what is this term for a digital tool that accesses tokens on the books?

The term you’re probably looking for is “token-gated access tool” or more simply a “token-gated app”.

What that means in plain language

A token-gated tool is a digital application or service that checks whether you hold certain tokens “on the books” (on-chain / in your wallet / in the ledger) and then gives you access, rights, or features based on that.

• “Tokens” = digital units recorded on a ledger (often a blockchain) that prove ownership, access rights, or membership.

• “On the books” = those tokens are officially recorded, not just promised off-chain.

So if a system is reading your token balance (for books, memberships, NFTs, credits, etc.) and then unlocking something, it’s essentially a token-gated access tool.

Related terms you might also mean

If you’re thinking in a more financial or accounting sense, some nearby concepts are:

• Tokenization platform – turns assets (like e‑books or other content) into tokens on a ledger.

• Digital wallet / wallet integration – the part that actually reads which tokens you hold.

• Access control system – generic term for any system that grants/denies access based on holdings or permissions.

But if you want a concise, current phrase for “digital tool that accesses tokens on the books to control what you can do,” token-gated access tool is usually the most recognizable.

TL;DR:
A digital tool that checks which tokens you officially hold and unlocks stuff accordingly is most often called a token-gated access tool / app.