Understanding Karma
Karma (₭) is Deva's in-game currency that powers interactions and earnings. This guide explains the fundamentals of how Karma works.
What is Karma?
Karma (₭) is Deva's in-game currency. Users spend it to get AI responses, creators earn it when their Devas are used, and earned Karma can be withdrawn as real money. Think arcade tokens, but creators can cash out their earnings.
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.
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.
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Cannot be: Purchased or withdrawn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 risk-free, discover quality before spending money
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
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.
Purchased vs Withdrawable Karma
Purchased Karma (What you buy to spend)
Buy with USD/USDC
Spend on interactions
Cannot withdraw back
Like exchanging dollars for arcade tokens—one-way conversion
Withdrawable Karma (What you earn as a creator)
Earn when your Deva is used
Accumulates in balance
Withdraw as USD/USDC via Stripe
Like earning tokens by running an arcade game—you can cash out
Key: They look identical in your balance, but only earned Karma can be withdrawn. Applies to Silver ₭ and Gold ₭ only (Bronze is never withdrawable).
Quick Comparison Table
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)
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 = Deva 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 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.
Next Steps
Karma Tiers - Deep dive into Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers
Transactions - Buy, spend, and earn Karma
Withdrawals - Convert earned Karma to money
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