$WAL is the native token of the Walrus network and plays a central role in how the platform functions and secures its ecosystem. It is designed to be more than a simple payment asset, acting as the backbone that aligns incentives between users, data providers, and the broader network. Every interaction on Walrus is tied to WAL, making the token essential to both utility and security.
As the default payment token, WAL is used for data uploads, storage, and access across the Walrus platform. Users pay in WAL to interact with data services, creating consistent demand tied directly to real network usage. This ensures that the token’s value is closely connected to the growth and activity of the Walrus data ecosystem rather than speculation alone.
Security on Walrus is reinforced through a delegated staking model powered by WAL. Token holders can stake their WAL to support network security and validation, even if they do not operate data management or infrastructure services themselves. This opens participation to a broader group of users while strengthening decentralization and resilience across the network.
Delegated staking also creates a clear incentive structure. Stakers contribute to the integrity of the system and, in return, help maintain reliable data verification and availability. This shared responsibility model allows Walrus to scale securely without requiring every participant to run complex services or infrastructure.
WAL is also set to become deflationary, introducing a long-term value dynamic into the token economy. With each transaction on the network, a portion of WAL will be burned. As data uploads and usage increase, the circulating supply of WAL will gradually decrease, linking network growth directly to token scarcity.
By combining utility, security, and deflationary mechanics, WAL sits at the core of Walrus’ economic design. Its role as a payment token, staking asset, and value-accruing mechanism ensures that as the platform grows and data activity expands, WAL remains a fundamental driver of the Walrus ecosystem.