What is Request (REQ)?

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

Request Network aims to replace traditional, intermediary-reliant payment systems. It allows users to create a payment request—which can include terms, turning it into a compliant invoice—and have it settled directly on-chain (CoinMarketCap). This removes third parties, aiming to make transactions cheaper, faster, and fully auditable. The network is integrated with global trade legislation to maintain compliance. Its core value is providing businesses with a transparent, programmable infrastructure for B2B payments, payroll, and accounting.

2. Technology & Architecture

The protocol is built on Ethereum, with the REQ token being an ERC-20 standard asset. All payment requests are stored on an immutable ledger, serving as proof for auditing. While native to Ethereum, the network has expanded its reach through its API, which supports payment detection and settlement across more than 25 blockchains, enabling broad interoperability for developers and businesses (Request Network).

3. Tokenomics & Governance

REQ has a fixed initial supply of 1 billion tokens. The token is actively used within the network’s mechanics: it’s burned to prevent spam, staked for rewards, and used for governance votes on protocol upgrades (Request Network). Regular token burns, like the 443 REQ burned in October 2025, introduce a deflationary pressure on the supply (Request Network). This model ties token utility directly to network usage and community-led development.

Conclusion

At its core, Request Network is a decentralized financial rail designed to bring efficiency and transparency to business payments, powered by the multi-utility REQ token. Will its API-first approach and cross-chain capabilities establish it as a standard for on-chain business finance?