MANA vs SAND: Decentraland vs The Sandbox — 2026 Comparison
This page compares Decentraland (MANA) and The Sandbox (SAND) using the DeFi Intel research dataset. Token of Decentraland, one of the first Ethereum-based virtual worlds, used to buy LAND, wearables and names and to govern the Decentraland DAO that controls the platform's smart contracts and treasury. MANA is burned when minting in-world assets. A long-running blue-chip metaverse asset alongside The Sandbox. Utility and governance token of The Sandbox, a voxel-based metaverse where users build and monetize games and experiences on LAND parcels. SAND pays for transactions, in-game purchases and staking, and is used to vote in the Sandbox DAO. Backed by an extensive roster of brand and IP partnerships across entertainment and fashion. As of the last data review, MANA ranks #48 by approximate market capitalisation (≈$0.7B) and SAND ranks #47 (≈$1.1B).
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Decentraland (MANA) | The Sandbox (SAND) |
|---|---|---|
| Market-cap rank | #48 | #47 |
| Approx market cap (USD) | $0.7B | $1.1B |
| Category | Gaming / Metaverse | Gaming / Metaverse |
| Chain(s) | Ethereum, Polygon | Ethereum, Polygon |
| Token standard | ERC-20 | ERC-20 |
| Launched | August 2017 | August 2020 |
| Issuer | Decentraland Foundation | Sandbox |
| Issuer type | DAO-governed | DAO-governed |
| Total supply | 2,194,000,000 | 3,000,000,000 |
| Circulating supply | 1,930,000,000 | 2,400,000,000 |
| Max supply | uncapped | 3,000,000,000 |
Decentraland (MANA) in brief
- Token of Decentraland, one of the first Ethereum-based virtual worlds, used to buy LAND, wearables and names and to govern the Decentraland DAO that controls the platform's smart contracts and treasury. MANA is burned when minting in-world assets. A long-running blue-chip metaverse asset alongside The Sandbox.
- Launched August 2017.
- ERC-20 token; trades on Ethereum, Polygon.
- No fixed max supply (uncapped).
- Issuer: Decentraland Foundation.
Full profile: Decentraland (MANA) token page.
The Sandbox (SAND) in brief
- Utility and governance token of The Sandbox, a voxel-based metaverse where users build and monetize games and experiences on LAND parcels. SAND pays for transactions, in-game purchases and staking, and is used to vote in the Sandbox DAO. Backed by an extensive roster of brand and IP partnerships across entertainment and fashion.
- Launched August 2020.
- ERC-20 token; trades on Ethereum, Polygon.
- Max supply: 3,000,000,000.
- Issuer: Sandbox.
Full profile: The Sandbox (SAND) token page.
Key differences (data view)
- SAND is the larger asset by market capitalisation: rank #47 (≈$1.1B) versus rank #48 (≈$0.7B) for MANA.
- MANA is the older asset — launched in 2017, 3 years before SAND (2020).
- Both live on the same chain footprint: Ethereum, Polygon.
- SAND has a fixed max supply of 3,000,000,000; MANA has no supply cap.
- Both are classified as Gaming / Metaverse assets in the DeFi Intel dataset.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, MANA or SAND?
The Sandbox (SAND) is larger by market capitalisation: approximately $1.1B (rank #47) versus $0.7B (rank #48) for MANA, as of the last DeFi Intel data review.
When did Decentraland and The Sandbox launch?
Decentraland launched in August 2017; The Sandbox launched in August 2020.
Are MANA and SAND on the same chain?
Yes — both are on Ethereum, Polygon.
Does SAND or MANA have a fixed supply?
The Sandbox (SAND) has a fixed max supply of 3,000,000,000. Decentraland (MANA) has no fixed supply cap.
Related comparisons
Methodology & sources
Every figure on this page is drawn from the DeFi Intel token research dataset — the same data that powers the MANA and SAND token profiles. Market capitalisations and supply figures are approximate snapshots from the last dataset review, not live quotes. DeFi Intel publishes editorial research, not financial advice.