Building a Decentralized Future: The Pros and Cons of Creating a Web3 Collective Vs. Dao"

Harlem DAV @Sandra Buttry
9 min readJan 26, 2023

A web3 collective refers to a group of individuals or entities that come together to achieve a common goal or set of goals using decentralized technologies such as blockchain and smart contracts. A DAO, or decentralized autonomous organization, is a specific type of web3 collective that operates on the principles of autonomy, transparency, and immutability. A DAO is typically run by a set of smart contracts, rather than by a central governing body.

The power of a web3 collective or DAO lies in its ability to facilitate decentralized decision-making and collaboration among its members, without the need for a central authority or intermediary. This can enable greater efficiency, transparency, and trust among members, as well as the potential for new business models and revenue streams. However, the success of a web3 collective or DAO will also depend on the specific implementation and governance structure, as well as the incentives and motivations of its members.

Creating a token as a collective refers to the process of issuing a token that represents ownership or membership in a web3 collective. This token can be used to facilitate decision-making and participation within the collective, as well as to incentivize certain behaviors or contributions. The process of creating a token as a collective typically involves designing a token economic model and smart contract, as well as engaging with the community and members to build awareness and adoption.

Creating a token as a DAO refers to the process of issuing a token that represents ownership or membership in a decentralized autonomous organization. In this case, the token is typically used as a means of governance, where token holders have the right to vote on proposals and decisions within the DAO. The process of creating a token as a DAO typically involves designing a token economic model, smart contract and governance structure, as well as engaging with the community and members to build awareness and adoption.
In summary, creating a token as a collective and creating a token as a DAO have some similarities, but the main difference is the way the token is used. A token in a collective represents membership and a token in a DAO is used for governance.
Releasing a token and releasing a non-fungible token (NFT) are both ways for businesses, creators, and communities to leverage blockchain technology and smart contracts to create new revenue streams and business models. However, there are some key differences between the two, as well as some pros and cons to consider.

Pros of releasing a token:
Tokens can be used to represent ownership or membership in a web3 collective or DAO, and can be used to facilitate decision-making and participation within the collective.
Tokens can be easily traded and exchanged on various decentralized exchanges (DEXs) or centralized exchanges.
Tokens can be used to incentivize certain behaviors or contributions within a community or ecosystem.

Cons of releasing a token:
Tokens are fungible, meaning they are interchangeable with other tokens of the same type and value. This can limit the uniqueness and value of a token, especially if there is a large supply.

Pros of releasing an NFT:
NFTs are unique and non-interchangeable, which can add value and scarcity to the token.
NFTs can be used to represent digital assets such as artwork, music, videos, and more.
NFTs can enable new revenue streams for creators and businesses, as well as new ways for fans and collectors to engage with and support their favorite creators.

Cons of releasing an NFT:
NFTs are not as easily traded and exchanged as tokens, as the market for NFTs is still relatively new and not as well-developed.
NFTs may require more technical knowledge and resources to create and manage, compared to tokens.
There is a lot of hype around NFTs and the market is still evolving and uncertain, which can lead to speculation and volatility.

In summary, releasing a token and releasing an NFT both have their pros and cons and the decision to release a token or NFT depends on the specific use case, goals, and audience of the project.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a U.S. government agency that is responsible for regulating securities markets and protecting investors. One of the main ways that the SEC regulates securities markets is by enforcing laws and regulations related to the issuance and sale of securities, including initial coin offerings (ICOs) and other forms of token sales.

When issuing a token, it's important to comply with the SEC's regulations to avoid potential legal and financial risks. However, the SEC's regulations are complex and constantly evolving, and there is a lot of uncertainty and debate over how they apply to different types of tokens and blockchain projects.

One way to potentially not sidestep the SEC is by conducting a SAFT (Simple Agreement for Future Tokens) which is a fundraising mechanism for blockchain projects that is similar to an ICO. SAFTs are typically used for projects that are in the development stage, and allow investors to purchase the right to receive tokens at a future date, when the tokens are issued and made available for trading on the secondary market. SAFTs are intended to provide a way for projects to raise capital while avoiding some of the regulatory issues and risks associated with ICOs.

Another way to potentially not sidestep the SEC is by issuing a token as a security token, which is a token that represents ownership or investment in an underlying asset, such as real estate or equity in a company. Security tokens are subject to the same regulations as other securities, such as stocks and bonds, and must be registered with the SEC and comply with other securities laws and regulations.
It's important to note that compliance with the SEC's regulations is a complex and ongoing process, and it's always advisable to consult with a legal expert familiar with SEC regulations and the impact they may have on your project.

In summary, ensuring compliance with the SEC's regulations is a complex and ongoing process, and it's important to consider the specific use case, goals, and audience of the project. There are different ways of potentially not sidestep the SEC such as conducting a SAFT or issuing a security token, but it's always advisable to consult with a legal expert.

