Integrating crypto solutions in traditional business models is a must | Opinion

As a seasoned crypto investor and observer of the blockchain landscape, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative potential of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) in shaping both digital and real-world economies. The promise of blockchain extends far beyond mere financial applications; it enables decentralized protocols that can revolutionize community interactions and governance at their core.


As a blockchain analyst, I’m excited to share that the potential uses for this technology go beyond just monetary and financial applications. In fact, blockchain allows for the creation of decentralized protocols that can fundamentally change how communities function. By enforcing rules of engagement among various actors at the protocol level, we move away from social consensus towards technical consensus. This transition paves the way for protocol-based social interactions, which span both business and societal governance.

Despite the fact that decentralized autonomous organizations, or DAOs, may not yet be in charge of governments in the immediate future; nevertheless, effective DAOs currently regulate crypto community procedures through self-governing structures. The impact of these structures is bound to extend beyond the digital realm, eventually giving rise to traditional businesses modeled after the DAO framework.

At present, there are three major classifications of how cryptocurrency elements are being adopted in conventional businesses:

1) Immutable ledger for record-keeping and automated transactions

As a researcher studying the applications of blockchain technology, I’d describe it as an unalterable record-keeping system capable of streamlining transactions and automating business processes via smart contracts. For instance, in real estate, blockchain can be employed to document ownership and validate titles digitally. Furthermore, property rights can be represented as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and transferred seamlessly. The same benefits extend to supply chain management and logistics, where the immutability of data ensures tamper-proof business flows and automation.

2) Tokenization

As a researcher studying blockchain technology, I can explain that tokenization enables the conversion of any existing value into digital representations on the blockchain. For instance, loyalty programs can transform points into distributed tokens, which are given to users upon each transaction. This process establishes a market for loyalty rewards and attracts more customers. In addition, decentralized collaboration networks, such as decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) and AI networks, reward participants with tokens that can be utilized within the ecosystem. These self-sustaining economies encourage continuous engagement and growth within the network.

3) Distributed governance

Adopting a decentralized decision-making process and constructing business models influenced by DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) concepts represents a comprehensive method of integrating blockchain technology into practical business applications.

The DAO approach

Let’s take the example of a ride-sharing platform operated using a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) model. In this setup, we have drivers, passengers, payment processors, and infrastructure providers. The payment processors and infrastructure providers are responsible for maintaining the network, processing payments, and creating the foundational technology. A smart contract oversees driver-passenger pairing and monitors the progression of rides, recording reputation scores on the blockchain. Funds move directly from passengers to drivers, boosting earnings for drivers, while a portion is channeled to the infrastructure provider to support the network’s sustainability. Ecosystem tokens, granted as loyalty rewards to both drivers and passengers, enable all participants to shape system settings, ensuring a balanced representation of interests.

At Waves, a pioneering L1 blockchain established in 2016, we’ve long held an intrigue for governance structures. In the year 2022, we introduced Power Protocol as our latest initiative to enhance blockchain governance.

The Waves platform is undergoing a significant challenge due to the bankruptcy of FTX and the depeg of their stablecoin, Luna’s USDN. This instability caused the USDN to lose its $1 peg, triggering a mass sell-off of Waves tokens and setting off a downward spiral. Several Waves products relied on USDN, leading to a ripple effect of consequences. Although individuals tried to minimize damages, the only viable option was to continue expanding the ecosystem by introducing new offerings and generating value.

I served as an analyst in this context, and I can tell you that the introduction of the DAO model marked a significant shift. Previously, the funding process for our ecosystem was centralized. However, with the emergence of Waves DAO, validators and engaged community members assumed control. They collectively determined how to allocate a portion of the validation rewards to fuel our ecosystem’s growth and introduce new offerings.

A significant aspect of Power Protocol involves the concept of slashing mechanics. This feature ensures responsibility in the decision-making process within the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). Before its launch, the DAO set specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). If the governance process results in meeting these KPIs, those involved are incentivized and their voting power is amplified. Conversely, if the process fails to meet the established KPIs, decision-makers face penalties, and their voting power is reduced. In my perspective, this mechanism is essential for real-world DAO applications as it introduces accountability, mitigating potential manipulation and abuse that can occur in simpler DAO models often found in crypto. These simplistic models typically rely on weighted voting based on token holdings, making it easier for larger token holder groups to approve any proposal without proper checks or balances.

As a crypto investor in Waves’ decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), I’ve noticed that the implementation of slashing has significantly increased accountability among us participants. Instead of just passively contributing to the DAO, we now have an incentive to actively engage and ensure that the DAO stays true to its primary objective – funding the development process and fostering growth for the ecosystem as a collective.

As a analyst, I’ve observed that the Waves example illustrates my belief that Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) have the potential to outperform centralized models. Properly executed decentralized governance can prove to be more robust and resilient than their centralized counterparts. This method isn’t confined to blockchain technology alone; it has the power to revolutionize any business model. By making decision-making more inclusive, setting distinct Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and optimizing cash flows, we can create a system that is not only self-governing but also adaptive and responsive to changing market conditions.

Sasha Ivanov

Sasha Ivanov is the brains behind Waves, a company he established in 2016 after years of dedicating himself to merging finance and blockchain technology. He’s the mastermind behind several startups in this field since 2013. At Waves, Ivanov introduced revolutionary concepts such as Ride, a smart contract language, pioneering decentralized finance solutions, and advanced crypto finance management tools. His visionary guidance also brought about Power Protocol in 2023, which transformed all projects under the Waves Tech ecosystem into Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), empowering community governance. In 2024, Ivanov introduced Units.Network, a collaborative and innovative blockchain network that addresses scalability challenges through interconnected solutions across different chains.

Read More

2024-06-27 16:51