Gas fees represent the payments made to validators who play a crucial role in the blockchain ecosystem by completing transactions, validating them into blocks, and ensuring the overall security of the blockchain network.
In order to execute transactions on the blockchain network, gas is required. This means that whenever you send tokens, interact with a smart contract, or perform any action that requires processing on the blockchain, you are required to pay for the computational resources that are utilized. This payment is measured in gas, which is always expressed in terms of Ether (ETH), the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network.
It is important to note that regardless of the outcome of your transaction—whether it is successful or fails—you are still responsible for covering the associated computational costs. This is because, even if a transaction does not go through, validators must still verify and process the transaction, which consumes valuable computational resources. As a result, you are expected to compensate for this computational effort, just as you would for a transaction that is successfully completed. Essentially, this means that the obligation to pay gas fees is a fundamental aspect of engaging with the blockchain, underscoring the importance of these fees in maintaining the network's functionality and security.