Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, or DAOs, are changing how people coordinate online. Whether it’s allocating millions of dollars in a treasury, voting on critical proposals, or simply engaging with a community, DAOs are proving that decentralized governance can work. But how well is it actually working? To answer that, we’re diving into 30 extremely important DAO stats and explaining what they mean in practice. Each stat tells a different part of the story, and more importantly, each gives you actionable insights for building, managing, or investing in a DAO.
1. Total DAO treasury value surpassed $30 billion in 2024
This stat highlights just how far DAOs have come in terms of financial scale. With over $30 billion sitting in treasuries, DAOs are no longer just experimental communities—they’re real financial engines.
That kind of money demands serious responsibility.
If you’re running a DAO, this means you’re playing in the big leagues. You need accounting practices, multi-signature wallets, and treasury oversight just like any traditional organization. But here’s the twist: you’re doing all of that transparently on-chain.
Want to tap into this trend? Focus on building a treasury strategy early. Don’t wait until you’ve raised millions.
Use tools like Gnosis Safe to keep assets secure and implement basic reporting—maybe even quarterly updates—to show the community where funds are going. Being transparent builds trust, and trust is your currency.
Also, think long-term. $30 billion didn’t show up overnight. DAOs that manage their money wisely—diversifying into stablecoins, using yield strategies, and setting aside operating reserves—are the ones that stick around.
2. The top 5 DAOs hold over 60% of all DAO treasury assets
This stat reveals a concentration of power and capital. While the DAO space promotes decentralization, a few key players like Uniswap, Arbitrum, and MakerDAO are holding most of the treasure.
If you’re a smaller DAO, don’t get discouraged. Instead, use this as a sign to find your niche. Those top DAOs got big by solving very specific problems well.
Maybe yours focuses on decentralized science, or funding open-source software, or building better voting systems. Pick a lane.
Also, look at the big DAOs as partners—not competition. You can apply for grants, build tools for them, or plug into their ecosystem. For example, many DAOs have community funding arms that support smaller builders and contributors.
But if you are one of those top 5 or aiming to be? Then the spotlight is on you.
Treasury risk management, legal compliance, and community engagement can’t be afterthoughts. They have to be built into your process from day one.
3. Uniswap DAO has a treasury exceeding $3 billion
Uniswap’s treasury shows what’s possible when a protocol works and a DAO knows how to manage it. But having that much capital also comes with expectations. Every funding decision is scrutinized. Every proposal is debated.
The key takeaway here is scale. Uniswap’s treasury lets it fund internal teams, support ecosystem growth, and even acquire other projects. But all of this has to go through governance.
If you’re looking to replicate this success, you have to start with value creation. Uniswap didn’t raise $3 billion from a marketing campaign. It built something people needed, and then opened up ownership.
So focus on utility. Build something people want. Then structure your DAO in a way that keeps them engaged. Use token-based voting to give them a say, but also build tools that make participation easy—things like Snapshot, Discourse, and Discord bots for live updates.
Also, consider setting up a grants committee or core team that can move quickly with a small portion of the treasury, while the larger decisions go through full governance.
That balance is key.
4. Over 12,000 governance proposals were created across DAOs in 2023
That’s a lot of voting. But it also shows that DAOs are being used—not just held. People are proposing ideas, budgets, partnerships, even internal rules.
This level of activity means your DAO needs a system. You can’t just let anyone propose anything at any time. Set clear guidelines. Maybe proposals need to go through a temperature check first. Maybe they need a sponsor from the core team or a minimum number of likes.
This stat also tells you that governance isn’t optional. Even if your DAO starts small, as soon as you give people voting power, they’re going to use it. So be ready with documentation, onboarding guides, and tooling.
One smart tactic? Set up a calendar. Group voting periods together. That way people know when to check in and vote. It reduces fatigue and increases turnout.
And don’t forget to celebrate good proposals—both passed and failed. Publicly recognizing contributions creates a culture of engagement.
5. DAO proposal participation rate averages 15-25% of token holders
This stat might sound low at first, but it’s actually quite normal—and it’s still better than most traditional shareholder votes. However, it does mean the majority of token holders aren’t voting.
