ByAUJay
Summary: Hey there! If you're looking to launch a production-ready DAO, I’ve got a chill guide for you that’ll walk you through the process in just 90 days. Let’s dive in! Alright, let’s dive into some important stuff! First off, we’ll chat about how to choose the legal structure that suits you best. You’ve got options like the Utah LLD, the Wyoming DAO LLC, or even the Marshall Islands DAO LLC--each has its perks! Then, we'll move on to getting your tech stack in order. Don’t forget about using OpenZeppelin Governor v5; it's a solid choice for managing your projects. You’ve got quite a few things on your plate, huh? We’re talking about x, Safe + Zodiac SafeSnap, Snapshot/Snapshot X, and Tally/Agora. Plus, you’re also diving into establishing treasury controls, managing delegations, and overseeing grants. Sounds like you're really getting things organized! On top of that, we’re going to include some practices that are ready for 2025, like multichain voting, EAS attestations, and getting prepared for the eventual sunset of OpenZeppelin Defender.
Build a DAO in 90 Days: A Practical Roadmap for Founders
Decision-makers aren’t looking for another deep dive into DAOs. What they really want is a straightforward plan paired with the right tools to tackle 2025 head-on. Hey there! This guide is all about how we at 7Block Labs get DAOs up and running--compliant, secure, and ready for upgrades--in just 90 days. We’re focusing on Layer 2s like Arbitrum and Base, and I’ll walk you through our step-by-step strategy. Let’s dive in!
We've included some super important legal frameworks, like Utah's new DAO entity, some exciting options from Wyoming, and the DAO LLC from the Marshall Islands. On top of that, we’re rolling with some pretty cool modern governance tools, like OpenZeppelin Governor v5. x with Flexible Voting. When it comes to handling treasury execution, we think combining Safe with Zodiac SafeSnap is the way to go. So, when we're talking about identity and keeping those pesky sybil attacks at bay, we're using EAS attestations along with Gitcoin Passport. With Gitcoin's Grants Stack wrapping up, we’ve really nailed down how the grants operations work. Oh, and let’s not forget--we’re really getting into these multichain governance models that are already shaking things up in real-world applications!
If you want to dive deeper into the Utah DAO registrations, just click on this link. It's got all the details you need!
Executive decisions you should make on Day 0
- Chain and fee profile: When you're picking an EVM Layer 2, it's best to look for one that has low and predictable fees. You’ll also want a strong ecosystem to back it up. So, ever since the updates from the whole post-Dencun and ArbOS Atlas thing, Arbitrum has managed to lower its fee floors quite a bit. And on top of that, Optimism-based Layer 2s like Base are also cruising along without any hiccups. Pretty cool to see how things are shaping up! With this approach, you'll be able to manage voting and treasury operations without blowing your budget. You'll keep costs under a dollar and stay flexible, even when things get really busy. (tradingview.com).
- Legal wrapper: If you're looking to dive into the U.S. market... If you're looking to keep things running smoothly and want to protect yourself from personal liability, you might want to explore these options:
- Utah Limited Liability Decentralized Organization (LLD/DAO): So, this is a fresh concept that just launched on January 1, 2024. It's actually the very first law in the United States. that sees a DAO as its own unique type of entity, rather than just a twist on an LLC. You'll need to sign up with the Utah Department. of Commerce. (commerce.utah.gov).
- Wyoming: This state has got your back with a DAO LLC supplement, and starting July 1, 2024, they’re rolling out the DUNA framework for decentralized nonprofit associations. Pretty cool, right? This is a great fit if your organization is all about public goods and has a membership of 100 or more people. (law.justia.com).
- Marshall Islands: Here, you can easily create a DAO LLC that comes with support for series sub-DAOs. It's a pretty flexible option! Getting registered is a breeze--it usually takes less than 30 days. Plus, they offer some solid guidance on tokens and how to protect yourself from any legal issues related to open-source software. (coindesk.com).
