> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.star.fun/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Benefits

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A token should carry real ownership rights, not just speculative upside. Every internet round gives investors **both** - exposure to the company's upside through **equity-backed tokens**, and protection on the downside through **decision markets**.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Upside" icon="arrow-trend-up">
    Equity-backed tokens (Bedrock) tie your token to real company value.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Downside protection" icon="shield-halved">
    Decision markets govern the treasury, so capital can't be misused.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Upside - equity-backed tokens

Through [Bedrock](/founders/ownership#bedrock), your token is anchored to a real equity stake in the company, with enforceable rights behind it.

* **Direct linkage to enterprise value:** the token is tied to real equity structures, reducing ambiguity about what the instrument represents.
* **A clear path in acquisitions:** if the company is bought, value flows through equity to token holders.
* **Institutional readability:** rights, entities, and obligations are explicit, so the model is easier to diligence.

## Downside protection - decision markets

Through [decision markets](/founders/ownership#decision-markets), the project's treasury - raised funds, trading fees, and revenues - is governed by the market rather than founder discretion. As an investor, you can act, not just watch:

* **Open proposals:** holders with **5% of supply** can create a proposal on [combinator.trade](https://www.combinator.trade/).
* **Treasury discipline by default:** high-impact spends and structural changes route through market governance, not unilateral control.
* **Continuous signal:** you can react as information changes, instead of waiting for periodic governance windows.
* **Credible recourse:** transparent processes mean capital can't be arbitrarily diluted or misused.

## Together

Equity for upside, decision markets for downside. Combined, they give investors structured protection that an unstructured token launch can't - a real claim on value, and a real say in how the money behind it is spent.

For early-stage projects raising before their token is live, see the [pre-ICO path under curated raises](/founders/curated-raises).