Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. CoinMarketCap may be compensated if you visit any affiliate links and you take certain actions such as signing up and transacting with these affiliate platforms. Please refer to Affiliate Disclosure
The Threshold network provides and maintains a suite of cryptographic primitives for several dApps. The network is the product of the protocol merger between the Keep Network and NuCypher, which was finalized on January 1, 2022 with the launch of the T token.
What is the T token?
The T token is both a utility token for the Threshold Network and a governance token for the Threshold DAO.
What is the T token used for?
The T token is primarily used to stake a node. Node operators receive fees from various applications that rely on the Threshold network’s cryptographic primitives.
The T token is also a governance token and users can lock the token in coverage pools to earn yield in exchange for underwriting collateral risk in the network.
What are Threshold’s primitives and the use-cases?
tBTC is Threshold’s flagship application. tBTC is tokenized Bitcoin that is completely permissionless (i.e. has no custodian), which allows anyone to tokenize their Bitcoin and use it in DeFi applications without sacrificing privacy or risking censorship.
Early History of Threshold
Keep and NuCypher were merged into the Threshold Network in a decentralized on-chain merger. The idea to merge the two networks was first proposed by the community in February of 2021. The first iteration of the proposal to merge was posted to the Keep Network forum in March. The final proposal rc0 defined the terms of the merger and was approved in June of 2021 by both communities, with a snapshot vote for Keep and NuCypher token holders.
T Supply Details
10B initial supply
4.5B allocated to NU holders
4.5B allocated to KEEP holders
1B allocated to Threshold DAO
Upgrading to T
The vending machine contracts, with static conversion ratios, will be available to NU and KEEP holders indefinitely. There is no time pressure or disadvantage in waiting to upgrade NU/KEEP into T, so please be safe, take your time, and confirm everything!
As a reminder, existing NU and KEEP stakers will not be able to use the vending machine contracts until their stakes unlock and become liquid. Legacy stakers will be grandfathered into Threshold via special staking adapters.
What is Threshold?
Threshold is a decentralized network that emerged from the merger of the Keep Network and NuCypher, uniting their strengths to offer enhanced cryptographic services and decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions. This merger, completed on January 1, 2022, introduced the T token, serving dual purposes within the network. It acts as both a utility and governance token, integral to the network's operations and community-driven decision-making process.
The T token is essential for staking within the network, enabling node operators to earn fees by supporting various applications that depend on Threshold's advanced cryptographic primitives. These primitives include proxy re-encryption, threshold signatures, distributed key generation, and a random beacon. Each of these technologies plays a crucial role in ensuring privacy, secure access controls, and facilitating cross-chain interactions, thereby broadening the scope of what can be achieved within the DeFi ecosystem.
One of the flagship applications of Threshold is tBTC, a tokenized version of Bitcoin that operates without the need for a custodian. This innovation allows Bitcoin holders to participate in the DeFi space more freely, without compromising on privacy or exposing themselves to censorship risks.
The formation of Threshold was a community-driven initiative, reflecting a strong commitment to decentralized governance. The network's early history is marked by collaborative efforts between the Keep and NuCypher communities, culminating in a decentralized on-chain merger. This process was meticulously planned and executed, with multiple proposals and community votes guiding the merger's terms.
The T token's supply details were carefully outlined as part of the merger agreement, with a total initial supply of 10 billion tokens. This supply is allocated among NU holders, KEEP holders, and the Threshold DAO, ensuring a fair and equitable distribution that reflects the contributions of both merging communities.
For those looking to transition from NU or KEEP to T tokens, the network has provided vending machine contracts with static conversion ratios. This approach allows holders to upgrade their tokens at their own pace, without any pressure or disadvantage for delaying the conversion. Importantly, existing stakers in the legacy networks are accommodated through special staking adapters, ensuring a smooth transition to the Threshold network.
In conclusion, Threshold represents a significant advancement in the realm of cryptographic technology and DeFi, offering a suite of tools and applications that enhance security, privacy, and interoperability within the blockchain ecosystem. Its community-driven approach to governance and the strategic merger of Keep and NuCypher underscore its commitment to innovation and collaboration in the pursuit of decentralized solutions.
How is Threshold secured?
The security of the Threshold network is multifaceted, incorporating both advanced cryptographic techniques and rigorous software development practices. At its core, Threshold leverages threshold cryptography and threshold signature schemes. These cryptographic methods enhance security by distributing trust among multiple parties, making it significantly harder for attackers to compromise the network. In essence, threshold cryptography ensures that actions (like transactions or access to information) require a minimum number of approvals from separate entities before they can be executed, thereby adding an additional layer of security against unauthorized access or manipulation.
In addition to these cryptographic underpinnings, Threshold employs TypeScript and JavaScript for its programming needs, which are popular languages known for their robust ecosystems and community support. The choice of these languages allows for the development of secure and efficient codebases, while also facilitating regular security audits. These audits are crucial for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities, ensuring that the network remains secure against evolving threats.
