Governance Tokens

Definition ∞ Governance tokens are digital assets that grant holders the right to vote on proposals concerning the development and operation of a decentralized protocol or platform. These tokens confer voting power, allowing the community to collectively make decisions about protocol upgrades, parameter changes, and treasury allocation. Possession of these tokens signifies a stake in the governance of the associated decentralized entity. They are central to the functioning of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
Context ∞ News regarding governance tokens frequently highlights proposals being submitted, voted on, and implemented within various decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Discussions often center on the distribution mechanisms of these tokens, their impact on decentralization, and the potential for concentrated ownership to influence decision-making. Analysts are examining the effectiveness of different governance models and their ability to foster robust community participation.