Rootstock Infrastructure Framework (RIF): how it works, supply and reviews
In short
- Type
- Token on Rootstock, an EVM-compatible Bitcoin sidechain
- Maximum supply
- 1,000,000,000 RIF
- Risks and caveats
- A large share of the supply was allocated to RIF Labs and to RSK Labs’ shareholders, founders and team
- Checked
- 28 October 2026
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Key facts
- Ticker
- RIF
- Official site
- rif.technology
- Source code
- github.com/riflabs
Key facts checked on 28 October 2026 against official sources.
What is Rootstock Infrastructure Framework
RIF (Rootstock Infrastructure Framework) is the utility and governance token of the Rootstock ecosystem, a Bitcoin sidechain with Ethereum-compatible smart contracts. RIF powers a suite of open-source tools such as the RIF Name Service and RIF Relay, and staked RIF (stRIF) is used to vote in the RootstockCollective DAO.
Network and consensus
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Token on Rootstock, an EVM-compatible Bitcoin sidechain |
| Consensus | Rootstock is merge-mined with Bitcoin using double SHA-256 proof of work |
| Token standard | ERC677 (ERC20-compatible) on Rootstock mainnet |
| Launched | Rootstock (RSK) beta mainnet in January 2018; RIF created later by RIF Labs at its Token Generation Event |
Supply and issuance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum supply | 1,000,000,000 RIF |
| Initial distribution | Planned: about 35–40% private sale, about 40% kept by RIF Labs (5-year unlock), 20% to RSK Labs shareholders, founders and team (4-year unlock) |
| Issuance | All tokens created at the Token Generation Event; no ongoing issuance described |
What RIF is used for
- Staking to receive stRIF for voting and proposals in the RootstockCollective DAO
- Rewards for builders and backers in the RootstockCollective
- Collateral for the USDRIF stablecoin
- Access to RIF tools such as the RIF Name Service and RIF Relay
Who develops and governs Rootstock Infrastructure Framework
- Company
- RootstockLabs, which publishes the Rootstock developer portal; the token itself was created by RIF Labs
- Governance
- RootstockCollective DAO: one stRIF equals one vote; initially some elements are centralised
- Founders
- Rootstock (RSK) was first described by Chief Scientist Sergio Demian Lerner in November 2015
- Open source
- Yes; Rootstock and the RIF tools are open source
History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 2015 | First RSK (Rootstock) technical whitepaper published |
| January 2018 | Rootstock beta mainnet launched (testnet opened in May 2017) |
| 2024 | RootstockCollective DAO launched, using staked RIF (stRIF) for governance |
Official RIF contracts
| Network | Contract address |
|---|---|
| Rootstock | 0x2acc95758f8b5f583470ba265eb685a8f45fc9d5 |
RIF is an ERC677 token on Rootstock mainnet; stRIF (staked RIF) is a separate contract pegged 1:1 to RIF.
Risks and caveats
- A large share of the supply was allocated to RIF Labs and to RSK Labs’ shareholders, founders and team
- Parts of the RootstockCollective DAO were planned to be centralised at first
- The whitepaper warns that regulatory action could affect the token and its functionality
Official links
- Website: rif.technology
- Docs: dev.rootstock.io/concepts/rif-suite/token
- Whitepaper: rif.technology/static/add903ce229a6f45a606cd78b028cf9e/RIF-whitepaper-V2.pdf
- Source code: github.com/rsksmart
- Block explorer: explorer.rootstock.io
- Governance forum: rootstockcollective.xyz
Questions and answers
What is RIF?
RIF (Rootstock Infrastructure Framework) is the utility and governance token of Rootstock, a Bitcoin sidechain with EVM-compatible smart contracts.
Who created RIF?
RIF was created by RIF Labs, which built on the work of RSK Labs; RootstockLabs now publishes the Rootstock developer documentation.
What is the maximum supply of RIF?
The total supply is 1,000,000,000 RIF.
How is RIF used in governance?
Holders stake RIF to receive stRIF, which gives one vote per token in the RootstockCollective DAO.
Sources
- CoinGecko — Rootstock Infrastructure Framework
- CoinPaprika — Rootstock Infrastructure Framework
- Rootstock Developers Portal — RIF Token
- Rootstock Developers Portal — Merged mining
- Rootstock Developers Portal — Concepts overview
- RIF — Whitepaper V2
- RIF — RIF Plays a Major Role in RootstockCollective's Governance
- RIF — Home
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