diff --git a/agents/crypto_venture.py b/agents/crypto_venture.py
index cc744fb..7f2568b 100644
--- a/agents/crypto_venture.py
+++ b/agents/crypto_venture.py
@@ -188,19 +188,22 @@ class CryptoVentureService:
     def regenerate_rejected_slots(self, cohort: VentureCohort, *, reason: str = "novelty_or_token_gate") -> list[CompanyProposal]:
         created = []
         attempts = 0
-        max_attempts = cohort.cohort_size * 3
+        max_attempts = min(6, max(2, (cohort.cohort_size - cohort.members.count()) * 2))
         while cohort.members.count() < cohort.cohort_size and attempts < max_attempts:
             attempts += 1
             index = cohort.members.count() + attempts
             territory = CRYPTO_TERRITORIES[index % len(CRYPTO_TERRITORIES)]
-            payload, source = self._protocol_payload(index, territory)
+            if attempts <= 2:
+                payload, source = self._protocol_payload(index, territory)
+            else:
+                payload, source = self._fallback_payload(index, territory), "deterministic_crypto_repair"
             proposal = self._create_proposal(cohort.mandate, payload, source, territory)
             VentureCohortMember.objects.create(cohort=cohort, proposal=proposal, metadata={"territory": territory, "regenerated_for": reason})
             created.append(proposal)
             self.assess_token_necessity(proposal)
             self.novelty_gate(cohort)
             self._remove_weak_token_members(cohort)
-        cohort.metrics = {**cohort.metrics, "regeneration_attempts": cohort.metrics.get("regeneration_attempts", 0) + attempts, "regenerated_protocols": cohort.metrics.get("regenerated_protocols", 0) + len(created), "accepted_protocols": cohort.members.count()}
+        cohort.metrics = {**cohort.metrics, "regeneration_attempts": cohort.metrics.get("regeneration_attempts", 0) + attempts, "regenerated_protocols": cohort.metrics.get("regenerated_protocols", 0) + len(created), "accepted_protocols": cohort.members.count(), "unfilled_slots_after_regeneration": max(0, cohort.cohort_size - cohort.members.count())}
         cohort.save(update_fields=["metrics", "updated_at"])
         return created