The Evolution and Impact of DAOs: From Experiment to Billions in Management
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) have transformed from a 2016 experiment into significant players managing multi-billion dollar treasuries. Key developments:
- Over 400 active DAOs now operate with treasury holdings exceeding many traditional corporations
- **Leading examples**: Arbitrum ($1.68B), Curve Finance ($1.43B), Gnosis ($1.13B)
- Core features include smart contract governance, token-based voting, and automated execution
*Current Challenges*:
- Low voter participation (<10%)
- Whale influence concerns
- Technical accessibility barriers
- Regulatory uncertainty
DAOs are evolving with new models including specialized subcommittees, reputation-based voting, and real-world asset integration.
[Learn more about DAOs](https://www.meeds.io/portal/blog/guides/dao-meaning-explained/)