What's new

Guide Ethical Voting in DAOs: The Role of Masternode Owners in PIVX Governance

LeacyMcK

Administrator
Staff member
𝐏π₯𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐒𝐧𝐝 π›πžπ₯𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐑𝐞 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 πŸ‘ 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐒𝐜π₯𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐑𝐞 π„π­π‘π’πœπšπ₯ 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐒𝐧𝐠 π’πžπ«π’πžπ¬ 𝐰𝐫𝐒𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 ππˆπ•π—'𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐫 @clem.

π„π­π‘π’πœπšπ₯ 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐧 πƒπ€πŽπ¬: π“π‘πž 𝐑𝐨π₯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐧 ππˆπ•π— π†π¨π―πžπ«π§πšπ§πœπž

"PIVX is a decentralized blockchain project that prioritizes financial privacy and security. It utilizes a unique combination of features, including proof-of-stake, masternodes, and zk-SNARKs, to enhance transaction speed, user anonymity, and transaction privacy.

Speaking of masternodes, PIVX operates a decentralized governance model that allows the community to shape the project’s future. As a decentralized open-source project, masternodes are one of the core pillars of the PIVX ecosystem. They bolster network security by validating blocks and transactions across a distributed network of nodes.

In this β€œEthical Voting Series,” we will explore the role of masternode owners in PIVX governance.

What is a Masternode?
A masternode is a specialized type of node that performs added functions within a blockchain network. These extra functions vary from one blockchain to another but generally revolve around improved performance and security, as well as governance participation.

PIVX masternodes perform two broad functions β€” they secure the network by providing additional nodes to validate blocks and transactions and they facilitate decentralized governance by casting their votes on submitted proposals. The latter enables second-layer innovations.

In addition to the right to participate in on-chain governance, PIVX masternodes are incentivized for their contributions to the network. Under the current block reward structure, 4 PIV goes to stakers, masternode operators are rewarded with 6 PIV, and 10 PIV goes to the DAO Treasury for budget and development.

Here’s a quick checklist if you intend to directly host a PIVX masternode:

10,000 PIV collateral
24/7 server uptime
Dedicated IP
Governance in PIVX
PIVX stands out from many blockchain projects by placing decentralized governance at its core. Unlike systems where governance is an afterthought or primarily controlled by the core team, PIVX mandates that every penny allocated from the treasury must undergo a community-wide vote. This crucial step ensures that Masternode operators, as key stakeholders, have a direct say in how the treasury fund is utilized.

Each cycle, a substantial sum of 432,000 PIV is allocated to the treasury. Community members, including core developers, can submit proposals for funding. These proposals can encompass a wide range of initiatives, from critical protocol upgrades and innovative development projects to vital community outreach programs.


Masternode owners are entrusted with the weighty responsibility of evaluating each proposal meticulously. They must consider its potential impact on the entire PIVX ecosystem, ensuring that the treasury fund is utilized ethically and effectively to advance the long-term goals of the project.

For a proposal to pass, it must receive a net positive vote of at least 10%.

What’s Expected of You
Whether you like it or not, ethical voting in the PIVX ecosystem is paramount to the project’s long-term success. Masternode owners must carefully consider the implications of each proposal before casting their votes. It is crucial to prioritize the overall health and sustainability of the PIVX ecosystem, ensuring that all decisions are made in the best interests of the community as a whole.

I want to define ethical voting as putting the interest and sustainability of the project ahead of your personal interests. You have the right as a masternode holder to vote against a proposal if you believe it does not serve the community’s interests.

It is also important to engage in open discussions with other community members, and carefully analyze the potential risks and rewards associated with each proposal. By exercising your voting rights responsibly and ethically, you can contribute significantly to the growth and development of PIVX."

1/3
 
Last edited:
π“π‘πž π„π­π‘π’πœπšπ₯ π‘πžπ¬π©π¨π§π¬π’π›π’π₯𝐒𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐧 ππˆπ•π—
Written by @clem


Decentralized Autonomous Organizations are generally lauded for empowering their communities through on-chain governance. Coin holders, delegates, or masternode owners (as in the case of PIVX) wield considerable influence by voting on proposals that shape the future of the project. However, this power comes with a significant ethical responsibility.

But which do you think should come first β€” personal interest or community interest? You are in for an interesting read on your ethical responsibility as a voter within the PIVX ecosystem.

What is Ethical Responsibility?
Ethical responsibility can be defined as the commitment to act with integrity, fairness, and a focus on the collective good. Put differently, it means prioritizing the long-term sustainability and success of the PIVX ecosystem over individual interests. Each vote cast has the potential to impact the entire community, and therefore, decisions should be made with careful consideration of their broader implications.

Focusing solely on immediate gains or personal preferences can lead to short-sighted decisions that may ultimately harm the project in the long run. For example, voting to increase the masternode reward to 10 PIV per block (from a current 6 PIV) may seem nice to masternode owners but it would be detrimental to stakers and the coin’s inflation. Ethical voting prioritizes the needs and interests of the entire PIVX community.

Decisions should be made with the goal of fostering an inclusive ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders, from long-term investors to new users.

Personal Bias in Decision Making
Let’s be honest with ourselves β€” many of us are here for the gains, not the tech. That said, no one would gladly embrace a decision or proposal that deprives them of certain privileges. Human nature often leads to biases in decision-making.

This could manifest in the form of favouritism and resentment within decentralized communities, where voting becomes based on personal feelings towards the proposal’s author. There is also the β€œUs vs. Them” mentality, typically leading to the formation of factions within the community. In both cases, individuals will favour proposals from their friends and factors, while kicking against ideas from those they’ve had disagreements with. This is unethical and detrimental to the DAO’s objective decision-making process.

Case Study
I still remember the Humpy vs. Balancer drama of 2022 like it was yesterday. The crypto whale subtly amassed a substantial amount of BAL tokens. This granted them significant voting power which they used to boost the BAL APR for the specific pools they were yield farming.

In one instance, Humpy gamed the system to direct $1.8 million of cumulative BAL emissions to themselves within six weeks. Ironically, Balancer DAO received a meager $17,000 as protocol revenue from the pool. Humpy used their influence to push for governance proposals that prioritized their own short-term gains over the long-term health of the Balancer ecosystem.

In reality, this is not an isolated case. While it may be impossible to remove bias and human interests from DAOs completely, voters must learn to strike a healthy balance.

Bottomline
Maintaining fairness and transparency in voting is crucial for preserving the friendly and inclusive nature of the PIVX community. When voting decisions are driven by ethical considerations and a commitment to the greater good, it fosters trust and respect among community members.

By engaging with proposals from a place of respect, free from personal grudges or preferences, masternode owners can ensure that the PIVX DAO operates in a fair and equitable manner. This, in turn, strengthens the community, encourages healthy debate, and ultimately leads to better decision-making outcomes for the entire PIVX ecosystem.

2/3
 
Top