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Aragon DAO

December 21, 2025

A comprehensive story on Aragon DAO, detailing its mission, governance, impact, and future vision.

Introduction

Aragon is a pioneering organization based in Switzerland that provides tools and frameworks for creating and managing decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) on the Ethereum blockchain. Founded in 2017, Aragon has been at the forefront of the DAO movement, offering innovative solutions that empower communities to govern themselves effectively and transparently.

The project was initiated by Luis Cuende and Jorge Izquierdo, who sought to create a more equitable and decentralized future for organizations. The launch of Aragon coincided with the burgeoning interest in blockchain technology and decentralized governance, positioning the organization as a leader in this space.

Mission / Objectives

Aragon's mission is to enable anyone to create and manage a decentralized organization with ease. The core objectives include:

  • Empowering Communities: Providing tools that allow communities to govern themselves without reliance on intermediaries.

  • Enhancing Transparency: Ensuring that governance processes and decision-making are transparent and accessible to all members.

  • Fostering Innovation: Encouraging the development of new organizational models that leverage blockchain technology for improved efficiency and effectiveness.

DAO Stories - Aragon - by How to DAO it

Scope / Product / Services

Aragon offers a comprehensive suite of products and services designed to facilitate the creation and management of DAOs:

  1. Aragon App: A no-code platform that allows users to create and manage DAOs without needing technical expertise. Users can define governance settings, mint governance tokens, and pass proposals through a user-friendly interface.

  2. Aragon OSx: A modular governance framework that provides the flexibility to implement custom governance logic and set granular permissions. This allows organizations to adapt their governance structures as they evolve.

  3. Custom Services: Aragon also provides bespoke governance contracts and interfaces tailored to the unique needs of specific projects, ensuring that organizations can have a governance model that aligns with their goals.

Why a DAO as Organizational Construct

The choice to operate as a DAO stems from the inherent benefits that decentralized governance offers:

  • Decentralization: DAOs eliminate the need for centralized control, allowing all members to have a voice in decision-making processes.

  • Transparency: All actions and decisions within a DAO are recorded on the blockchain, providing an immutable record that fosters trust among participants.

  • Inclusivity: DAOs allow for diverse participation, enabling individuals from various backgrounds and locations to contribute to governance and decision-making.

Implementation

Permissions

Aragon allows organizations to set granular permissions for different members based on their roles within the DAO. This flexibility ensures that governance can be tailored to specific organizational needs while maintaining security and accountability.

Governance & Decision-Making

Aragon's governance structure is designed to facilitate effective decision-making through a transparent proposal system. Members can submit proposals, which are then voted on by token holders. This process ensures that all voices are heard and that decisions reflect the collective will of the community.

DAO Stories - Aragon - by How to DAO it

Community & Participation

Community engagement is central to the Aragon DAO model. Members are encouraged to participate in governance by voting on proposals, contributing to discussions, and providing feedback on organizational processes. The platform offers a frictionless experience to maintain high levels of participation.

Legal Entity Form

Aragon operates as a non-profit organization based in Switzerland. This legal entity form allows it to focus on its mission of empowering decentralized governance while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Technology & Tools

Aragon utilizes several technologies and tools to support its DAO framework:

  • Ethereum: The primary blockchain on which Aragon operates, providing a secure and decentralized environment for DAOs.

  • Aragon App: The no-code platform for launching DAOs.

  • Aragon Sox: A modular governance framework that allows for custom governance logic.

For collaboration and communication, Aragon leverages various tools including Discord for community engagement and GitHub for development and project management.

Impact & Outcomes

Since its inception, Aragon has achieved significant milestones:

  • Over 10,000 DAOs have been launched using Aragon's tools.

  • Aragon DAOs collectively govern assets exceeding $35 billion.

  • The platform has been instrumental in securing governance for major projects like Lido and Curve DAO, contributing to the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi).

Challenges & Learnings

Despite its successes, Aragon has faced challenges, including:

  • Regulatory Uncertainty: Navigating the legal landscape for DAOs remains complex, with varying regulations across jurisdictions.

  • User Adoption: Encouraging traditional organizations to adopt decentralized governance structures has proven to be a gradual process.

Aragon has learned to adapt its approach by focusing on education and community outreach, helping users understand the benefits of decentralized governance and easing their transition.

Future Vision

Looking ahead, Aragon aims to continue evolving its platform to meet the changing needs of communities and organizations. Future plans include:

  • Enhancing the Aragon App with more features for governance and community engagement.

  • Expanding its offerings to support a wider array of organizational models and use cases.

  • Strengthening partnerships with other projects in the blockchain ecosystem to foster collaboration and innovation.

References