Safe SAFE
About
What is Safe?
Safe is the ownership layer of web3 securing >$100B+. It includes Safe{Core} a full stack of account abstraction infrastructure and the industry-standard multi-sig, Safe{Wallet}. The project is focused on making every Ethereum account, a smart account and enabling new use cases like AI, Staking, Gaming, SocialFi, DeFi, and Payments to flourish with gasless transaction, easy face-ID like logins, onramps, recovery and more. Safe currently has a large ecosystem of 200+ projects including Gnosis Pay and Worldcoin, deployed in over 15 networks, building on the Safe smart account standard. Safe{Wallet} is also used widely by individuals like Vitalik Buterin, Punk6529 as well as web2 giants like Shopify and Reddit for self-custody of assets and high value NFTs.
As of April 2023, over 8M Safe accounts have been created, making >40 million transactions. The open-source contracts are battle-tested and have been formally verified and audited multiple times. There have been no critical security incidents since Safe was deployed in 2018 and Safe remains the benchmark of security in the industry.
Why use Safe accounts?
Traditional web3 accounts are controlled by a single private key, often derived from a 24-word secret phrase. As long as a user owns this private key, they control the account. However, these private keys regularly get lost or compromised, resulting in the complete loss of the assets associated with the account.
Safe, on the other hand, uses smart accounts that can be individually configured to suit the custody needs of different user groups:
- Authentications using multiple private keys (multi-sig) or community-control (DAOs) as well as newer authentication methods like social login and passkeys.
- Modules to build automations into the account, assign spend limits and roles/heirarchies.
- Recovery and inheritance mechanisms with Safe{RecoveryHub}
- Improved transaction experience (transaction batching, gas abstraction)
- Transaction checks and hybrid-custody.
What is $SAFE?
$SAFE is the native ERC-20 governance token that stewards infrastructure components of the Safe ecosystem, including:
- Safe Contracts
- Default Interfaces
- On-chain assets
- Tokenomics
Tokenomics:
- Governance: SafeDAO is governed using the SAFE token (see SafeDAO Constitution). SAFE token holders can vote within the scope of governance of SafeDAO. To find out more about Safe{DAO} governance, visit the resource hub.
- Safe Activity Program: Locking SAFE can boost/multiply the rewards the participants receive from their activity in the Safe ecosystem.
- Future Utilities: As the Safe ecosystem evolves, the design space of utilities for the SAFE token will naturally expand. SafeDAO can vote on the implementation of token utilities and signal the direction of future explorations. The community is encouraged to be part of the exploration and implementation of future SAFE token utilities.
How many SAFE tokens are there in circulation?
Safe launched on April 20, 2022 with 1 billion SAFE Tokens minted by the Safe Foundation, an independent, non-profit organisation that contributes to the development of the Safe ecosystem. This is the SAFE token’s fixed max supply.
Further details around the initial circulating supply and tokenomics can be found here: https://safe.global/blog/safe-tokenomics
AI Analysis
What is the Safe (SAFE) cryptocurrency good for? What are its main use cases?
The Safe (SAFE) cryptocurrency is a decentralized digital asset designed to provide privacy, security, and scalability for blockchain transactions. It is built on the Safe Network, a decentralized data storage and communication platform that aims to create a censorship-resistant, peer-to-peer internet.
Main Use Cases of SAFE Cryptocurrency
Decentralized Storage & Data Hosting
- SAFE is used to pay for storage and bandwidth on the Safe Network, a decentralized alternative to traditional cloud storage (like AWS or Google Drive).
- Users can store files, websites, and applications without relying on centralized servers.
Privacy-Focused Transactions
- SAFE emphasizes privacy by using cryptographic techniques to ensure that transactions and data storage are untraceable and unlinkable.
- Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, SAFE transactions do not expose sender/receiver identities or transaction histories.
Decentralized Web Hosting (Web3)
- The Safe Network allows developers to host decentralized websites and applications (dApps) that are resistant to censorship and downtime.
- SAFE tokens are used to pay for hosting and bandwidth.
Micropayments & Content Monetization
- SAFE can facilitate micropayments for digital content, subscriptions, or services without intermediaries.
- Creators can monetize their work directly through the Safe Network.
Decentralized Identity & Authentication
- The Safe Network supports self-sovereign identity (SSI), allowing users to control their digital identities without relying on third parties.
Resistant to Censorship & Surveillance
- Since the Safe Network is peer-to-peer and decentralized, it is highly resistant to government or corporate censorship.