If you’re running a DAO, this is a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is obvious: how do you get more people involved?
The opportunity is in building systems that make it easy and rewarding to participate.
Start with education. Make short, simple summaries of proposals. Send them via email, Discord, Telegram—wherever your people are. Add clear pros and cons. Use visuals if you can.
Then tackle incentives. You can experiment with voting rewards. Even small incentives like POAPs (proof of participation badges) can build habits. Just be careful with token rewards—they can lead to spam voting.
Also look at delegation. Many people don’t vote because they don’t feel qualified. Let them delegate their vote to someone they trust. That one change can boost meaningful participation overnight.
6. Snapshot hosts over 80% of all DAO governance votes
Snapshot has become the standard for off-chain voting. It’s free, easy to use, and widely adopted. If your DAO isn’t using it yet, start today. The network effects alone make it worth it.
Snapshot doesn’t require gas fees, which means more people are likely to vote. It also integrates with tools like Safe, Tally, and Boardroom, giving you flexibility as you scale.
But don’t just set it up and forget it. Use Snapshot’s features—like vote types (single choice, weighted, quadratic) and strategies (based on token holdings, LP positions, or even NFTs). Customize your governance to fit your DAO’s culture.
Also, promote your votes. Just posting on Snapshot isn’t enough. Announce them across your platforms. Pin them in Discord. Use countdown reminders. Treat every vote like a product launch.
Snapshot gives you the infrastructure. You still need to drive the participation.
7. Treasury allocations in stablecoins average 35% across DAOs
Holding a third of your treasury in stablecoins is a smart move. It gives you predictability, especially in a volatile market. You know how much runway you have, how much you can spend, and what you’re risking.
If your DAO isn’t holding stablecoins, it’s time to reconsider. Crypto is exciting, but your operations need to be boring and stable. Think salaries, grants, audits, and infrastructure costs. You don’t want to pause everything just because ETH dropped 20%.
Start by reviewing your treasury mix. What percentage is in ETH, BTC, altcoins, and stablecoins? If you’re too heavy in volatile assets, set a goal to re-balance.
Use tools like Yearn or Lido to earn yield on stablecoins. Just be mindful of smart contract risk. And always keep enough liquid funds on hand for emergencies.
If you’re launching a new DAO, consider raising in stablecoins from the start. It keeps expectations clear and reduces treasury volatility.
8. The average DAO has a treasury size of around $1.2 million
This number might seem modest compared to the billions held by top DAOs, but it’s still a significant amount for any early-stage community. With $1.2 million, a DAO can fund full-time contributors, sponsor events, or invest in long-term tools and infrastructure.
If you’re managing a treasury around this size, your biggest priority should be sustainability. Ask yourself: how long can your current runway support your DAO? Where is the money going? Are you allocating enough to growth versus operations?
It’s also a good moment to formalize treasury operations. Consider establishing a treasury committee with defined roles. Use multi-sig wallets to avoid single points of failure. Set up regular reporting—nothing fancy, just monthly summaries that tell the community how funds are being used.
You’ll also want to avoid bloated spending. At this level, every dollar counts. Be lean, but strategic. Fund projects that return value—whether through more users, partnerships, or content.
And don’t forget to plan for revenue. Treasury funds won’t last forever. Think about ways your DAO can generate income, whether that’s through services, fees, token utility, or even NFTs. Financial resilience is what keeps your DAO alive.
9. DAO-related GitHub activity increased by 65% year-over-year in 2023
Code is the backbone of DAOs, and this stat shows the builder community is thriving. A 65% spike means developers are actively contributing, building governance tools, automating treasury management, and launching new features.
If you’re running a DAO, this is your chance to attract technical talent. But don’t just open-source your code and expect contributors to show up. Create clear documentation. Label beginner-friendly issues. Reward contributors with bounties or reputation points.
Also, stay active in developer hubs like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Twitter. Join hackathons. Partner with incubators. Developers want to work with DAOs that communicate well and move fast.
If you’re a non-technical founder, invest in your first core engineer. They’ll be your multiplier. And if you already have a team, create an internal developer DAO or guild to manage priorities.
Remember, building in public doesn’t just attract developers—it also builds trust with your community.
