Gitcoin

A pattern is emerging in the web3 ecosystem: **digital coordination tools are advancing faster than physical resilience infrastructure**. While numerous teams focus on digital coordination, fewer are building in critical areas like: - Biosecurity - Decentralized energy systems - Open source hardware These physical-layer technologies protect more than just information—they safeguard bodies and critical infrastructure. **The gap raises important questions**: Why does this disparity exist? What barriers prevent more teams from entering these spaces? The observation suggests that physical resilience infrastructure may need more attention and resources to catch up with digital coordination efforts.

Gitcoin has released an expanded version of its **d/acc Market Map**, a living document that maps technologies favoring defense over offense. The framework, based on Vitalik Buterin's concept of defensive acceleration, examines how systems can distribute rather than concentrate power. **Key developments:** - The map now covers the full defensive acceleration stack, extending beyond cryptocurrency - Focus on how funding mechanisms determine what gets defended - Document remains open for ongoing refinement and expansion The research explores how defensive acceleration exists in currently deployed systems, examining the relationship between funding structures and defensive capabilities. Read the full research: [Gitcoin d/acc Market Map](https://www.gitcoin.co/research/d-acc-market-map)

**Funding mechanisms are emerging as a critical strategic component in the defensive acceleration (d/acc) technology stack.** The core insight: how capital is allocated directly determines which defensive technologies receive resources to develop and sustain operations. This creates a direct link between funding structures and what ultimately gets protected. **Key implications:** - Funding mechanisms aren't neutral—they actively shape the defensive technology landscape - Capital allocation acts as a filter determining which projects survive or fail - The "how" of funding is as important as the "what" being funded This perspective positions capital allocation not as a passive support function, but as an active strategic lever that communities can use to direct defensive technology development toward their priorities.

**Core infrastructure focus**: Anti-collusion voting, privacy-preserving cryptography, and open source security form the essential defense layer for web3 systems. **Critical dependency**: These baseline protections prevent catastrophic failures across the entire stack. Without this foundation, higher-level applications and protocols cannot function securely. **Context matters**: Following major breaches like the theft of Social Security numbers, the emphasis on conflict-resistant systems has become urgent. The message is clear - survival-level defenses aren't optional extras but fundamental requirements for digital infrastructure.

New coordination systems are emerging that enable communities to allocate resources without central control. These include: - **Quadratic funding** - Democratic resource allocation - **RetroPGF** - Retroactive public goods funding - **Streaming payments** - Continuous value distribution These mechanisms form what's being called the "institutional layer of d/acc" (defensive acceleration). They allow groups to make collective decisions and fund initiatives while maintaining decentralization. Recent workshops have explored how these systems can create resilient funding architectures that protect public goods research and regenerative projects from institutional failure.

The defense landscape shows an imbalance between digital and physical protection layers. **Digital defenses are maturing:** - Zero-knowledge proofs enable privacy-preserving verification - Encrypted communications protect information flows - Decentralized identity systems reduce single points of failure - These tools shift economics in favor of defenders **Physical infrastructure protection needs development:** - Biosecurity measures remain underdeveloped - Open source hardware lacks widespread adoption - Decentralized energy systems require further buildout - These technologies protect bodies and critical infrastructure, not just data The gap suggests physical-layer defenses require more attention and resources to match the progress made in digital security.

Gitcoin has released the **deep funding update** for GG24's Web3 Tooling and Infrastructure round. **Key Details:** - Projects can now check their qualification status for deep funding - Part of GG24's six-domain structure allocating **$1.8M total** - First round fully designed through structured sensemaking - Focuses on developer tooling and infrastructure projects This represents Gitcoin's approach to directing capital toward critical Web3 development needs. [Check qualification status](https://gov.gitcoin.co/t/deep-funding-gg24-web3-tooling-and-infra-round/25040)

Gitcoin has outlined a strategic reset for 2026, moving away from its previous approach to focus on three core principles: **The AAA Framework:** - **Alignment**: Fund projects that advance human thriving - **Alpha**: Identify and attract high-potential builders - **Accelerate**: Operate with small, efficient teams **Coalition-First Funding** The platform will require projects to demonstrate 60-70% funding from external sources before receiving Gitcoin support. This approach aims to surface builders with genuine community backing through the upcoming GG25 round. **Experimental Approach** Rather than committing to large-scale initiatives, Gitcoin will run low-budget, time-limited experiments throughout 2026. The organization will only pursue recapitalization and scaling after these experiments show clear traction and legitimacy. This represents a significant shift from Gitcoin's previous grant-making model, emphasizing validation and external support over direct funding. The strategy suggests a more cautious approach following lessons learned from past rounds. [Read the full strategy](https://gov.gitcoin.co/t/gitcoin-2026-strategy-tl-dr/25049/1)

Gitcoin has announced its evolution into version 3.0, marking a significant shift in how public goods funding operates. **The Three Phases:** - **Gitcoin 1.0 (2020)**: Centralized platform focused on Quadratic Funding - **Gitcoin 2.0 (2024)**: Decentralized QF with modular protocols - **Gitcoin 3.0 (2026+)**: Comprehensive portfolio of funding mechanisms **Key Changes:** The new version moves beyond a single funding method to embrace multiple approaches: - Various flavors of Quadratic Funding - Quadratic Voting - Direct Grants - Retroactive public goods funding This transition reflects a broader understanding that different projects and communities need different funding tools. Rather than relying solely on one mechanism, Gitcoin 3.0 aims to provide a complete toolkit for capital allocation. The platform continues its expansion across all EVM-based communities, with tools like Gitcoin Passport extending beyond the original Ethereum ecosystem to protect various blockchain communities from Sybil attacks. This evolution represents a maturation from a single-purpose platform to a diverse ecosystem of funding solutions.

**Core developer undercompensation** has moved beyond anecdotal concerns to become a **measurable crisis** affecting blockchain infrastructure. Trent Van Epps presented compelling data at Schelling Point, highlighting how inadequate funding threatens the sustainability of critical development work across the ecosystem. Key findings reveal: - Systematic underfunding of essential infrastructure work - Growing gap between developer value creation and compensation - Need for coordinated community response The research provides concrete evidence for what many developers have experienced firsthand - that current funding models fail to adequately support the builders maintaining blockchain networks. **This isn't just a developer problem** - it's an ecosystem sustainability issue that affects everyone relying on these networks. Watch the full presentation: [Schelling Point Talk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5qPYZLGD3U) *Understanding this data is crucial for anyone invested in long-term blockchain infrastructure health.*