Current price per coin: $
Melonport is a system of tools that enables trustless & decentralized management and investment in digital assets.
Melon tokens give protocol design rights to participants and acts as an incentive mechanism for those participants to continue engagement.
DO NOT BASE ANY INVESTMENT DECISION UPON ANY MATERIALS FOUND ON THIS SITE. The author is not registered as an investment adviser either with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or with the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The author is neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. This guide is not and should not be interpreted as investment advice, a recommendation regarding a course of action or as an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade. Cryptocurrencies are speculative and complex, and they involve significant risks—they are highly volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable, and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Consider your own circumstances and obtain your own advice before relying on this information. You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory requirements) and consult the relevant regulators' websites before making any decision. The author may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed. All product names, trademarks, brands, photographs and logos are the property of their respective owners.
Notes: Images can be clicked to see a larger version.
If you're confused by any terms used, a glossary can be found here.
This guide is kept up-to-date as much as possible, but websites & software are being constantly updated- your experience may differ from what is documented.
There are three parts to this guide (click to skip to them): Setting up a Melon wallet, buying Bitcoin and then exchanging Bitcoin for Melon.
For this guide we'll be using the easiest & most convenient wallet option for storing your Melon coins- provided by MyEtherWallet (which can store any coin on the Ethereum blockchain, including Melon).
Go to myetherwallet.com and enter a password that would be hard to guess (but which you won't forget!).
Note: if you forget this password you might lose access to your coins.
Press 'Create New Wallet'.
Click 'Download Keystore File'. Be sure to read and understand the warnings.
It's very important that you back this file up somewhere safe (think multiple external hard drives and/or USB drives that you put somewhere safe).
Once you've done that, click 'I understand. Continue.'
Now you will be given a powerful unencrypted private key to your wallet.
Note: Never give your private key to anyone. If you do, they can open your wallet and take your coins.
Consider printing out your private key and storing it somewhere safe- then deleting all references to it from your computer. Why? Because sometime in the future you might get a virus, or malware, or visit a website with an advert that has malicious code.
These things will target a private key, as it's an easy way to open your wallet and steal your coins.
So why print out your private key at all, if it's so insecure? Because it's your last resort. If you lose your keystore file (e.g. your computer gets wiped or damaged), or if you forget your password, with your unencrypted private key you can still access your account as a last resort.
There is also an option to print a paper wallet (which displays everything you'd need to access your wallet).
If you choose to print this, treat it just like the Keystore file you just downloaded- keep it hidden and keep it safe.
Next, click 'Save your address'.
Important Note: We all hear of computers and phones being hacked. Websites running illicit code to steal passwords. Phishers tricking people into clicking links that steal information from their computers.
Another line of defence to keep our coins from being siphoned out of our wallets is essential.
And that's a hardware wallet.
Hardware wallets plug into your computer like a USB stick, and they have one job- to be a firewall between your Melon and the outside world.
To do this, they encrypt the private keys to your cryptocurrency wallets so that no-one- not even you- can know them. That way only someone with physical access to your hardware wallet- and who also knows its password- has a chance to access and move your coins.
Hardware wallets made by Ledger and Trezor support the storage and sending of Melon.
Our recommendation is to either get a Ledger Nano S from their official website or Amazon, or a Trezor from their official site or Amazon.
The Nano S makes it easy to manage your coins- it's compact and discreet, and wallet management is achieved through a small LCD screen and two buttons.
The Trezor is just as easy to use, small and also featuring two buttons, with a lot of information packed into its small LCD screen.
Here's the Ledger setup guide, and the Trezor user manual.
Now we're going to open your new wallet.
Select the 'Keystore File'Â option, then upload the keystore file you saved in step 2, then enter your password.
Once you're done, scroll down the page to see your opened wallet.
You will see a long string of letters and numbers labelled 'Your Address'.
This is your personal wallet address, and it's where we're going to be sending your Melon coins.
Copy this address and keep it somewhere safe as we're going to need it soon.
Now we'll purchase the popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin, so that we can exchange it for Melon (if you already own Bitcoin you can skip ahead).
Choose which Bitcoin exchange you'd like to use (by clicking on the logo), and the guide will continue:
If you use this link to sign up to Coinbase we'll both receive ten dollars of free coins when you spend over $100 (or the equivalent in your currency).
Press the 'sign up' button and fill out your name (make sure this is exactly how it's written on your photo ID), email and a password.
