Thorchain is an important part of the decentralised finance (DeFi) sector that helps users make token swaps across various networks while keeping full control of their assets.
This page will tell you how to buy Thorchain (RUNE), Thorchain’s utility token, and why RUNE is important to the platform.
You can purchase Thorchain online using a cryptocurrency exchange. This is the easiest way to buy and sell cryptocurrencies—all you need is a computer or mobile device. See below for our top picks of platforms that offer Thorchain and simple steps to buy Thorchain.
The first step is to decide which platform you want to use. There is a range of platforms that offer RUNE, but it is important to select a secure and reputable platform if you want your funds and personal information to be kept safe. We’ve compared some of the best platforms in the next section but you can start now with our top choices just below.
Most Popular 1 Min. Deposit - Promotion User Score 5 Sign Up Bonuses App Available Supports Multiple Altcoins Start Trading more info Description: Kucoin is a cryptocurrency exchange which offers over 200 cryptocurrencies. Kucoin has a wide range of services, such as; a built-in peer-to-peer exchange, spot and margin trading, bank level security and a wide range of accepted payment methods. Users can benefit from a beginner-friendly interface and relatively low fees. Payment Methods: Full Regulations: 2 Min. Deposit $ 0 Promotion User Score 4.55 All swaps are custody-free, with no registration needed Convert 500+ crypto assets instantly Best exchange rates among the whole cryptocurrency market Start Trading more info Description: Swapzone is a crypto exchange aggregator that operates as a gateway between the cryptocurrency community and exchange services. Swapzone aims to provide a convenient interface, safe user flow, and crystal-clear data for users to find the best exchange rates among the whole cryptocurrency market. Payment Methods: Full Regulations:
You should fill in the registration form on your chosen platform with any details requested. You may also need to complete the KYC process which could involve providing a photo ID. Once your account has been verified, click “Deposit” to see the payment methods accepted in your country. Select one and follow the onscreen instructions.
Find the trading pair for RUNE and the currency you just deposited and create a buy order. If you want to buy RUNE immediately, make it a market order. Alternatively, you can create a limit order which allows you to specify a future price at which RUNE will be purchased for you automatically.
Thorchain is a DeFi platform that lets users easily swap cryptocurrencies. They can make swaps across a range of networks and don’t need to provide personal information or give up custody of their assets in the process.
The platform is fully decentralised as the swapping happens through liquidity pools. Anyone can deposit their crypto assets into the liquidity pools in order to earn a passive income in the form of swap fees and system rewards.
RUNE is the utility token of the platform and is essential for securing the network and providing economic incentives. As well as providing governance rights, RUNE is paired with all the other assets in the liquidity pools to enable swaps to be made easily. Without RUNE acting as a settlement asset, every cryptocurrency would have to be paired with every other cryptocurrency, meaning many more pools and much less liquidity in each.
RUNE is also the currency used to pay transactions fees on swaps. These fees, along with protocol emissions, are used to reward liquidity providers.
Different people may choose to invest in Thorchain in different ways. RUNE can lend itself to both short-term and long-term investing, and which you opt for is simply a matter of preference.
Buying and holding is an easy strategy to follow and involves exactly what the name implies. No special skills are required for this strategy and it can potentially generate good returns without a big time commitment or any detailed analysis.
One of the advantages of holding onto RUNE for the long term is that you can lock it into Thorchain liquidity pools to generate a passive income as well.
Long-term investors may want to set up their own private wallet to store their RUNE, instead of relying on a centralised service for access to their tokens. Private wallets can also provide an extra layer of security.
Software wallets tend to be free, user-friendly and can be downloaded for computers or mobile devices. Another option is hardware devices, like Trezor, BitBox, or Ledger, which can be expensive but provide the best possible security.
Traders can also make a profit from RUNE. They buy and sell it much more often than investors so as to generate returns more frequently. However, this requires more time and skill as traders often have to analyse the market to identify the best times to buy and sell.
Transferring tokens from a private wallet every time you want to make a trade can be time-consuming and costly. This is why traders often prefer to store their tokens in the free web wallet provided by their exchange where they can be accessed easily.
This is something you will have to decide for yourself based on the available information. RUNE has a capped maximum supply and it’s possible this in-built scarcity could make the token a good long-term store of value.
Node operators must lock up a significant amount of RUNE, while the token is also required for providing liquidity, paying fees, and participating in governance. All of these sources of demand could be positive for RUNE price.
The economic design of Thorchain means that if 80% of RUNE is locked up in liquidity pools, the token’s market cap should be at least three times the value of all the other assets locked into Thorchain.
The price of RUNE is likely to benefit from the success of Thorchain. The project’s claims of eliminating the risk of impermanent loss have already seen it attract a strong following. As Thorchain adds support for new assets and more blockchains, it could appeal to yet more users and carve out a space for itself in the booming sector of DeFi.