Define the mission and goals of the web3 collective: Determine what problem or opportunity the web3 collective aims to address and what specific outcomes it aims to achieve.
Identify and engage with the community: Identify the key stakeholders and potential members of the web3 collective, and engage with them to gather feedback, ideas, and support.
Design the token economic model: Create a token economic model that aligns the incentives and motivations of members, and define how the token will be used within the web3 collective.
Develop the smart contract and governance structure: Design the smart contract and governance structure that will enable decentralized decision-making and collaboration among members.
Test and deploy the smart contract: Test the smart contract on a testnet before deploying it on the mainnet.
Launch and market the web3 collective: Launch the web3 collective and market it to potential members and the broader community.
Ongoing community engagement and governance: Continuously engage with the community, listen to feedback and make necessary changes.
Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, such as securities laws and data privacy laws.

It's important to note that creating a web3 collective is a complex process that requires technical, legal, and community engagement expertise. It's also important to consider the specific use case, goals, and audience of the web3 collective, as well as the potential risks and challenges. It may be wise to consult with experts in these fields before starting the process.

Pros of creating a web3 collective:
Web3 collectives can facilitate decentralized decision-making and collaboration among its members, without the need for a central authority or intermediary.
Web3 collectives can enable greater efficiency, transparency, and trust among members, as well as the potential for new business models and revenue streams.
Tokenization of ownership can provide an easy way to raise funds and incentivize members to participate and contribute to the collective.
Web3 collectives can be borderless, thus allowing to reach a global audience.

Cons of creating a web3 collective:
The success of a web3 collective will depend on the specific implementation and governance structure, as well as the incentives and motivations of its members.
It can be difficult to get members to participate and agree on decisions, leading to issues with decision-making and the overall success of the collective.
Web3 collectives can be challenged by issues of scalability, security and regulatory compliance.
The market is still uncertain and evolving, which can lead to speculation and volatility.

In summary, creating a web3 collective can be an efficient way to facilitate decentralized decision-making and collaboration among its members, but it's important to consider the specific use case, goals, and audience of the web3 collective, as well as the potential risks and challenges. It may be wise to consult with experts in these fields before starting the process.

Creating a collective

Identify a common goal or purpose for the collective.
Recruit individuals who share the same goal or purpose.
Establish a clear structure and decision-making process for the group.
Create a code of conduct or set of guidelines for members to follow.
Regularly schedule meetings to discuss progress, make decisions, and address any issues.
Establish communication channels among the members.
Assign roles and responsibilities among the members.
Continuously evaluate the collective's progress and make necessary adjustments.

Creating a DAO
Define the purpose and goals of the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).
Use blockchain technology, such as Ethereum, to create smart contracts that will govern the DAO's operations.
Define the rules for membership, voting, and decision-making within the DAO.
Create a token or cryptocurrency to be used within the DAO for transactions and as a means of gaining voting rights.
Develop a user interface to allow members to interact with the DAO's smart contracts.
Launch the DAO and recruit members to participate in its governance.
Continuously evaluate and update the DAO's smart contracts and governance structure as needed.
Maintain transparency and open communication with members to ensure the DAO is meeting its goals and making progress.

Tools of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) include:
Smart contracts: Self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement written directly into code.
Blockchain technology: Allows for secure, transparent, and tamper-proof record keeping.
Tokenization: Allows for the creation and distribution of digital assets, also known as tokens, which can be used to vote on proposals or as a form of currency within the DAO.
Governance models: Allows for the management and decision-making processes of the DAO to be decentralized and autonomous.
Voting systems: Allows for members of the DAO to vote on proposals and make collective decisions.
Token holder identification: Allows for the identification and verification of token holders, ensuring that only authorized individuals can participate in the DAO's decision-making processes.
Decentralized Storage: Allows for the storage of information on a decentralized network, allowing for greater security and accessibility.
Decentralized Oracles: Allows for the integration of external data feeds into smart contract.
Decentralized Exchange: Allows for the exchange of tokens within the DAO in a decentralized manner.

Tools of a web3 collective may include:
Decentralized platforms: Platforms such as Ethereum, EOS, and TRON that allow for the creation and deployment of decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.
Decentralized storage solutions: Platforms such as IPFS, Filecoin, and Swarm that allow for the storage of data in a decentralized manner, increasing security and accessibility.
Decentralized identity solutions: Platforms such as uPort, Civic, and SelfKey that allow for the creation and management of digital identities on the blockchain, enabling secure and private access to web3 services.
Decentralized exchange (DEX) and marketplaces: Platforms such as Uniswap, Binance Smart Chain, and Sushiswap that allow for the exchange of digital assets in a decentralized manner.
Decentralized oracles: Platforms such as Chainlink, Band Protocol and Tellor allow for the integration of external data feeds into smart contracts.
Decentralized communication and collaboration tools: Platforms such as 3Box, Aragon, and Colony that allow for decentralized communication and collaboration, enabling the creation and management of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
Decentralized lending and borrowing platforms: Platforms such as Aave, Compound and MakerDAO that allow for decentralized lending and borrowing of digital assets.
Decentralized prediction markets: Platforms such as Augur, Gnosis and Polymarket that allow for decentralized prediction markets to be created and used.
Note: The list is not exhaustive and new tools are emerging as the web3 ecosystem evolves.

Written by:

Uni Wagmi

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Harlem DAV @Sandra Buttry
Harlem DAV @Sandra Buttry

Written by Harlem DAV @Sandra Buttry

Harlem DAV (Digital Assets of Value) We create culture by empowering our community through education in Web3.

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