growth in 2021, announcing on May 20 that it had raised $185 million in a funding round, which brought its valuation to $1 billion. Later that year, on November 12, Forte announced the close of a Series B funding round, securing an additional $725 million. The capital was raised to expand its compliant and interoperable blockchain gaming platform. ^[2]

Technology

Forte provides a suite of tools and infrastructure designed to give developers granular control over their on-chain economies while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The platform supports multiple EVM-compatible blockchains and offers upgradable controls across a project's infrastructure. ^[1]

Products

Forte's primary technological offerings are centered around its rules engines, which form the backbone of its compliance and economic management services.

• Forte Rules Engine: This is the platform's core product, enabling developers to define, enforce, and manage rules for their token economies. The engine can control the minting, burning, and transferring of both fungible and non-fungible tokens based on a wide range of predefined parameters. These parameters can include total transaction value, an individual account's balance, or time-based restrictions, allowing for the implementation of complex economic models directly on-chain. ^[1]
• ZK Policy Engine: The company also lists a ZK Policy Engine among its products. While specific details are not extensively publicized, the name suggests a solution that leverages zero-knowledge technology. This would likely be used for privacy-preserving policy enforcement, allowing rules to be verified and enforced without revealing sensitive underlying data about the transactions or the parties involved. ^[1]

Features and Capabilities

The platform's features are broadly categorized into compliance controls, economic management, and developer tools, providing a comprehensive solution for launching and scaling Web3 applications.

Compliance Controls

Forte offers a set of tools designed to help projects navigate the complex regulatory landscape of digital assets. These features are intended to safeguard both the project and its users.

• Identity & Risk: The platform facilitates Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, as well as wallet and transaction screening to identify and mitigate risks associated with illicit activities.
• Sanctions: It allows for the validation of transactions and user accounts against official sanctions lists, helping projects remain compliant with international regulations.
• Transaction Limits: Developers can implement risk-based transaction limits and lockup periods for assets, which can be customized based on user profiles or other risk factors. ^[1]

Developer Tools

Forte provides resources to streamline the development process for integrating blockchain functionalities.

• Token Management: The platform supports the creation and management of both fungible (ERC-20 style) and non-fungible (ERC-721 style) EVM-native tokens.
• Templates: To simplify development, Forte offers adaptable templates with built-in controls that can be customized for various use cases.
• Upgradability: The controls and rules implemented via the Forte platform are designed to be upgradable, allowing projects to evolve their economic and compliance policies over time without requiring a complete overhaul of their smart contract infrastructure. ^[1]

Blockchain Support

Forte's platform is built to be multi-chain, providing flexibility for developers.

• Currently Supported: Ethereum, Polygon.
• Planned Support: The company has indicated that support for BNB Chain and other blockchain networks is forthcoming. ^[1]

Use Cases

Forte's technology is designed for a range of applications, from complex gaming economies to more straightforward token management for general Web3 projects.

Gaming Projects

The platform's initial and primary focus has been the video game industry. Game developers can use Forte's tools to design and manage intricate in-game economies. This includes linking on-chain token rewards directly to player engagement, such as completing quests, reaching milestones, or other in-game achievements. By giving players true ownership of their digital assets, developers can foster a more engaged and loyal community. Domenik Maier, CEO of iBLOXX, was quoted by Forte, stating;

“Web3 games have a huge advantage on the retention side because developers and the community are much more closely connected. Players actually own part of the game and want to see it grow.” ^[2]

Token-Driven Blockchain Applications

Beyond gaming, Forte's rules engine is valuable for any Web3 project that needs to manage on-chain activity for its tokens. This includes decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, creator economies, and other tokenized ecosystems. The platform can be used to enforce regulatory rules, such as trading restrictions for certain jurisdictions, or to implement bespoke on-chain lockup and vesting schedules for different classes of token holders, including early investors, team members, and community participants. ^[1]

Funding and Investors

Forte has secured significant financial backing from a wide array of venture capital firms and strategic investors in the technology, gaming, and blockchain sectors. In May 2021, the company raised $185 million, achieving a valuation of $1 billion. This was followed by a Series B round in November 2021, where it raised an additional $725 million to further develop its platform. ^[2]

The company's list of backers includes:

• a16zcrypto
• Animoca Brands
• Battery Ventures
• Canaan Partners
• Conductive Ventures
• Cosmos
• Galaxy
• GBV
• Griffin Gaming Partners
• Kenetic
• Kora
• Next
• Polygon Studios
• Sea
• Solana Ventures
• Source
• The House Fund
• Tiger Global
• Translink Capital

This diverse group of investors highlights the cross-industry interest in Forte's infrastructure for blockchain-based economies. ^[1]

Partnerships and Ecosystem

Forte has established several key relationships to bolster its platform and promote the adoption of blockchain technology in gaming and beyond. A foundational partnership was formed in March 2019 with Ripple's Xpring, which included the co-launch of a $100 million fund to accelerate development in the blockchain gaming sector. ^[2]

In November 2019, Forte became a member of the Blockchain Association, positioning itself as a representative of the video game industry within the policy and advocacy group. The company also states that it leverages a "network of compliance partners, including those with NYDFS BitLicense approval," to enhance its regulatory and compliance offerings, although specific partners have not been publicly named. Forte also runs a "Dev Accelerator" program to support developers building on its platform. ^[1]

Legal and Security Issues

On September 29, 2025, Forte's official X account experienced a security breach. The company publicly acknowledged the incident, stating that it had detected "unauthorized access" to the account.

In response, Forte secured the account and announced that it had initiated an investigation to determine the full scope of the breach. ^{[2] [8]}