- Governance architecture: I think we should roll with OpenZeppelin Governor v5. So, you've got x combined with Timelock and either ERC20Votes or ERC721Votes. If you're feeling a bit adventurous, you could also throw in some Flexible Voting. That's a great way to get creative with fractional vote splits and rolling votes. It really spices things up! This setup is definitely the most actively maintained choice you'll find. Plus, it's got some great backing from vendors and tools like Tally and Agora, which is a nice bonus! And hey, the main folks in charge have a shared game plan, so you know you’re in good hands! Hey, take a look over at openzeppelin.com! They’ve got some cool stuff there that you might find interesting.
The 90‑day plan (week‑by‑week)
Weeks 1-2: Scope, chain, wrapper, and risk envelope
First things first, it’s super important to really clarify your mission. You need to know exactly what assets you’re working with and understand the decision-making rights you have--like figuring out what stays on-chain and what goes off-chain. Oh, and don’t forget to establish your “change budget”--that’s essentially how often you can safely make upgrades without any hiccups.
- Pick an L2! We really like Arbitrum One or Base because they’ve got great fees and their infrastructure is pretty reliable. Don't forget to take a look at how fees are expected to act during the busy periods. The recent update, Arbitrum's Atlas/Phase-2, has actually helped lower the average fees, which is pretty great. On the other hand, Base is taking advantage of those OP-Stack fee dynamics. So, it's definitely worth keeping an eye on both! (tradingview.com).
- Pick your entity wrapper and let's kick off those filings! If you're looking to set up a Utah LLD (under the DAO Act, Title 48-5), there are a few things you'll need to check off your list. First, make sure your name includes either LLD or DAO. You'll also need to grab a smart contract identifier and keep in mind that your registration should be for a perpetual duration. The good news? The Division is currently open for registrations, so you can get started on this right away! (commerce.utah.gov). If you're thinking about starting a DAO, you might want to check out a Wyoming DAO LLC or even a DUNA, especially if you’re leaning more towards a nonprofit setup and appreciate the legal perks that Wyoming has to offer. (law.justia.com). If you need quick remote registration and want to keep your series sub-DAOs safe from liability, you should definitely consider a Marshall Islands DAO LLC with MIDAO. It’s a solid choice! (coindesk.com).
Deliverables:
- Here’s a quick one-pager that breaks down the chain and the legal reasoning behind it.
- Here’s a draft charter that lays out what our proposals will cover, the spending limits we need to stick to, and the emergency powers we'll have.
- We’ve put together a risk register that highlights the main custody issues, potential governance attack points, and the operational service level agreements (SLAs) we need to keep in mind.
Weeks 3-4: Treasury base and execution path
Make sure to set up your main treasury in Safe (previously called Gnosis Safe) with either a 3 out of 5 or a 4 out of 7 threshold. Don't forget to mix it up with different signers and definitely make sure to use hardware wallets. It's super important! Safe has really taken the lead as the top pick for DAO custody. It’s gained a ton of popularity and support across various networks, making it the go-to option for many. (chaincatcher.com).
- Let’s make things easier with some automation for transactions! You can install the Zodiac Reality Module, which is often referred to as SafeSnap. This handy tool allows you to execute Safe transactions without needing to trust anyone--once those transactions get the green light through off-chain votes (thanks to Snapshot), they can be carried out seamlessly via Reality.eth. Hey, just a quick reminder to make sure you configure the oracle. Don't forget to set a minimum bond, establish a cooldown period, and decide how long the answers will stick around before they expire. (zodiac.wiki).
Make sure you’ve got your monitoring tools set up and have those incident response playbooks at the ready. You never know when you'll need them! Hey there! Just a heads-up if you’re using OpenZeppelin Defender: mark your calendars for June 30, 2025. After that date, there won’t be any new sign-ups, and the hosted Defender will be winding down on July 1, 2026. So, make sure you're prepared for these changes! It's a good idea to start thinking about your move to their open-source Relayer/Monitor well before that deadline rolls around. Trust me, getting a head start will make the transition a lot smoother! (blog.openzeppelin.com).
Deliverables:
We've set up the safe and rolled out the signer policy too! This policy lays out how the rotation schedule works and what the revocation process looks like.