10. DAOs with incentive voting mechanisms see 2x higher participation rates
Participation is everything in a DAO, and this stat proves that incentives work. When people are rewarded for voting, they’re more likely to do it. The trick is doing it without compromising vote quality.
Start by defining what kind of behavior you want to reward. Is it just voting? Or is it thoughtful voting? Or maybe it’s delegating to someone qualified?
You can offer small rewards like POAPs or badges, or go bigger with token incentives. Just be careful—don’t turn voting into a farming opportunity. One way to prevent abuse is to use quadratic voting or stake-based voting where voters have skin in the game.
Another approach is gamification. Leaderboards, voter streaks, and participation milestones can make governance fun. People love seeing their name on a scoreboard.
Also consider reputation systems. Not all voters are equal—some contribute more, attend meetings, or write proposals. Give them more weight in decisions.
The bottom line? Incentives work—but they need structure. Done well, they’ll make your governance vibrant and reliable.
11. Aragon supports governance for over 6,000 DAOs
This stat shows how powerful governance tooling can scale. Aragon isn’t just a platform—it’s an infrastructure layer that makes it easy for anyone to spin up a DAO.
If you’re starting out, Aragon is worth exploring. It gives you plug-and-play modules for proposals, voting, and treasury control. No need to write your own contracts.
But here’s the catch: with 6,000 DAOs, how do you stand out? The answer is in community and purpose. Aragon gives you the tools, but you have to bring the story.
Think deeply about your mission. What problem does your DAO solve? Why should people care? Once you have clarity, use Aragon’s tools to build transparent processes around that mission.
Also, don’t be afraid to customize. You can integrate Aragon with Snapshot, Gnosis Safe, and Discord bots to create a seamless experience.
The takeaway? Aragon makes DAO creation easy—but it’s up to you to build something meaningful with it.
12. Polygon and Ethereum host over 85% of DAOs
The choice of chain matters. Most DAOs live on Ethereum or its Layer 2s like Polygon for good reason: network effects, tooling, and developer activity are strongest there.
If you’re launching a DAO today, think carefully about where to deploy. Ethereum offers security and prestige, but gas costs can be high. Polygon is cheaper and faster, and it’s widely integrated.
Consider your audience. Are they active DeFi users? They’re probably on Ethereum. Are you targeting new users or builders? Polygon might be a better fit.
Also look at your tooling. Some DAO platforms work better on one chain than another. For example, some governance frameworks offer native support for Polygon but not for other Layer 2s.
You can also go multi-chain, but be careful—it adds complexity. Cross-chain governance is still an evolving space.
The key is to go where your people are. Community comes first, and infrastructure follows.
13. Gnosis Safe holds over $20B in DAO-managed assets
Security is non-negotiable when managing DAO funds. Gnosis Safe has become the gold standard because it offers multi-signature control, easy integrations, and proven reliability.
If your DAO isn’t using Gnosis Safe yet, you need to consider it. It prevents any single actor from draining your treasury and lets you set up smart approval workflows.
Set up at least 3-of-5 or 4-of-7 multisigs for major spending. Have clear roles. Rotate signers periodically. And make sure backups exist in case someone loses access.
You can also use modules that add spending limits, automated payroll, and more. Treat your DAO treasury like a real company account—with protections.
Also, Gnosis integrates with many DAO tools, so you can trigger spending from governance votes automatically. That’s a game changer.
Don’t skimp on treasury security. Gnosis Safe is called “Safe” for a reason.
14. The average proposal approval rate is 72% across DAOs
Most proposals pass. That’s not a bad thing—but it could mean one of two things: either proposals are well-formed, or there’s not enough debate.
If your DAO is approving everything, consider adding friction to the proposal process. Introduce temperature checks, feedback loops, or discussion periods before voting.
You can also create different levels of proposals. Maybe small decisions need just 51%, but major changes need supermajority approval. That makes the system more resilient.
Also encourage dissent. Create a space where people can respectfully disagree. It makes your governance stronger, not weaker.
Use analytics to spot rubber-stamping behavior. If the same few wallets vote the same way every time, you might need to revisit delegation or incentives.
