What Is Sablier?
Sablier is the powerhouse of token distribution protocols. We build decentralized applications to distribute your tokens from one account to another, in realtime.
- The Sablier Protocols: A collection of persistent, non-upgradeable smart contracts to facilitate streaming of ERC-20 assets on Ethereum and other EVM blockchains. The Sablier Protocols consist of Lockup and Flow.
- The Sablier Interface: A web interface that allows for easy interaction with the Sablier Protocols. The interface is only one of many ways to interact with the Sablier Protocols.
- The Sablier Labs: The company that develops the Sablier Protocols, the Sablier Interface, and the documentation website you are reading right now.
Fun fact: "sablier" means "hourglass" in French.
Sablier Protocols
Sablier protocols are a collection of token distribution protocols developed with Ethereum smart contracts, designed to facilitate by-the-second payments for cryptocurrencies, specifically ERC-20 assets. The protocols employ a set of persistent and non-upgradable smart contracts that prioritize security, censorship resistance, self-custody, and functionality without the need for trusted intermediaries who may selectively restrict access.
Currently, it consists of two different protocols: Lockup, which facilitates vesting and airstreams, and Flow, which facilitates payroll, grants etc. Both of these are licensed under BUSL-1.1. Both Lockup and Flow are open-source and can be accessed on Sablier's GitHub page. Detailed technical reference for each protocol can be found in the Technical References section of this website.
As long as Ethereum and the other EVM chains continue to exist, every version of Sablier protocols that gets deployed will operate continuously and without interruption, with a guarantee of 100% uptime.
Sablier Lockup is the first token streaming protocol ever built, tracing its roots back to 2019.
How does Sablier differ from traditional payment systems?
To understand the unique characteristics of Sablier, it is helpful to examine two aspects: the concept of streaming as an alternative to conventional payment methods, and the permissionless nature of the protocol compared to traditional systems.
Streaming vs conventional payments
Traditional payment systems generally involve lump-sum transfers, which rely on trust between parties, have slow processing times, and are prone to errors. In the context of bank transfers, payments are also subject to substantial fees and can face delays due to intermediaries.
By contrast, Sablier introduces the concept of asset streaming, enabling users to make continuous, real-time payments on a per-second basis. This innovative approach enables seamless, frictionless transactions and promotes increased financial flexibility for users, businesses, and other entities. Sablier makes the passage of time itself the trust-binding mechanism, unlocking business opportunities that were previously unavailable.
A good mental model to contrast streaming with conventional payment models is to view the former as "real-time finance" or "continuous finance", and the latter as of "discrete finance".
Permissionless systems
Sablier is rooted in the essential ideas of open access and immutability, deriving inspiration from Ethereum's foundational principles and the core values of the DeFi1 movement. These concepts are crucial in shaping a future where financial services are accessible to everyone, irrespective of their geographical location or economic standing, without prejudice or exposure to counterparty risks.
The permissionless design ensures that the protocol's services are open to the public, without any restrictions on who can use them. Users have the liberty to establish new streams with any ERC-20 asset, or interact with existing streams as they wish. This feature stands in sharp contrast to conventional financial services that frequently impose restrictions based on factors such as location, financial status, or age.
As an immutable system, Sablier protocols are not upgradeable, meaning that no party can pause the contracts, reverse transactions, or alter the users' streams in any way. This ensures the system remains transparent, secure, and resistant to manipulation or abuse.
It is worth noting that the Protocol Admin has the right (but not the obligation) to impose a fee on every stream created using specific ERC-20 assets. However, this capability is known to all participants in advance, and to avert misuse, the fee percentage is restricted to a range of 0% to 10%.
Where can I find more information?
For more details on the Sablier Protocols, their features, and potential use cases, explore this documentation site and visit the official Sablier website as well.
If you have any questions along the way, please join the #dev channel in our Discord server. Our team and members of the community are looking forward to help you.
Release history
- Lockup V2.2: The latest version of The Lockup Protocol.
- Lockup V2.1: Released in December 2023, it was a minor upgrade over the second version.
- Lockup V2.0: The second big version of The Lockup Protocol, released in July 2023.
- Lockup V1.1: Minor upgrade for V1, released in July 2021.
- Lockup V1.0: The first big version of The Lockup Protocol, originally released in 2019.
Footnotes
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Short for Decentralized Finance: an ecosystem of financial applications and services built on blockchain networks, primarily Ethereum, that leverage smart contracts to enable trustless, permissionless, and transparent financial transactions without relying on traditional intermediaries like banks or financial institutions. ↩