How Can a Derivative Protocol Use a Token Burn Mechanism to Manage Protocol Debt?

A derivative protocol can use a token burn to manage "protocol debt" or "system surplus" by buying back and destroying its own governance or utility tokens from the open market. When the protocol runs a surplus (e.g. from liquidation fees or trading fees), it uses those funds to buy the tokens.

Burning them reduces the circulating supply, which theoretically increases the value of the remaining tokens, effectively distributing the surplus back to the holders and reducing the overall debt liability of the system.

What Is a ‘Proof-of-Burn’ Consensus Mechanism?
How Can a Token Buyback and Burn Mechanism Create Value for Governance Token Holders?
How Does a “Burn Mechanism” Affect the Supply and Potential Value of a Derivative Protocol’s Token?
What Is the Concept of Token Burn and How Is It Used to Manage Token Value?
What Is a Token Burn Mechanism and How Does It Affect Token Supply?
What Is the Role of a ‘Token Burn’ in Cryptocurrency Economics?
Is a Buyback-and-Burn Mechanism Superior to a Direct Fee Burn from a Valuation Perspective?
How Is the ‘Burn Rate’ of a Token Used to Manage Supply and Incentivize Loyalty?

Glossar