> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.elata.bio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Buy & Trade

> How to purchase and trade app tokens on Elata

## Overview

Two ways to buy app tokens:

| Status      | Where                                |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **Raising** | Bonding curve (price set by formula) |
| **Live**    | DEX like Uniswap (free market)       |

<Warning>
  **Testnet Notice**: Elata is currently live on **Ethereum Sepolia** (testnet). Mainnet launch coming soon. All tokens on testnet have no real monetary value.
</Warning>

***

## Before You Start

### Requirements

<Steps>
  <Step title="Web3 Wallet">
    MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Rainbow, or any WalletConnect wallet
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ethereum Sepolia Network">
    Configure your wallet for Ethereum Sepolia (Chain ID: 11155111). The app will prompt you to switch automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Testnet ELTA Tokens">
    ELTA is the currency for buying app tokens. Request testnet ELTA on Twitter (see below).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sepolia ETH for Gas">
    Small amount of testnet ETH for transaction fees (free from faucets)
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Getting Sepolia ETH

Get free testnet ETH for gas fees:

1. **[Alchemy Faucet](https://www.alchemy.com/faucets/ethereum-sepolia)** — Requires Alchemy account
2. **[QuickNode Faucet](https://faucet.quicknode.com/ethereum/sepolia)** — Quick and easy
3. **[Google Cloud Faucet](https://cloud.google.com/application/web3/faucet/ethereum/sepolia)** — Free Sepolia ETH

### Getting Testnet ELTA

To get testnet ELTA tokens:

1. Follow [@elata\_bio](https://x.com/elata_bio) on X/Twitter
2. Post or DM us with your wallet address requesting testnet ELTA
3. We'll send you tokens within 24 hours

<Note>
  When mainnet launches, ELTA will be available on decentralized exchanges (Uniswap, etc.) and through community airdrops.
</Note>

***

## Buying on Bonding Curves

When an app is in "Raising" status, you buy directly from the bonding curve.

### How It Works

1. **Price increases with demand**: Early buyers get lower prices
2. **Instant liquidity**: Buy and sell anytime
3. **1% trading fee**: Applied to all transactions
4. **No slippage worries**: Price determined by curve formula

### Step-by-Step

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find an App">
    Browse the [App Store](https://app.elata.bio) and click on an app in "Raising" status
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Amount">
    In the Buy section, enter how much ELTA you want to spend
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Quote">
    See how many tokens you'll receive and the effective price
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve ELTA">
    First transaction: approve the bonding curve to spend your ELTA
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Purchase">
    Second transaction: execute the buy order
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tokens Received">
    App tokens appear in your wallet immediately
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Understanding the Quote

When you enter an amount, you'll see:

| Field            | Meaning                             |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **You Pay**      | ELTA amount including fee           |
| **You Receive**  | App tokens you'll get               |
| **Price**        | Effective price per token           |
| **Trading Fee**  | 1% of purchase amount               |
| **Price Impact** | How much your order moves the price |

### Price Impact

Large orders affect the price:

* Small orders (\<1% of curve): Minimal impact
* Medium orders (1-5%): Noticeable price increase during execution
* Large orders (>5%): Significant price impact, consider splitting

***

## Selling on Bonding Curves

You can sell back to the curve at any time.

### Step-by-Step

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to App Page">
    Navigate to the app whose tokens you want to sell
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Sell Tab">
    Switch from Buy to Sell in the trading interface
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Amount">
    Specify how many app tokens to sell
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Quote">
    See ELTA you'll receive (after 1% fee)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve Tokens">
    If first time, approve the curve to spend your app tokens
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Sale">
    Execute the sell order
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Selling Considerations

* **Price decreases**: Selling pushes the curve price down
* **Fee applies**: 1% trading fee on sales too
* **Instant settlement**: ELTA received immediately

***

## Trading on DEX (Live Apps)

After an app graduates (reaches 42,000 ELTA), it trades on decentralized exchanges.

### Where to Trade

* **Uniswap**: Most common
* **Other DEXes**: Check app page for links
* **Aggregators**: 1inch, Paraswap, etc.

### Step-by-Step

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find DEX Link">
    On the app's detail page, click the DEX/Uniswap link
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Wallet">
    Connect your wallet on the DEX
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Trade">
    Enter ELTA amount to swap for app tokens (or vice versa)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review & Confirm">
    Check slippage, price impact, and confirm
  </Step>
</Steps>

### DEX vs Bonding Curve

| Feature       | Bonding Curve    | DEX             |
| ------------- | ---------------- | --------------- |
| **Price**     | Formula-based    | Market-based    |
| **Liquidity** | Always available | Depends on pool |
| **Slippage**  | Predictable      | Variable        |
| **Fee**       | 1% fixed         | \~0.3% + gas    |

***

## Price Charts

### On App Pages

Each app page shows:

* **Live price feed**
* **Historical chart**
* **Trading volume**

### External Charts

For graduated apps:

* **DexScreener**: Detailed trading analytics
* **GeckoTerminal**: Price tracking
* **Etherscan**: On-chain data

***

## Understanding Prices

### Bonding Curve Pricing

Price follows a mathematical curve:

* Starts low with few tokens sold
* Increases as more tokens are purchased
* Decreases when tokens are sold back

### After Graduation

Price determined by:

* Supply and demand
* Liquidity pool depth
* Market sentiment

***

## Trading Fees

### On Bonding Curve

**1% trading fee** on every transaction:

* 70% → App token stakers
* 15% → veELTA holders
* 15% → Treasury

### On DEX

Typical DEX fees:

* **0.3%** Uniswap fee
* **Gas costs** for transactions

### Transfer Fee

App tokens also have a **1% transfer fee**:

* Applied when sending tokens between wallets
* Same distribution as trading fees

***

## Tips

* **Start small** — learn the system before going big
* **Check price impact** — large orders move the price, split if needed
* **Gas is usually cheap** — but watch during congestion
* **Set slippage** — 0.5-1% on DEX trades
* **Verify contracts** — check address on app page before trading

***

## Tax Considerations

<Warning>
  Crypto trading may have tax implications. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your jurisdiction.
</Warning>

Consider tracking:

* Purchase prices (cost basis)
* Sale proceeds
* Trading fees paid
* Holding periods

***

## Common Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Transaction Stuck">
    If a transaction is stuck:

    * Check gas price
    * Try speeding up or canceling in wallet
    * Wait for network to clear
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Insufficient Balance">
    Make sure you have:

    * Enough ELTA for the purchase
    * ETH for gas fees
    * Approved sufficient allowance
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Price Changed">
    Prices can move between quote and execution:

    * Set appropriate slippage tolerance
    * Retry if transaction fails
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Wrong Network">
    Ensure your wallet is on Ethereum Sepolia network:

    * The app should prompt to switch
    * Or manually add Ethereum Sepolia network
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Stake & Earn" icon="piggy-bank" href="/apps/users/stake-and-earn">
    Put your tokens to work earning fees
  </Card>

  <Card title="veELTA" icon="lock" href="/apps/users/veelta-governance">
    Lock ELTA for governance and rewards
  </Card>
</CardGroup>