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What is a DAO?

Author
CRYPTO PORT Editorial
Published
Updated
Reading time
5 min

In short

A DAO runs decisions and treasury execution through smart contracts and token voting. It is transparent, but voting power concentrates and its legal status is unsettled.

Key points

  • Proposals and votes are recorded on-chain
  • Treasury execution is automated by contract
  • Voting power tends to concentrate

Definition

A Decentralized Autonomous Organization: an entity governed by token-holder votes.

Proposal, debate, vote and execution are all public, so outsiders can follow how a decision was made. Typical topics are fee changes and treasury allocation.

But influence follows token holdings, so decisions can effectively rest with a few holders. Check the distribution of voting power before joining.

Watch out for

  • · Their legal status in Japan is not settled

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