- We’ve got the Zodiac Reality Module all set up, and we’ve also created the Snapshot space! We've got our SLOs all set up and ready to go! Plus, we've mapped out a solid migration plan for Defender and the open-source stuff. Check it out here!.
Weeks 5-6: On‑chain governor MVP
- Let’s jump into using OpenZeppelin Governor v5! x with:. You can use GovernorSettings to manage your voting delays and periods, plus set those proposal thresholds just the way you want them. When it comes to the Timelock, you’ve got a couple of options to choose from: you can go with either the TimelockController or the AccessManager. It's really up to what suits your needs best! If you're looking to level up your voting game, you might want to take a peek at ERC20Votes or ERC721Votes. And hey, if you really want to get creative, consider throwing in GovernorCountingFractional to handle those tricky fractional and rolling vote scenarios. It could really take your setup to the next level! This setup is gonna make it way easier for us to handle multichain aggregation in the future. (docs.openzeppelin.com).
- Don't forget to take advantage of Contracts 5! If you're looking for a more modern way to handle access control, check out AccessManager. It'll also help you improve your gas efficiency! The versions 5. 1/5. We're introducing some cool new features in cryptography and Account Abstraction tools, which means you'll have even more functionality at your fingertips! (openzeppelin.com).
- Frontends: Hey! Just a heads up, Tally is here for you when it comes to backing OpenZeppelin Governor. It comes with tools that let you whip up proposals, vote easily, and check out handy dashboards for your delegates. On top of that, it features the awesome new MultiGov hub-and-spoke model for multichain voting, just like the Wormhole DAO is using! (docs.openzeppelin.com). Agora is really focused on advanced delegation. You can set up specific role controls for each function and easily hand off tasks across different ecosystems, like Uniswap and Optimism. It’s a pretty cool way to keep everything organized! They’re making some moves after bringing Boardroom on board to boost their abilities. (gov.uniswap.org).
Deliverables:
- We've got the governor contracts up and running on the testnet, and I've also included the deployment scripts.
- So, we've got some timelock TTLs in place. For regular actions, they’re set between 24 to 72 hours. And if there are any changes to parameters, those will take a bit longer--like 5 to 7 days to kick in.
- We're looking at a game plan for integrating the UI, similar to what Tally and Agora do. This will include some dedicated landing pages for delegation. Hey! If you want to dive deeper into the topic, just take a look at this link for more info. It’s got all the details you’ll need!
Weeks 7-8: Identity, sybil resistance, and participation UX
- For token-holder votes: Hey, so here’s the plan: let’s go with Snapshot for gasless polling. We should also connect SafeSnap (that’s Reality + Zodiac) so our community can approve things on-chain. This way, we won’t have to depend on those multi-sig signers anymore. Sounds good? Take a look at this: zodiac.wiki. You might find it interesting! Hey there! If you're interested in “zero-gas on-chain” voting that's rollup-secured and works across EVMs, you should definitely check out Snapshot X on Starknet. It's worth a look! More info here: (chaincatcher.com).
- To build community programs that are resistant to sybil attacks and help establish trust: Gitcoin Passport is still going strong and doing some impressive work with its model-based detection and stamp re-weighting. It's super effective at keeping those pesky sybils at bay when it comes to rewards and airdrops! If you want to explore more about this, check it out here: gov.gitcoin.co. Happy reading! Hey, have you thought about adding EAS (Ethereum Attestation Service)? It could really amp up your project with some awesome features! You’d get things like portable and verifiable eligibility, KYC proofs, contribution badges, and even vote credits. Sounds pretty neat, right? EAS is all about working on mainnet and layer twos, and they've got some cool tools like an explorer and an SDK to check out. Check it out: (attest.org). If you're curious about those one-person-one-vote experiments, you might want to check out World ID's World Vote app. It’s designed for verified human ballots, but just a heads up--it’s still in the pilot phase. Give it a try! More info here: (world.org).
Deliverables:
- Let's talk about snapshot space plugins! There are a few different types, like quadratic, weighted, and delegation. Each one has its unique vibe and can really change how decisions are made.
- There are passport gates for grants and airdrops, along with EAS schemas for handling credentials.
