When we started building Hexel, creating tokens in the crypto space was limited to software engineers. We created Hexel to empower anyone, even non-engineers, to explore the possibilities of cryptocurrencies.

Over the past few months, we’ve built out most of the core features we wanted to put in people’s hands. This is a summary of those features and a request for ideas and features that our community of users would find exciting.

Create a token

Hexel lets anyone create their own digital currency. Right now, there are 2 options for starting your token:

You can start your token without using the blockchain, or start as an ERC-20 token.

The first option is to create a “digital token.” This isn’t a cryptocurrency, but rather a centralized token system. The good thing about it is it’s more flexible and doesn’t require spending ETH or using MetaMask to get started. Even if you choose to start your token this way, you can deploy it to the blockchain later as an ERC-20 token.

The second option is to start your token as an ERC-20 token. This requires ETH for gas fees and the use of MetaMask, but it’s still extremely easy to set up.

Customize a page for your token

When you create a token on Hexel, you get a page for your token that looks something like this:

A token profile page on Hexel

The token page gives token creators a chance to describe their token’s use-case, link to an external web page, and set an image for their token. Users can view this page to monitor the total supply of the token, see the other token holders, and view transaction activity.

Mint and airdrop tokens

From the token page, a token creator can mint new tokens into any number of ETH addresses. Some people use this to increase their token supply, and others have used this interface to airdrop tokens to hundreds of addresses simultaneously.

Use the Hexel Wallet

Hexel gives every user an optional wallet to use. This wallet is different than most token wallets in that it is “custodial,” meaning that Hexel actually holds the tokens you put in this wallet. Here’s what it looks like:

Why a custodial wallet? Isn’t it always better to control my own keys? We added the Hexel wallet as an optional feature for people who wanted a smoother user experience. The advantage of a custodial wallet is that it enables Hexel users to transfer tokens to anyone by username or email address, instead of remembering people’s hexadecimal ETH addresses.

The Hexel wallet works from any web browser, desktop or mobile. This means if you’re out at lunch with friends and want to pay someone using your tokens, you can. It also means you can send tokens to someone who has never used crypto before, using only their email address. This person can then go on Hexel and claim those tokens later.

Since most tokens on Hexel are created to experiment and explore new ideas, the tradeoff of trust for usability often makes sense. However, the Hexel wallet also gives users the ability to “eject” their tokens at any time. This means that whenever you want to take control over your token balances, you can.

Manage your token’s store

Many people have an easier time bootstrapping a new token if they can back it with some value, even if it’s something cheap, symbolic, or fake. To enable people to do this more easily, we allow token creators to run a digital store, accepting payments in their own token. Here’s what that looks like for a token creator:

A token creator can add new items to their store with a name, image, and price denominated in their own tokens.

Integrate your token with a Discord chatroom

Tons of crypto enthusiasts and other tight-knit communities hang out in Discord servers to chat throughout the day. Since many of the tokens created on Hexel were made for groups like these, we wanted to make it extremely easy for community members to send tokens to each other.

Using the Hexel Bot, any token creator can enable token transactions in their server. The bot can tell you the balance of any Discord user, send tokens, and report the top 10 token holders. Here’s what that looks like:

What’s next?

There’s a number of possible next steps for Hexel. Tokens could be created on other blockchains, allowing users to start exploring outside of the Ethereum ecosystem. Governance and voting structures could be added based on token balances and membership. Private forums could be added, and with access restricted to those who hold a certain number of tokens.

There are tons of possibilities, and we’re curious to hear more about what gets people excited and what people want to try out.

If you’ve got feedback, complaints, or new ideas, please feel free to contact me at john@onhexel.com

Thanks!