Custom Gas Tokens and Why Plasma Eliminates the “Native Token Problem”
One of the most overlooked barriers to blockchain adoption is the requirement for users to hold a native gas token just to transact. Plasma directly addresses this problem through custom gas tokens, a feature designed for stablecoin-first applications.
On Plasma, developers can allow users to pay transaction fees using approved ERC-20 tokens, including stablecoins like USD₮. This removes the need for users to acquire XPL before interacting with applications.
For everyday users, this is transformative. There is no onboarding friction, no token swapping, and no confusion about gas prices. Users simply use the asset they already understand and trust.
From a developer perspective, custom gas tokens dramatically improve conversion and retention. Applications can offer seamless UX that mirrors traditional fintech apps, while still operating fully onchain.
Crucially, Plasma’s approach avoids the risks of general-purpose paymasters. The protocol maintains and audits the gas abstraction logic, ensuring security, predictability, and fee-free usage for developers.
Custom gas tokens aren’t just about convenience — they represent a shift toward blockchain systems that adapt to user behavior rather than forcing users to adapt to protocol mechanics.