Furthermore, the Threshold network is the result of a merger between the Keep Network and NuCypher, combining their strengths and security measures. This merger has allowed Threshold to inherit and refine a suite of cryptographic primitives designed for privacy, access controls, and cross-chain functionality, which are essential for supporting decentralized applications (dApps) and services on the network.
The T token, which plays a central role in the Threshold ecosystem, serves both as a utility and governance token. It is used to stake nodes, which are integral to the network's operation, providing security and facilitating the cryptographic services Threshold offers. Node operators are incentivized through fees collected from dApps utilizing the network's primitives, and the T token also enables participation in the governance of the Threshold DAO, further securing the network by ensuring decentralized decision-making.
Investing in cryptocurrencies and participating in blockchain networks involves risks, and it's important for individuals to conduct thorough research and consider their own financial situation before engaging with crypto assets like the T token.
How will Threshold be used?
Threshold is designed as a versatile platform that serves multiple functions within the blockchain ecosystem, primarily focusing on enhancing security, privacy, and interoperability across different blockchain networks. The network is a result of the merger between the Keep Network and NuCypher, aiming to provide a robust suite of cryptographic services.
One of the primary applications of Threshold is for cross-chain projects on networks like Sepolia, enabling seamless interactions and transactions between different blockchain systems. This interoperability is crucial for the broader adoption and functionality of decentralized applications (dApps), allowing them to operate beyond the confines of a single blockchain.
Threshold's utility extends to deploying several key applications, including tBTC, RandomBeacon, and Threshold Autonomous Credentials (TACo) apps. tBTC, in particular, stands out as a flagship application, offering a decentralized, permissionless way to tokenize Bitcoin for use in DeFi applications. This not only enhances the liquidity and utility of Bitcoin within the Ethereum ecosystem but also does so without compromising on privacy or exposing users to censorship risks.
The network's cryptographic primitives, such as proxy re-encryption, threshold signatures, distributed key generation, and random beacons, form the backbone of its security and privacy features. These primitives enable a wide range of use cases, from secure and private data sharing to creating more resilient and decentralized key management systems for blockchain networks.
Furthermore, the T token plays a dual role within the Threshold ecosystem. It acts as both a utility token, necessary for staking a node and participating in the network's operations, and a governance token, giving holders a say in the development and decision-making processes of the Threshold DAO. This dual functionality underscores the decentralized and community-driven ethos of the Threshold network.
In addition to these technical and operational roles, the T token also allows users to lock their tokens in coverage pools. This mechanism provides an opportunity for token holders to earn yield by underwriting collateral risk, adding another layer of utility and incentive for participating in the Threshold ecosystem.
In summary, Threshold is positioned as a key player in the blockchain space, offering tools and services that enhance the security, privacy, and interoperability of dApps. Its comprehensive suite of cryptographic primitives, combined with the innovative use of the T token, makes it a critical infrastructure component for the future development of the decentralized web.
What key events have there been for Threshold?
In the evolving landscape of the Threshold network, several pivotal moments have marked its journey, reflecting its growth and expanding influence within the cryptocurrency domain. Notably, the Threshold network emerged from the strategic merger of the Keep Network and NuCypher, culminating on January 1, 2022, with the introduction of the T token. This event signified a significant milestone, as it not only unified two robust cryptographic projects but also set the stage for a unified platform aimed at enhancing privacy, security, and interoperability across the blockchain ecosystem.
The launch of Threshold USD and the announcement of partnerships with leading blockchain networks such as Bitcoin and Ethereum underscore the network's commitment to fostering a more interconnected and efficient blockchain landscape. These collaborations are instrumental in broadening the utility and adoption of the T token, enabling users to leverage Threshold's cryptographic services across a wider range of applications and platforms.
Furthermore, the potential for future price increases, as highlighted by cryptocurrency experts, points to the growing recognition of Threshold's value proposition within the market. This optimism is rooted in the network's innovative offerings, including its suite of cryptographic primitives such as Proxy re-encryption, Threshold signatures, Distributed key generation, and the Random beacon. These technologies provide essential building blocks for developing decentralized applications (dApps) that require robust privacy and security measures.
The introduction of tBTC, Threshold's flagship application, represents another key development. As a tokenized version of Bitcoin that operates without a custodian, tBTC facilitates the seamless integration of Bitcoin into the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, enabling users to utilize their Bitcoin holdings in various DeFi applications without compromising on privacy or facing censorship risks.
The early history of Threshold, marked by the community-driven proposal and subsequent on-chain merger of Keep and NuCypher, illustrates the network's decentralized ethos and the collective vision of its community. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in shaping the network's direction and ensuring that it remains responsive to the needs and aspirations of its users.
As Threshold continues to evolve, it is essential for individuals interested in the network or its T token to conduct thorough research and consider the broader implications of their involvement. The dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market necessitates a cautious and informed approach to participation and investment.
The live Threshold price today is $0.027042 USD with a 24-hour trading volume of $25,005,236 USD. We update our T to USD price in real-time. Threshold is up 1.78% in the last 24 hours. The current CoinMarketCap ranking is #257, with a live market cap of $271,504,838 USD. It has a circulating supply of 10,040,293,395 T coins and the max. supply is not available.