Realms, the platform dedicated to decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) on Solana, has made a significant leap forward with the full public release of Realms v2. Initially launched with gated access, the platform is now open to everyone, marking a new chapter in onchain governance.

The Transition to Public Access

The journey began with a strategic decision to limit access initially, as noted by Takisoul in their tweet: "It only took a week of gated access to ensure y'all wouldn't break anything before we unleash v2 to everyone on @solana." This approach allowed the Realms team to iron out any potential issues before scaling up. Now, with the platform fully accessible, users can dive into the enhanced features without any barriers.

Enhanced Features and User Experience

Realms v2 introduces a suite of improvements designed to streamline DAO operations and enhance user interaction. Key features include:

• Cleaner User Interface (UI): The redesign focuses on a more intuitive navigation system, making it easier for users to manage DAOs and participate in governance.
• Real-time DAO Activity: Users can now track DAO activities in real-time, ensuring they stay updated with the latest developments.
• Personalized DAO Dashboard: The Home tab serves as a personalized hub, displaying all joined DAOs and suggesting new ones based on wallet holdings.
• Exploration Tools: The Explore tab allows users to discover DAOs across Solana, sortable by various criteria such as live proposals and member count.
• Detailed DAO HQs: Each DAO now has a dedicated, redesigned headquarters with comprehensive sections for proposals, treasury management, and activity leaderboards.

Governance Transparency

One of the standout features of Realms v2 is the introduction of participation heat maps for proposal voting. These heat maps provide a visual representation of voter engagement, showing who voted, who didn’t, and how governance power was distributed. This transparency is crucial for fostering trust and accountability within DAOs.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, Realms v2 is set to introduce additional features such as user profiles and achievements, further enriching the governance ecosystem. The platform's commitment to continuous improvement is evident, with plans to expand its capabilities in line with the evolving needs of the Solana community.

Conclusion

The full public release of Realms v2 on Solana represents a significant milestone in the evolution of DAO governance. By transitioning from gated access to open availability, Realms has democratized access to advanced governance tools, empowering users to engage more effectively with decentralized organizations. As the platform continues to develop, it promises to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of onchain governance.

For those interested in exploring Realms v2, the platform is now accessible at Realms. Whether you're a seasoned DAO participant or new to the space, Realms v2 offers a robust and user-friendly environment to engage with the Solana ecosystem.