The On-Chain and Off-Chain Mechanisms of DAO-to-DAO Voting

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2603.00708v1
• Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:30:27 GMT
• Title: The On-Chain and Off-Chain Mechanisms of DAO-to-DAO Voting
• Authors: Thomas Lloyd, Daire Ó Broin, Martin Harrigan,
• Abstract summary: Voting is the primary mechanism through which Decentralised Autonomous Organisations reach decisions.<n>We present a method for identifying metagovernance on the blockchain.<n>We produce a metagovernance network with 61s and 72 metagovernance.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Voting is the primary mechanism through which Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAO) reach decisions. Although transparent, the voting process can be complex: it can involve many interacting smart contracts. The nexus of the decision-making process can be relocated and the true voter demographic obfuscated. Furthermore, DAOs can govern other DAOs -- metagovernance. We present a method for identifying DAO-to-DAO metagovernance on the Ethereum blockchain. We focus on the links between DAOs and token contracts. We employ a signature-matching algorithm to flexibly handle a variety of DAO frameworks and voting schemes. Once we establish token-to-DAO relationships, we gather and process voting data to produce a list of metagovernance relationships. We apply this algorithm to an initial set of sixteen DAOs and we extend the dataset as more DAOs are identified. We produce a metagovernance network with 61 DAOs and 72 metagovernance relationships. We examine three case studies that show metagovernance of various forms: strategic, decisive, and centralised where a DAO becomes a nexus for metagovernance. We demonstrate that metagovernance obscures voting context and introduces entities driven by self-interest that can significantly influence governance. We highlight instances of metagovernance between DAOs operating on the Ethereum blockchain where current governance tools inadequately reveal such dynamics. To preserve the transparency-centric ethos of DAOs and mitigate risks associated with metagovernance, there is a pressing need for enhanced tools to address such issues.

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