Polkadot’s DOT token is tightly integrated into its ecosystem, used for staking, governance, and bonding parachains through auctions. This creates strong demand for DOT, as projects must lock significant amounts to secure parachain slots, potentially reducing circulating supply and driving price appreciation. Polkadot’s shared security model also ensures that all parachains rely on the Relay Chain’s validators, reinforcing DOT’s utility. However, the capital-intensive nature of parachain auctions may deter smaller projects, limiting ecosystem diversity.