The goal isn’t to approve everything—it’s to make thoughtful decisions that move your mission forward.
15. 10% of DAO proposals fail due to lack of quorum
This stat might seem small, but it points to a real issue: apathy or lack of clarity. A proposal failing not because people disagreed, but because not enough people voted, shows a weakness in participation design.
To avoid this, you need to make quorum thresholds realistic. If your average turnout is 20%, don’t set quorum at 30%. Start low, then adjust as your community grows.
Communication also matters. Don’t just post proposals—market them. Use countdowns, Discord pings, social media. Remind people why the vote matters and how it impacts them.
You can also implement safeguards. For example, if a proposal misses quorum, allow a second round of voting with reduced thresholds. Or let key delegates revive it.
And most importantly, listen to feedback. If votes keep missing quorum, your community might be signaling that the proposals aren’t clear, relevant, or urgent. Fix that first.
16. The median voting duration for DAO proposals is 5 days
Five days is a healthy middle ground—long enough for people across time zones to vote, short enough to keep things moving.
But you still need to optimize the voting window for your audience. If you have a highly active community, 3–5 days may be ideal. If your community is more casual or global, extend it to 7 days.
The key is balance. Don’t drag things out. Long voting periods can cause voters to lose interest or forget. Use tools that send reminders 24 hours before closing.
Also, consider grouping proposal cycles. Run all votes for the week on the same schedule. This helps voters plan when to engage and can improve overall turnout.
If you’re worried about low participation early in the vote, seed it. Ask core contributors to vote early. It encourages others to follow.
Structure builds trust. And consistent voting windows help create structure.
17. Over 70% of DAO votes are conducted via off-chain platforms
Most votes still happen off-chain, using platforms like Snapshot. It’s easy, gasless, and fast—which is why it’s so popular.
If your DAO is still small or just getting started, off-chain is likely your best bet. It lowers barriers and encourages more frequent engagement.
But there are trade-offs. Off-chain votes aren’t enforceable by code. You still need human action (or a script) to execute the decision. That opens the door to delays or disagreements.
One solution is hybrid voting. Use off-chain platforms for temperature checks, and on-chain systems for binding decisions. Or use off-chain voting with auto-execution tools like Zodiac to bridge the gap.
Also consider your legal and operational risks. Off-chain voting is less auditable in court, which could matter in regulatory scenarios.
The advice? Start off-chain for speed and simplicity, but plan for on-chain execution as your treasury and community grow.
18. DAO treasury growth rate averaged 45% YoY between 2021–2024
That’s massive growth—and it shows the ecosystem is still very much in a build-and-grow phase. New value is entering the space, whether from token price increases, revenue, or direct fundraising.
If you’re managing a DAO, this growth means more eyes on you. More value brings more responsibility. It’s time to think about long-term sustainability.
Create financial reports. Build dashboards. Set budgets. Think like a company, even if you don’t have a CEO.
Also, figure out what’s driving your growth. Token appreciation? Contributor output? Grant income? Then double down on what’s working.
And prepare for downturns. Set aside reserves in stablecoins. Create a treasury diversification plan. High growth is exciting, but what keeps you alive is discipline during slow periods.
Treat growth as a gift—and manage it wisely.
19. The top 10 DAOs combined have over 2 million unique token holders
This stat shows the scale of DAO adoption. Millions of people now hold governance tokens, meaning millions have the potential to shape decisions.
That’s powerful—but it’s also complicated. More holders means more opinions, more coordination challenges, and more potential for voter apathy.
So how do you engage them? Start with segmentation. Not every holder wants the same thing. Some are builders, some are investors, some are just curious. Tailor your messaging to different groups.
Use social listening. Track sentiment on Twitter, Discord, and forums. Create feedback loops, surveys, and casual polls to understand what matters to your holders.
Also give them ways to contribute beyond voting. Community calls, bounties, working groups—these all deepen engagement.
Remember, holding a token is just the beginning. The real magic happens when people feel like owners, not just spectators.
20. Developer DAOs have grown by over 300% since 2022
Developers are gravitating to DAOs because they offer autonomy, creativity, and shared upside. A 300% increase means this isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement.
