> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.havenprotocol.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.havenprotocol.org/faq/overview/what-is-haven/how-does-it-work.md). # How does it work? Haven uses what is known as a 'mint & burn' process to convert between all supported assets on the network. Once a person owns XHV (the volatile Haven base currency) that can then be used as network collateral to convert to any other supported xAsset. When a user converts from XHV to xUSD, they mint xUSD and burn the equivalent USD worth of XHV. This can be simply explained by the example below: Anne owns 200 XHV with a market value of $2. She decides to convert all of her XHV to xUSD so (200 x $2 = $400) therefore she receives 400 xUSD (minus fees). This process is carried out in her own private digital vault with no 3rd party intermediaries, or the need to use a centralised exchange. The assets on the network are known as **xAssets.** --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://wiki.havenprotocol.org/faq/overview/what-is-haven/how-does-it-work.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.