GroupPointer (extension)

Mint-side Token-2022 extension that records where a token's group (collection) configuration lives. The grouping analogue of MetadataPointer — can point at a TokenGroup account or the mint itself.

Token-2022 Program 64 bytes concept

What it is

GroupPointer records where a token’s group (collection) configuration lives. It’s the grouping counterpart to MetadataPointer: a layer of indirection that points at a TokenGroup account — either an external one or the mint itself for an inline group.

Why it exists

NFT collections, token families, and any “these tokens belong together” relationship need an on-chain anchor. Metaplex models this with a Collection NFT; Token-2022 models it with the SPL Token Group Interface. GroupPointer is the switch that says “the group config for this token is over here,” mirroring how MetadataPointer works for metadata so the two systems compose predictably.

Byte layout

This is the payload of a GroupPointer TLV entry (extension_type = 20, length = 64). The full on-chain entry adds the 4-byte TLV header (see the TLV layout primer).

Offset	Length	Field	Type	Notes
0	32	`authority`	`OptionalNonZeroPubkey`	Can update the pointer. All-zero means None — frozen.
32	32	`group_address`	`OptionalNonZeroPubkey`	Where the group config lives. All-zero means None (not part of a group).

Total payload: 64 bytes.

The two configurations

Inline: group_address == mint_address. The mint also carries a TokenGroup extension holding the size/max-size config. This is the “group definition” mint — the collection itself.
External: group_address points at another mint that holds the TokenGroup. This token is a member candidate pointing at its collection (members are formally tracked by the separate TokenGroupMember extension).

Where you see it

Token-2022-native NFT collections and token families. Adoption trails Metaplex collections, but the Group Interface is the standards-track way to express collection membership without the Metaplex program.

Common gotchas

Pointer is not the group. GroupPointer only stores an address. The member count, max size, and update authority live in the TokenGroup extension at the pointed-to account.
Verify the pointed-to group’s authority. As with MetadataPointer, anyone can point at someone else’s group account to fake membership. Trust the group’s update_authority, not the raw pointer.
OptionalNonZeroPubkey, not COption. 32-byte fields, all-zeros = None, no tag byte — same encoding family as the other Token-2022 extensions.