GNO is the staking and governance token of Gnosis, the ecosystem behind Gnosis Chain, Gnosis Pay and GnosisDAO. Validators need just 1 GNO to help secure the chain, and holders vote on how the DAO's treasury and roadmap are run.

So, what can you actually do with GNO in 2026? At Polkastarter, holders can put it toward something tangible, from authenticated trading cards and sealed products to video games. New users can also claim a free mystery pack.

If you'd rather put your GNO toward a trip, CoinBooking lets you use it to book flights and hotels with prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com. New users can also get $25 off their first booking.

Here are six ways to use GNO in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• GNO can be used to purchase verified trading cards, sealed products, and video games through Polkastarter. New users also get a free mystery pack after signing up.
• Through CoinBooking, GNO holders can book flights and accommodation at prices up to 30% cheaper than Booking.com, and first-time users can claim $25 off their first booking.
• Within Gnosis, GNO is staked to secure Gnosis Chain, where 1 GNO is enough to run a validator, and it carries voting rights in GnosisDAO. In August 2026, the DAO approved GIP-153 to turn the chain into an Ethereum rollup.
• Mastercard-linked crypto debit cards can let you spend GNO at millions of merchants worldwide, wherever the card and asset are supported.
• GNO can be used to buy gift cards, prepaid products and mobile top-ups from more than 5,000 brands across 185+ countries on Coinsbee.

What Is Gnosis (GNO)?

Gnosis is an ecosystem that builds open financial infrastructure on Ethereum, from its own blockchain, Gnosis Chain, to the self-custodial Gnosis Pay Visa card. It started in 2015 as a prediction market project and formed Gnosis Chain in late 2021 by merging with xDai Chain.

Martin Köppelmann and Stefan George founded Gnosis inside ConsenSys before it spun out in April 2017 and held its token sale. The team also incubated Safe and CoW Swap, and the project is now run through GnosisDAO.

GNO is the staking and governance token of the ecosystem. It has no published maximum supply, with about 2.6 million GNO in circulation out of a total of around 3 million. It trades on exchanges such as Binance, Coinbase and Kraken.

How Does Gnosis (GNO) Work?

Gnosis Chain is an EVM-compatible Proof-of-Stake blockchain that runs the same client software as Ethereum. It uses two tokens: xDAI, a stablecoin that pays for transactions and keeps fees low, and GNO, which validators stake to secure the network.

Running a validator takes just 1 GNO instead of Ethereum's 32 ETH, so many validators are home stakers rather than data centres. Validators earn rewards for their work, based on network participation and performance.

GNO holders also vote on GnosisDAO proposals, which steer the treasury and the direction of the chain.

Gnosis Chain is a good fit if you want low fees you can plan around. You pay for transactions in xDAI, a stablecoin, so gas doesn't swing with the market. And if you hold GNO, just 1 GNO is enough to run your own validator, and your tokens give you a vote in GnosisDAO.

1. Buy Physical Collectibles With GNO on Polkastarter

Polkastarter lets GNO holders purchase authenticated physical collectibles, such as trading cards, sealed products, and video games. The items are authenticated and kept in professional storage, while ownership is recorded on-chain.

Depending on the item, owners can ask for delivery or relist it on the marketplace. GNO is not accepted directly at checkout, so you need to convert it into a supported cryptocurrency first.

Once the account is funded, holders can browse the available collectibles and Lootboxes, with the contents, value, and odds displayed before purchase. First-time users can also get a free mystery pack after signing up.

Visit the Polkastarter marketplace to see the latest products and supported payment options.

What I like about Polkastarter is that the collectibles are real, authenticated items. You hold the item on-chain while it sits in professional custody, and whenever you want it at home, you can have it delivered. If you'd prefer to sell, you can just list it back on the marketplace.

2. Book Hotels and Flights With GNO on CoinBooking

Looking to spend GNO on something outside the Gnosis ecosystem? Travel is one practical option. You can book hotels and flights on CoinBooking at prices up to 30% below Booking.com.

The Dubai-licensed leading travel broker gives you access to more than 2 million hotels and flights in 190+ countries, with support for GNO and 200+ other cryptocurrencies. GNO can be used directly for your booking, so there's no need to convert it into fiat first. CoinBooking also supports Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

New users can also get $25 off their first booking after signing up.

CoinBooking is the most practical option on this list for anyone with a trip coming up. There are over 2 million hotels and flights to pick from, you can pay with GNO directly, and the prices are up to 30% lower than on Booking.com.

3. Use GNO Across the Gnosis Ecosystem

GNO has its most direct utility within the Gnosis ecosystem itself. Holders can stake it to help secure Gnosis Chain and earn rewards, either by running a validator with as little as 1 GNO or by using a delegated staking provider.

GNO is also the governance token of GnosisDAO, so holders can vote on proposals covering the treasury and the chain's roadmap. Gnosis Pay, the self-custodial Visa card that runs on Gnosis Chain, has also paid cardholders cashback in GNO.

