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ERC-5192: Minimal Soulbound NFTs

ERC-5192 introduces the concept of ‘Soulbound’ tokens to the Ethereum ecosystem by providing a minimal extension for non-transferable NFTs. Unlike standard ERC-

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Abstract

ERC-5192 introduces the concept of ‘Soulbound’ tokens to the Ethereum ecosystem by providing a minimal extension for non-transferable NFTs. Unlike standard ERC-721 tokens, which are designed for liquidity and transferability, Soulbound tokens are tied to a specific account or address, representing non-transferable credentials, memberships, or identities. This standard defines a simple boolean interface, ‘locked’, which prevents token movement, ensuring that the association between the ‘soul’ (the address) and the token remains permanent. This technical paper outlines the rationale for non-transferability, discussing applications such as educational certifications, voting power, and social reputation tracking. By providing a low-friction implementation, ERC-5192 enables developers to create identity-based applications that are secure, verifiable, and natively compatible with existing token infrastructure, effectively expanding the utility of blockchain beyond speculative financial assets. Authors: Tim Daubenschütz Publication: Ethereum Improvement Proposals Publication date: 2022-01-01

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Key findings

  • Non-transferability is achieved through a simple and gas-efficient interface extension.
  • Soulbound tokens provide a basis for decentralized identity and reputation systems.
  • The standard is backwards-compatible with ERC-721 token standards.
  • It addresses the specific technical need for binding digital assets to a unique identity.

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Citation

Tim Daubenschütz (2022). ERC-5192: Minimal Soulbound NFTs. Ethereum Improvement Proposals. https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-5192
Canonical knowledge ID: research:erc-5192-minimal-soulbound-nfts