FOLD Token
This FAQ explains what FOLD does in the Interfold network. It is for token holders and for people who want to operate a ciphernode. The questions are in three groups: the role of FOLD, transferability, and ciphernode operation. For supply and allocation data, see FOLD Tokenomics.
The role of FOLD
What role does FOLD play in the Interfold network?
The Interfold is a distributed network for confidential coordination. Applications request Encrypted Execution Environments (E3s). Ciphernodes coordinate and secure each computation.
FOLD supports the economic operation of the network.
What is the utility of the FOLD token?
FOLD has three main functions, and the three functions are interlocked: ciphernode bonding, protocol incentives, and governance.
Ciphernode bonding. Ciphernode operators bond FOLD to become eligible for network duties. Bonded
FOLD stays in the BondingRegistry contract. When the bond owner (the wallet that funds the bond)
unbonds it, the FOLD waits in an exit queue before the bond owner can claim it. Bonded FOLD may be
subject to protocol-defined withdrawal periods. It may also be subject to penalties for provable
misbehavior or for failure to fulfill assigned responsibilities. These mechanisms align operational
responsibility with economic accountability.
Protocol incentives. Ciphernode operators receive a share of the fees of completed E3s. In addition, they may receive FOLD incentives for successfully completing protocol-defined duties as members of an E3 committee.
Governance. FOLD is expected to support governance participation through the Interfold DAO. Governance may include decisions about network parameters, protocol upgrades, and treasury administration. Governance processes may include secret-ballot mechanisms that the Interfold network powers. For the current voting rules, see Governance.
Transferability
When did FOLD become generally transferable?
General FOLD transferability could be enabled at or after Aug 19 at 14:00 UTC (10 AM ET).
At or after Unix timestamp 1787148000, anyone could call the tge() function on the FOLD
contract to enable general transferability. When that transaction executed, FOLD became generally
transferable.
That transaction ran on Aug 19, 2026 at 14:00:23 UTC. tgeTimestamp() on the FOLD contract returns
1787148023, so FOLD is generally transferable now.
General FOLD transferability and Network Alpha are distinct milestones in the broader Interfold launch sequence. For more information, see FOLD Transferability.
Ciphernode operation
How can I use FOLD to operate a ciphernode?
Operating a ciphernode is designed to be permissionless. The setup has four parts:
- Provision cloud-based or personal hardware.
- Run the ciphernode software.
- Bond FOLD to the ciphernode.
- Complete on-chain registration.
When the ciphernode is registered, it can participate in E3 committees when the protocol rules select it. To be active for committee selection, a registered ciphernode also needs a minimum ticket balance. See Tickets and sortition.
For current setup requirements, bonding instructions, and operator documentation, see Ciphernode Operators and Registration and bonding.
Can I delegate my FOLD to a ciphernode operator?
No. The bonding model of the Interfold is deliberately operator-only. Every FOLD that is bonded to a ciphernode is capital at risk for the operator that runs it.
Delegated capital would let operators run partially-owned ciphernodes. That would dilute accountability and weaken the economic security guarantees of the network.
In the BondingRegistry contract, each ciphernode has one bond owner, and only the bond owner can
bond FOLD to it. The operator sets the bond owner. The bond owner can be the operator address or a
separate wallet, for example a cold wallet or a Safe.
Support
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