The biggest change came in August 2026, when GnosisDAO approved GIP-153 to turn Gnosis Chain into a ZK-proven rollup settled on Ethereum. The plan retires the chain's own validator set and ends treasury-funded staking rewards, while xDAI stays the gas token. The switch is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

Staking GNO is a good fit if you'd like to help run Gnosis Chain yourself. You can start a validator with just 1 GNO, and your tokens also give you a vote in GnosisDAO. Just remember that GIP-153 retires the validator set and ends treasury-funded rewards, so keep an eye on the timeline.

4. Spend GNO With a Crypto Card

Holders can also spend their GNO through crypto payment cards. Depending on the provider, a card lets you pay online, shop wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted, or make mobile payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay.

The options vary by region. RedotPay is available in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, but not to residents of the US. KAST issues both virtual and physical cards built on Solana, while Ether.fi pairs self-custody with cashback on eligible purchases.

To begin, choose a provider available in your region, fund the account with GNO, and order a card. Check each provider's fees, features, and availability before signing up.

What I like about crypto cards is that they work wherever you already shop. You top up the account with GNO, order your card, and pay online, in stores or with Google Pay and Apple Pay. If you live outside the US, RedotPay covers most regions, and KAST hands you a virtual card as well as a physical one.

5. Buy Gift Cards and Everyday Products With GNO on Coinsbee

Coinsbee provides another option for using GNO for everyday purchases. It supports more than 200 cryptocurrencies and stocks gift cards, prepaid products and mobile top-ups from over 5,000 brands across 185+ countries.

Once you've found a product, pick the denomination, choose GNO as your payment method and complete the transaction. After the payment is confirmed, Coinsbee sends the digital code through its delivery system.

Availability can vary by country, so check the Coinsbee catalogue before you make a purchase.

What stands out to me about Coinsbee is the range. With over 5,000 brands across 185+ countries, there's usually a gift card or a top-up for whatever you need. You pick the amount, pay with GNO, and the code is yours once the payment goes through.

6. Access Early-Stage Token Sales Through CoinTerminal

GNO can also be swapped for supported assets to participate in selected token sales through CoinTerminal. The platform provides access to early-stage projects before their tokens become available on exchanges, with contributions starting from $100 and no staking requirement.

GNO isn't accepted directly for these sales, so you must first convert it into the cryptocurrency specified for the relevant offering, usually USDT. Every launch also comes with a refund window, with the terms set for that specific sale.

Visit CoinTerminal to see currently available launches and review the conditions before contributing.

This makes sense if you'd like your GNO working on something new. You convert it into USDT, pick a sale on CoinTerminal, and join from $100 without any staking requirement. And if you change your mind, there's a refund window for each launch.

Sources

• Gnosis on X, @gnosisdao official announcements, governance news and roadmap updates
• CoinMarketCap, Polkastarter trade volume and market listings
• Binance Academy, What Is Polkastarter (POLS)?
• Revolut, Polkastarter (POLS) Price Today
• CoinMarketCap, Gnosis (GNO) price, market cap and live token data

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Gnosis (GNO) used for?

GNO is the staking and governance token of the Gnosis ecosystem. Validators stake it to secure Gnosis Chain, with 1 GNO enough to run one, and holders vote on GnosisDAO proposals. Under GIP-153, approved in August 2026, the chain's own validator set will be retired once Gnosis Chain becomes an Ethereum rollup.

2. Can I book hotels and flights with GNO?

Yes. CoinBooking, a Dubai-licensed crypto travel platform, lets GNO holders book from more than 2 million hotels and flights in 190+ countries at prices up to 30% below Booking.com. You can also pay with Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, or Apple Pay, and first-time users get $25 off their first booking.

3. What is Gnosis crypto?

Gnosis is a crypto ecosystem founded in 2015 by Martin Köppelmann and Stefan George as a prediction market project on Ethereum. It has since grown into open financial infrastructure, including Gnosis Chain and the Gnosis Pay card, and it incubated Safe and CoW Swap. GNO is its token, and GnosisDAO governs the project.

4. What is Gnosis blockchain?

Gnosis Chain is an EVM-compatible Proof-of-Stake blockchain formed in late 2021, when Gnosis merged with xDai Chain. Transactions are paid in xDAI, a stablecoin, while validators stake GNO. In August 2026, GnosisDAO approved a plan to turn it into a ZK-proven rollup settled on Ethereum, expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

5. What is the current price of Gnosis (GNO) cryptocurrency?

GNO traded at about $114 at the time of writing, with a market capitalisation of around $301 million and a CoinMarketCap rank of #111. That is roughly 90% below its all-time high of $1,088.87 from November 2021. Prices cannot be predicted and this is not investment advice; GNO's role is staking and governance in the Gnosis ecosystem.