$RARI is the native ERC-20 token of the Rarible ecosystem, designed to govern and support a community-driven framework for decentralized NFT infrastructure. Launched in 2020 with a maximum supply of 25 million tokens, RARI fuels both the Rarible Protocol and RARI Chain, while underpinning governance through the RARI DAO and the RARI Foundation.
What is RARI?
RARI serves as the governance and utility token for the Rarible ecosystem, which comprises two foundational components:
- Rarible Protocol: A free-to-use, open-source infrastructure for building NFT applications including marketplaces, wallets, analytics tools, and more.
- RARI Chain: An Ethereum Layer 3 (L3) chain offering low-cost and secure NFT transactions, with unique node-level enforcement of royalty payments to ensure creator compensation.
The token plays a central role in the RARI DAO, allowing users to convert their RARI into veRARI (vote-escrowed RARI) to participate in governance decisions, manage treasury funds, and direct ecosystem growth. Through veRARI, users can propose and vote on improvements, funding decisions, and protocol upgrades, reinforcing a community-centric model of decentralized innovation.
The Role of the RARI Foundation and DAO
The RARI Foundation, a legal entity based in the Cayman Islands, represents the interests of the RARI DAO and is tasked with executing its vision. Together, they govern the core infrastructure layers of the ecosystem, focusing on:
- Stewarding the RARI DAO Treasury
- Facilitating ecosystem development and partnerships
- Expanding NFT adoption and utility through open-source tools
By fostering a collaborative, transparent, and decentralized governance model, the Foundation and DAO aim to build a creator-first digital economy that redefines ownership and value in Web3.
Token Distribution and Circulating Supply
Upon its issuance in 2020, RARI’s token distribution was structured to encourage early community participation and long-term ecosystem development:
- 10% airdropped to NFT holders across the crypto community
- 60% allocated as rewards to users of applications built on Rarible Protocol
- 30% distributed to investors and the Rarible team
The total supply of RARI is capped at 25 million tokens. Locked tokens, converted into veRARI, are used to engage in DAO governance and vote on critical matters.
Security and Integrity of RARI
Security is a foundational priority for the Rarible ecosystem. The RARI Chain incorporates node-level royalty enforcement, ensuring fair compensation for creators and minimizing manipulation. Additionally, the ecosystem employs multiple security layers:
- Governance Safeguards: Decentralized control via veRARI deters centralization and malicious governance actions.
- Technical Audits: The RARI Foundation routinely conducts audits and implements patches to proactively mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Community Oversight: With open governance and treasury transparency, users play a critical role in maintaining protocol integrity.
These combined efforts protect user assets and support the ecosystem's long-term sustainability.
Availability and Community Involvement
$RARI is widely available on both centralized and decentralized exchanges, allowing users easy access to participate in the governance of one of the leading open NFT infrastructures. Community members can also engage directly through the Rarible Discord, where discussions, proposals, and initiatives take shape in real time.
Conclusion
RARI is more than just a token—it's a gateway to shaping the future of NFTs through decentralized governance and open infrastructure. As the Web3 space continues to evolve, the Rarible Protocol and RARI Chain stand as essential building blocks for NFT developers and creators, with RARI empowering users to play a direct role in the direction and success of the ecosystem.