- About participation SLAs: we’ll chat about things like reaching out, getting those signer reimbursements sorted, and hitting our turnout goals.
Weeks 9-10: Treasury policy and risk controls
How about we draft up a treasury policy that sets some straightforward thresholds and guidelines? We’re going to dive into a few key topics today, like how we handle our operational spending and what our strategic investments look like. We’ll also explore the balance between risk-weighted assets and stable assets, plus we’ll chat about when it’s time to hit that emergency pause button.
- Prioritize Execution Safety: For any high-risk operations, we should definitely set them up with Timelock. It’s a great way to keep everything secure! We’re going to rely on AccessManager to figure out who gets to schedule these operations and who’s actually allowed to carry them out. Oh, and hey, make sure you turn on guardian cancellation for any ops that are queued up! If you want to dive deeper into this, check out the details here. Let’s also get the Zodiac Reality Module set up. We can include features like “min bond” and “cooldown.” "This way, we can keep an eye on the execution rate and also have a plan in place for handling any disputes that might come up if we need it." Take a look at the details right over here. You won’t want to miss it!
Hey, once our assets start stacking up to the mid-eight figure range, it could be worth considering some professional treasury management solutions, like Karpatkey or something similar. Just something to keep in mind! Another option we could look into is domain-allocator programs, kind of like what Arbitrum has done with their Questbook-style allocators. It could be a fun way to dive in! If you want to know more about this, feel free to jump into the conversation here. Happy exploring!
Deliverables: You really can’t go wrong with having a solid investment policy statement (IPS). It’s like your roadmap for making smart financial choices. Plus, having an emergency runbook on hand is super important too. It’s your go-to guide when things get a little chaotic, ensuring you’re prepared no matter what comes your way.
- A calendar for rotating multisig signers and a super useful checklist for audits.
- Keeping an eye on alerts for treasury addresses and governance contracts.
Weeks 11-12: Delegation, comms, and launch sequence
Let’s get started on a “delegate race” to find some trustworthy delegates! We can share their public profiles and voting statements on Agora/Tally, so everyone can see who’s who. Let’s make it more appealing by highlighting some clear numbers for stuff like attendance, discussions, and research notes. It'll give us a better picture, don’t you think? (gov.uniswap.org).
Hey, let’s get that Constitution or Operating Manual sorted out! If we're leaning towards that Optimism-style bicameral setup--with a token house and a citizens’/grants house--then we should definitely spell out the roles and how the veto process works. It’ll make everything a lot clearer for everyone involved. (community.optimism.io).
Alright, let’s dive into a full testnet governance cycle. Here’s what you’ll want to cover:
- Just a little budget shift.
- So, we're looking at tweaking a setting but with a little twist--a time-lock delay.
- Here’s a quick rundown on how to execute a SafeSnap, taking it from Snapshot to Safe.
Deliverables: Great news! The delegation portal is live and kicking, and we've already got between 10 to 20 seed delegates on board. Once we finish up the testnet drills, we'll have a signed "go/no-go" decision in place.
Weeks 13: Mainnet cutover
Alright, so let's get everything ready. We need to set up the production Governor, Timelock, and the token if we need it. Don’t forget to assign roles for everyone and share those verified addresses too! Let's move those operational expenses over to Safe. We should keep our runway in stablecoins for now and think about our long-term investments with that timelock in mind. Let's get started on Proposal-001, which covers the constitution ratification and the budget for the first quarter. And don't forget about Proposal-002, which is all about the delegate incentive framework--if we’re actually putting that into action!
Concrete architecture choices (what we’d implement today)
- Governance Contracts: Take a look at OpenZeppelin Contracts v5! So, if you're looking for a setup that gives you some flexibility with voting and can handle multiple chains in the future, you might want to check out X. It comes with a bunch of cool features like Governor, Timelock, ERC20Votes, ERC721Votes, and CountingFractional. Definitely worth considering! The latest v5. X introduces AccessManager, plus it offers improved gas efficiency - and that's just the beginning! 1/5. We've rolled out a couple of updates that really enhance our cryptography and account abstraction features. If you want to dive deeper into it, you can check it out here.
