Governance Token Utility

Definition ∞ Governance token utility is the functional purpose of a cryptocurrency that grants holders voting rights within a decentralized protocol. These tokens allow participants to propose and vote on significant protocol changes, treasury allocations, and other operational parameters. The utility extends to influencing the direction and development of the underlying blockchain project. It serves as a mechanism for decentralized decision-making and community control.
Context ∞ News often reports on major governance proposals and their outcomes, highlighting the power dynamics within various decentralized autonomous organizations. A central debate concerns voter apathy, whale dominance, and the effectiveness of current governance models. Future iterations may involve liquid democracy, quadratic voting, or other innovative approaches to enhance participation and fairness.