Looking back at the time point in 2026, the initial stage of TEA (i.e., from the launch in early 2026 to early 2027) is the most critical original accumulation period for the entire project. The main theme during this stage is 'data cleansing, rule formulation, and early bonus distribution.'

The following are the four core characteristics of the initial stage, as well as what participants should do during this period:

1. Initial core characteristics: from 'frenzied chaos' to 'strict rights verification'

The 'garbage cleansing' period of the test network: in the initial stage (such as from the end of 2024 to the end of 2025), the platform development faced serious challenges that forced the platform to establish extremely strict security reviews and Ownership Check before the mainnet launch in early 2026.

In the early stage, to attract users, the protocol's reward releases are usually very aggressive. Early participants can obtain future mainnet token airdrop qualifications through simple social tasks, testnet interactions, or staking a small amount of test tokens.

2. At this stage, what can we (or should we originally) do:

If you are in or just experienced this early stage, the core strategy is only two words: 'Ambush.'

A. Complete 'identity assetization'

Linking GitHub account: This is the most important operation in the early stage. Ensure that your GitHub account is active and has real open-source contribution records. The TEA algorithm will trace your historical contributions; the earlier you link in the initial stage, the higher your 'initial credibility score' will be.

Receive developer badge: Participate in early incentivized testnets to obtain non-transferable credibility credentials (SBT), which are the coefficient for future asset dividends.

B. Look for 'forgotten cornerstones'

Niche library confirmation: In the early stage, many small and medium-sized but highly valuable assets are confirmed on-chain for incubation.

Low-cost staking: In the early stage, the price of $TEA tokens fluctuates greatly or is in the point accumulation phase. At this time, staking to support potential projects can exchange extremely low costs for future high returns in distribution weight.

C. Monitor 'rule upgrades'

Early rules change rapidly (for example, upgrades against cheating). You need to closely monitor Discord and the official website, complete zkPass (decentralized identity verification) or other KYC steps as soon as possible to avoid being judged as a 'bot' and losing early qualifications due to missing information.

3. Analysis of advantages for early participants

Cost advantage: Obtain chips at an extremely low cost.

Weight advantage: Assets confirmed early will share profits later.

Information gap: Many people do not understand the development of web3 and

Trend of RWA. Early participants are the rules.

Layout in opaque conditions.

4. Summary positioning

The early stage is the 'consensus building' phase. If you can prove at this stage that 'I am a real, contributing developer,' you will receive a ticket to the future digital asset bank.