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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.skale.space/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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What Is a Credit Chain?

A credit chain is a SKALE Chain where compute resources are paid for through compute credits. Developers and/or users purchase credits, and transactions deduct compute from the credit balance — no separate gas token needed. On SKALE Base Mainnet, credits use the CREDIT native token. SKALE Base Testnet uses a faucet instead.

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How It Works

Developer or user buys CREDIT tokens
  → Credits are deposited into their account
    → Sending transactions deducts compute from credits
      → No sFUEL or gas token required

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Buying Credits (SKALE Base Mainnet)

Credits are purchased at https://base.skalenodes.com/credits:
  1. Check your CREDIT balance
  2. Select Buy credits
  3. Choose payment method — USDC or SKL
  4. Complete the purchase
Compute credits are currently only available on SKALE Base Mainnet. SKALE Base Testnet uses the faucet at https://base-sepolia-faucet.skale.space.

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Key Characteristics

  • Flexible payment — Developers can buy credits for their users, or users can purchase their own
  • No sFUEL needed — credits replace the valueless gas token model
  • Transparent balance — credit balance is visible on the credits page
  • Faucet available for testnet — no purchase needed during development

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Comparison

FeatureCredit ChainZero Gas Fee (sFUEL)Gas Chain
Who paysDevelopers and/or userssChain OwnerUsers
User needs tokens?CREDIT (purchased or from faucet)sFUEL (valueless)Gas token (market value)
Cost modelPay-as-you-go creditsSubscription (sChain owner)Per-transaction
Best forSKALE Base MainnetSKALE on EthereumDeFi, financial apps