Governance tokens, also known as governance coins or governance crypto assets, are a type of cryptocurrency that gives holders the right to participate in the governance of a decentralized organization or protocol.
In most cases, governance tokens are issued by decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) or decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, and can be used by holders to vote on proposals and decisions that affect the organization or protocol.
This can include everything from deciding on the direction and goals of the organization, to electing members of the governance board or other decision-making bodies, to voting on proposals for how the organization’s funds should be used.
Holding a governance token typically confers certain rights and responsibilities on the holder. For example, they may be able to propose and vote on governance decisions, participate in on-chain voting, or receive a portion of the organization’s profits or revenue.
The exact rights and responsibilities associated with governance tokens can vary depending on the specific rules and incentives encoded into the organization or protocol’s smart contracts.
Overall, governance tokens play a key role in the decentralized governance of blockchain-based organizations and protocols. By providing a mechanism for token holders to participate in decision-making and rule-setting, governance tokens can help to ensure that these organizations and protocols are operated in a transparent and decentralized manner.
« Back to Glossary Index