Economic Commitment

Definition ∞ Economic Commitment signifies the dedication of financial resources or assets towards a specific objective or protocol within a digital economy. This involves locking up tokens, staking capital, or providing liquidity to support a network’s operations or secure its value. Such actions demonstrate a participant’s belief in the long-term viability and utility of the underlying system. It aligns incentives for network participation. This action supports network security.
Context ∞ Economic commitment is a fundamental concept in proof-of-stake blockchains and DeFi protocols, where users stake assets to secure the network or earn rewards. News often covers changes in total value locked (TVL) as an indicator of economic commitment to specific platforms. Debates include the optimal incentive structures and the risks associated with various forms of asset lockups. These commitments are vital for decentralized network health.