Meme Insider
In the fast-paced world of blockchain, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) often get a bad rap. Critics argue they're inefficient, prone to low participation, or just plain ineffective. But a recent tweet from DeanTheMachine, director at Realms DAOs, flips the script. Posting a screenshot of the Adrena DAO interface, he simply says, "This is how we DAO," tagging Adrena Protocol and challenging those who claim DAOs don't work.
For the uninitiated, a DAO is like a community-run company on the blockchain. Members hold governance tokens— in this case, ADX for Adrena—and vote on proposals that shape the project's future. Adrena Protocol is a perpetuals decentralized exchange (DEX) on Solana, allowing users to trade assets like BTC, SOL, and even meme coins such as BONK with up to 100x leverage. It's built to be community-owned, with low fees and real revenue sharing.
The tweet highlights Adrena DAO in action, showing over 1.29K members, 217 proposals, and a treasury worth $139.1K. What's catching eyes are the two ongoing votes, both passing with strong support.
Key Proposals Driving the Conversation
The first proposal, "DAO 10% revshare to Foundation to pay for maintenance," suggests allocating 10% of the protocol's revenue to the Adrena Foundation specifically for upkeep. This comes right after Adrena's announcement on November 12, 2025, that it's entering maintenance mode—no new features, just keeping things running smoothly. With a quorum of 281.78M votes met and overwhelming "Yes" support, it's a practical move to ensure sustainability without draining the treasury.
The second, "Entrust autonom with protocol stewardship moving forward," proposes handing over ongoing management to Autonom, an RWA (real-world asset) oracle project that's already integrated with Adrena. Autonom, found at @AutonomRWA, specializes in bridging real-world data to blockchain. This shift could bring fresh expertise to maintain the protocol, especially in maintenance mode. Again, quorum is achieved at 303.03M, with votes leaning heavily positive.
These aren't just rubber-stamp votes; they show real engagement. The proposer address (H9fGu...MRuCY) holds significant ADX, but the community's buy-in is evident from the participation.
Why This Proves DAOs Can Work
Skeptics often point to failed DAOs where proposals drag on or voter apathy reigns. But Adrena, powered by Solana's efficient Realms platform, demonstrates the opposite. Quick voting periods (ending in hours or days), clear quorum requirements, and transparent interfaces make governance accessible. Plus, with Solana's low transaction costs, casting a vote doesn't break the bank.
This model is especially relevant for meme token communities. Many meme projects on Solana, like BONK or other viral tokens, start as fun experiments but evolve into serious ecosystems needing governance. Adrena's approach—tying revenue directly to community benefits—could inspire meme DAOs to handle upgrades, partnerships, or even treasury allocations more effectively.
Implications for Blockchain Practitioners
If you're building or investing in DeFi or meme tokens, Adrena's story is a reminder that good governance isn't optional. It sustains projects through tough times, like this transition. While Adrena pauses new developments, the DAO ensures continuity, potentially setting the stage for a comeback or smooth handover.
For more on Adrena's journey, check out their official site or dive into the DAO at dao.adrena.xyz. And if you're in the Solana ecosystem, tools like Realms make starting your own DAO straightforward.
