How to Create Token-Gated Content in WordPress

Token gating means restricting access to content based on whether a visitor holds a specific cryptocurrency or token. Instead of checking a password or subscription status, you check the blockchain. If the visitor's wallet holds enough of the right token, the content unlocks.

WordPress does not have this built in, but with the SkyeGate plugin you can add token gating to any post or page using a shortcode. No custom code required.

How Token Gating Works

The concept is straightforward. You wrap a section of content in the [skyegate] shortcode and specify three things: the token's contract address, the blockchain it lives on, and the minimum amount a visitor needs to hold.

When someone visits the page, they see a connect-wallet button where the gated content would normally appear. They connect MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or Phantom. SkyeGate then sends the wallet address to InsumerAPI, which checks the on-chain balance and returns a signed attestation confirming whether the wallet meets the condition.

If it passes, the content is revealed. If not, the visitor sees a message indicating they do not meet the requirements.

Setting Up Your First Gate

1. Install SkyeGate

Purchase a subscription from the pricing page ($49/mo or $350/yr). You will receive a license key and plugin ZIP by email. Upload the plugin in WordPress under Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin and activate it. Then go to Settings → SkyeGate and enter your license key.

2. Choose Your Token

Decide which token holders should have access. You will need the token's contract address and the chain it is deployed on. For example, USDC on Ethereum has the contract address 0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48 and uses 6 decimal places.

3. Add the Shortcode

In any WordPress post or page, add the [skyegate] shortcode around the content you want to protect:

[skyegate contract="0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48"
  chain="ethereum" threshold="100" decimals="6"]
  This content is only visible to wallets
  holding 100+ USDC on Ethereum.
[/skyegate]

The attributes are:

• contract -- the token's contract address
• chain -- the blockchain name (e.g., ethereum, polygon, base, solana)
• threshold -- the minimum number of tokens required
• decimals -- the token's decimal places (18 for most ERC-20 tokens, 6 for USDC/USDT)

Examples for Common Use Cases

Gate by Stablecoin Balance

Require visitors to hold at least 500 USDC on Polygon:

[skyegate contract="0x2791Bca1f2de4661ED88A30C99A7a9449Aa84174"
  chain="polygon" threshold="500" decimals="6"]
  Premium market analysis for USDC holders.
[/skyegate]

Gate by Governance Token

Restrict a page to holders of a DAO governance token on Arbitrum:

[skyegate contract="0xYourGovernanceToken"
  chain="arbitrum" threshold="1000" decimals="18"]
  DAO member-only discussion and proposals.
[/skyegate]

Gate by NFT Ownership

You can also gate by NFT. Set the type attribute to nft_ownership and the threshold to 1:

[skyegate contract="0xBC4CA0EdA7647A8aB7C2061c2E118A18a936f13D"
  chain="ethereum" type="nft_ownership" threshold="1"]
  Exclusive content for Bored Ape holders.
[/skyegate]

What Makes SkyeGate Different

Most token-gating tools do a simple balance check, hide content with CSS, and call it a day. Anyone who opens DevTools can find the hidden content. SkyeGate is fundamentally different in three ways:

Server-side content protection. Gated content is stored on the server and only delivered to the browser after wallet verification passes. Before verification, it is not in the page source, the DOM, or the network traffic. Other tools hide content with CSS — SkyeGate does not send it at all until the wallet qualifies.

Multi-condition gates. Set up to 10 conditions per gate using numbered shortcode attributes. Require a specific combination of token balances, NFT ownership, and trust profiles across multiple chains. All conditions must be met.

Multi-wallet verification. SkyeGate connects MetaMask, Phantom (Solana), and Coinbase Wallet simultaneously with a single click. Conditions on Ethereum and Solana can be checked in the same gate.

The verification is also privacy-preserving. SkyeGate returns a pass or fail result without exposing the visitor's actual balance, backed by an ECDSA-signed attestation from InsumerAPI.

Supported Blockchains

SkyeGate works across 32 blockchains: 30 EVM chains plus Solana and XRP Ledger. This includes Ethereum, Polygon, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Avalanche, BNB Chain, Ronin, Chiliz, zkSync Era, Berachain, ApeChain, Sonic, and more. Specify the chain name in the shortcode and SkyeGate handles the rest.

Tips for Effective Token Gating

• Keep thresholds reasonable. Setting an extremely high threshold limits your audience. Start low and adjust based on your goals.
• Gate sections, not entire pages. You can use the shortcode to protect specific paragraphs within a longer page. The rest of the content remains visible, giving visitors context for what they are missing.
• Explain the requirement. Above the gate, tell visitors which token they need and on which chain. This avoids confusion when someone connects a wallet on the wrong network.
• Test both outcomes. Verify the experience for wallets that pass and wallets that do not.

Pricing and Next Steps

SkyeGate is $49/mo or $350/yr with unlimited gate rules, all 32 blockchains, and unlimited verified users (no per-member fees). Visit the SkyeGate product page for full details, or contact us with questions.