- Frontend and Orchestration:
Tally is pretty awesome for keeping track of on-chain proposals, voting, and delegating. Plus, it lets you explore analytics in a really user-friendly way. On top of that, it totally supports MultiGov, which is this cool hub-and-spoke model perfect for folks who hold multichain tokens. A great example of this in action is Wormhole DAO that’s rocking this setup! Want to dive deeper? Check out their docs for all the details! - Agora is definitely a great option if you're looking to find delegates and set up some cool incentives for advanced delegation. Plus, they've really grown a lot since picking up Boardroom, which is a nice bonus! Hey, you should definitely take a look at this article on Coindesk! It dives into the news about Agora, the DAO governance platform, acquiring its older competitor, Boardroom. It's pretty interesting stuff if you're into the whole decentralized governance scene. Here’s the link: Coindesk. Happy reading!
- Off-chain Voting with Execution: So, here's the deal: you can use Snapshot paired with the Zodiac Reality Module (also known as SafeSnap) to turn those Snapshot approvals into actual Safe transactions via Reality.eth. It's a pretty cool way to make things happen! With this setup, you can enjoy features such as bonds, cooldowns, and expirations. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, you can check out more info here.
- Treasury: When it comes to handling your treasury, think about using Safe smart accounts (they're multisig!) along with a signer hardware wallet policy. Plus, don't forget about timelocks for those sensitive operations. They really help keep things secure! They're looking to bring in Safe{Core} modules as needed. Feel free to take a look at this link: Safe. It’s definitely worth checking out!
- Identity/Sybil Resistance: You can use Gitcoin Passport scoring together with EAS attestations to determine eligibility, track achievements, and handle KYC when it's needed. You can also check out some optional pilots for World ID if you're interested. If you want to dive deeper, you can find more info over at Attest.
- Keeping an Eye on Things and Automation: If you're already using OpenZeppelin Defender, good news! You can still access it. Plus, there's an easy way to transition to the open-source Relayer/Monitor before it all wraps up on July 1, 2026. Check out all the details on the OpenZeppelin blog! It's a great read if you're interested in what's happening with open source and their plans for Defender.
Parameters that work in practice (starting points)
- Proposal threshold: Let's shoot for zero. 10-0. In the first few months, you'll need to have 25% of the total voting supply or you can create a delegate whitelist. If you're after a broader mix of ideas but still want to maintain some control, you might want to think about opting for a "soft sponsor" in Agora. Take a look at this: agora.xyz.
- Quorum: Begin with around 3-5% of the total voting power that's out there. When it comes to some of the bigger proposals, especially those involving the constitution or treasury, we think it’d be a good idea to elevate the process a bit. A “super-quorum” approach could really help, and the OZ Governor can lend a hand with that. This helps cover us when voter turnout isn't great. Learn more at (coingape.com).
- Voting period: Just a heads up, the voting will probably be open for around 5 to 7 days. So, just a heads up, there's usually a delay in voting that can last about 1 to 2 days. On top of that, if it's for standard operations, the timelock is set between 24 to 72 hours. When it comes to bigger contract upgrades or hefty transfers, it usually takes a little longer--around 5 to 7 days.
- Delegation: Let's kick off a delegate race every three months! Publishing clear KPIs, like participation rates, the number of analyses written, and any conflict disclosures, is definitely a smart move. It helps everyone stay on the same page and keeps things transparent. Hey, have you considered launching some Lido-style delegate incentive pilots? It might be worth setting some stricter eligibility criteria to really refine who gets in. If you want to dive deeper into the topic, feel free to take a look at this link: research.lido.fi. There's a ton of useful info there!
- Treasury controls: Set up a 3 out of 5 or 4 out of 7 Safe configuration with a mixed group of signers. Think about things like where they're located, who they work for, and their time zones when you're putting this team together. Just a friendly reminder to switch up your signers every few months and make sure you’ve got that emergency break-glass option ready to pause guardians if you need to. You can handle all of this through Timelock/AccessManager. If you're looking for more details, check this out: (docs.openzeppelin.com). It’s got a ton of useful information!
