# Linking and Inviting Addresses

### Linking and Inviting Addresses in Folks Finance

#### Difference Between Inviting and Linking an Address in Folks Finance

In the Folks Finance cross-chain lending protocol, inviting and linking an address are interrelated mechanisms used for account management. Linking is a streamlined frontend process for adding an address that the user owns, whereas inviting is a more generalized concept that can also involve addresses controlled by other individuals. Here is a detailed explanation of both processes and their differences: 

**Linking an Address**

**Definition:**

Linking an address is a frontend process designed to streamline the addition of an address that the user owns to the Folks Finance lending account by automating the inviting and accepting steps.

* Linking addresses is the simplest way to connect user account to different chains with minimal hassle.

Process:

1. Linking:

* A user submits a "link address" transaction from a spoke chain.
* This transaction is immediately relayed to the hub chain, and the hub chain updates its state with the new information.

**Example Use Case:**

* A user wants to link their Polygon address to their Folks Finance account on the hub chain to allow for quick management and transactions across chains.

#### Inviting an Address (available soon)

**Definition:**

Inviting an address is a process where an existing registered address of an account can invite another address from a different spoke chain to join the account. This invited address can be controlled by another person. The invitee must then accept the invitation for the registration to be completed.\
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Inviting addresses is useful for:

* Connecting an address which is hosted in a different wallet, like your mobile phone vs. desktop browser wallets.
* Creating collaborative accounts with friends or colleagues.

**Process:**

1. **Invitation:**

* An existing address within an account initiates an invitation to another address.
* This invitation is sent through a cross-chain message from the spoke chain of the inviting address to the hub chain.

2. **Acceptance:**

* The invited address must accept the invitation for it to become registered to the account.
* Once accepted, the invited address gains the same permissions and management capabilities as the original address.

**Example Use Case:**

* A user on the Ethereum blockchain invites a friend’s Binance Smart Chain address to help manage their Folks Finance account. The Binance Smart Chain address must accept this invitation to gain management rights.