Own POKT

POKT is the native cryptocurrency that powers Pocket. In this section, we’ll go over how to store your POKT safely, as well as buying and staking.

POKT Wallets

Before buying any POKT, you should first ensure that you know how to store it safely.

In this section, we’ll describe some different wallets that can store and manage POKT:

Info

Ledger support and additional wallets are in development and will be available soon.

Pocket Wallet

You can use the official wallet web app to create and manage your wallet.

Create wallet

To create a POKT wallet with the official Pocket wallet web app You can use the official wallet web app to create your wallet.

  1. Click “Create”.

  1. Enter a unique passphrase.

Warning

The passphrase unlocks/decrypts an encrypted version of the private key that is stored in a Key File. Make sure to store your passphrase safely, if you lose it you will not be able to unlock your Key File.

  1. Download the Key File by clicking the blue download icon and click Continue to open your account.

If you accidentally click Back, as long as you downloaded your Key File and saved your passphrase, you will now be able to import your new wallet.

Warning

Make sure to store your Key File safely, if you lose it you will only be able to use the Private Key method to import your wallet anywhere. The Key File is the more secure method of importing your wallet since it is encrypted by your passphrase.

  1. Click “Reveal Private Key” then enter your passphrase again to reveal the Private Key for your wallet.

Private Key obfuscated for security

Warning

Store your Private Key safely. This will be a second method for you to import your wallet in the event that you lose your Key File or passphrase. However, this is also less secure than the Key File since the Key File is encrypted by your passphrase.

Warning

Never reveal your Private Key to anyone. If someone has access to your Private Key, they have full access to all the funds. The only application that should ever need access to your Private Key is a wallet.

Backup wallet

It is important that you back up your Key File, passphrase, and private key securely. There are two considerations when choosing a backup method:

  • Theft Prevention: make sure no-one else can access your Key File, passphrase, or private key
  • Loss Prevention: make sure you don’t lose access to your Key File, passphrase, or private key

The most secure way to prevent theft is to store your Key File, passphrase, and private key on a USB drive (or other secure external drive), disconnected from any online “cloud” service or internet-connected computer that can be hacked.

Info

POKT is planned to have Ledger support soon, which will provide more advanced functionality than a USB drive.

For extra-secure theft prevention, you should split the Key File, passphrase and private key across separate drives and password-protect these drives so that anyone who gets their hands on a drive can’t access the contents. For extra loss prevention, you should make multiple copies of these drives and store them in different locations, such as a personal safe, the safe of a trusted family member, and a bank safety deposit box.

Once you have created your backups, delete all traces of the Key File, passphrase and private key from the hard drive of the computer you used for account setup. To ensure deletion, consider using software such as sDelete (Windows) or shred followed by rm (Linux).

Info

For more convenience, you may consider using a password manager that can store encrypted files. Just be mindful that you risk theft if your master password is compromised and you risk loss if you forget your master password.

Import wallet

The official wallet web app has three methods of importing your wallet. The Key File is a more secure method of importing your wallet than the Private Key, since the Key File is encrypted by your passphrase.

Key File import

Click Select File then choose your keyfile.json from your local file explorer.

Enter your Key File passphrase, which you specified when creating the wallet.

Click Import.

Private key import

Enter your Private Key.

Create a temporary passphrase that will secure your session until you log out of the wallet. This is a measure to prevent anyone with access to your computer from stealing your funds.

Ledger wallet import

Click Connect.

Select the account index you would like to use in Pocket Wallet.

Click Unlock.

Now supporting Unstoppable Domains in the POKT Wallet.

Users can now send transactions to an Unstoppable Domain from a POKT Wallet address. Create an Unstoppable Domain for your wallet here.

For guidance on how to send a transaction with a UD, check out this video:

Pocket Ledger Wallet

Before You Start, Make Sure:

Install the Pocket App

  • Open My Ledger in Ledger Live.
  • Connect and unlock your Ledger Device.
  • If asked, follow the onscreen instructions and Allow My Ledger.
  • Find Pocket in the app catalog.
  • Click the Install button.
    • An installation window will appear.
    • Your device will display Processing…
    • The app installation is confirmed.
  • Close Ledger Live

Connecting to Pocket Wallet

  • Connect and unlock your Ledger Device.
  • Open the Pocket App on your Ledger Device.
  • Open the Pocket Wallet in a browser.
  • Follow Account Import instructions above.
  • Use the Pocket Wallet as normal.

Signing Transactions with Ledger

  • Transactions generated in the Pocket Wallet must be signed using the Nano device buttons.
  • The Ledger app provides a series of prompts which can be used to verify the transaction details prior to signing or rejecting.

SendWallet

SendWallet is a browser-based Pocket Network wallet built by SendNodes.

SendWallet features:

  • Import using the Key File from a Pocket Wallet
  • Import using a private key
  • Generate multiple wallet addresses with one account
  • Recovery phrase to recover wallet
  • Full screen option

You can try SendWallet by downloading the browser extension for Chrome or Firefox.

For more information on how to use SendWallet, see the SendWallet documentation.

Buy POKT

Exchanges

POKT is available to purchase on multiple global exchanges. Follow this DAO proposal for updates on official listings.

Note that you can’t stake POKT from exchanges. To stake your POKT you would need to withdraw to your wallet (see below).

Over-the-Counter (OTC)

Over-the-Counter (OTC) trading desks are white-label markets operated by trusted intermediaries who match buyers and sellers. They are typically used for large volume trades.

The POKT community has a number of OTC desks which can be found here.

Transfer POKT to Your Wallet

To receive POKT, you must use your Address, not your Public Key. The Public Key is used for API transactions, not basic wallet actions.

Stake POKT

There is no many-to-one delegation in Pocket Network. You cannot simply stake POKT from your wallet and then forget about it. A POKT account must be staked on a node that is relaying RPC requests. However, if you do not have the skills to run a node yourself, you still have options.

Run Your Own Node

Running your own node is an option if you possess both of the following:

  • The DevOps skills to run your own node
  • More than 15,000 POKT to meet the minimum node stake

Read our tutorial on how to get started running your node.

Pay Someone to Run Your Node

If you don’t possess the skills to run your own node, but you do have more than 15,000 POKT for the minimum node stake, you can pay someone else to run your node(s). Payment models include a monthly subscription and a revenue share of your node’s POKT earnings.

All third-party node runners can be found here.

Join a Staking Pool

If you possess neither the skills nor more than the 15,000 POKT minimum node stake, you can join a staking pool. Like the third-party node runners above, staking pools are also entirely custodial, so be sure to do your due diligence. You can view the list of staking pools here.