What Is the Utility of the LINK Token within the Chainlink Ecosystem?
The LINK token is the native cryptocurrency used to pay Chainlink node operators for their data provision services. It also serves as a staking asset; nodes must stake LINK as collateral to participate and are penalized (slashed) for dishonest behavior.
Therefore, LINK acts as the economic incentive and security mechanism, aligning the financial interests of the node operators with the integrity of the data they provide.