Just like a US bank, Coinbase is regulated by the US government, and has to follow strict financial rules. So they take verifying your identity very seriously. It's a pain, but it does give Coinbase a reputation for being the most trusted way to convert fiat currency to cryptocurrency.
To verify your account you must supply a phone number, upload an image of your photo ID and verify a credit/debit card or bank account before you can buy.
Using a credit/debit card on Coinbase means higher fees but offers instant purchasing. Using a bank transfer is cheaper but slower (taking up to a week to get your coins).
Once your payment details are verified, click 'buy/sell' on the top menu.
Select 'Bitcoin', and at the bottom of the page choose how much to spend in your local currency / how many coins you want to buy.
Once you're happy with the amount, click the big 'Buy' button.
You'll be asked to confirm your purchase.
Press the 'Confirm Buy' button.
Congratulations! You now own some Bitcoin. But don't close Coinbase yet, we're going to need it again in a few minutes.
Click here to go to Coinmama.
In the sign up form, enter your email address and first and last name (make sure these are exactly the same as on your photo ID).
Enter a strong password (that you won't forget!).
Select your country, tick the box to show you understand their terms and conditions and press 'Register'.
You will be sent an email to confirm your email address.
Go find that email and click the link in it.
You will be informed that your email is now confirmed. Press 'Continue'.
You will be prompted to log in. Enter your email and password and press 'Login'.
You won't be able to buy any Bitcoin until you verify your account.
In the left-hand menu, click 'Verify your account'.
You will be asked to fill in your personal details. Once you have, press 'Next'.
Here you need to upload some pictures of your ID.
You're also asked to take a selfie of yourself holding your ID, as well as writing 'Coinmama' on a piece of paper with today's date.
Make sure none of these pictures are blurry, or they will be rejected.
Once you've uploaded the files you'll be informed your documents are under review- unfortunately you'll have to wait until you're verified to continue your purchase.
Enter your email address and a secure password. Click the checkbox to agree to the terms.
Click 'Register'.
You will now be asked to set up 2-factor authentication for your new account. It is strongly advised not to skip this step, as 2-factor authentication makes your account far more secure.
We recommend using the 'Smartphone App' option.
Once your security has been set up, you'll be taken to your account dashboard.
Before we do anything else, head on over to your personal email account- there will be an email from Cex.io asking you to click a link to verify your account. Click it.
You will be taken to a page telling you your email has been confirmed. Click 'Go back to the site'.
Look for your user ID in the top menu, hover your mouse over it and in the drop down menu click 'Verification'.
Every exchange that lets your buy cryptocurrencies for cash require you to verify your identification before doing so.
Complete the Cex.io verification process by supplying your personal information and uploading your ID.
Once you're verified, click the 'Deposit' button along the top menu.
You now get to choose how you'd like to deposit money:
Via credit/debit card
If you choose credit/debit card you can buy instantly, but you pay commission on the money you deposit.
Via bank transfer
This option takes a few days for the transfer to arrive but has no commission fees.
Choose the method you prefer and follow the instructions to deposit your money.
Once your money is in your account, click 'BUY/SELL' on the top menu.
Choose 'BTC' and the currency you'd like to buy it in (Dollars, Euros, Pounds or Rubles).
You will be offered some precalculated amounts of Bitcoin, or you can scroll to the bottom of the page and input the amount of Bitcoin you'd like to buy in the 'Custom amount' box.
Once you've decided, click 'Buy'.
You'll be asked to confirm your buy.
Check everything looks correct and click 'Confirm the order'.
Congratulations- you now own some Bitcoin!
Press 'Ok'.
Enter a username, your email and a strong password (that you won't forget!).
Click 'Register'.
An email will be sent to you with a link to confirm your email address. Go find that email and click the link.
This will open a new window that will have automatically logged you into your new account.
Press 'Buy Bitcoins' on the top menu.
Click 'Quick buy'.
In the first input box, write how much money you want to spend on Bitcoin.
In the first drop down menu, select your currency. For example USD is US dollars, GBP is Great British Pounds etc.
Then in the next drop down select the country you're in.
If you wish to buy Bitcoin without needing to provide any ID, click the check box beside 'ID not required'. Please note that this may limit the numbers of sellers, and may be a more expensive way to purchase Bitcoin.
In the final drop down menu you're given a wide range of buying methods. You can choose to look for sellers that accept Paypal, bank transfers, Amazon gift cards etc. - or just choose to look at all options.
