What is DeRace (DERC)?

Quick Facts

  • Token: DERC (DeRace Coin)
  • Blockchain: Ethereum (ERC-20), also available on Polygon and BNB Smart Chain
  • Category: NFT gaming, play-to-earn, metaverse
  • IDO launch: 2021 on DAO Maker
  • Key roles: Horse Owner, Bookmaker, Bettor, Trainer
  • Race outcome: Determined by RNG and genetic algorithm
  • Rebranded: The project later evolved into zkRace

Introduction

DeRace is a blockchain-based NFT horse racing metaverse that merges video gaming, horse racing, and decentralized betting into a single play-to-earn ecosystem. At its core is the DERC token, the native currency used for all transactions, rewards, and governance activity on the platform.

The platform is designed to make virtual horse racing accessible and rewarding — no physical horses or stables required.

History & Background

DeRace launched its initial decentralized offering (IDO) in 2021 through DAO Maker, entering the rapidly growing GameFi and NFT gaming space. The project positioned itself at the intersection of two multi-billion-dollar industries: video gaming and horse racing.

Over time, the platform evolved its feature set and eventually rebranded to zkRace, expanding from a horse racing game to a broader Web3 gaming infrastructure platform.

How DeRace Works

Players can participate in several ways within the DeRace ecosystem:

  • Horse Owners acquire NFT racehorses, enter them in races, and earn rewards.
  • Bookmakers own and operate NFT hippodromes, hosting races and collecting fees.
  • Bettors wager DERC on race outcomes, with payouts calculated automatically.
  • Breeders combine two NFT horses using a Genetic Algorithm to produce offspring with unique, inherited traits.

Race results are determined by Random Number Generation (RNG) technology, ensuring fair and transparent outcomes. Each horse carries unique genetic attributes that influence its performance on the track.

Tokenomics

DERC serves as the universal currency of the DeRace platform. It is used to pay race entry fees, purchase and breed NFT horses, buy hippodromes, and trade assets on the in-game marketplace. All race winnings and player rewards are also distributed in DERC.

Beyond in-game utility, DERC holders gain access to governance participation, early access to new platform features, exclusive NFT drops at special prices, and first testing of updates — giving active holders a meaningful role in shaping the project.

Circulating supply ? 131.25 million DERC
Reserved supply ? 0 DERC
Burned
0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000001
0 DERC
Total supply ? 131.25 million DERC
Max supply ? 5.18 million DERC
Updated 4d ago

Ecosystem & Use Cases

DeRace brings together several interconnected components:

  • NFT Horses: Unique digital horses with distinct rarity levels, traits, and visual appearances.
  • NFT Hippodromes: Player-owned race venues where bookmakers host events and earn fees.
  • In-Game Marketplace: A native trading hub for horses and other in-game assets.
  • Breeding System: Genetic algorithm-powered breeding that creates new horses with combined parental traits.
  • Betting Module: Automated coefficient calculation and transparent payout system.

Team, Governance & Community

DeRace was created under the W3Forge umbrella, which oversees the broader ecosystem. DERC token holders participate in governance decisions, giving the community a direct voice in the platform's future direction. The project maintains active communities on Telegram, Twitter, and Discord.

Advantages

  • True asset ownership: NFT horses and hippodromes are fully owned by players on-chain.
  • Multiple income streams: Earn through racing, breeding, hosting, betting, or trading.
  • Transparent mechanics: RNG-based races and automated betting coefficients ensure fairness.
  • Multi-chain availability: DERC is accessible on Ethereum, Polygon, and BNB Smart Chain.
  • Community governance: Token holders influence platform development.

Risks & Challenges

  • Market volatility: Play-to-earn token economies can be sensitive to shifts in player activity.
  • Competition: The NFT gaming space is crowded with competing horse racing and GameFi projects.
  • Rebranding transition: The evolution to zkRace and the $ZERC token introduces uncertainty for existing DERC holders.
  • Adoption dependency: Platform value is closely tied to sustained player engagement and community growth.

Long-Term Vision

DeRace aims to be a leading destination for virtual horse racing by continuously expanding its feature set — including mobile applications, third-party partnerships, and deeper betting and gambling integrations. Under the zkRace rebrand, the project is evolving toward a broader Web3 gaming infrastructure that supports other game developers and ecosystems, positioning DERC and its successor as foundational assets in decentralized gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

DERC is the native currency of the DeRace platform, used to pay race entry fees, buy and breed NFT horses, purchase hippodromes, and trade assets. All player winnings and rewards are also paid out in DERC.

Players can earn DERC by winning races, breeding and trading NFT horses, hosting races in their owned hippodromes, and participating in promotional activities such as referral programs and reward campaigns.

NFT hippodromes are player-owned virtual racetracks where bookmakers host horse races and collect entry fees and a percentage of bets. Owning a hippodrome is one of the primary passive income opportunities on the platform.

Race outcomes are determined using Random Number Generation (RNG) technology, which ensures fairness and unpredictability. A horse's genetic traits, generated via a Genetic Algorithm, also influence its competitive performance.

DERC is an ERC-20 token originally deployed on Ethereum, and it is also available on Polygon and BNB Smart Chain, offering users flexibility in how they hold and transact with the token.

zkRace is the rebranded evolution of DeRace, expanding from an NFT horse racing game into a broader Web3 gaming infrastructure platform. The new ecosystem is powered by the $ZERC token, which succeeded $DERC.

Players can participate as Horse Owners (racing and breeding NFTs), Bookmakers (running hippodromes), Bettors (wagering on races), or Trainers, each offering different ways to engage with and profit from the ecosystem.

Yes, DERC holders can participate in the platform's governance and decision-making process. They also receive benefits such as early access to new features, exclusive NFT drops, and priority testing of platform updates.