AutoCap: Automatic DataCap Allocation Based on On-Chain Activity

Accessing Filecoin Plus (FIL+) DataCap has traditionally followed a permission-first process: applications, off-chain verification, and manual approval before DataCap is granted.

AutoCap introduces a complementary mechanism.

At CryptoEconLab, we developed AutoCap as an automatic DataCap allocation system based on a simple idea: action first, rewards later.

Instead of requesting DataCap upfront, participants earn it by using Filecoin Pay and settling payments on-chain.

When Filecoin Pay settlements finalize on-chain, some FIL are burned. These FIL burns are irreversible, publicly verifiable, and prove that real economic activity has taken place on Filecoin.

AutoCap uses these finalized FIL burns from Filecoin Pay settlement, as the on-chain signal and proxy for contribution to the network, allocating DataCap accordingly.

How AutoCap Works

AutoCap operates in discrete allocation rounds. Each round defines:

• A fixed pool of DataCap to distribute, and
• A time window during which eligible on-chain activity is measured.

Within each round, participants register once, generate eligible Filecoin Pay settlements, and receive DataCap based on their relative contribution.

1. Registration

Participants register via the AutoCap dashboard by:

1. Providing a Burn Address by connecting a Filecoin-compatible wallet. This wallet will be tracked during the round by AutoCap: only eligible FIL burned from this address during the round are counted.

2. Paying a registration fee The fee exists to prevent spam and cover transaction costs. It does not count toward the allocation. The fee is currently set to 0.00005 FIL/TiB on Mainnet but might change in future rounds.

3. Providing a DataCap recipient address This is the address where any earned DataCap will be sent at the end of the round.

Each wallet can register as Burn Address once per round, and registration is required for activity to be tracked.

2. Burn FIL through Filecoin Pay

During the round window, participants use Filecoin Pay, settling payment rails denominated in FIL.

When these settlements finalize on-chain, a part of the associated FIL (currently 0.5%) is burnt. These finalized FIL burns from FIL denominated Filecoin Pay rails are the signal AutoCap uses to measure contribution to the network.

AutoCap is agnostic to the specific service or workflow involved. If your activity results in eligible Filecoin Pay settlements in FIL from your registered wallet, it counts.

3. DataCap Allocation

At round close, AutoCap distributes the round's DataCap pool across all registered participants.

In particular, the more FIL you burn during the round relative to others, the more DataCap you receive.

FIL burns act as a protocol-native, irreversible signal that real economic value has been created on Filecoin. As a result, AutoCap rewards contributions in proportion to the economic activity completed during the round.

Full Transparency, Built In

AutoCap is designed to be observable from start to finish.

A public, real-time dashboard allows anyone to:

• View upcoming, active, and completed rounds,
• See registered participants,
• Track eligible FIL burns as settlements finalize,
• Monitor expected DataCap allocations as they evolve during the round.

Every participant's address links directly to Blockscout, where FIL burns can be independently verified.

Who Is AutoCap For?

AutoCap is designed primarily for Storage Providers and service operators who:

• Already generate economic activity on Filecoin,
• Use Filecoin Pay as part of their workflows,
• Want a transparent, rule-based way to earn DataCap,
• Prefer outcomes driven by behavior rather than permissions.

AutoCap is optional. It does not replace existing Filecoin Plus allocators, nor does it affect eligibility through traditional channels. It simply adds an action-first alternative alongside them.

Getting Started

Before you begin, make sure you have:

1. A Burn Address, i.e. a Filecoin-compatible wallet, that will be tracked for FIL burns,
2. Sufficient FIL to cover the round's registration fee,
3. A DataCap Recipient Address where allocated DataCap should be sent, can also be the same address as the Burn Address.

To participate:

1. Register for an active round using the dashboard;
2. Generate FIL burns by settling Filecoin Pay rails denominated in FIL;
3. Track your contribution and provisional allocation in real time;
4. Receive your DataCap allocation at round close.

No particular service types, prescribed workflows or special integrations are required. If your activity results in eligible FIL burns through Filecoin Pay settlement, it counts.

Is it really that easy?

Yes. AutoCap is designed to minimize friction and let on-chain activity speak for itself.

Each round is independent, and participants must register separately for every round they wish to join.

Mainnet Launch

AutoCap has successfully completed its first end-to-end round on the Calibration testnet, validating the full flow from on-chain activity tracking to DataCap distribution.

We are now preparing a staged launch on Filecoin mainnet, using DataCap granted through the Experimental Pathway Metallocator.

The mainnet rollout will proceed in incremental rounds, increasing scale over time:

• Round 1 — Wed Feb 25 to Wed Mar 4, with a 10 TiB DataCap pool and a 0.0001 FIL registration fee;

• Round 2 — Mon Mar 9 to Sun Mar 15, with a 50 TiB DataCap pool and a 0.0005 FIL registration fee;

• Round 3 — Mon Mar 23 to Sun Mar 30, with a 100 TiB DataCap pool and a 0.001 FIL registration fee;

These initial rounds are designed to progressively increase capacity while closely observing system behavior, participation patterns, and on-chain signals.

This staged approach allows AutoCap to remain mechanical, transparent, and outcome-driven, while scaling responsibly based on what actually happens on-chain.

Additional rounds and larger allocations are expected to follow as the system matures.

Learn More

Join the AutoCap Slack channel on Filecoin to ask questions, share feedback, and follow upcoming rounds.

• Dashboard: https://filautocap.xyz
• Documentation: https://filautocap.xyz/docs
• Smart Contract: https://github.com/CELtd/filplus-autocap

If you're already building or operating on Filecoin, AutoCap lets your activity speak for itself.