The Moonbeam Network builds cross-chain connected DApps, offering an Ethereum-compatible smart contract platform that allows for the easy construction of natively interoperable applications. Powered by the Polkadot network and developed by PureStake, Moonbeams smart contracts and compatibility with the Ethereum development toolkit enable the rapid building of decentralized applications that can be used alongside users and assets on remote chains through bridged integrations.

As a decentralized smart contract platform, Moonriver requires the River token to function. This token is at the core of Moonrivers design and cannot be removed without sacrificing fundamental functionality.

Some uses of the River token on Moonriver include:
gas metering to support smart contract execution;
incentivizing collaborators and powering the decentralized node infrastructure upon which the platform runs;
facilitating on-chain governance mechanisms, including proposing referendums, electing council members, and voting;
paying transaction fees on the network.

The supply and other token economic behaviors on Moonriver mirror those of Moonbeam, but the token distribution will differ to support the unique goals and attributes of the network. Moonriver will serve as the "canary network" for Moonbeam, but it is also a community-led experiment where the community will determine its direction. Among other things, Moonriver will use a large parachain crowdloan to secure its initial parachain slot on Kusama.