# Token Economics: The Atomic Unit of AI Value

**Source:** FinOps Foundation · **Published:** Mar 15, 2026 · **Format:** Framework · **Category:** Frameworks
**Measures:** Cost, Outcome (claimed)

The source essay for treating the token as the atomic unit of AI economics — production, consumption, and monetization as three linked layers. This site's tokenomics glossary entries are built on this framing directly.

**Useful for:** Building methodology

Source: https://www.finops.org/insights/token-economics-the-atomic-unit-of-ai-value/