If your DAO relies on tech, this is your moment. Attract developers by creating a great contributor experience. That means clear roadmaps, easy onboarding, and real recognition.
Use GitHub, Discord, Notion, and bounties to organize your workflows. Keep the scope small, feedback fast, and rewards fair.
Also, showcase your builders. Highlight contributors in community calls, newsletters, and social media. Developers want to be seen and appreciated.
If you’re not technical yourself, find a technical co-founder or advisor who can lead this side of the DAO. Developer energy is your growth engine.
Don’t just fund devs—empower them to own the mission.
21. Governance token price volatility affects proposal turnout by up to 40%
When your governance token is volatile, your voting participation can swing dramatically. This happens because voters feel richer (or poorer) overnight, which changes their motivation.
To manage this, decouple participation from price. Offer consistent, non-token incentives like reputation, NFTs, or visibility. Create habits that aren’t tied to market mood.
Also communicate during down markets. Voters need reassurance that the mission is long-term. Remind them that governance matters even more when prices drop.
If you rely heavily on your token for incentives, consider adding stablecoin-based rewards or bonuses for consistent voters.
Volatility is part of crypto. But your community culture should be more stable than your token price.
22. The average number of voters per proposal is 350–500 in major DAOs
Even large DAOs struggle to activate most of their token holders. Getting 350–500 voters per proposal might seem small, but it’s actually quite good in context.
If you’re not hitting these numbers yet, don’t worry—it’s more about quality than quantity. A smaller group of engaged, informed voters can make better decisions than a large crowd of indifferent ones.
That said, you can still boost turnout. Send voting reminders. Use calendars. Promote proposals in your Discord and Twitter. Have champions explain proposals in plain language.
Also use tools like voter analytics to understand who your active voters are. Reward them. Ask for their feedback.
Think of governance as a funnel. Not everyone will vote. But the ones who do should feel valued and heard.
23. MakerDAO processes over $1 billion in treasury transactions yearly
This stat shows that large-scale DAOs aren’t just holding money—they’re actively using it. MakerDAO moves over a billion dollars each year to pay contributors, fund projects, support infrastructure, and manage risk.
If your DAO is growing, you’ll eventually deal with this level of complexity too. That means you need to think like an operations team, not just a crypto project.
Start building financial systems now. Track spending with dashboards. Use tools like Coinshift, Llama, or Parcel to manage transactions. Automate recurring payments and implement multi-sig controls to avoid mistakes.
Also publish monthly or quarterly treasury reports. They don’t need to be complex—just clear, honest, and consistent. That kind of transparency builds trust and invites contributions from serious partners.
And remember: it’s not just about moving money. It’s about doing it with purpose. Align every dollar spent with your mission. Your treasury is your lifeline—use it wisely.
24. DAO contributor bounties have distributed over $500 million to date
This shows how DAOs are turning community into workforce. Half a billion dollars in bounties proves that people are ready to work for DAOs, not just invest in them.
To tap into this, set up a bounty board. Use tools like Dework or Wonderverse to list small, well-scoped tasks. Make it easy to apply and even easier to get paid.
But don’t stop at bounties. Use them as a gateway. A great bounty contributor today can become a core team member tomorrow.
Also make bounties diverse—technical, creative, research, outreach. Everyone in your community has something to offer. The more inclusive your bounties, the more talent you’ll attract.
Make the process smooth. Pay fast. Give feedback. Celebrate completed bounties publicly. That builds a culture of contribution.
And track your spending. Bounties can add up quickly. Always tie them back to DAO goals so you’re funding progress, not just activity.
25. On-chain voting platforms saw 3x adoption growth in 2023
More DAOs are moving to on-chain voting because it offers security, automation, and transparency. A 3x growth rate shows that maturity is setting in.
If your DAO is still only doing off-chain votes, consider going hybrid. Start small—use off-chain votes for signaling and on-chain votes for high-stakes decisions.
Tools like Tally, Agora, or Snapshot with Safe modules let you trigger on-chain execution after a vote passes. That removes human bottlenecks and increases trust.
Make sure your contracts are audited. On-chain votes touch money, and bugs can be costly.