Grants and ecosystem funding in 2025 (post‑Grants Stack)
Hey there! Just a quick update: Gitcoin is going to wrap up the Grants Stack and Grants Lab by the end of May 2025. They’re doing this to shift their focus back to the Gitcoin Grants Program. Exciting times ahead! Don't forget to plan your transitions carefully and make sure to back up your data using Open Source Observer! It’ll save you a lot of headaches later on. (gitcoin.co).
Here are a few options you can dive into right away:
- CharmVerse: This handy tool has got you covered when it comes to managing grants from start to finish. It handles everything from checking for spam and keeping track of milestones to KYC (Know Your Customer) processes, signatures, and applicant workflows. It’s like having a personal assistant for all your grant needs! It’s got your back! Check it out at charmverse.io.
- Questbook: This is just what you need if you're running domain-allocator programs. This platform is already making waves with Arbitrum sub-grants and is shaping up to be a fantastic choice for ecosystem growth funds. Check it out! (arbitrumhub.io).
- Jokerace: If you’re in the market for a platform to host some lightweight and competitive idea or prioritization contests, then this is the one you definitely want to check out! Arbitrum is really putting this to good use to mold their grants frameworks, so it’s definitely something you might want to check out! You can find more details over at their forum right here: forum.arbitrum.foundation. Give it a peek!
Hey, if you find yourself needing quadratic mechanisms later on, you can totally mix and match some strategies similar to Allo. There are still plenty of community forks and other versions out there that you can tap into! Hey, just a heads up--Gitcoin's official Grants Stack has officially reached the end of its road. (gitcoin.co).
Multichain governance that actually works
Hey, have you seen Tally’s MultiGov feature? It's pretty cool! You can create a "hub" Governor and set up an ERC20Votes token right on your main chain. Definitely worth checking out! Next, just roll out those “spoke” Governors and connect them with the voting power you’ve bridged to other chains. When it's time to wrap things up, you can easily gather all those tallies from the spokes and pull them together at the hub for the final count. Check out Wormhole's DAO--it's a fantastic example of this working in real life! You can find more details over here: docs.tally.xyz.
Hey, just a quick reminder to include Flexible Voting (ScopeLift) in your setup! It’s a great feature that allows you to manage fractional votes from custodial or pooled positions. Plus, it opens the door for rolling votes, which is super handy! Oh, and guess what? The counting extension is officially available in OZ v5 now! x. Want to know all the details? Check it out here: github.com. You’ll find everything you need!
“Enterprise‑grade” niceties you’ll be glad you added
Just a heads up, the EAS-backed working group credentials like "Security Council," "Risk Committee," and "Grants Council" are going to have expiration dates. With this approach, you can effectively manage sponsorship for proposals or even give a little extra boost to verified contributor groups, all without having to fiddle with the tokenomics. (attest.org).
We're kicking off some Snapshot X trials for gasless on-chain votes, particularly in situations where we really want to minimize friction for users. As time goes on, you'll be able to shift important categories over to complete on-chain Governor proposals. (chaincatcher.com).
Hey there! If you’ve got Defender Monitors or Relayers in your setup, it’s a good idea to start brainstorming a proactive sunset plan. Hey there! Just a heads-up: it’s a good idea to start shifting your CI/CD and alerting systems over to open-source options by the first half of 2026. It'll definitely be worth it! (blog.openzeppelin.com).
Example: Reference deployment spec (you can hand this to your engineers)
- Contracts:
- Governance Token: We're using ERC20Votes from OpenZeppelin 5. x).
- GovernorCore: This is made up of some pretty important components like OZ Governor, GovernorSettings, GovernorCountingSimple (or if you prefer CountingFractional), and GovernorTimelockControl.
- Timelock: You’ve got a couple of options here! You can go with the TimelockController, or if you want to switch things up a bit, you can combine AccessManager with GovernorTimelockAccess. It really depends on what fits your needs best!
- Parameters (initial):
- Quorum: So, we need 4% to get things started, but for more significant stuff like upgrades or changes to the constitution, we're looking at a super-quorum of 10%.
