Tokens

Token Overview

Tokens in the most basic sense, in regards to the Integra blockchain, are a digital voucher that can be exchanged for an API call. More specifically, for a write to the blockchain using the RegisterIdentity API call. This is the only API call that requires tokens to be used, or "consumed", in order for the call to be made. The other API call that writes records to the blockchain is registerKey and that API call does not require a token due to the fact that an IntegraId is required before tokens can be granted/purchased to that IntegraId. This ‘causality dilemma’ of needing an IntegraId before having tokens means that registerKey does not have the same requirement of a token to make the call. All API calls involving reads of the blockchain also do not require a token to make the call.

The tokens are non-transferable between users on the network and for all intents and purposes, they are consumptive tokens. In layman's terms, each token represents a write to the Integra blockchain. The main network will not allow API writes without a token whereas on the test network Register Identity will allow hashes to be written with only the hash of the document or it will allow the digitally signed hash of the document. This provides the most flexibility for developing and testing applications on the Integra blockchain. The next section will cover how tokens can be acquired for the test and main networks.

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Important Token Information

The tokens are non-transferable between users on the network and for all intents and purposes, they are consumptive tokens. Main networks requires tokens to be assigned to the IntegraId before calling registerIdentity only, all other API calls can be called without tokens.

Token Acquisition - Test Network

There are several methods to get tokens for usage on the test network. The first method is that tokens can be issued to individual IntegraIds through organizations. The organizations that are testing projects or integrations with Integra can provide a list of IntegraIds to the email address [email protected]. The process will only work for organizations working directly with Integra already. The second method is to request tokens for the test network. Visit the token request site at https://identity.integraledger.com/tokens. The first step will ask for your Integra Smart Identity Document and then there will be a short form to fill out with first and last name, email, phone, and purpose for the project/token request. The only reason for collecting the email and phone number is in order to get the Smart Voucher Redemption document which will be described next.

Once the request is approved, a Smart Voucher Redemption document will be generated for the given IntegraId that made the request. This ensures that only the owner of the IntegraId will be able to redeem the gifted vouchers. The Smart Voucher Redemption document will be emailed to the email provider and the passphrase for decryption of the document will be sent to the phone number provided. Once the document and passphrase are received, they can be redeemed at https://purchase.integraledger.com/ in order to redeem the tokens that were gifted.

Token Acquisition - Main Network

Similar to the test network, there are several different methods to get tokens for the main network. The first method for acquiring tokens for the main network is to purchase them at https://purchase.integraledger.com/. The most secure way to purchase tokens, ensuring that they will be credited to the correct IntegraId account, is to use your Integra Smart Identity Document with passphrase. There is also another option to just enter your IntegraId and bypass the Smart Identity Document.

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Ensure correct IntegraId is entered

Ensure to double-check the IntegraId entered when bypassing the Smart Identity Document, and passphrase, Once tokens are purchased and assigned to an IntegraId they can't not be transferred or refunded. They will be lost and un-usable, only the holder of the private key for the IntegraId will be able to use the tokens on the main network.

The second method for acquiring tokens for the main network is to be a node host. If your organization is hosting a node, contact your IT staff for details of tokens for the main network. One of the benefits of being a node host on the Integra Blockchain is being able to grant/issue tokens to users within the organization. Please see Hosting a Node guide for more information.

The main network requires tokens for all calls to Register Identity. In addition, best practices require that all hashes be digitally signed in order to write transactions/blocks to the blockchain.