[Crypto projects](https://revain.org/projects/) › Basic Attention

# Basic Attention (BAT): how it works, supply and reviews

## In short

- **Type**: ERC-20 token native to Ethereum
- **Maximum supply**: 1.5 billion BAT, with over 99% in circulation
- **Risks and caveats**: BAT's use depends largely on one company's products: the Brave browser, Brave Ads and Brave Rewards.
- **Checked**: 28 October 2026

## Key facts

- **Ticker**: BAT
- **Network**: token on Ethereum
- **Launched**: 2017-05
- **Official site**: [basicattentiontoken.org](https://basicattentiontoken.org/)
- **Whitepaper**: [basicattentiontoken.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/BasicAttentionTokenWhitePaper-4.pdf](https://basicattentiontoken.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/BasicAttentionTokenWhitePaper-4.pdf)
- **Source code**: [github.com/brave-intl/publishers](https://github.com/brave-intl/publishers)

Data: CoinGecko, 2026-10-27. Only projects that still trade with meaningful volume are listed.

## What is Basic Attention

Basic Attention Token (BAT) is an ERC-20 utility token created by Brave Software for the advertising and rewards system built into the Brave browser. Users can earn BAT for viewing privacy-respecting Brave Ads and use it to support content creators, while advertisers use it to buy ad placements.

## Network and consensus

| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | ERC-20 token native to Ethereum |
| Runs on | Ethereum and Solana (Wormhole-bridged SPL token); bridged versions exist on other networks |
| Launched | Token sale on 31 May 2017 |

## Supply and issuance

| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum supply | 1.5 billion BAT, with over 99% in circulation |
| Initial distribution | 1 billion BAT sold, 200 million development team pool, 300 million user growth pool |
| Token sale | The 2017 sale raised the equivalent of 156,250 ETH; no follow-on sale is planned |

## What BAT is used for

- Earned by Brave browser users who opt in to view Brave Ads through Brave Rewards.
- Used to support and tip websites and content creators.
- Used by advertisers to obtain ad placements on the BAT platform.
- Brave plans BAT buybacks from Wallet, Card and BravePay revenue to fund user rewards.

## Who develops and governs Basic Attention

- **Company**: Brave Software, which develops the Brave browser
- **Founders**: Brendan Eich (founder and CEO, creator of JavaScript) and Brian Bondy (founder and CTO)
- **Open source**: Brave Rewards and Brave Ads protocols and code are open source

## History

| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 31 May 2017 | BAT token sale: 1 billion BAT sold at 6,400 BAT per ETH. |
| 10 February 2021 | Updated BAT whitepaper published by Brave Software. |

## Security and audits

- The BAT contract was deployed before ERC-20 recommended throwing on invalid transfers; it returns false instead, which integrators need to handle.

## Official BAT contracts

| Network | Contract address |
|---|---|
| Ethereum | [0x0D8775F648430679A709E98d2b0Cb6250d2887EF](https://etherscan.io/token/0x0D8775F648430679A709E98d2b0Cb6250d2887EF) |
| Solana | EPeUFDgHRxs9xxEPVaL6kfGQvCon7jmAWKVUHuux1Tpz |

Ethereum is the native contract; the Solana address is the Wormhole-bridged SPL version that Brave officially supports.

## Risks and caveats

- BAT's use depends largely on one company's products: the Brave browser, Brave Ads and Brave Rewards.
- BAT holders get no ownership, revenue share or other rights in the BAT platform or Brave.
- Brave Rewards is limited on iOS devices.

## Official links

- Website: [basicattentiontoken.org](https://basicattentiontoken.org/)
- Whitepaper: [basicattentiontoken.org/static-assets/documents/BasicAttentionTokenWhitePaper-4.pdf](https://basicattentiontoken.org/static-assets/documents/BasicAttentionTokenWhitePaper-4.pdf)
- FAQ: [basicattentiontoken.org/faq](https://basicattentiontoken.org/faq/)
- Brave Rewards: [brave.com/brave-rewards](https://brave.com/brave-rewards/)

## Questions and answers

**What is Basic Attention Token (BAT)?**

BAT is an ERC-20 utility token used in the Brave browser's ad and rewards system, where users earn it for viewing opt-in ads and use it to support creators.

**Who created BAT?**

BAT was created by Brave Software, founded by Brendan Eich and Brian Bondy. Its token sale took place on 31 May 2017.

**What is the maximum supply of BAT?**

The total supply is 1.5 billion BAT: 1 billion sold, 200 million for the development team and 300 million in a user growth pool.

**Is BAT a security?**

The project describes BAT as a utility token that gives no ownership, revenue or security rights in the platform or in Brave.

## Sources

- [CoinGecko — Basic Attention](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/basic-attention-token)
- [Basic Attention Token — Overview](https://basicattentiontoken.org/)
- [Basic Attention Token — FAQ](https://basicattentiontoken.org/faq/)
- [Brave Software — BAT whitepaper (10 February 2021)](https://basicattentiontoken.org/static-assets/documents/BasicAttentionTokenWhitePaper-4.pdf)
- [Brave — What is Brave Rewards?](https://brave.com/brave-rewards/)

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Page updated: 2026-10-31

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Source: https://revain.org/projects/basic-attention-token/