What Are DAOs And Why Are They Important In Web3?

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations in Web3

Imagine a corporation where the analyst from the corner office and the janitor cleaning the bathrooms vote on business decisions with the CEO. That’s essentially the idea behind Decentralized Autonomous Organizations or DAOs, which are aligned with the concept of Web3.

DAOs are challenging the traditional corporation structure, which is heavily centralized. The decision-making power is often concentrated in the boardroom. However, in DAOs, there’s no management hierarchy, as they live and breathe on the blockchain, which is all about decentralization. 

As of June 2024, there are over 2,400 DAOs with a combined treasury worth over $31 billion. So, it’s safe to say that DAOs are growing in popularity.

What Are DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations)?

DAOs are blockchain-powered organizations that are completely decentralized and follow a more democratic management structure for projects in Web3. All decisions and transactions are recorded by smart contracts that exist on the blockchain and are visible to the public. 

Smart contracts replace traditional methods of governance found in corporations, such as executives, boards of directors, or legal frameworks. 

The DAO’s members have decision-making power, and their voting rights are determined by the number of governance tokens they hold. The premise of such a structure is that members holding more tokens should have more votes, as they’re naturally bound to act in the organization’s best interest, as they have a big stake in it. 

As a concept, DAO is inspired by the same idea as digital currency, which aims to address the centralized control of fiat currencies. DAO brings that idea of decentralization to corporations that are wholly digital and governed by participants. 

How Do DAOs Work?

DAOs use smart contracts, so they’re run by computer code. When a DAO is first established, the founders mint a native token. Acquiring these tokens gets them a membership in the organization. 

Smart contracts dictate all the decisions regarding the organization’s activities, which are recorded on the blockchain. For instance, the members may decide to increase the supply of tokens, which will be implemented through a certain code. Similarly, they may vote to reward current members with more tokens. 

The voting power is distributed across all organization members, aka token holders. And their voting power depends on their share of the tokens. 

The tokens are recorded in a treasury, and a DAO may have more than one type of token in its treasury. These tokens are typically issued for fiat currency. 

Depending on the performance of the DAO or the demand of its membership, its token value may appreciate or depreciate. As for the activities, a DAO can partake in different activities in the digital world. For example, it can acquire NFTs using tokens from the treasury with its members’ consent (votes). 

What Is an Example of a DAO?

DAOs can have a variety of use cases, which can be for-profit or non-profit. However, most are in the former category, as their activities focus on increasing the value of the tokens or raising capital. 

Some of the common use cases of DAOs include managing funds, protocols, or communities and even raising funds for charity in a decentralized fashion. 

One example of a for-profit DAO that focuses on managing funds is BitDAO, backed by PayPal founder Peter Thiel and crypto exchange Bybit. It allows members to buy stakes in other Web3 or DeFi projects. 

The members or token holders of BitDAO collectively decide how the capital will be invested to support different projects. Think of it as a decentralized venture capitalist firm where everyone is part of the decision-making process. Recently, BitDAO has been unified with Mantle, a crypto project it has funded, creating a unified brand identity for the DAO. 

What Role Can DAOs Play in Web3?

Web3, as an idea, is all about decentralization. It’s an iteration of the Internet in which content and other resources aren’t limited to a select few but distributed to all stakeholders. The ideas of decentralization and tokenomics are also the driving forces behind DAOs. 

Web3, focusing on empowering individuals and distributing power, provides the perfect ecosystem for DAOs, regardless of their use case. DAOs run on technologies like blockchain, which dominate Web3. On the other hand, the success and wider adoption of DAOs help solidify Web3’s dominance in the digital world. 

Web3 is projected to grow exponentially in the current decade, achieving revenue of $81.5 billion by 2030. DAOs, with their expansive treasuries, will play an important role in this market. 

DAOs encourage community involvement by allowing all token holders to participate in the decisions. This differs from organizations with a presence on Web 2.0 that follow traditional corporate hierarchy and limit the decision-making to the top. Web3, as a whole, fosters the involvement of all stakeholders. 

Potential Limitations and Absence of Regulations

Although the premise of DAOs seems promising, they face limitations and drawbacks. Firstly, there’s the always-present security risk. Blockchains are quite secure, as they use advanced encryption. However, blockchain users aren’t immune to attacks, especially scams or phishing attacks. 

The 2016 attack on The DAO, one of the earliest DAO entities, showed the vulnerability of blockchain-based systems. The DAO lost $60 million overnight because of the hack, which was eventually recovered with Ethereum’s hard fork. This move resulted in Ethereum and Ethereum Classic. 

Then there’s the question of inefficiency in decision-making, as so many participants are involved. Compared to that, an organization with just a handful of decision-makers at the top can make decisions more quickly. 