- This makes it useful for journalists, activists, and individuals in restrictive regions.
Comparison to Other Cryptocurrencies
- Unlike Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), SAFE is not primarily a speculative asset but a utility token for the Safe Network.
- It is similar to Filecoin (FIL) in terms of decentralized storage but focuses more on privacy and censorship resistance.
- It competes with IPFS and Arweave in the decentralized storage space but with stronger privacy guarantees.
Conclusion
SAFE is best suited for users who value privacy, decentralized storage, and censorship-resistant web hosting. It is not as widely adopted as Bitcoin or Ethereum but serves a niche in the decentralized internet (Web3) and privacy-focused blockchain applications.
Would you like more details on how to acquire or use SAFE?
What blockchain does Safe use? Is it its own blockchain or built on top of another?
Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is a multi-signature wallet and smart contract account that operates on multiple blockchains, rather than having its own dedicated blockchain. It is built on top of existing blockchain networks, allowing users to manage digital assets across different ecosystems.
Blockchains Supported by Safe:
- Ethereum (ETH) – The original and most widely used version of Safe.
- Polygon (MATIC) – A popular Layer 2 solution for lower fees and faster transactions.
- Arbitrum (ARB) – Another Ethereum Layer 2 network supported by Safe.
- Optimism (OP) – Another Ethereum Layer 2 network supported by Safe.
- Base (COIN) – A newer Ethereum L2 supported by Safe.
- BNB Chain (BSC) – Safe also supports the Binance Smart Chain.
- Avalanche (AVAX) – Safe is available on the Avalanche C-Chain.
- Fantom (FTM) – Safe supports Fantom for multi-signature wallets.
- Gnosis Chain (xDAI) – Originally part of Gnosis, now a separate chain.
Key Features of Safe:
- Multi-signature wallets (requires multiple approvals for transactions).
- Smart contract accounts (more flexible than traditional wallets).
- Cross-chain compatibility (works on multiple blockchains).
- Decentralized governance (Safe DAO manages protocol upgrades).
Conclusion:
Safe does not have its own blockchain but is built on top of existing blockchains, making it a cross-chain multi-signature wallet solution. It leverages the security and infrastructure of Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, and other networks to provide a secure way to manage digital assets.
Would you like details on how to set up a Safe wallet on a specific blockchain?
Is Safe programmable? Does it support smart contracts or decentralized applications?
Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is a programmable multi-signature wallet and smart contract account that supports smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Here’s a breakdown of its capabilities:
1. Programmable Features
- Customizable Smart Contract Wallets: Safe allows users to create programmable smart contract wallets with custom logic (e.g., multi-sig, time locks, or conditional transactions).
- Module System: Safe supports modules (plug-in smart contracts) that extend functionality, such as:
- Guard Modules (e.g., spending limits, transaction delays).
- Relay Modules (e.g., gasless transactions via relayers).
- Custom Logic (e.g., automated payments, DAO governance).
- SDK & API: Developers can interact with Safe programmatically via its JavaScript SDK and REST API.
2. Smart Contract & dApp Support
- EVM Compatibility: Safe is built on Ethereum (and EVM-compatible chains like Polygon, Arbitrum, etc.), allowing seamless integration with dApps.
- Direct dApp Interaction: Users can connect their Safe wallet to dApps (e.g., Uniswap, Aave) via WalletConnect or direct RPC.
- Gasless Transactions: Safe supports relayed transactions (via Safe Transaction Service), enabling gasless interactions with dApps.
3. Decentralized Applications (dApps)
- Safe Core Protocol: The underlying smart contract is open-source and audited, making it suitable for dApp integrations.
- Safe Apps: A built-in dApp browser allows users to interact with DeFi, NFT, and governance platforms directly from their Safe wallet.
4. Developer-Friendly
- Safe Core SDK: Enables developers to build custom modules and integrate Safe into their dApps.
- Safe Transaction Service (STS): Facilitates gasless transactions and batch operations.
- Safe Global: A unified wallet interface across multiple chains.
Conclusion
Yes, Safe is highly programmable and supports smart contracts and dApps. It’s designed for both end-users (multi-sig security) and developers (customizable modules, SDK, and API). If you're building a dApp or need a programmable wallet, Safe is a strong choice.
Would you like details on a specific use case (e.g., DAOs, DeFi, or custom modules)?
How fast are Safe transactions? What is the typical confirmation time and throughput (transactions per second)?
