State of DAOs in Taiwan: Exploring Decentralized Governance and Innovation
Insights from Our Latest Research
Following the introduction of The State of DAOs in Singapore report, we are excited to announce the launch of The State of DAOs in Taiwan, the latest installment in DAOstar's series of comprehensive research reports on Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) across Asia.
In this report, we explore the current landscape and development of DAOs in Taiwan. We examine several prominent DAOs, including FAB DAO, Volume DAO, Bu Zhi DAO, Xue DAO, and da0, highlighting their innovative approaches and contributions across diverse fields such as generative art, civic tech, and student communities.
Current Status of DAOs in Taiwan
Taiwan's DAO ecosystem is undergoing a critical transformation. With decentralized governance models driven by member consensus and an emphasis on innovation and collaboration, various Taiwanese DAOs are emerging as key drivers of social, cultural, and technological progress.
These DAOs showcase diverse applications of Web3 technology. Volume DAO pioneers NFT (Non-Fungible Token) and generative art projects, while da0 supports civic tech initiatives. Bu Zhi DAO facilitates international blockchain collaborations, FAB DAO integrates NFTs with public welfare, and Xue DAO focuses on student development.
Beyond specific projects, DAO knowledge-sharing communities such as Web3ForAll Book Club and da0 Learning Book Club help spread DAO-related knowledge to a broader audience in Taiwan.
Stakeholders in DAOs
Inspired by previous research, this report categorizes DAO stakeholders into four groups: Casual Contributors, Committed Contributors, Core Teams, and External Observers. These roles reflect varying levels of governance and decision-making involvement, though participation remains fluid due to the flexible nature of DAOs.
Casual Contributors engage minimally, using the DAO's products or supporting its values without direct governance involvement. Committed Contributors take a more active role, participating in governance and community activities. They view DAOs as platforms for personal growth and meaningful contributions. Core Teams oversee operations and decision-making, driving the DAO’s functionality. External Observers (non-participants) express interest in DAOs and may contribute insights, even if they remain skeptical or hesitant to join.
Understanding these dynamics is essential for designing inclusive and effective governance structures. By addressing the needs of diverse stakeholders, DAOs can build sustainable frameworks that foster long-term growth and collaboration.
Local Cultivation and International Interactions
Taiwanese DAOs are closely connected to global communities and actively leverage the inclusivity and permissionless nature of Web3 to organize large-scale international events.
For example:
da0 hosted Funding the Commons: Taipei 2023, inviting experts in Web3 public goods funding.
Volume DAO organized dialog() 2024, a transnational generative art exhibition across Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing.
Bu Zhi DAO (BZD) hosts the annual Taipei Blockchain Week, fostering international engagement within Taiwan’s DAO ecosystem.
These events attract global talent and contribute to Taiwan’s growing reputation in the DAO and Web3 space.
At the same time, many Taiwanese DAOs address unique local cultural and social needs. FAB DAO, for instance, focuses on public welfare, culture, and environmental issues. Its NFT series, Project Percentage (%), established the Hundred Peaks Public Fund, allowing NFT holders to collectively decide how funds are allocated for art and social initiatives.
Taiwan’s DAO ecosystem continues to evolve, demonstrating significant potential in technology applications, digital association, and community-driven innovation while balancing both local and global engagement.
Single Point of Failure? The Fragility of DAOs
While decentralization aims to eliminate single points of failure, many Taiwanese DAOs still rely heavily on a few core members for sustained operation. This reliance highlights the fragility of these organizations, particularly in the absence of robust incentive systems and feedback mechanisms to ensure long-term participation.
To address these challenges, DAOs must establish rotation mechanisms, shared responsibilities, and iterative governance models. As communities grow, decentralized governance may become increasingly complex. Implementing structured transitions and distributing responsibilities can reduce dependence on individuals and enhance long-term resilience.
Through continued experimentation with new models, DAOs will evolve to become more mature and adaptable to complex local and global environments.
Research Methodology
This study adopts a qualitative approach, combining semi-structured interviews, literature review, and participatory observation. The research focuses on Taiwanese decentralized autonomous organizations explicitly identified as DAOs. Five DAOs—FAB DAO, Volume DAO, Bu Zhi DAO, Xue DAO, and da0—were selected for in-depth analysis. Observations were conducted to examine their operations, stakeholder interactions, and community dynamics.
Additionally, semi-structured interviews with representatives from the four identified stakeholder groups provided deeper insights into their roles, motivations, and governance engagement. A literature review supplemented the findings to contextualize Taiwan’s DAO ecosystem within broader Web3 developments.
Despite our efforts to capture a wide range of cases, research time and resource constraints prevented us from covering some significant DAOs in detail. As such, the report should be viewed as a foundational analysis rather than a definitive overview of Taiwan’s DAO landscape.
Read the Full Report
Taiwanese DAOs have strong potential for scaling through continuous innovation and international collaboration. However, to sustain growth and overcome challenges, they also require supportive policies and regulatory flexibility.
We invite you to read the full report to explore our findings and analyses in greater depth. As we continue to examine the potential of DAOs in Taiwan and beyond, we welcome feedback and collaboration from the broader community.
Together, we can unlock new possibilities for decentralized governance and community empowerment. We look forward to engaging with all of you as we navigate the evolving landscape of DAOs in Taiwan and across Asia. Your insights and contributions are invaluable as we shape the future of Web3 governance.