There’s also uncertainty regarding the legal or tax implications of DAOs. As their use cases are so diverse, they don’t necessarily fit into legal status. Experts at Ernst & Young suggest a specific legal status for DAOs to determine their tax treatment. Some states like Wyoming and Vermont have allowed DAOs to register as legal entities, such as LLCs. This way, they can enjoy legal protections and have a clear pathway for taxation. 

What’s Next for DAOs?

DAOs are being hailed as the future of Web3 as their adoption and influence grow. They’re challenging how organizations operate and make decisions, distributing power throughout. Many DAOs have experienced growth, just as some have seen a tumble. 

It’s also tied to cryptocurrencies as tokens guide their economics. So, market movements in the crypto world will also likely influence DOA tokens. As the Web3 market and revenue grow, so will DAOs, making them integral to the adoption of Web3 worldwide. 

Most Web3 projects start with a domain. Register a safe Web3 domain with Freename!

Fill the info to receive the PDF guide

Stay up to date!

How does it work?

Accordingly to the day when you will finalise your purchase, you have the right to receive from 1 to 3 NFT Domains for FREE!

Once you have completed your order, within 48h you will automatically receive on www.freename.io platform, in your personal area “portfolio” the randomly assigned NFT Domain/s.

You can chose on which blockchain you want to mint on and minting fee is covered by Freename!

HOW TO USE COUPONS:

Once you have added your favorite items to the cart, you proceed to “checkout” and add your coupon to the “coupon box”.

Said coupon will instantly do its magic and your due total will drop!

COUPON CODE CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE!
ENJOY YOUR SHOPPING AND GIFTS!

How does it work?

Once you have completed your order, you will automatically receive on www.freename.io platform, in your personal area “portfolio” the randomly assigned NFT Domain value $50 or if you’re lucky a randomly assigned TLD with value $699 (between these: .immersive; .multiverse; .freelancer; .cashback; .hologram)

you can chose on which blockchain you want to mint your NFT Domain/TLD on and minting fee is covered by Freename!

GOOD LUCK!

Fill in the form to Apply

Want to work with us? Let us know!

Why do i Need a Wallet?

Freename domains are blockchain-based assets and would be minted and stored using a wallet. Users are required to mint and manage their domains using a Metamask or Coinbase-configured wallet. It must be a non-custodial wallet, meaning that one must own the private keys to the wallet in order to approve transactions via a signature.

To benefit from Freename Web 3 domains/TLDs, you must have a wallet. This is because Web 3 domains/TLDs are blockchain-based assets. Users can mint and manage their domains using Metamask or Coinbase-configured wallets.

Keep in mind that it must be a non-custodial wallet. You own the private keys to the wallet (in order to approve transactions via a signature).

Are the Domains Associated with ICANN?

ICANN does not manage freename.io domains. Freename.io believes their TLDs/domains must allow customers to operate independently. Freename.io wants to build a utility infrastructure, allowing customers to use their services for valuable and generative purposes. By leveraging blockchain technology, Freename Web 3 domains/TLDs have no centralized authority imposing rules and regulations.

What is a Wallet?

Every blockchain user requires a wallet in order to interact with the network. A wallet is essentially an account on the blockchain where transactions can be sent and received. It is also where one can store blockchain assets such as cryptocurrency or NFTs (non-fungible tokens). There is no personal information associated with a wallet and none is required to create one. A wallet consists of a public key and a private key. The public key can be safely shared with anyone who wishes to send assets to the corresponding wallet, however, the private key should not be shared and is the key to accessing the wallet in the event where access is lost or to create another instance.

A crypto wallet (cryptocurrency wallet) is software or hardware that enables users to store and use cryptocurrency. With cryptocurrencies, there isn’t any actual money to carry around in a wallet. They exist on the blockchain. Similarly to traditional bank transfers, crypto wallets enable users to send and receive cryptocurrencies, NFTs, etc.

A wallet consists of a public key and a private key. To receive assets, you share your public key associated with your wallet. You should NEVER share your private key.

How do i Claim my Earnings from Freename

ou can withdraw revenues generated passively through a cryptocurrency transfer. Connect your cryptocurrency wallet and, once your withdrawal request is confirmed, the desired amount is pulled from Freename’s reserves and conveniently delivered to you!

Claim your earnings by following these steps:

  1. Connect your cryptocurrency wallet to Freename.io
  2. Request a withdrawal
  3. Receive request confirmation
  4. Receive withdrawal directly to your wallet.

Can i Transfer Domains?

Yes. The domain is stored in your cryptocurrency wallet and can be transferred by you after you have minted it. Access your portfolio, select the TLD or Domain you wish to transfer and type the recipient’s address. Afterwards, you must paste the OTP code you received by mail to confirm the transaction. Keep in mind that currently, it is not possible to import the domain that has been transferred, but it will be possible soon!

Yes. Domains are transferable ONLY after a TLD/domain has been minted and stored in a user’s wallet.

