Wulf Kaal – Professor, Book Author, Consultant

How DAOs Optimize Open-Source Code Reviews and Create Open-Source Standards

January 6, 2022

The paper examines the existing shortcomings in the open-source code review process and how decentralized autonomous organizations can help optimize the code review process and quality. Optimized code reviews and code review processes, in turn, can help create open-source software standards. The author evaluates the issuance of decentralized code reviews that are verified through a […]

How DAOs Optimize Charitable Giving

December 9, 2021

Charitable giving in legacy systems is subject to several major downsides that can be addressed with decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Centralized legacy charitable organization often lack foundational transparency and are subject to significant power imbalances that favor the donor and lead to centralization of the charity. Existing legal incentives often lead to so-called Zombie Charities […]

REPUTATION AS CAPITAL – How Decentralized Autonomous Organizations Address Shortcomings in the Venture Capital Market

November 13, 2021

Venture capital (VC) models can be optimized with emerging decentralized technology. After discussing the shortcomings of the existing VC market and the rise of alternative early-round funding mechanisms, the paper highlights the evolution of VC businesses that are operated by a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO).

Keywords: Venture Capital, Decentralized Autonomous Organization, Reputation, Decentralized Governance, Capital, Venture Funding, Finance, Token Models, Cryptocurrencies, Feedback Effects, Emerging Technology, Tokens, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology

JEL Classification: K20, K23, K32, L43, L5, O31, O3

Suggested Citation: Kaal, Wulf A., REPUTATION AS CAPITAL – How Decentralized Autonomous Organizations Address Shortcomings in the Venture Capital Market (November 13, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3962614

REPUTATION AS CAPITAL – How DAOs Upgrade Finance

October 25, 2021October 25, 2021

Abstract Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) have the potential to upgrade finance. This paper evaluates the design of and system requirements for a decentralized cryptocurrency venture capital investment club that is operating as a DAO (DAOIC). The design of the proposed DAOIC enables investors to substitute capital commitments by way of reputation token staking on proposed […]

Book on “Decentralization” Preorder Available Now

January 28, 2021

Excited to announce that the preorder of my book on “Decentralization” with Craig Calcaterra is now available: https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/569051

Blockchain Technology for Good

October 10, 2020

Abstract The evolution of blockchain technology as a foundational and transformational technology helps solve critical societal problems. Blockchain technology enables sustainability-focused blockchain initiatives to achieve their social and public welfare objectives. Using a dataset of sustainability-focused blockchain initiatives, blockchain startups, and established businesses, the article evaluates the core transformational features of blockchain technology and its […]

DECENTRALIZED AUTONOMOUS ORGANIZATIONS – INTERNAL GOVERNANCE AND EXTERNAL LEGAL DESIGN

July 15, 2020July 15, 2020

Abstract Most of the applications and uses of digital assets are improved and expanded with well-functioning and well-governed DAOs. The article evaluates the technical and internal governance solutions promulgated by DAO projects. Particular emphasis is placed on the duality of feedback effects between internal DAO governance and external DAO legal designs. Keywords: Decentralized Autonomous Organization, Governance, […]

Self Sovereign Identity

May 25, 2020July 13, 2020

Craig Calcaterra & Wulf Kaal The Existing Problem with Decentralized Identity Systems The basic Web of Trust (WoT) works as follows: Keep track of your network transactions, and ask how well the people who are part of your transactions are satisfied with the interaction. If they also have a big reputation and are satisfied with […]

DIGITAL ASSET MARKET EVOLUTION

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020

Journal of Corporation Law (2020) Abstract The market for digital assets has evolved since its inception in 2009. Its rapid proliferation in 2016-18 was followed by significant downward corrections in 2018-19. The article evaluates the central stages of the evolution of the market in digital assets and the affected market participants. It presents and compares […]

Stable Cryptocurrencies – First Order Principles

September 3, 2019

Stanford Journal of Blockchain Law & Policy (2019) Abstract The emergence and proliferation of stable cryptocurrencies necessitate the establishment of first order design principles for stable cryptocurrencies. After highlighting the benefits of stable cryptocurrencies for monetary policy making, overall market stability, and their impact on the emergence of decentralized commerce, the authors introduce First Order […]