๐Ÿ”“ How to Unlock Alpha

This guide walks you through unlocking paid alpha content on the marketplace.

Prerequisites

Before unlocking paid alphas, you need:

  1. A crypto wallet - MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Rainbow, or any WalletConnect-compatible wallet

  2. USDC on Base - The stablecoin used for all marketplace payments

  3. A small amount of ETH on Base - For wallet signing (not for payment fees)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Connect Your Wallet

Click the "Connect Wallet" button in the top right corner. Select your wallet provider and approve the connection.

Step 2: Sign In with Ethereum (SIWE)

After connecting, you'll be asked to sign a message to verify wallet ownership. This is free and doesn't cost gas.

Step 3: Browse the Marketplace

Explore alphas using the filter options:

  • Free - No payment required

  • Paid - Shows price in USDC (e.g., $1, $5, $10)

  • Top - Highest rated content

  • Live - Alphas with linked tokens showing live price data

Step 4: Click Unlock

On a paid alpha, click the "Unlock" button. A confirmation modal will appear showing:

  • Alpha title and creator

  • Price in USDC

  • Your current USDC balance

Step 5: Approve the Payment

Click "Confirm Payment" and approve the transaction in your wallet. The x402 protocol handles payment instantly with zero gas fees for you.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Content

Once payment confirms, the full alpha content is revealed. You now have permanent access to this alpha.

Troubleshooting

| Issue | Solution |

|-------|----------|

| "Insufficient balance" | Add more USDC to your wallet on Base network |

| Wallet not connecting | Try refreshing the page or using a different browser |

| Transaction stuck | Check Base network status; try increasing gas |

| Already unlocked but content hidden | Refresh the page or reconnect wallet |

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