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SBI Marketplace Guide

Everything you need to know about buying and selling seeds on Seed Bank International. How provenance works, what verification means, and how to get the most from the platform.

How SBI Works

Seed Bank International is a verified marketplace for cannabis genetics. Unlike general e-commerce platforms, SBI is purpose-built for the seed industry with three core systems that work together:

Verified Breeders

Every breeder on SBI has a verified identity and track record. Verification confirms who they are, what they breed, and that their genetics claims are legitimate.

Provenance Certificates

Every transaction generates a cryptographic certificate linking your purchase to the original breeder. This is a permanent, unforgeable record of genetic provenance.

Genetics Database

Over 33,000 strain entries with full lineage data, terpene profiles, and breeding history. The most comprehensive cannabis genealogy database available.

These systems solve the fundamental problem of the cannabis seed market: trust. When you buy seeds on SBI, you know they come from who the label says, carry the genetics the label claims, and have a verifiable chain of custody.

Buying Seeds on SBI

The strain catalog is your starting point. Every listing includes detailed genetics data, pricing, and availability. Here's how to read a listing:

Verified Badge

A green checkmark means the breeder's identity is confirmed and their genetics claims have been validated. Verified strains have traceable lineage in the genetics database.

Strain Type

Indica, sativa, or hybrid classification based on genetic lineage, not subjective effects. The type badge is color-coded: violet for indica, amber for sativa, emerald for hybrid.

Lineage

Parent strains are listed as Female x Male. Click through to the genetics database to see the full family tree, including grandparents and related cultivars.

Seed Type

Feminized, regular, or autoflower. Pack sizes vary by breeder. Prices shown are per pack, not per seed.

Use the Pro view (toggle in the top-right of the catalog) to see all data in a sortable table format. This view is designed for serious buyers who want to compare multiple strains by THC%, price, breeder, and availability. You can also export the catalog as CSV for offline analysis.

The Provenance Certificate

When you complete a purchase on SBI, the platform generates a provenance certificate — a cryptographic record that permanently links your seeds to their source. This certificate is your proof of genetic authenticity.

What the Certificate Contains

  • Certificate ID — Unique identifier for your purchase
  • SHA-256 Hash — Cryptographic fingerprint ensuring the certificate hasn't been tampered with
  • Strain & Breeder — Verified identity of the genetics and their creator
  • Batch Number — Links to the specific production batch
  • Timestamp — When the transaction was recorded
  • Lineage Data — Parent strains and generation information

You can verify any certificate at /verification. The system checks the SHA-256 hash against the original record — if any data has been altered, the hash won't match and the certificate is flagged as invalid. Read our technical whitepaper for the full details.

For Breeders: Selling on SBI

SBI provides breeders with a verified storefront that showcases their genetics with the credibility of third-party verification. Here's how to get started:

Getting Verified

  • Create an account and apply for breeder status
  • Provide identity verification and breeding history
  • Submit lineage documentation for your strains
  • SBI reviews and verifies your claims
  • Verification is ongoing — maintain accurate listings

Your Storefront

  • Custom branding with logo, banner, and tagline
  • Featured strains for seasonal promotions
  • Genetics legacy stats pulled from the database
  • Flavor and effect DNA profiles across your catalog
  • Social features: followers, activity feed, reviews

Breeders benefit from SBI's genetics database integration. When your strains are registered in the genealogy database, every descendant cross that references your genetics links back to your breeder profile — building your reputation automatically as your genetics spread through the community.

Community Features

SBI is more than a marketplace — it's a community of growers, breeders, and genetics enthusiasts.

For Growers

  • Write reviews on strains you've grown
  • Share grow photos and reports
  • Follow your favorite breeders for updates
  • Participate in seed swaps with verified members
  • Bookmark strains and build your wish list

For Researchers

  • Browse 33,000+ strains in the genetics database
  • Trace lineage across generations
  • Explore flavor and effect inheritance patterns
  • Export data for analysis (Pro view CSV)
  • Submit corrections to improve data accuracy

Trust and Safety

SBI is built around trust infrastructure. Every layer of the platform is designed to ensure that buyers get authentic genetics and sellers get fair compensation.

  • Breeder verification — Identity-confirmed sellers with traceable breeding histories
  • Cryptographic provenance — SHA-256 certificates that cannot be forged or altered
  • Community oversight — Reviews, ratings, and correction submissions improve data quality over time
  • Transparent lineage — The genetics database creates accountability by making breeding claims publicly verifiable

If you encounter issues with an order, SBI's support team handles disputes. The provenance certificate provides an objective record of what was purchased, making resolution straightforward.

Ready to Get Started?

Browse the catalog, explore the genetics database, or create an account to start buying and selling verified cannabis genetics.