Request (REQ): What It Is, Uses and Risks

Request (REQ) is the utility token of the Request Network, a payment system built on Ethereum. The network lets a person or business create a payment request, set the receiving address and amount, and add terms to turn the request into an invoice. The counterparty can then see the request on the blockchain and pay it directly, without a bank or other intermediary taking part in the transaction.

The project was launched in 2017. Its public founder details name Christophe Lassuyt, who serves as chief financial officer, and Etienne Tatur, who serves as chief technical officer. Both previously co-founded MONEYTIS. The project describes its payments as push-based, meaning the payer sends funds in response to an invoice, rather than the recipient pulling funds from the payer's account.

REQ is the token tied to this network. It is not the same thing as the payment platform itself, and holding the token is a separate question from using the network to send or receive payments.

Public descriptions of REQ list several roles for the token inside the Request Network. These include anti-spam measures, governance (voting on network decisions), staking, discounts on certain products, and operations meant to keep the network independent of any single party. Some descriptions also say REQ is used to settle stablecoin payments between wallets.

The exact mechanics of each function, including how fees are paid or how governance votes are counted, are set out in the project's own documentation and can change over time. Readers should check current project materials rather than relying on a summary like this one.

A useful way to think about REQ is as the network's internal fuel and governance tool. Whether any of these functions create real demand for the token depends on how much the network is used, which is not something this page can measure.

The data used for this page shows REQ with a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens. As of 2026-11-05, about 796.7 million tokens were circulating and about 999.4 million were counted in total supply. The gap between circulating and total supply matters because tokens not yet in circulation may enter the market later, which can add selling pressure.

At the same date, the approximate price was $0.0499, with a market capitalisation of about $39.7 million and a fully diluted valuation of about $49.9 million. The token ranked 529th by market capitalisation, and 24-hour trading volume was about $148,893. Over seven days the price was down about 2.8 percent, and over one year it was down about 59 percent.

The all-time high was about $1.06 on 2018-01-05, and the all-time low was about $0.0045 on 2020-03-12. These figures are snapshots at the time of writing, not a forecast. Prices and market data change constantly, and this page does not offer any view on where the price may go.

REQ is not a native token of its own blockchain. The data lists it as issued on Ethereum and Polygon, which means versions of the token exist on both networks. Ethereum is the chain the Request Network was originally built on, and Polygon is a scaling network that works alongside Ethereum.

Having the same token on more than one chain can make it easier to move and use, but it also adds complexity. Each version is its own token contract, and transferring between chains usually relies on a bridge or a similar tool. Bridges have been a frequent target for hacks in the wider crypto market, so moving tokens between chains carries extra risk.

Before sending REQ, check which network the token is on and make sure the receiving wallet and any exchange support that same network. Sending a token on the wrong chain can result in funds being lost or stuck.

REQ is a volatile asset. The price has fallen sharply from its 2018 peak and has dropped substantially over the past year. Small trading volumes can also make the price move more on modest trades. Token supply that is not yet circulating may be released later, which can weigh on the price.

There are also technical and operational risks. Smart contracts can contain bugs, cross-chain transfers can fail, and projects can change direction or lose developers. Any utility a token has depends on whether people actually use the network. Readers should not treat a token's stated functions as a guarantee of value.

For storage, a self-custody wallet that supports the correct chain gives you control of your keys, but you are responsible for backing up your seed phrase and guarding it from phishing. Exchange custody is simpler but means trusting that platform. Never share your seed phrase, and verify any token contract address against official project sources before you interact with it. This page is research, not financial advice.