- proposalThreshold: 0. That's 20% of the total supply.
- Voting Delay: Just a day; Voting Period: A whole week!
- timelockDelay: You’ll need to wait 72 hours for everyday stuff, but if you're making upgrades or doing any major transfers, it’s a week-long wait.
- Off‑chain governance: We're diving into Snapshot and experimenting with some awesome weighted and quadratic templates! Oh, and don't forget about SafeSnap, which comes with the Zodiac Reality Module set. You’ll need a minimum bond, usually somewhere between 500 and 1000 USDC. Just keep in mind there’s a 24-hour cooldown period, and then it expires after 7 days. Hey, just a heads up--there's also an arbitrator ready to go! You can check it out over at zodiac.wiki.
- Treasury: We've got a solid Safe 4/7 setup in place, and we're using a geographic split for our signers. We do key attestations every quarter, run incident drills regularly, and we keep an eye on everything with monitoring that sends updates straight to Slack and PagerDuty.
- Frontends: So, we’ve got a Tally instance up and running, and it’s working alongside an Agora delegate hub. Oh, and don’t forget, we also have a landing page for the delegate race! Take a look at this: (docs.tally.xyz). You might find it really interesting!
Legal snapshots and what they imply for founders (2025)
Hey, have you heard about Utah's DAO Act (HB 357)? It's really interesting! Basically, it lets you register a DAO as an LLC, which is awesome because you'll get on-chain identifiers and some solid limited liability protection. Definitely a game changer for those looking to dive into the world of decentralized organizations! This is really useful if you want your DAO to handle signing vendor contracts on its own. Hey, exciting news! Registration started in January 2024! If you want to learn more, just click this link: (commerce.utah.gov).
In Wyoming, they’re still rocking that DAO LLC setup. It’s holding strong! If you're thinking about diving into the nonprofit world or working on initiatives that benefit the public, you might want to check out Wyoming’s DUNA, which is set to kick off on July 1, 2024. It could be just what you're looking for! It’s a good idea to take a look at the membership thresholds and the reporting requirements. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty, check this out: (blockworks.co). It’s got all the details you need!
The Marshall Islands DAO LLC is really awesome for founders! If you're looking to set up sub-DAOs and want to breeze through a remote registration process, this is definitely a solid choice. Also, a lot of governance tokens out there that don't come with any economic rights are clearly stated as not being securities according to the new rules. Hey, don’t forget to run this by your legal advisor! You can check out all the details here: (coindesk.com).
Common failure modes we still see--and how to avoid them
So, picture this: you've got this thing called "Paper DAO," and it's using a multisig setup as its gatekeeper. The workflow is pretty straightforward: you start by sending info to Snapshot, then it flows over to Reality.eth, and finally, it gets stored in Safe. It's a cool way to keep everything secure and organized! This setup lets folks who can’t sign transactions go ahead and carry out transactions that have already been approved. It's a clever move to step away from multisigs that are only controlled by the founders. (zodiac.wiki).
If you're seeing low turnout, maybe it's time to kick things up a notch with some delegate races. It could really help get people involved! Also, think about covering gas fees or even using signatures and relayers to make it easier for folks to participate. Every little bit helps, right? You can also give a shoutout to people based on their roles using EAS, and make voting a breeze with awesome tools like Tally or Agora. (gov.uniswap.org).
Alright, so here’s the deal: after diving into the Grants Stack, we're noticing quite a bit of operational chaos. It’s definitely time to pick a single system to keep everything in check--whether that’s CharmVerse or Questbook. Let’s streamline how we evaluate everything, from milestones right down to payouts. It’ll make life a lot easier! Let's skip the hassle of those messy spreadsheets and the patchwork of multisig payments. (charmverse.io).
- It's important to watch out for security and tooling drift. Make sure to stay updated on the OpenZeppelin roadmaps, especially when it comes to things like Contracts 5. Just a heads up about the Governor Working Group and that Defender sunset thing. Make sure you're in the loop! If you choose to hold off on the migration, be sure to jot it down in your risk register and set some clear deadlines. It’ll help keep everything organized! (openzeppelin.com).
