Start with first principles: what is the token's primary economic purpose?

Step one is defining the core function. Is the token meant to coordinate decision-making, pay for network access, secure infrastructure, align long-term participation, or distribute economic upside? That primary objective should drive initial design.

• Governance tokens coordinate control.
• Fee tokens facilitate access and usage.
• Staking tokens secure networks or align incentives.
• Utility tokens unlock specific functionality.

Trying to do all of these at once can often dilute clarity. Begin with one dominant function that is tightly integrated into user behavior. As the ecosystem matures and real demand emerges, additional utilities can be layered in deliberately.

Clarity precedes complexity. A focused design compounds; a fragmented one confuses.