Credits & Joules System

The Dual-Currency Economic Engine

Overview

Liana Banyan uses a dual-currency system: Credits (input) and Joules (output). This separation enables sophisticated economic mechanics while maintaining simplicity for everyday use.

The Two Currencies

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              DUAL CURRENCY SYSTEM                        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                          │
│   💳 CREDITS (Input Currency)                           │
│   │                                                      │
│   │  Sources:                                           │
│   │  • Purchase with money ($1 = 1 Credit)              │
│   │  • Daily grants (gleaning members)                  │
│   │  • Bounty completion                                │
│   │  • Referral bonuses                                 │
│   │                                                      │
│   │  Uses:                                              │
│   │  • Vote on initiatives                              │
│   │  • Purchase products/services                       │
│   │  • Fund projects                                    │
│   │                                                      │
│   └────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────│
│                        │                                 │
│                  [CONVERSION]                            │
│                  (via voting or                          │
│                   Midas tokens)                          │
│                        │                                 │
│   ⚡ JOULES (Output Currency)                           │
│   │                                                      │
│   │  Earned from:                                       │
│   │  • Successful votes (Credits × Multiplier)          │
│   │  • Project completion                               │
│   │  • Midas Touch conversion                           │
│   │                                                      │
│   │  Represents:                                        │
│   │  • Real value created                               │
│   │  • Withdrawal eligible                              │
│   │  • Reputation score component                       │
│   │                                                      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Conversion Mechanics

Credits convert to Joules through voting:

Joules = Credits × Total_Multiplier

Where Total_Multiplier = 
  Timing × Mark_Level × Outlet × Golden_Key × First_100

Example:
100 Credits × (1.5 × 2.0 × 1.2 × 1.1 × 1.0)
= 100 × 3.96
= 396 Joules

The Multiplier Stack (#1028)

Vote Lifecycle (#1030)

1. VOTE CAST
   └→ Credits RESERVED (not spent)
   └→ Multiplier LOCKED at vote time

2. PROJECT IN PROGRESS
   └→ Credits remain reserved
   └→ Multiplier cannot change

3a. PROJECT SUCCEEDS
    └→ Credits consumed
    └→ Joules = Credits × Locked_Multiplier

3b. PROJECT FAILS
    └→ Credits RETURNED (no penalty)
    └→ No Joules earned

Credit Types

Standard Credits

• Purchased or earned
• Full functionality
• No expiration

Gleaning Credits

• Granted to qualifying members
• Limited daily amount
• Graduation path to standard

Ghost Credits

• Pre-membership signals
• Convert upon joining
• Demand validation

Database Schema

CREATE TABLE user_credits (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY,
  user_id UUID NOT NULL,
  available_credits DECIMAL(12,2) DEFAULT 0,
  reserved_credits DECIMAL(12,2) DEFAULT 0,
  lifetime_credits DECIMAL(12,2) DEFAULT 0,
  gleaning_credits DECIMAL(12,2) DEFAULT 0,
  total_joules_earned DECIMAL(12,2) DEFAULT 0
);

CREATE TABLE credit_transactions (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY,
  user_id UUID NOT NULL,
  transaction_type TEXT NOT NULL,
  amount DECIMAL(12,2) NOT NULL,
  balance_before DECIMAL(12,2),
  balance_after DECIMAL(12,2),
  created_at TIMESTAMP
);

Related Systems

• Golden Key System
• Voting System
• HIVI Economics