As the ConnectSouq platform, I want to securely manage Trust Token allocation, transfer, and recording so that members can recognize genuine contributions while maintaining fairness and preventing misuse.

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Business Background¶

Each active member receives a configurable monthly allocation of Trust Tokens. Tokens can only be awarded to other active members and directly increase the recipient's Community Impact score. The system must prevent self-awarding, duplicate processing, token manipulation, and any unauthorized adjustments. Governance rules identify token manipulation as a policy violation subject to penalties.

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Functional Requirements¶

The system shall:

• Allocate monthly Trust Tokens automatically.
• Maintain available token balance.
• Validate recipient eligibility.
• Prevent self-awarding.
• Record every token transaction.
• Increase recipient Community Impact score.
• Trigger Trust Score recalculation.
• Generate audit records.
• Support monthly token reset.

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Business Rules¶

1. Every active member receives the configured monthly Trust Token allocation.
2. Members cannot send tokens to themselves.
3. Tokens cannot be purchased or transferred outside the platform workflow.
4. Unused monthly tokens expire at the end of the cycle unless future policy changes.
5. Every token awarded increases the recipient's Community Impact score by the configured value.
6. Every transaction must be auditable.
7. Duplicate requests must not process multiple token transfers.

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Database Changes¶

Table: Trust_Token_Balance¶

Field
MemberId
MonthlyAllocation
RemainingTokens
UsedTokens
CycleStartDate
CycleEndDate
LastUpdated

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Table: Trust_Token_Transaction¶

Field
TransactionId
SenderMemberId
RecipientMemberId
TokensSent
Message
TransactionDate
Status

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Table: Trust_Token_Audit¶

Field
AuditId
TransactionId
Action
PerformedBy
Timestamp

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API Endpoints¶

GET /api/trust-token/balance¶

Retrieve member token balance.

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POST /api/trust-token/send¶

Transfer Trust Token(s).

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GET /api/trust-token/history¶

Retrieve transaction history.

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POST /api/trust-token/reset¶

Monthly token allocation process (scheduled job/admin).

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Validation Rules¶

• Sender must be authenticated.
• Sender must be active.
• Recipient must be active.
• Sender cannot equal recipient.
• Sender must have sufficient remaining tokens.
• Duplicate requests must be ignored safely.

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Error Handling¶

Error	Response
Insufficient tokens	400
Invalid recipient	404
Self-award attempt	400
Unauthorized	401
Duplicate request	409
Internal server error	500

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Security¶

• JWT authentication
• Role-based authorization
• Audit logging
• Idempotent request handling
• API rate limiting

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Notifications¶

Upon successful transfer:

• Notify the sender of successful token transfer.
• Notify the recipient that they have received Trust Token(s).
• Trigger Trust Score recalculation for the recipient.

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Audit Logs¶

Capture:

• Sender Member ID
• Recipient Member ID
• Tokens transferred
• Previous balance
• Updated balance
• Transaction timestamp
• IP Address
• Device information
• Processing status

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Acceptance Criteria¶

Scenario 1 – Successful Token Transfer¶

Given

• Sender has sufficient Trust Tokens.
• Recipient is an active member.

When

• Sender submits the token transfer.

Then

• Token balance is reduced for the sender.
• Recipient's Community Impact score is updated.
• Transaction is recorded.
• Notifications are sent.
• Audit log is created.

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Scenario 2 – Self-Award Prevention¶

Given

• Sender selects their own account.

When

• Token transfer is submitted.

Then

• Transfer is rejected.
• No balance changes occur.
• Attempt is logged.

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Scenario 3 – Monthly Allocation¶

Given

• A new monthly cycle begins.

When

• Monthly allocation job executes.

Then

• Active members receive the configured token allocation.
• Previous cycle is closed.
• Allocation is recorded in the audit log.

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In Scope (MVP)¶

• Monthly token allocation
• Token balance management
• Token transfer
• Community Impact update
• Transaction history
• Notifications
• Audit logging
• Monthly reset job

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Out of Scope¶

• Token marketplace
• Paid token purchases
• Token exchange between users
• Anonymous token sending
• Token expiry customization
• Promotional token campaigns

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Definition of Done¶

• Monthly allocation process implemented.
• Token transfer APIs completed.
• Community Impact updates validated.
• Notifications integrated.
• Audit logging implemented.
• Security and validation testing passed.
• Product Owner approval received.