To transfer the TLD (or domain), the user must:

  • Access their wallet
  • Select the item they want to transfer
  • Enter the recipient’s address.
  • Confirm the transaction by pasting the OTP received by email

In the future, Freename.io will support importing domains that have been transferred.

What about Trademarks?

Registering a trademark on your Freename Web3 TLD will allow you to protect your web3 TLD and your logo worldwide juridically.

From the moment you deposit a trademark request, your web3 TLD will be protected worldwide for 6 months awaiting for the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE.ch) to confirm and register the availability of your TLD.****

A trademark is any symbol, phrase, or word that allows customers to identify a company’s goods or services. Freename is a web3 domain/TLD provider that also provides trademark registration.

A user must reach out to the trademark department to register a trademark. To get your trademark filed for review at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, a user must provide the following:

  1. Complete a Know your customer (KYC)
  2. A list of TLDs they wish to trademark
  3. Proof of payment

Once these conditions are met, it takes one week for the trademark to be reviewed and logo/TLDs to be provided with six months of worldwide protection.

Is Minting the same as Buying?

Purchasing a TLD (or domain) on Freename and minting it on the blockchain are two distinct steps. When you purchase a TLD (or domain), the transaction is recorded in Freename’s database and not on the blockchain. Minting a TLD (or domain) on the blockchain requires a second step: log into the user’s personal area, select the TLD (or domain) and press “mint TLD” (or domain): done! Don’t worry, once you have purchased a Freename domain, no one can take it away from you!

No. Buying and Minting a TLD/domain are two different things.**

Buying **is the process of recording a transaction on Freename’s database and not on the blockchain.

Minting is the process of pushing a user’s domain from Freename.io data onto the public ledger of a blockchain and into a user’s wallet. Giving the user full control over the TLD/domain.

It is very easy to mint a domain/TLD once you purchase it. Simply:

  • Log into your personal area
  • Select the TLD (or domain)
  • Press “mint TLD” (or domain)

What is Domain Minting?

Minting is the process of publishing a Freename domain (or TLD) on the blockchain via your wallet to gain full custody of the domain. This means that the only person that has control over the domain (or TLD) is the person who controls (has access to) the wallet.

Minting is the process of pushing a user’s domain from Freename.io data onto the public ledger of a blockchain and into a user’s wallet. Giving the user full ownership over the domain.

Minting on Freename.io is as simple as the following steps:

  1. Go to the Freename.io website
  2. Enter the TLD/domain you want to buy in the search bar
  3. Add the TLD/domain to your cart
  4. Go to checkout
  5. Create a Freename.io account
  6. Purchase the TLD/domain with cryptocurrency or a credit card
  7. Go to “portfolio and incomes.”
  8. Click on mint TLD/domain

Which domains are Protected?

Protected domains and TLDs are domains and TLDs that we’ve detected are associated with a brand, organization, or notable person. We believe it is important to increase adoption for the next generation of the internet by helping to onboard brands into the Web3 era. If you are interested in applying for a Protected domain, please contact us.

TLDs/Domains associated with a notable person, brand or organization are considered Protected Domains. Protected domains help onboard brands in Web 3 increasing adoption. Protected domains also protect users from others impersonating/stealing their domains.

Reach out to Freename.io to apply for a protected domain.

Why use Freename?

Freename domains are unique by their very nature: only with Freename you can register domains with unique TLDs for your digital identity while passively earning money!

Freename.io is not only the leading TLD and Domains platform in Web 3, but also lets users generate passive income!

Owning a Freename Web 3 TLD entitles users to receive passive income whenever a domain is bought on their TLD. Users can register and mint TLD/domains of their choice if available.

What is a Domain?

A domain name is a string of letters and/or numbers that points to the IP address of the corresponding website. Generally, it is easier to remember a name than a long string of numbers.

A domain name is an address that people type into a browser bar to find a website. It consists of a Top-Level Domain (TLD), everything that comes after the dot, and the Second-Level Domain (SLD), everything that comes before the dot.

For example, “Freename.io” is the domain name, “Freename” is the SLD and “io” is the TLD.

Which Chains are Supported?

Freename has a multi-chain approach. You can choose on which Blockchain to mint your Web3 Domains and TLDs ranging Among Polygon, Cronos, and Binance.

A user can mint a Freename.io domain/TLD on the following blockchains:

  • Polygon
  • Cronos
  • Binance

Freename plans to expand its multi-chain approach by adding blockchains upon which domains can be minted.

Are there Renewal Fees?

No! Once you’ve bought a Freename Domain or TLD, it’s yours forever, no renewal fees ever!

No. There are no renewal fees on Freename.io. Once a user has paid a one-time payment for a domain/TLD, they own it. Forever.

This is the significant advantage of Web 3 domain/TLD over traditional alternatives.

Ask Away!