MakerDAO
Also known as: DAI Governance Protocol, DeFi Stablecoin DAO, Maker Protocol
A decentralized organization that governs the DAI stablecoin system using smart contracts and community governance.
MakerDAO is one of the earliest and most influential decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) in the DeFi space. It governs the Maker Protocol, which powers the DAI stablecoin—a crypto-collateralized token pegged to the U.S. dollar. Users lock assets like ETH or USDC in smart contracts to generate DAI. Governance decisions, such as collateral types, risk parameters, and system upgrades, are made using MKR tokens. MakerDAO exemplifies decentralized finance by merging algorithmic monetary policy with on-chain governance. It is a cornerstone of Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem.