> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.spark.money/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Burning

Burning destroys tokens permanently. Once burned, they're gone forever.

## How it works

The issuer signs a burn transaction specifying which tokens to destroy. Operators validate and commit. Those tokens no longer exist. Total supply decreases.

## Why burn?

**Redemptions.** User wants to cash out $100 of stablecoin. You send them $100, burn their 100 tokens. Supply stays matched to reserves.

**Deflationary mechanics.** Some tokens burn a portion of each transaction or do periodic buyback-and-burns.

**Mistakes.** Minted too many? Burn the excess.

## Who can burn

Only the issuer can use the burn function directly. But there's a workaround: anyone can burn tokens by sending them to the burn address.

```
spark1pgssyqszqgpqyqszqgpqyqszqgpqyqszqgpqyqszqgpqyqszqgpqyqszykl0d2
```

Tokens sent here are gone. The address exists but nobody has the key. This lets regular users burn their own tokens if they want to.

## Irreversibility

Burning is permanent. There's no undo. Double-check amounts before you burn. If an issuer burns tokens by mistake, the only fix is minting new ones (if max supply allows).

## Burning vs freezing

Freezing is temporary and reversible. Burning is permanent. If you're not sure, freeze first. You can always burn later.