Safe transactions on the Safe{Core} protocol (formerly known as Gnosis Safe) are executed on the Ethereum blockchain (or other EVM-compatible chains like Polygon, Arbitrum, etc.), so their speed depends on the underlying network's performance. Here’s a breakdown of typical transaction speeds and throughput:
1. Confirmation Time (Transaction Speed)
Ethereum (L1):
- Fastest (Priority Gas): ~1–5 minutes (depending on gas fees and network congestion).
- Standard Gas: ~5–30 minutes.
- Slow (Low Gas): Can take hours or longer.
Layer 2 (L2) Networks (e.g., Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism):
- Polygon (PoS): ~2–5 seconds (much faster and cheaper than Ethereum L1).
- Arbitrum/Optimism: ~1–5 seconds (rollup finality depends on L1 confirmations).
2. Throughput (Transactions Per Second - TPS)
Ethereum (L1):
- ~15–30 TPS (varies with congestion and gas fees).
- Safe transactions are multi-sig, so they may take slightly longer than simple ETH transfers.
Polygon (L2):
- ~100–1,000+ TPS (much higher than Ethereum L1).
Arbitrum/Optimism (L2):
- ~1,000+ TPS (theoretical max, real-world varies).
3. Factors Affecting Speed
- Gas Fees: Higher fees = faster confirmations (especially on Ethereum L1).
- Network Congestion: During high demand (e.g., NFT mints, DeFi surges), delays increase.
- Multi-Sig Requirements: Safe transactions require multiple approvals, which can slow down execution if signers are slow to respond.
4. Safe’s Own Performance (Protocol-Level)
- Transaction Execution: Once all required signatures are collected, the transaction is broadcast to the network.
- Batch Transactions: Safe supports batching multiple transactions into one, improving efficiency.
Conclusion
- Ethereum L1: ~1–30 minutes per transaction, ~15–30 TPS.
- Polygon/Arbitrum L2: ~1–5 seconds, ~100–1,000+ TPS.
- Multi-Sig Delays: If signers are slow, transactions may take longer.
For the fastest experience, using Safe on an L2 network (Polygon, Arbitrum, etc.) is recommended. On Ethereum L1, expect slower but more secure confirmations.
Would you like details on a specific blockchain?
How much data can I store on the Safe blockchain? Does it support on-chain data storage?
The Safe blockchain (formerly known as Gnosis Safe) is primarily designed for secure multi-signature wallet management and smart contract execution, not for general-purpose data storage. However, it does support on-chain data storage in limited ways, depending on how you use it.
1. On-Chain Data Storage on Safe
Safe itself does not provide a dedicated storage solution, but you can store data on-chain in the following ways:
Smart Contract Storage:
- Safe allows you to deploy and interact with smart contracts that can store data (e.g., using
mapping,struct, orbytes). - Example: A contract could store user profiles, access control lists, or configuration settings.
- Safe allows you to deploy and interact with smart contracts that can store data (e.g., using
Transaction Data:
- Safe transactions can include arbitrary data in their
datafield (e.g., encoded function calls or raw bytes). - This is useful for off-chain data referencing (e.g., storing a hash of a document on-chain while keeping the full data off-chain).
- Safe transactions can include arbitrary data in their
ERC-721 / ERC-1155 Metadata:
- If you use Safe to manage NFTs, you can store metadata (e.g., token attributes) on-chain or via IPFS.
2. Off-Chain Storage with On-Chain References
For large datasets, Safe can work with off-chain storage solutions while keeping a reference on-chain:
- IPFS / Filecoin: Store files off-chain and pin their CID (Content Identifier) on-chain.
- Arweave: Store data permanently and reference it via a transaction hash.
- Centralized Storage (AWS S3, etc.): Store data off-chain and keep a checksum on-chain.
3. Limitations
- Gas Costs: Storing large amounts of data directly on-chain is expensive (each byte costs gas).
- No Native Storage Layer: Safe does not have a built-in database like Filecoin or Arweave.
- Best for Small Data: Ideal for contract logic, access control, and small metadata.
Conclusion
- On-chain storage: Limited to smart contract storage and transaction data (a few KB per transaction).
- Off-chain storage: Recommended for large datasets (use IPFS, Arweave, or centralized storage with on-chain references).
If you need scalable on-chain storage, consider Ethereum L2s (Optimism, Arbitrum), Filecoin, or Arweave alongside Safe for secure multi-sig management.
Would you like help designing a specific storage solution for your use case?
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