Does decentralized messaging really need its own token?
Been looking into decentralized messaging protocols and keep getting stuck on where a token becomes necessary versus being added because the project happens to be crypto-native. Staking and network security seem like one of the stronger arguments for having one. Governance and incentives make sense in theory too but those can start feeling pretty forced depending on how the protocol works. Towns is one example I came across that uses its own token for staking and network security, which is partly what got me thinking about where that utility line should be.
If the messaging layer can function without a token, what would justify introducing one?
Is securing a decentralized network enough or should the token need a deeper role in how people use the protocol?