> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.emc.network/emc/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.emc.network/emc/emc-network/tokenomics/token-utility.md).

# Token Utility

## **Payment**

* **Gas Fees:** All transactions and smart contract executions on the EMC public chain consume EMC as gas.
* **Service Fees:** AI Agent calls, hardware resource rentals, and data requests can be settled in EMC.

## **Governance**

* **DAO Voting:** EMC holders can participate in governance votes, influencing protocol upgrades, budget allocations, and incentive model adjustments.
* **Proposal Submission:** High-stake or staked users may directly submit proposals that shape the ecosystem’s future direction.

## **Staking**

* **PoAW / Validator Staking:** EMC’s proof-of-AI-Work consensus requires nodes to stake EMC for block rewards and mining incentives.
* **Yield Sharing:** Stakers earn dividends tied to node performance or lock-up duration, enhancing user engagement and loyalty.

## **Burning Mechanisms**

* **Transactional Burns:** EMC spent on compute services (e.g., purchasing network compute via EMC Hub) may be automatically burned.
* **Deflationary Incentives:** Maintaining network stability while reducing circulating supply over time bolsters token scarcity and long-term value.