Success Tokens: An Incentive Aligned Way for VC Funds to Invest in DAOs

Incentive DesignTokenomics are a tool for aligning the incentives of participants in a network. It is extremely important to identify what behavior is required from each participant in an ecosystem in order for the network to achieve a virtuous cycle. Equally important is designing suitable token incentives that encourage the desired market behavio... See more

On a recent Acquired episode, Multicoin Capital VC Kyle Samani points out why VCs have far greater risk-tolerance to make moonshot bets with tokenized web3 companies than they do with non-tokenized web2 companies: web3 VCs can always sell off the tokens, typically after a vesting period of a year. Where traditional VCs see most of their struggling ... See more

The most important takehome is that tokens are not equity, but are more similar to paid API keys. Nevertheless, they may represent a >1000X improvement in the time-to-liquidity and a >100X improvement in the size of the buyer base relative to traditional means for US technology financing — like a Kickstarter on steroids. This in turn opens up... See more

Early versions of token distributions have led to unsustainable dynamics wherein speculators are rewarded instead of those who are adding consistent value to networks through actual usage.

Summary: If you assume the next 5 years of crypto venture funds produce blended 10x returns, then (based on recent investing volumes) these cohorts of token projects will need to produce an estimated $2T of market cap and over $800B of float would enter markets on a 5-10 year time horizon. This cannot be absorbed by retail; it will require institut... See more

Token distribution mechanisms have adopted a lot of the structures from within the traditional financial world — including vesting schedules and vesting cliffs — which have resulted in some unintended consequences like adverse price action as tokens vest; and the inability of holders with large economic interests in a protocol to exercise governanc... See more

2. New token distributions designs are boosting user loyalty In theory, when users become owners and are (literally) invested, they should become more highly engaged and retained. Today, the reality is mixed.