Foundation-Led → True DAO Transition Matrix
| # | Project | Kick-off | “Fully DAO” | Duration | Initial pain-point | Key actions & mechanisms | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balancer → “Balancer Maxis” | 2022-02-15 | 2022-07-27 | ≈ 5.5 mo | Labs executed all txs → gas, speed, transparency issues | • 2-of-7 Maxis multisig for ops | |
| 2 | Optimism Collective | 2022-04-26 | 2023-06-08 | ≈ 13 mo | Low participation, “shell-DAO” critique | • Delegate Program + seasonal OP rewards | |
| 3 | MakerDAO “Endgame” | 2023-03-13 | 2024-07 (est. Phase-1) | ≈ 16 mo (Phases 2-5 running) | Over-complex, duplicated units | • 5-phase roadmap + MetaDAOs | |
| 4 | Frax “North Star” | 2025-03-07 | 2025-06-25 (exec Q3-25) | ≈ 3.5 mo | Token & branding sprawl | • FXS→FRAX rebrand + Tail Emissions | |
| 5 | Aave → Guardians & Risk Stewards | 2023-04-18 | 2025-02-18 | ≈ 22 mo | Foundation-centric emergency powers | • 2-of-5 Guardians (killswitch) | |
| 6 | ENS → DAO Working Groups | 2021-11-08 | 2022-03-02 | ≈ 4 mo | Labs dependence, slow budget execution | • 7-of-9 DAO multisig | |
| 7 | Uniswap → UNI DAO + Foundation | 2022-08-05 (Temp-check) | 2022-08-25 | ≈ 20 days | Early DAO seen as “rubber stamp” | • Uniswap Foundation created for ops | |
| 8 | Arbitrum DAO | 2023-03-16 (AIP-1) | 2023-05-02 (AIP-1.1) | ≈ 7 weeks | Foundation unilateral treasury spend | • Community veto of AIP-1, renegotiated AIP-1.1 | |
| 9 | Gitcoin DAO | 2021-05-25 | 2024-03-04 | ≈ 34 mo | Foundation-led Grants Round opacity | • Elected Steward Council | |
| 10 | Safe (Gnosis Safe) → SafeDAO | 2022-09-28 | 2024-04-23 | ≈ 19 mo | License, token-allocation debates | • $SAFE claim + participation agreement |
Low/No-Budget Community Preparations for a Future Elixir DAO
Tasks examples
| # | Task | Action Items (zero/low cost) | Expected Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ops & Role-Mapping Wiki | • Launch a free GitBook / Notion called Elixir DAO Ops Wiki. • Map current roles across Foundation, contracts, validators, comms channels. |
• Visualises “who does what,” exposing any authority gaps. • Serves as checklist when powers migrate to multisigs/committees. |
| 2 | Multisig Signer Talent Pool | • Open a Google Form for “multisig signer intent.” • Collect minimal info: KYC willingness, dev background, prior DAO exp. • Publish results in a public spreadsheet. |
• Provides a vetted short-list when signers are actually needed. • Builds trust & shared responsibility ahead of time. |
| 3 | Risk & TVL Dashboard v0.1 | • Use Dune / Flipside free queries to chart TVL, pool liquidity, slippage. • Auto-post monthly report via Discord bot or RSS. |
• Creates a fact-base for any decision discussion. • Lightweight shared data layer usable by everyone. |
Implementation Details
- Cost: All tools listed above have free tiers; no treasury spend required.