Owning RAD: Uses, Storage and Risks

RAD is the token used to coordinate parts of the Radworks network. Radworks is building tools for developers to host and collaborate on open-source code: Radicle is its peer-to-peer code collaboration stack, while Drips is a toolkit for funding software dependencies.

As a RAD holder, you may use the token to vote on governance decisions, including decisions about the treasury. The project also describes RAD as a way to reward infrastructure providers on Radicle. These roles connect the token to network coordination, but they do not make RAD a share in a company or guarantee that holders receive income.

Before treating RAD as a way to support open-source software, check which decisions are currently open to token holders and how proposals are implemented. A token’s stated role does not by itself show how much influence holders have or how much demand the network creates for it.

RAD is issued on Ethereum and is an ERC-20 token. It is not listed as the native token of a separate blockchain. To receive or send it, use an Ethereum wallet that supports ERC-20 tokens, and make sure you select the Ethereum network when transferring.

A compatible wallet may be a self-custody app or hardware wallet. Check the token contract details through a trusted source before adding a token manually; a matching name or symbol alone does not prove that a token is genuine. If you use an exchange, confirm that it supports RAD deposits and withdrawals on Ethereum specifically.

Ethereum transfers require ETH to pay network gas fees. A transfer sent on the wrong network may not arrive in a form your wallet or exchange can use. For a first transfer, consider sending a small test amount and verify the receiving address and network before moving the rest.

RAD has a maximum supply of 100 million tokens. As of 2026-11-08, about 59.1 million were circulating, and total supply was about 100 million. The figures are not identical: circulating supply counts tokens considered available in the market, while total supply can include tokens that are not circulating.

That leaves a difference of roughly 41 million between the circulating amount and the maximum. It does not mean all of that amount will enter circulation at once. Check current token supply information before making decisions, since circulating supply can change as tokens are released or otherwise become available.

Supply figures describe token quantity, not what RAD is worth or how much demand there will be. The token’s market price and market value can move substantially, and past prices do not establish a future value. Treat supply as one part of understanding the token, alongside its uses and the risks of the software ecosystem.

If you hold RAD in a self-custody wallet, protect the recovery phrase offline and never share it with anyone claiming they need it to help with a transfer or governance vote. Anyone with that phrase can take control of the wallet. Use a hardware wallet if it fits your needs, and keep its recovery backup separate from the device.

Check the receiving address and Ethereum network before every transfer. If you interact with governance or another dApp, review the transaction request carefully: signing a transaction can grant permissions or move tokens, and a malicious site can imitate a legitimate service. Avoid storing large amounts in a wallet connected to sites you do not trust.

An exchange may custody RAD for you, but that means you rely on the provider to secure and release your tokens. Check its withdrawal support, account security options and custody terms. Keeping RAD on an exchange also may not give you direct control of the wallet or the ability to participate in on-chain governance.

RAD carries the price risk common to crypto tokens: its value can fall sharply, and you may not be able to sell at the price you expect. The token’s role also depends on Radworks’ tools and network activity gaining use. If developers do not adopt the software or governance priorities change, the practical value of RAD’s coordination and reward functions could be limited.

Governance is another risk. Holding tokens does not ensure that your preferred proposal passes or that treasury decisions benefit you. The project’s software and Ethereum token also carry technical risks, including bugs, malicious transactions and loss of access to your wallet. A wrong-network transfer may be difficult or impossible to recover.

Only commit an amount you can afford to lose, and be wary of claims of guaranteed returns or urgent token offers. Check that you have the genuine RAD token, understand the transaction you are signing, and consider whether you want exposure to both the token and the underlying open-source software project.