BlackflagDAO formerly know as BanklessDAO

History

BanklessDAO was formed on May 4th, 2021 by Ryan Sean Adams and David Hoffman, creators of the BANKLESS podcast. To understand BanklessDAO's prior history, read Announcing BanklessDAO, the Genesis Proposal, and Getting Started with BanklessDAO. BanklessDAO, or bDAO as it became affectionately known by members, produced a huge amount of content spanning multiple media in many different languages in the 2.5 years or so it was operating at full steam.

In November 2023, it became clear that the use of the Bankless branding for the many different media nodes of the DAO would no longer be feasible. Despite Adams and Hoffman originally envisioning a headless brand, the experiment came to a natural conclusion with the community's decision to choose a different name and purpose for the next iteration of the DAO.

Formation

At first there was no clear direction, but weekly Community Calls continued and DAO members shared ideas and ideals with the aim of capturing what had made bDAO special, and what we wanted to take forward. Following a period of reflection and discussion, we decided to form a Transition Council (TC) to turn all the ideas into action. The six TC members have continued to collect extensive feedback from the community, meeting weekly in an open forum and working through all the changes necessary to redesign a DAO.

We chose Black Flag DAO because the black flag symbol was a strong part of the BanklessDAO identity. It symbolizes the pursuit of freedom.

As at December 2024, the DAO's name, visual identity, and web/social platforms have been updated, with TC work continuing into 2025 to redesign the membership and governance structures for Black Flag DAO.

Our Purpose

To build an onchain community of changemakers focused on vibing, thriving, and exploring decentralized systems.

Our Mission

To empower our community by fostering self-learning, collaboration, and innovation in decentralized systems. Focusing on Web3 tools, we aim to create opportunities for personal growth, sustainable operations, and impactful projects that embody freedom, sovereignty, and collective progress.

Our Vision

A world where decentralized systems enable individuals and communities to coordinate effectively, achieve self-determination, and unlock new possibilities for connection, creativity, and shared prosperity.

Our Values

Decentralized Governance

We believe in collective decision-making without central authority, leveraging blockchain technology to empower all participants.

Integrity and Transparency

We prioritize accountability, openness, and trust, ensuring clarity through blockchain auditability, proof-of-work principles, and honest communication.

Self-Determination

We champion the autonomy of individuals and organizations to set their own goals and shape their futures.

Vibes and Connection

We value fun, social connections, and the joy of building together as a community. The community is the end goal.