TL;DR: A Soulbound Token (SBT) is a non‑transferable NFT issued once to a single blockchain address. On TON, SBTs grant proof of staking, course completion, event participation, and other privileges, and minting costs a small network fee.
Definition and Characteristics#
A Soulbound Token (SBT) is a special type of NFT that is minted in a single copy and permanently attached to one blockchain address. Unlike regular NFTs, an SBT cannot be transferred, sold, or moved to another address or network. Ownership is immutable, making the token suitable for identity‑related use cases and exclusive rights within the TON ecosystem.
Origin#
The concept was introduced by Vitalik Buterin, co‑founder of Ethereum, in a 2022 blog post. He proposed an asset class that remains forever owned by a single individual, eliminating speculative trading.
Use Cases on TON#
SBTs on TON serve several functions:
- Educational credentials – proof of diploma or course completion.
- Quest and event rewards – recognition for completing challenges or attending conferences.
- Staking verification – proof of locked tokens that enables later withdrawal.
- Pre‑purchase confirmation – evidence of token pre‑sales or property ownership.
- DAO or community membership – non‑transferable badge of affiliation.
Notable TON SBT Projects
- ARKENSTON NFT – issued for staking STON on STON.fi; required to reclaim staked assets after the lock‑up period.
- Proof‑of‑Learn (Tonstarter) – certifies completion of the basic semester course on Tonstarter Learn and unlocks event bonuses.
- JVT bond SBT – granted to participants of the JVault IDO as proof of token purchase.
- The Open League SBT – rewards active users in the Open League competition.
- TON Society Event SBT – awarded for attending conferences, meetups, or AMA sessions organized by TON Society; enables entry into the weekly Season 2 lottery for XP, which can be exchanged for Toncoin.
Technical Details#
Minting an SBT on the TON network incurs a standard transaction fee of ≈0.07 TON. Applicants must ensure sufficient TON balance before initiating the mint; otherwise the transaction will fail.
Comparison with Regular NFTs#
| Feature | Regular NFT | Soulbound Token (SBT) |
|---|---|---|
| Transferability | Yes | No |
| Ownership change | Possible | Immutable |
| Typical purpose | Asset ownership, trading | Identity, reputation, access |
See also#
- [The Open League](/wiki/the-open-league)
- [STON.fi](STON.fi)
- [JVault](JVault)
- [TON Society](TON Society)
- [TON](TON)