Also educate your community. Many members aren’t familiar with how on-chain voting works. Walk them through the process and help them understand gas fees, wallets, and confirmations.
On-chain governance isn’t just a trend—it’s the foundation of long-term DAO integrity. Start preparing for it today.
26. DAOs with delegated voting structures have 30–50% higher efficiency
Delegation solves one of the biggest problems in DAOs: low participation. When token holders assign their voting power to trusted delegates, decisions happen faster and with more consistency.
If your DAO doesn’t have delegation yet, it’s time to implement it. Platforms like Tally and Agora make it easy to let voters choose a representative.
Encourage delegates to publish voting rationales and track records. Hold them accountable. Spotlight active, thoughtful delegates and promote them to the community.
Make delegation easy. Allow re-delegation. Create a delegate leaderboard. Reward participation through non-monetary incentives like status or visibility.
Delegation isn’t about centralizing power—it’s about enabling those who care to act on behalf of others. Done right, it makes your DAO stronger and more nimble.
27. Over 80% of active DAOs were launched after 2020
This stat proves how young the DAO space still is. Most DAOs didn’t exist just a few years ago. That means we’re still in the early innings, and the rules are being written right now.
If you’re thinking about launching a DAO, this is a great time. The tools are better, the examples are clearer, and the community is more supportive than ever.
Study successful DAOs, but don’t copy them blindly. Find your own voice. Start with a simple governance model and evolve as you grow.
Also embrace the idea that you’re not late. You’re early. That gives you room to experiment, iterate, and build something original.
And remember: being early doesn’t mean you need to rush. Focus on community first. Everything else follows.
28. DAO voter fatigue reduces participation by 15% per quarter without incentives
This stat is a warning. Without thoughtful incentives and engagement strategies, voter interest fades over time. A 15% quarterly drop can lead to apathy, dysfunction, or even DAO death.
To fight this, create a governance rhythm. Bundle proposals. Limit voting to specific days each month. Use themed weeks or “governance seasons” to make things feel fresh.
Also switch up your formats. Try video town halls, AMA sessions, and written debates. Make governance social and human.
Reward participation with badges, tokens, or shout-outs. Build systems that make voters feel seen, heard, and appreciated.
Most importantly, reduce noise. Only bring serious, well-formed proposals to vote. That keeps voting meaningful and avoids overwhelming your members.
You’re not just managing votes—you’re managing energy. Protect it.
29. Average cost to pass a proposal (gas fees, campaign) ranges from $500–$10,000
It might seem surprising, but passing a DAO proposal often costs real money. From gas fees to proposal drafting, community campaigning, and outreach—these costs add up.
If you’re in a DAO, treat proposals like mini-projects. Budget for them. Support proposers with templates, mentorship, and a small grant to help them execute a quality campaign.
Also simplify your process. Don’t make proposers jump through unnecessary hoops. Streamline where you can. Use off-chain platforms for initial discussions and on-chain only for execution.
And teach your community about cost-effective strategies. For example, bundle related proposals or align multiple decisions under one vote to save gas.
A well-crafted proposal is worth the investment. Just make sure the process is fair, accessible, and transparent.
30. Treasury diversification strategies are implemented by 60% of large DAOs
This stat shows that DAOs are learning from traditional finance. Holding only one asset (like your native token) is risky. That’s why 60% of large DAOs now diversify into stablecoins, ETH, BTC, and even real-world assets.
If your DAO hasn’t done this yet, start with a simple treasury allocation strategy. Define target percentages for stablecoins (for stability), ETH or BTC (for growth), and your own token (for alignment).
Use tools like Balancer, Yearn, or Enzyme to automate parts of your diversification. Set periodic reviews to rebalance if markets move.
Also, consider non-crypto assets. DAOs are beginning to explore RWAs like bonds, real estate, or even equity stakes in startups. Just be cautious and ensure regulatory compliance.
Diversification is more than a financial tactic—it’s a survival strategy. It protects your mission, your contributors, and your future.
wrapping it up
The DAO ecosystem is no longer a fringe experiment—it’s a growing, thriving engine of innovation, collaboration, and decentralized capital. These 30 stats tell a deeper story: one of community resilience, evolving governance, and powerful potential.