Your 30/60/90‑day exit criteria
- Day 30: Everything's been taken care of! The entity is officially filed, and Safe is good to go. We've got Snapshot and SafeSnap all ready to roll, plus the runbook and monitoring systems are up and running smoothly.
- Day 60: Hey everyone! Just wanted to share some updates: The governor is now live on the testnet, and our delegation campaign is really taking off! Plus, the treasury policy has officially been approved, which is great news. Oh, and we’ve got identity gates (Passport/EAS) up and running too. Exciting times ahead!
- Day 90: Hey everyone! Exciting news! The Governor is now officially up and running on the mainnet. We’ve already rolled out the first budget, and guess what? We’ve put together a post-mortem for you to check out. Plus, the backlog of proposals is up and the grant pipeline is officially live too! Things are really moving!
What’s next (and how we help)
At 7Block Labs, we like to keep things simple by organizing our work into three main phases. First up, we tackle legal and treasury stuff from Weeks 1 to 4. Then, we shift gears to focus on governance deployment during Weeks 5 to 8. Finally, we wrap things up with the launch and operations phase, which runs from Weeks 9 to 13. It's all about making sure everything flows smoothly! If you're in the market for a hassle-free solution, we’ve got just what you need! We’ve got you covered with everything you need--contracts, deployments, runbooks, dashboards, and even training for your stewards and delegates. We want to make sure you're all set! And hey, we’re also including a 6-month support plan! This covers everything from the OpenZeppelin Defender migration to rolling out across multiple chains.
Sources and further reading
Hey everyone! I’ve got some exciting news to share! The Utah DAO Act is officially launching in January 2024. How cool is that? Get ready, because registrations for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are about to start! Plus, we’ll be seeing some updates from HB 357, along with a cleanup bill heading into 2024. Exciting times ahead! Want to dive deeper? You can find more info right here: commerce.utah.gov. The Marshall Islands are really stepping up their game with some exciting updates for their DAO LLCs! They've introduced Series DAO LLCs, which is pretty cool, and they’ve made the registration process faster--now you can get it done in 30 days or less. Plus, they’re offering some helpful guidance on tokens for anyone who's interested. It's a great time for those looking to dive into the world of DAOs! Check this out for all the juicy details: (coindesk.com). Hey there! So, OpenZeppelin just launched Contracts v5. Exciting stuff! We’ve got some exciting updates with enhancements to the AccessManager and the Governor! On top of that, the Governor's working group is joining forces with Tally, Agora, and ScopeLift. Want to dive deeper? Check it out here: openzeppelin.com. You won’t want to miss it! Exciting things are happening with Tally MultiGov and Wormhole DAO! Plus, Tally's now got support for OpenZeppelin Governor, and you might want to take a look at that too! Details here: (docs.tally.xyz). Hey everyone! Just wanted to share some cool news: Snapshot X is now live on Starknet! Plus, the Zodiac Reality Module (you might know it as SafeSnap) is rolling out some really awesome features. Take a look: (chaincatcher.com). Just a quick heads up! The Gitcoin Grants Stack is set to wrap up by May 2025. People are chatting about a few options for what comes next. Hey, make sure you stay updated on the latest changes! Check out this link for all the details: gitcoin.co. It’s got everything you need to know! We've got EAS (attest.org) and some cool updates on Gitcoin Passport to help boost sybil resistance. Exciting times ahead! Take a look at it here: attest.org. You might find it interesting! Just a quick heads-up: OpenZeppelin Defender is officially winding down. The sunset notice will hit on June 30, 2025, and the final curtain falls on July 1, 2026. Mark your calendars! For more details, check this out: OpenZeppelin Blog. It's worth a read!
Hey there! If you're on the hunt for an easy-to-follow day-by-day project plan, you should definitely take a look at our 7Block DAO Launch Workbook. It's loaded with all the essentials you might need--think template proposals, Safe signer policies, handy EAS schema examples, and even a checklist to guide you through the transition from Defender to the open-source Relayer/Monitor. Trust me, it's super useful!
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