Each Data Host operator has the option of establishing one or more gateways of some kind to selectively restrict who can and cannot access their Data Host. This allows a flexible arrangement where data hosts can enter into agreements with select users, select DAOs, select companies, or any combination of the above to ensure they are both paid for their service and are able to deliver quality of service to authorized users.
For example, a company can establish a payment for high-volume use of a specific ETH data host to ensure their web application’s data is reliable and fast. That data host may choose to restrict access to only that one company consumer in an exclusivity arrangement.
Another data host may choose to open the gateway to anyone who pays $5 per month for access, while giving their close friends exclusive API keys to use it for free.
<aside> đź’ˇ Separate from the gateways, there may or may not be firewalls or other anti-abuse mechanisms that supersede gateways.
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Gateway Type: open
This Data Host is open to the world. It is likely rate-limited and may not be suitable for use by users who require numerous lookups.
Gateway Type: subscription
This Data Host offers subscription-based access to authorized users. Payment options are provided by the host, and users can pay for time-bound access directly on-chain.
Gateway Type: pay-as-you-go
This Data Host requires the establishment of a smart contract payment in advance of use for a specified term. At the end of the term, unused portions of the smart contract payment will be returned to the user. If the smart contract payment is consumed before the end of the term, the term will end and a new term will need to be opened.
Gateway Type: token-lock
This Data Host requires users to hold a specified amount of cryptocurrency on its native chain at a specified block height in order to access it. For example, it may require users to prove they held at least 100 FOX tokens on the Ethereum blockchain at height 1203000