# LINK Token - Existing Token Analysis

**Date**: 2025-01-12  
**Purpose**: Analysis of Option 2 from LINK_TOKEN_DEPLOYMENT_FIX_REPORT.md

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## Investigation Results

### CCIP Router Fee Token Check

**Router Address**: `0x8078A09637e47Fa5Ed34F626046Ea2094a5CDE5e`

**Method**: `feeToken()`

**Result**: 
- ✅ Router method exists and returns address
- ⚠️ Returns padded address: `0x000000000000000000000000514910771af9ca656af840dff83e8264ecf986ca`
- ✅ Extracted address: `0x514910771af9ca656af840dff83e8264ecf986ca`

### Standard LINK Address Verification

**Address Checked**: `0x514910771AF9Ca656af840dff83E8264EcF986CA`

**Result**: 
- ❌ **Contract does NOT exist** on ChainID 138
- Code length: 2 (empty)
- Router references this address, but contract is not deployed

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## Conclusion

### Finding

**The CCIP Router references the standard LINK token address (`0x514910771AF9Ca656af840dff83E8264EcF986CA`), but the actual token contract is NOT deployed on ChainID 138.**

This means:
1. ✅ Router is configured to use LINK for fees
2. ❌ LINK token contract does not exist on this chain
3. ✅ We must deploy a MockLinkToken to fulfill the requirement

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## Solution

Since the standard LINK token doesn't exist on ChainID 138, we have two options:

### Option A: Deploy MockLinkToken (Recommended)

**Why**: 
- Standard LINK token not available
- MockLinkToken provides same interface
- Can be minted for testing

**Implementation**:
- Use `scripts/diagnose-link-deployment.sh`
- Or use `scripts/force-deploy-link.sh`
- Deploy MockLinkToken with mint function

### Option B: Acquire Standard LINK (If Available)

**Why**: 
- If LINK becomes available on ChainID 138
- Use standard token if deployed

**Implementation**:
- Check if LINK is deployed later
- Update `.env` with standard address
- Acquire LINK from exchange/faucet

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## Current Status

### ✅ Completed
- Router fee token check implemented
- Standard LINK address verification
- Address extraction logic created
- Documentation updated

### ⏳ Pending
- MockLinkToken deployment (still not confirming)
- Network confirmation of deployment
- Bridge funding

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## Next Steps

1. **Continue deployment attempts** with MockLinkToken
2. **Monitor network** for deployment confirmation
3. **Alternative**: Use Remix IDE for deployment
4. **Once deployed**: Mint tokens and fund bridges

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## Files Updated

1. **`scripts/diagnose-link-deployment.sh`**
   - Checks router for fee token
   - Verifies standard LINK address
   - Attempts deployment if not found

2. **`docs/LINK_TOKEN_DEPLOYMENT_FIX_REPORT.md`**
   - Updated Option 2 with implementation status
   - Added notes about mint function availability

3. **`docs/LINK_TOKEN_EXISTING_TOKEN_ANALYSIS.md`** (this file)
   - Complete analysis of existing token check
   - Findings and recommendations

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**Last Updated**: 2025-01-12  
**Status**: ✅ Analysis complete - MockLinkToken deployment required

