Bitcoin’s unmatched security and decentralization have made it the foundation of trustless finance. Yet, its programmability has not evolved. Enter Rootstock (RSK), that solves this by enabling smart contracts on Bitcoin, combining EVM compatibility with Bitcoin’s core strengths and principles.
But technology alone isn’t enough. For Bitcoin’s Layer 2 ecosystem to scale, it needs governance, incentives, and sustainable funding. This is where RootstockCollective comes in.
In this piece, we’ll explore how RootstockCollective redefines Bitcoin governance—what it is, how it works, and why it matters.
For those who understand governance, incentives, and the power of community-driven ecosystems, Rootstock Collective presents a unique opportunity. Whether you're a builder, investor, or active participant, this DAO allows you to contribute, make decisions, and get rewarded for your involvement.
Introducing Rootstock Collective
Launched in September 2024, the RootstockCollective DAO is designed to decentralize decision-making, fund innovation, and align incentives for builders, contributors, and token holders. Unlike traditional Bitcoin governance, which is often dominated by miners and core developers, RootstockCollective provides a structured, transparent, and scalable model for decentralized development.
Key Components
Source: Rootstock Collective Dapp
To understand how Rootstock Collective works, here are some of its core components:
stRIF Governance Token: Holders of RIF, the utility token of Rootstock, can stake it to receive stRIF, which grants governance power in the DAO. By staking and participating in governance, users directly influence treasury allocations, grant funding, and ecosystem expansion.
Decentralized Treasury: RootstockCollective’s treasury is funded by protocol fees, ensuring sustainability without relying on inflationary token emissions. The treasury is divided into three main areas:
Grants: Direct funding for builders and projects that enhance Rootstock.
Growth: Supporting community engagement, education, and adoption.
Operations: Ensuring governance infrastructure remains secure and scalable.
Unlike other DAOs that rely on speculative token models, Rootstock Collective uses real economic activity to sustain its treasury and fund meaningful initiatives.
Collective Rewards System: This system allows backers to stake their stRIF to support specific builders. Here’s how it works:
Backers allocate stRIF to builders they believe in.
Builders receive funding based on community support.
Backers earn a share of the rewards generated by the projects they fund.
This ensures that contributors get rewarded and that only high-impact projects receive funding.
Hybrid Governance Model: While RootstockCollective aims for full decentralization, it currently operates with a hybrid model that balances community-driven decision-making with initial oversight to prevent malicious proposals. This includes:
Oversight by the RootstockCollective Foundation during the early stages.
Multi-signature smart contract controls to protect treasury assets.
A roadmap toward full decentralization, ensuring governance gradually transitions to token holders.
Governance Structures & Decision-Making
RootstockCollective follows a structured governance framework to ensure both efficiency and decentralization. Here’s how it works:
Organizational Structure
RootstockCollective Foundation – Provides initial oversight, ensuring governance stability, treasury security, and strategic alignment.
Token Holders – stRIF holders who actively participate in governance, voting on proposals and shaping ecosystem decisions.
Builders & Grant Recipients – Developers and contributors who receive funding to enhance the Rootstock ecosystem.
Shepherds – Governance specialists who facilitate discussions, onboard participants, and ensure meaningful progress within the DAO.
This structure enables a transparent and accountable governance process, balancing community participation with necessary safeguards during early-stage development.
Decision-Making Process
Proposal System: Any member with 1,000 stRIF can submit funding or development proposals, ensuring meaningful participation in governance.
Voting Mechanism: Governance follows a 1 stRIF = 1 Vote model, allowing participants to vote directly or delegate voting power to experienced governance actors.
Treasury Management: Funds are transparently allocated based on governance votes, supporting grants, growth initiatives, and operational needs to ensure the DAO’s sustainability.
Security & Oversight: The DAO is structured to transition from hybrid to full decentralization, with multi-sig security measures and periodic audits protecting treasury assets.
For more information, refer to the whitepapers: Whitepaper | Rewards Whitepaper
Shepherds of RootstockCollective: Steering Decentralized Governance
To build a truly decentralized and collaborative governance framework, RootstockCollective has introduced Shepherds—trusted governance experts committed to shaping the DAO’s evolution. These key contributors facilitate discussions, onboard new participants, and ensure proposals drive meaningful progress, reinforcing the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.
Each Shepherd brings specialized expertise in governance, DeFi, and treasury management, helping RootstockCollective scale as the premier Bitcoin DAO:
Arana Ventures – DAO governance and research specialists, instrumental in deploying Uniswap v3 on Rootstock and supporting multiple foundations.
PGov – Governance strategists optimizing decentralized protocols with deep expertise in protocol operations.
Avantgarde – A DeFi-native asset management firm helping DAOs implement treasury and financial sustainability strategies.
Chrono Triggered – A Bitcoin L2 veteran and investor, offering technical expertise and strategic insights into decentralized ecosystems.
StableLab – From governance framework design, operations and community support to incentives and grant program management, we cover a wide swath of the ins and outs of DAOs.
Why Governance Builders Should Pay Attention
Bitcoin’s foundation is rock solid, but its true potential lies in what’s being built on top of it. Smart contracts, governance, payments, and identity are shaping the next phase of its evolution. To make this shift real, governance needs to be structured, incentives aligned, and funding sustainable.
Fueling Innovation – Builders need the right support, from funding to infrastructure, to drive real progress.
Sustainability First – Rootstock Collective moves beyond speculative models, backing its ecosystem with real economic activity.
This isn’t just about expanding Bitcoin’s utility—it’s about ensuring it thrives for the long haul.
StableLab: Driving Effective Governance
Effective governance is the backbone of any successful DAO. At StableLab, we play a key role in ensuring that Rootstock Collective operates transparently, efficiently, and sustainably. Our contributions include:
Structured governance to enhance decision-making.
Optimized treasury management to ensure funds are allocated effectively.
Strategic scaling to support Rootstock Collective’s long-term growth.
As Rootstock Collective expands, active governance participation is crucial. By delegating your stRIF to StableLab, you ensure efficient governance execution, strategic treasury oversight, and impactful decision-making.
Shape the future of Bitcoin governance—delegate today:
Share with your friends:
