Documentation Index Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.canton.network/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Canton Coin (CC) is the native utility token of the Global Synchronizer, providing the economic foundation for network operations.
What is Canton Coin? Canton Coin is the native token used to:
Use Description Transaction fees (Traffic) Pay for network usage when submitting transactions Validator rewards Incentivize infrastructure operators Governance Super Validators stake CC to participate
Canton Coin is implemented via Splice , the open-source infrastructure for decentralized Canton synchronizers.
Traffic: Transaction Fees “Traffic” is Canton’s term for transaction fees. To transact on the Global Synchronizer, you need traffic credits in your validator’s traffic budget.
The two-step process:
Top up : Convert Canton Coin to traffic credits, which are added to the validator’s traffic budgetConsume : When transactions are submitted, traffic credits are deducted from the budget
Traffic credits are non-transferable—once CC is converted to traffic, it can only be used to pay for transaction fees.
How Traffic Works Traffic costs depend on:
Factor Impact Transaction size Larger transactions cost more Computational complexity More complex operations cost more Network demand May vary with network load
Traffic Management To ensure your transactions can be processed:
Maintain traffic credits in your validator’s traffic budgetTop up by converting CC to traffic credits when the budget gets lowMonitor usage to plan for costs
If your validator’s traffic budget is exhausted, transactions will fail. Validators can configure auto-top-up to automatically convert CC to traffic credits when the balance falls below a threshold.
Obtaining Canton Coin How you obtain CC depends on the environment:
Environment Method LocalNet Automatically available (test CC) DevNet Faucet (“tapping”) provides test CC TestNet Faucet provides test CC MainNet Purchase or earn through network activity
DevNet/TestNet Faucet On test networks, you can “tap” for free test CC:
Access your wallet interface
Use the tap/faucet functionality
Receive test CC (no real value)
Test CC is rate-limited and has no economic value.
MainNet Acquisition On MainNet, CC has real economic value:
Method Description Exchanges Purchase from supported exchanges Network activity Earn through validator operations Direct transfer Receive from other parties
Validator Rewards Validators operating on the Global Synchronizer can earn CC through:
Reward Type Description Liveness rewards For maintaining node availability Transaction rewards Share of traffic fees
Super Validators have additional reward mechanisms for operating synchronizer infrastructure.
Tokenomics The Global Synchronizer’s tokenomics are designed to:
Goal Mechanism Sustain infrastructure Rewards for operators Ensure fair pricing Market-driven traffic costs Facilitate governance alignment Stake-based participation Foster network growth Incentives for adoption
For detailed tokenomics, see canton.foundation .
Canton Coin vs. Other Cryptocurrencies Aspect Canton Coin Other L1 Tokens Primary use Network utility Varies Privacy Balances private Often public Holders visible Only to entitled parties Public Transaction fees Pay for traffic Pay for gas
Privacy of Holdings Unlike most cryptocurrencies where balances are publicly visible:
Your CC balance is visible only to you and entitled parties
Transfer details are private between sender and receiver
No public rich list or balance queries
Integration Considerations For Application Developers Consideration Approach Traffic estimation Estimate costs for user operations Top-up flows Build automatic or user-triggered top-ups Error handling Handle insufficient balance gracefully User communication Inform users about traffic costs
For Validators Consideration Approach Traffic budget monitoring Track traffic credits balance for your hosted parties Auto-top-up Configure automatic CC → traffic conversion when budget is low Reward management Handle earned CC rewards
Next Steps
Wallets for Users Manage your Canton Coin.
Validator Operations Operate and earn rewards.
