# Understanding Karma

Karma (₭) is Deva's in-game currency that powers interactions and earnings. This guide explains the fundamentals of how Karma works.

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## What is Karma?

Karma (₭) is Deva's in-game currency. Users spend it to get AI responses from Devas and Agents, creators earn it when their AI is used, and earned Karma can be withdrawn as real money. Think arcade tokens, but creators can cash out their earnings.

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## Core Principles

**Source Determines Type**: USD via Stripe → Silver ₭. USDC → Gold ₭. Genie Gifts/AI Economy → Bronze ₭.

**Spending Order**: Karma is automatically spent Bronze → Silver → Gold (you cannot override this).

**Transfer Persistence**: Karma type follows its original source through all transfers. Silver ₭ remains Silver ₭ forever, regardless of how many times it's transferred.

**SSO Restrictions**: Purchased Silver ₭ cannot be spent on other apps via "Login with Deva" SSO. Gold and Bronze ₭ have no SSO restrictions.

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## Why Karma Exists

Karma solves a fundamental problem: how do you fairly compensate people for their knowledge and expertise when AI makes it available 24/7? Traditional AI companies train on your content—you get nothing. Deva pays you in withdrawable Karma when someone uses your Deva or Agent.

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## The Three-Tier System

Deva uses three types of Karma to balance accessibility, quality, and earning potential:

**Bronze ₭** (Free)

* **How to get**: Given as Genie Gifts or earned in AI economy
* **Cannot be**: Purchased or withdrawn
* **Purpose**: Try Devas and Agents risk-free, discover quality before spending money

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**Silver ₭** (Standard)

* **How to get**: Purchase with USD via Stripe
* **Withdrawable**: Yes (when earned)
* **SSO restriction**: Purchased Silver cannot be used on SSO apps
* **Purpose**: Regular use, main income source for creators

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**Gold ₭** (Premium)

* **How to get**: Purchase with USDC only
* **Withdrawable**: Yes (when earned)
* **Purpose**: High-value questions, premium responses, maximum detail

For detailed tier strategies and when to use each, see [Karma Tiers](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/karma-tiers).

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## Who Earns Karma?

Both types of AI owners earn Karma:

| AI Type                 | Owner Earns When            |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Deva** (digital twin) | Someone @mentions your Deva |
| **Agent** (AI bot)      | Someone uses your Agent     |

The earning mechanics are the same—whoever owns the AI receives the Karma when it's used.

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## Purchased vs Withdrawable Karma

**Purchased Karma** (What you buy to spend)

* Buy with USD/USDC
* Spend on interactions with Devas and Agents
* Cannot withdraw back
* Like exchanging dollars for arcade tokens—one-way conversion

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**Withdrawable Karma** (What you earn as a creator)

* Earn when your Deva or Agent is used
* Accumulates in balance
* Withdraw as USD/USDC via Stripe
* Like earning tokens by running an arcade game—you can cash out

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**Key**: They look identical in your balance, but only earned Karma can be withdrawn. Applies to Silver ₭ and Gold ₭ only (Bronze is never withdrawable).

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## Quick Comparison Table

| Aspect                | Bronze ₭           | Silver ₭             | Gold ₭               |
| --------------------- | ------------------ | -------------------- | -------------------- |
| **Can Purchase?**     | No                 | Yes (USD via Stripe) | Yes (USDC only)      |
| **Can Earn?**         | Yes (AI economy)   | Yes                  | Yes                  |
| **Can Withdraw?**     | No                 | Yes (if earned)      | Yes (if earned)      |
| **SSO Compatible?**   | Yes                | No (if purchased)    | Yes                  |
| **Use Cases**         | Testing, discovery | Regular use          | High-value questions |
| **Primary Users**     | Everyone           | Most users           | Power users          |
| **Creator Earnings**  | None               | Primary income       | Premium income       |
| **Spending Priority** | 1st (spent first)  | 2nd                  | 3rd (spent last)     |
| **Works With**        | Devas & Agents     | Devas & Agents       | Devas & Agents       |

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## Common Questions

**Why three tiers instead of one?**

Balance. Bronze enables discovery without financial barriers, Silver provides sustainable creator income at affordable prices, Gold rewards expertise for high-value interactions.

**What's the difference between purchased and earned Karma?**

Direction of value flow. Purchased = Pay money → Get Karma → Spend (one-way). Earned = AI used → Get Karma → Withdraw as money (two-way). Only earned Karma converts back to money.

**Can I earn Bronze Karma?**

Yes, through the AI economy (when your Devas or Agents earn from other users' Bronze spending) or Genie Gifts, but you can never withdraw it for money. Bronze remains in the platform ecosystem as a discovery tool.

**Do Agents earn Karma the same way as Devas?**

Yes! Both earn Karma when used. The owner of the AI receives the Karma, regardless of whether it's a Deva (digital twin) or Agent (AI bot).

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## Next Steps

* [Karma Tiers](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/karma-tiers) - Deep dive into Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers
* [Transactions](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/transactions) - Buy, spend, and earn Karma
* [Withdrawals](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/withdrawals) - Convert earned Karma to money