Curve DAO Token (CRV) is a fundamental component of Curve, a decentralized exchange with a primary focus on stablecoins. Curve, launched in January 2020, has emerged as a notable entity in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. In August of the same year, Curve introduced a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), with CRV serving as its native token. The DAO utilizes an Ethereum-based creation tool, Aragon, to connect multiple smart contracts used for users' deposited liquidity. CRV is used for governance, awarded to users based on their liquidity commitment and duration of ownership.

Curve functions as an automated market maker (AMM) specifically designed for stablecoin trading. The platform charges a modest fee, which is then distributed to liquidity providers. The introduction of the DAO and CRV token has added another layer of functionality, as CRV is used for governance and is awarded to users based on their liquidity commitment and length of ownership. The platform caters to individuals involved in DeFi activities such as yield farming and liquidity mining, as well as those looking to participate in the ecosystem by holding stablecoins.

CRV serves multiple purposes within the Curve ecosystem. It functions as a governance medium, allowing users to participate in decision-making processes. It also acts as an incentive structure, rewarding users based on their liquidity commitment and duration of ownership. Furthermore, CRV is used as a fee payment method on the platform. The token's versatility makes it valuable to a wide range of users, from those involved in DeFi activities such as yield farming and liquidity mining, to those looking to participate in the ecosystem by holding stablecoins.

Curve, and its native token CRV, were launched in January and August 2020 respectively by founder and CEO Michael Egorov, a Russian scientist with extensive experience in cryptocurrency-related enterprises. The launch of CRV was part of the introduction of Curve's decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). The total CRV supply is 3.03 billion tokens, with the majority (62%) distributed to liquidity providers. The remainder is divided among shareholders, employees, and a community reserve. The gradual unlocking of tokens has resulted in around 750 million being in circulation one year after launch.