> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt)

# $AZTEC Token Overview

The $AZTEC token is the native token of the Aztec network. It serves multiple essential functions that keep the network secure and operational.

## Token Specifications

| Property             | Value                                        |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Token Name**       | Aztec                                        |
| **Ticker**           | AZTEC                                        |
| **Standard**         | ERC-20 (Ethereum)                            |
| **Contract Address** | `0xA27EC0006e59f245217Ff08CD52A7E8b169E62D2` |
| **Decimals**         | 18                                           |
| **Total Supply**     | 10,350,000,000 AZTEC                         |

note

Please verify the contract address and other specifications with official Aztec sources before interacting with the token.

## Token Utility

The $AZTEC token has three primary uses:

### 1. Transaction Fees

All transactions on Aztec require fees. Fees are paid in [Fee Juice](/participate/basics/fees.md), a non-transferable fee asset created by bridging $AZTEC from Ethereum into Aztec. This covers:

* Sending private transactions
* Interacting with smart contracts
* Deploying new contracts

### 2. Staking

Sequencers and validators must stake $AZTEC to participate in block production:

* Provides economic security for the network
* Creates incentives for honest behavior
* Enables slashing for malicious actions

### 3. Governance

$AZTEC holders can participate in protocol governance:

* Vote on protocol upgrades
* Influence network parameters
* Shape the future of Aztec

## Tokenomics

### Supply

The $AZTEC token has a fixed initial supply with a controlled inflation mechanism to fund network rewards.

### Inflation Rate

The protocol has a nominal annual inflation rate defined in the CoinIssuer contract. This rate:

* Funds rewards for sequencers and provers
* Is capped and cannot be changed after deployment
* Represents the maximum possible inflation (actual may be lower)

### Token Distribution

Checkpoint rewards are distributed each slot:

* **70%** to block proposers (sequencers)
* **30%** to provers

See [Economics & Rewards](/participate/token/economics.md) for detailed information on how rewards work.

## How to Participate

As a token holder, you have several options:

| Action                                           | What It Does                                | Requirements                            |
| ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **[Stake](/participate/token/staking.md)**       | Secure the network, earn rewards            | Meet minimum stake threshold            |
| **[Delegate](/participate/token/delegation.md)** | Earn rewards without running infrastructure | Choose an operator to delegate to       |
| **[Vote](/participate/token/voting.md)**         | Participate in governance                   | Hold staked or governance-locked tokens |

## Understanding the Risks

Before staking or participating, understand:

* **Slashing** - Validators can lose stake for misbehavior
* **Lock-up periods** - Unstaking requires waiting through exit delays
* **Market risk** - Token value can fluctuate

See [Staking](/participate/token/staking.md) for details on staking requirements and risks.

***

Want to run infrastructure?

If you're interested in operating a node, sequencer, or prover, see the [Operator Guides](/operate/operators.md).