Once you're happy with your selections, press Search.
You'll be given a list of sellers matching your criteria.
Beside their user names you will see the number of transactions they have done on the site (e.g. 1000) and their feedback (e.g. 100% positive).
You will also see the payment methods they accept, the price they're selling Bitcoin at and any limit to the amount they will sell in one transaction (for example, they might have a lower limit of $50 and an upper limit of $10,000 for a single transaction).
Choose which seller you'd like to use and click 'Buy'.
On this page, read the terms of trade with your selected user. Make sure you're happy with them.
Pay attention to the opening hours- are they open right now? Also pay attention to the 'payment window'- this is how long you have to pay after sending the trade request. If you're not ready to send the payment within that time frame, don't continue.
Once you are ready, input the amount of Bitcoin you'd like to buy in your chosen currency. You may be limited to a smaller amount as this is your first time using LocalBitcoins- your limit will increase as you get positive feedback.
You may choose to write a message to the seller, but this isn't required.
Press 'Send trade request'.
You will now be given the payment details for the seller- for example, their bank account details, Paypal address etc.
Use these details to send the correct amount of money to the seller, within the payment window, by following the steps laid out on the right side of the screen.
It's very important to include the reference message with your payment so the seller knows the money came from you.
Once you have made the payment, click the 'I have paid' button.
You will be asked to confirm that you've made the payment.
Read the information and when you are sure you're happy to accept, press 'Confirm payment complete'.
You must now wait for the seller to confirm they have received the payment.
Once they have, the Bitcoin will be released into your account- you will get a message on the site (which can be seen as a red speech bubble along the top menu), as well as an email to confirm it.
Your coins will appear in your wallet (also on the top menu). Click it.
And now leave this page open as we're going to need it soon.
While you're waiting to be verified, we'll sign up for Bittrex, so you'll be ready to exchange your Bitcoin for Melon.
We'll use the site Bittrex to exchange your Bitcoin for Melon.
We'll use the site Bittrex to exchange your Bitcoin for Melon.
We'll use the site Bittrex to exchange your Bitcoin for Melon.
Click here to go to the Bittrex sign up form, and enter your email and a password. A confirmation email will be sent to you- click the link in it to access your new account.
Once you're in Bittrex, click settings > basic verification. As with most exchanges, Bittrex requires some basic information about you before you can access its trading services. So input your name, date of birth and address, and click submit.
Once your details are verified (usually within minutes or hours), click 'wallets' on the top menu, and then in the list that appears find Bitcoin.
Press the + (plus) button.
Note: Double check you've actually selected Bitcoin (BTC)- if you send your coins to the wrong wallet you will lose them.
You'll be given a Bitcoin deposit address, which looks like a long string of numbers and letters.
This address is where we'll send the Bitcoin you just purchased.
Copy the Bitcoin deposit address Bittrex gives you.
Now, return to Coinbase.
Click 'Accounts' from the top menu, then find your Bitcoin wallet listed on the left.
Click 'Send'.
In the 'Recipient' box, paste the Bitcoin wallet address we just copied from Bittrex.
In amount, type how much Bitcoin you wish to send (there is a 'use max' option if you wish to send it all).
Click 'Continue'.
Coinbase may ask you to confirm with your password/phone. Follow the instructions until it confirms the Bitcoin are sent.
Go back to Cex.io
Press 'Withdraw' on the top menu.
Under 'Select currency and amount' click 'USD' and select 'BTC' in the drop down menu.
Input the amount of Bitcoin you're sending.
In the box labelled 'Enter the recipient's address below' paste the Bitcoin wallet address we just copied from Bittrex.
Once you've looked everything over, click the check box to confirm you've double checked everything is correct.
Press 'Withdraw'.
You will be asked for a 2-factor authentication number.
Use your selected method of authentication to generate the number and write it in the box. Press 'Confirm'.
You will be sent an email to confirm the withdrawal.
Go to your personal email and click the link Cex.io has sent you. This will send the coins on their way.
Go back to LocalBitcoins.
You should still be in your wallet page.
In the box labelled 'Receiving Bitcoin address' paste the Bitcoin wallet address we just copied from Bittrex.
Enter the amount of Bitcoin you're sending.
Press 'Continue'.
You will be asked to enter your password to confirm the send.
Once entered, press 'Send from wallet'.
You will be taken back to your wallet and a message will appear to confirm the Bitcoin has been sent.
Hopefully you're now verified on Coinmama, so log into your account and press 'Buy Bitcoin'.
