Holochain's Two Tokens: The Difference Between HOT and HoloFuel

If you've started to research Holochain, you've likely run into a confusing and critical detail: the project seems to have two different currencies, Holochain Token (HOT) and HoloFuel. This immediately raises questions. Why are there two? Which one is the real investment? What's the difference?

This is one of the most common points of confusion for newcomers, but understanding it is essential to making an informed decision. Let's clear it all up. The difference is actually quite simple once you see the role that each one plays.

HOT: The Placeholder, Your Ticket to the Network

First, let's talk about the token you can actually buy on an exchange today: Holochain Token (HOT). It's important to know that HOT is an ERC-20 token, which means it currently lives on the Ethereum blockchain, not on Holochain itself.

Think of HOT as a promissory note, a voucher, or a ticket to a concert that hasn't happened yet. When the Holochain team held their initial fundraising event (ICO) in 2018, their own network wasn't fully built. So, they issued HOT on the secure and well-established Ethereum network as a way to represent a stake in the future Holo network. When you buy HOT today, you are buying this claim.

HoloFuel: The Native Currency, the Fuel for the Engine

Now, let's talk about the future currency: HoloFuel. This will be the native, internal currency of the Holo network. The Holo network is the flagship application built on Holochain, a peer-to-peer hosting platform where people can rent out their computers' spare processing power to run the decentralized apps (hApps) of the future.

Think of HoloFuel as the fuel that makes this entire engine run.

• Developers who want their hApps to be hosted on the network will pay for that service in HoloFuel.
• The hosts who are providing the computing power will earn that HoloFuel as a reward.

HoloFuel is designed to be a dynamic and stable currency for microtransactions, optimized for the billions of tiny payments needed to run a distributed internet. Its value is directly tied to the real-world utility of the hosting network.

The Swap: Connecting the Ticket to the Fuel

So, how do these two tokens connect? The answer is "The Swap."

Once the Holo network is fully operational and stable, a "swap" period will begin. During this time, every holder of the HOT token will be able to swap it for HoloFuel at a guaranteed one-to-one (1:1) ratio.

This is the key. Your HOT token is your reserved seat. It guarantees that you can claim an equal amount of the network's native fuel once it's ready for public use. After the swap period ends, the HOT token will have served its purpose and will be retired, with HoloFuel taking its place as the sole currency of the ecosystem.

You're Investing in the Future Fuel

So, to put it simply: you invest in HOT today with the understanding that it is a placeholder for HoloFuel tomorrow. The confusion disappears when you see it as a two-step process that was necessary to fund and build this ambitious project. You now understand the mechanics behind the token and can see the long-term vision more clearly.

Understanding a project's tokenomics is a critical step in making a smart investment. Now that you can see the clear path from HOT to HoloFuel, you can make an informed decision. Explore Holochain (HOT) on BYDFi and secure your stake in the future of the Holo network.

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