> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://graphai-1.gitbook.io/graphai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://graphai-1.gitbook.io/graphai/token-utility.md).

# Token Utility

The $GAI token is the core utility asset powering the GraphAI ecosystem, aligning incentives and participation across the network. Here’s how $GAI is used:

#### 1. **Access to Platform Services**

$GAI unlocks premium GraphAI features, including advanced data indexing, live sub-index creation, and AI-optimized querying. Developers and enterprises use $GAI to interact with knowledge graphs and the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

#### 2. **Staking and Node Incentives**

Participants stake $GAI to operate or support indexing nodes and validators, who are rewarded for processing, embedding, and maintaining blockchain data, as well as securing the network.

#### 3. **Curator Incentives**

Curators stake $GAI to identify, validate, and signal high-quality sub-indexes and knowledge graphs, earning a share of query and marketplace fees for surfacing valuable datasets.

#### 4. **Data Marketplace Payments**

$GAI is used as the payment medium for data, analytics, and AI services in the decentralized marketplace, rewarding data providers, curators, and analysts for their contributions.

#### 5. **Grants**

A portion of $GAI tokens is reserved for grants to fund developers, researchers, and community members contributing to the growth, integrations, and expansion of the GraphAI ecosystem.