Ethereum guilds are elegant coordination mechanisms built from simple components that work together to create powerful collective entities. At their core, guilds combine on-chain identity, self-governance, and resource distribution to enable specialized groups to organize effectively while minimizing bureaucracy.
A self-curating registry is the foundation of any guild - an on-chain record of contributors and their relative weights within the organization. The SCR serves as:
Self-curation means the registry is maintained by the same entities listed within it. Any address on the registry has the power to propose and vote on updates, ensuring the registry remains accurate and up-to-date without requiring external oversight.
Governance enables the registry to evolve over time through collective decision-making. Key governance functions include:
The simplest voting system is one person/one vote for self-curation of the registry, though weighted voting is an option. The governance layer is intentionally minimal, focusing only on maintaining an accurate representation of the contributor base while preserving individual autonomy.
Protocols like Moloch V3 allows registries to remain self-curating by utilizing non-transferrable tokens for governance.
The splitter component automatically distributes resources received by the guild according to the weights recorded in the registry. Features include:
Using tools like Splits , guilds can implement sophisticated distribution logic while maintaining low operational overhead.
Resource streaming creates predictable, continuous flows of value to guild members, enabling:
Protocols like Superfluid enable guilds to implement sophisticated streaming arrangements that align funding with ongoing contribution.
Role management systems extend guild functionality by assigning specialized permissions to members:
Tools like Hats Protocol allow guilds to implement flexible role systems that evolve with their needs while preserving core decentralization.
Contribution tracking mechanisms help guilds quantify and recognize member contributions:
Effective contribution tracking creates the data foundation for fair resource distribution while incentivizing valuable participation.
Guilds typically evolve through these stages:
Most guilds start with flat structures (equal weights) and gradually develop more nuanced systems as their understanding of contribution value matures.
Each guild must select weighting methods that align with its values and the nature of its work. The most successful guilds combine multiple signals to create fair, nuanced contribution recognition.
As the guild ecosystem matures, we'll see the emergence of "guilds of guilds" - nested registries that coordinate across specialized domains:
Public Goods Fund
/ | \
PG1 PG2 PG3
(Each a guild with its own registry)
This structure enables: