Europe’s Bet on Order: What MiCA Means for Digital Finance in 2025

The Engine Driving the Web3 Revolution

You’re on a crowded subway. Everyone’s pushing and shoving, trying to get to their destination, but only a select few have the power to choose the route. The rest of the passengers? Well, they’re just along for the ride. Now, let’s flip that scenario. Picture a subway system where everyone has a say in the direction, the speed, and the stops. It’s a genuine collective effort where power isn’t concentrated in the hands of a few but spread equally among everyone.

That’s what Realms is like in the world of Web3.The subway lets everyone, from developers to token holders, have a say in their ecosystem, shifting away from the rigid, permissioned systems many DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) still use today. Realms is a decentralized platform built on Solana’s SPL Governance, allowing DAOs to run smoothly with open proposal creation, on-chain voting, and treasury control.

In most DAOs today, only a small group (usually developers or core team members) can make decisions. Token holders might vote, but the options are generally pre-approved, which makes the governance feel more like a spectator sport than active participation.

Here is Realms, where token holders aren’t just spectators; they’re the decision-makers. Anyone who holds tokens can propose new ideas, vote on those ideas, and manage the funds. This is actual decentralized governance in action. Over 800 DAOs are using Realms, collectively managing more than $1.5 billion in treasuries. It’s the freedom to steer the ship, not just sit back and watch.

To bring this to life, let’s look at two key examples: Pyth Network DAO and Artrade DAO. Both show how Realms let communities make decisions and shape their very futures.

• Pyth Network DAO: Data, Decisions, and Power

Imagine you’re a financial analyst, but instead of being limited to just receiving data, you get to create it, adjust it, and even decide the price for the services you provide. That’s what being part of the Pyth Network DAO feels like. Pyth is an Oracle network that provides real-time financial data to decentralized apps on Solana.

But here’s the twist: the community governs everything. By holding at least 1,000 PYTH tokens, you gain voting power. In August 2024, the DAO voted to set data fees at 0.001 SOL per request, putting the power to adjust the economics of the entire Oracle network in the hands of the community. It’s like a financial data cooperative, where input directly shapes the system.

• Artrade DAO: Giving Art a Governance Glow-Up

Now, let’s talk about something entirely different: Art. You own a piece of fractionalized art, like Picasso, but you also get to vote on which art gets tokenized next. Welcome to Artrade DAO, a Solana-based marketplace for tokenized real-world art. If you hold ATR tokens, you can propose new art pieces for the market and even vote on creating art collections. Not only do you have a voice in the digital art ecosystem, but you’re also rewarded with perks like discounted trading fees. In March 2025, a proposal to list a $50,000 tokenized painting passed with 62% approval. The community here doesn’t just buy art; they curate it.

Think of most DAOs today as puppet shows. You’re handed a front-row seat, given a voting paddle, and made to feel important. But behind the curtain? The script’s already written, the decisions pre-approved, and the core team’s pulling the strings. But Realms break that illusion.

Where permissioned DAOs lock proposal rights behind dev teams or foundation boards, Realms puts the keys in your hands. If you hold the tokens, you can propose. You can vote. You can move the treasury. No gatekeeping. There are no hidden agendas. And it’s not just ideals; Realms backs it up with practical advantages:

i. Votes cost next to nothing (0.001 SOL)

ii. NFTs can be used as voting tools

iii. Zero-code setup means you don’t need to be a developer to launch or participate

Even better? The ecosystem trusts it. Realms Ecosystem DAO (R.E.D.) launched with $200k in grants, available only to DAOs built on Realms. That’s validation, not a hype

So next time you see a DAO where “governance” means choosing between options A or B (both decided by a core team), ask yourself: Is this a real DAO… or just cosplay?

What does this mean for the future of Web3? Realms isn’t just a governance platform; it’s a revolution in how decentralized ecosystems function. Whether it’s shaping the pricing of financial data with Pyth or curating a global art marketplace with Artrade, Realms is empowering communities to take control and shape the projects they believe in.

Ready to get involved? Check out Realms’ doc, Realms.today, and pick a DAO that speaks to you. Whether you’re passionate about DeFi, art, or data, Realms is where governance occurs. And the best part? If you’ve got tokens, you’ve got the power. The Web3 subway is ready for you; all you have to do is hop on and steer the wheel.

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Realms: Home Of Solana Daos was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.