You will be presented with some buying options- you can either choose to purchase a preset amount, or at the bottom of the page enter the amount of Bitcoin you want, or currency you want to convert to Bitcoin.
Once you're satisfied with the amount, press the 'Buy Bitcoin' button.
You will be asked to supply your Bitcoin wallet address. Input the wallet address that you copied from Bittrex.
Press 'Go to payment'.
You will be asked for your credit/debit card details. Input them and press 'Pay Now'.
You may be informed that Coinmama has received your order but 'are reviewing the order and making sure you're really you.' This just means they're double checking your credit/debit card information to your personal information to be sure this is a legitimate purchase.
Once they've confirmed everything, you will be sent an email to confirm the purchase. Go to your inbox, find the email and double check it shows your correct Bitcoin wallet address you copied from Bittrex. When you're happy, click the confirmation link in it.
Coinmama will now send your coins to your wallet address.
Now we've got to wait a few minutes for the coins to move across the network.
Unless there's an unusually large network backlog, the coins will take between 5 and 30 minutes to appear in your Bittrex wallet.
Bittrex will update automatically so there's no need to refresh the page.
While you're waiting, consider sharing this guide with your friends and followers to spread the word about Melon, encouraging its popularity and value to grow.
Here's some share buttons to make it easy:
On the Bittrex wallet page, click the 'hide zero balances' tick-box to make it easier to tell when your Bitcoin has arrived.
Once it shows in your 'available balance' we're ready to trade for Melon.
Click here to be taken to the Bitcoin / Melon exchange section of Bittrex.
This interface is where we will trade your Bitcoin for Melon. It looks overwhelming at first, but ignore the charts- all we're doing is a simple exchange from one coin to another.
Find the section labelled 'Trading' and 'Buy Melon'. Press the 'max' button, which tells Bittrex you want to use all your Bitcoin in this purchase. Now click 'price' and in the menu that appears select 'Last'.
You can use the Bid or Ask options if you wish to try and time the market to buy at a cheaper price, but that's a little more advanced than we're covering in this guide.
Press the 'Buy Melon' button. Then 'confirm' in the pop-up box. Your order is now activated.
Depending on the market, your order may be filled immediately (meaning, your Bitcoin was instantly converted to Melon) or your order may be waiting for enough Melon to become available at your chosen price to fulfil your purchase request.
To see if your order is still active, or has been partially filled, click the 'orders' button on the top menu of Bittrex. If your order is showing, you may choose to cancel it and attempt to purchase at a different price, or simply let the order sit to see if it's filled.
When your order has been filled- you can proudly say you're the owner of your own Melon!
Click wallets, and make sure the tick-box 'hide zero balances' is selected. You should now see your Melon in your Bittrex Melon wallet.
If you're comfortable with it, you could just leave your coins on Bittrex and they would probably be safe. However, exchanges have been hacked in the past, and people have lost coins, so we do recommend you keep them in a personal wallet. Here's how:
Note: You CANNOT store Ethereum tokens, such as Melon, on Coinbase. If you send your Melon to Coinbase you will lose them.
Click the - (minus) sign beside the Melon wallet and it'll bring up a screen for you to input your withdrawal details.
Put the wallet address that you copied from MyEtherWallet (in step 5) into the box labelled 'address'.
In quantity, we would suggest doing a small test transaction of a couple of coins to be sure everything is working correctly. Press 'withdrawal'.
It will take a few minutes for your Melon to transfer.
Note: Bittrex may ask you to confirm the withdrawal by clicking an email link or inputting a code from your mobile.
Go back to MyEtherWallet.
You should now see the Melon (abbreviated to MLN) in your wallet under 'Token Balances'.
One note of importance is that the example wallet in this guide has no Eth in it. Why is that important?
Melon coins exist as a token on the Ethereum network. To move Melon coins across that network costs 'gas', which are in the form of Ether coins. If in the future you want to move your Melon coins to another address, you're going to need some of those Ether coins to power the transaction.
You already know how to buy Ether, but you can use this guide if you're still unsure how to move them to your personal wallet.
What about when you're ready to sell your Melon?
You simply reverse the order of tasks you performed in this guide.
For example, you send your Melon to Bittrex, exchange it for Bitcoin, send that Bitcoin to Coinbase Cex.io Coinmama Local Bitcoins and sell it for your preferred currency.
The 'get it done in an hour' guide to cryptocurrencies