Aeternity (AE) is the native cryptocurrency of the Aeternity blockchain platform. It plays a central role in the platform's ecosystem, serving several key purposes:

1. Transaction Fees: AE is used to pay for transaction fees on the network. Every transaction requires a small amount of AE as a fee, ensuring that the network is incentivized to process transactions efficiently.

2. Smart Contract Execution: AE is used to fuel the execution of smart contracts. This means that AE is necessary to facilitate the operation of decentralized applications (DApps) built on the Aeternity platform.

3. Mining and Governance: AE is used as a reward for mining efforts and is also vital for the system's governance. AE token holders have a say in the future of Aeternity through the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which allows them to vote on system values such as block size, fees, and forks.

4. Decentralized Oracles: AE is used to manage decentralized oracles, which provide real-world data to smart contracts. This integration enhances the utility of smart contracts by allowing them to access external data.

5. State Channels: AE enables the use of state channels, which facilitate off-chain smart contract execution. This approach significantly improves scalability and privacy by only requiring on-chain enforcement in case of disputes.

In summary, AE is the lifeblood of the Aeternity ecosystem, facilitating transactions, smart contract execution, mining, governance, and the integration of decentralized oracles and state channels.

To store Aeternity (AE) tokens, you have several wallet options:

1. Trust Wallet: A mobile wallet operated by Binance exchange that supports AE tokens.
2. Atomic Wallet: A well-known wallet that allows you to store your AE coins.
3. Base æpp Wallet: An Aeternity blockchain wallet on Android, enabling AE coin holders to receive, deposit, and send Aeternity tokens.
4. AirGap Aeternity Wallet: A convenient way to store and transfer AE tokens while storing your private key offline.
5. Ledger Nano S: A secure hardware ledger for creating an æternity account.

These wallets provide a safe and convenient way to manage your AE tokens.

To buy Aeternity (AE) tokens, follow these steps:

1. Choose a Crypto Exchange or Wallet:

   • Select a reliable and trustworthy crypto exchange or wallet that supports Aeternity (AE) purchases. Popular options include CoinEx, gate.io, MEXC, and KuCoin.

2. Create an Account:

   • Register an account on the chosen exchange or wallet's official website or app. Verify your identity and secure your account with two-factor authentication.

3. Fund Your Account:

• Deposit fiat currency into your account using a supported payment method such as a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. Some exchanges also offer over-the-counter (OTC) trading services for fiat-to-crypto purchases.

4. Buy a Supported Cryptocurrency:

   • If the exchange does not support direct fiat-to-AE purchases, buy a popular cryptocurrency like USDT, ETH, or BNB using your deposited fiat currency.

5. Transfer to an AE-Supporting Exchange:

   • If necessary, transfer your purchased cryptocurrency to an exchange that supports Aeternity (AE) trading.

6. Buy Aeternity (AE):

• Use your deposited or transferred cryptocurrency to buy Aeternity (AE) in the spot market.

7. Store Your AE:
   • Once purchased, store your Aeternity (AE) tokens in your exchange wallet or transfer them to a personal cryptocurrency wallet for added security.

Remember to research the fees, security features, and supported currencies before choosing an exchange, and always follow best practices for securing your cryptocurrency assets.