Soulbound Token (SBT)
A non-transferable token bound permanently to one wallet, used to represent credentials or reputation on-chain.
A soulbound token can't be sold or sent. Once issued to a wallet, it stays there—the on-chain equivalent of a diploma or membership card rather than a tradeable asset. Vitalik Buterin proposed the idea in a 2022 paper.
The point is identity and reputation. An SBT might prove you completed a course or are a verified DAO member, without that proof being something you can buy.
Adoption is early and the privacy questions are real. A permanent, public record tied to your wallet can reveal more than you intend.
Related terms
A blockchain token that represents ownership of a unique item, where no two units are interchangeable.
Vitalik ButerinThe Russian-Canadian programmer who proposed Ethereum in 2013 and remains its most influential public figure.
DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization)An organization governed by token holders voting on-chain, where rules and treasury live in smart contracts instead of a boardroom.
Web3A vision of an internet built on blockchains, where users own their assets and identity without central platforms.