> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bound.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hubs Explained

A hub is a community space built around a specific token.

This page explains **what hub owners control — and what they don’t**.

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## What a Hub Is

A hub is:

* A long-term community home for a token
* A place where users bind (stake) tokens to signal belief
* A set of rules enforced by smart contracts

A hub is **not**:

* A wallet
* A custodial service
* A discretionary fund

Once deployed, a hub operates within **fixed rules**.

***

## What Hub Owners Control

Hub owners define the **structure of participation**.

Depending on tier, owners may control:

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### Token & Participation

* Which token can be bound
* When binding is enabled or disabled

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### Reward Cycles

* Whether reward cycles exist
* Cycle duration
* Reward tokens (any ERC-20; multiple tokens possible)
* Total reward amounts
* When cycles start and end

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### Incentive Design

* Whether NFT reward boosts are used
* Reward bonuses for the **Hub Patron**\
  (typically the most committed user based on amount, duration, and participation)

Boosts are constrained by protocol limits.

***

### Fees (Where Permitted)

Depending on hub tier, operators may configure:

* Deposit fee rates (within allowed ranges)
* Revenue sharing parameters

All fee configuration is enforced by smart contracts.

***

### Token Recovery

Hub owners may recover **non-core tokens** accidentally sent to the hub contract.

This allows selected ERC-20 tokens to be sent to a specified wallet.

**Core hub tokens cannot be withdrawn by owners.**

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### Emergency Controls

Owners may access critical functions for exceptional situations:

* **Pause hub**\
  Temporarily disables new bindings and interactions\
  (existing bound tokens are unaffected)

* **Enable emergency withdrawals**\
  In case of failure, this destroys the hub and its smart contract

Emergency controls are restricted and enforced by smart contracts.

***

### Visibility & Presentation

* Hub description and metadata
* Communication and messaging around the hub

***

## What Hub Owners Do Not Control

Hub owners do **not** control:

* User wallets or private keys
* User binding balances once tokens are bound
* The ability to move or withdraw user funds
* Smart contract enforcement
* Platform-wide rules or fee ceilings

Owners cannot:

* Confiscate tokens
* Change past participation
* Guarantee rewards
* Override smart contracts

***

## What Happens When a Hub Changes

Owners **may**:

* Pause or stop future reward cycles
* Adjust parameters for upcoming cycles

Owners **may not**:

* Retroactively change cycle outcomes
* Modify past rewards
* Alter binding history

Changes always apply **forward, not backward**.

***

## Responsibility & Transparency

As a hub owner, you are responsible for:

* Communicating clearly with your community
* Setting realistic expectations
* Designing incentives aligned with long-term participation

Users choose whether to bind based on **trust and clarity**.

***

## In Summary

* Owners define the rules, not the outcomes
* Smart contracts enforce participation
* Users retain full custody of their tokens

**A hub creates structure — belief creates value.**