In a current evaluation of Compound Finance’s token distribution, Bubble Maps, a blockchain analytic platform on December 11, reveals that a16z, a crypto-focused enterprise capital agency, holds 11% of COMP’s whole provide.
Bubble Maps notes {that a} important stake held by a16z in Compound Finance’s governance mannequin raises considerations over the protocol’s decentralization. A16z’s affect on proposals may outweigh the pursuits of the neighborhood.
Compound Finance is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that enables customers to lend and borrow varied cash. In line with DeFiLlama on December 11, the challenge has a complete worth locked (TVL) of $2.31 billion.
Its native ERC-20 token, COMP, is used for governance. As such, holders can vote on proposals that contain modifications to the protocol’s core guidelines and parameters.
Enterprise Capital Agency, a16z, Controls 11% Of COMP’s Provide
Nonetheless, Compound Finance was a decentralized crypto challenge, counting on a pool of retail and institutional buyers, together with enterprise capitalists, when elevating funds in its formative stage. Due to this leeway, a16z and different crypto funds, together with Bain Capital and Paradigm, are main buyers.
On account of these investments, Compound Finance, Bubble Maps mentioned, distributed 24 million COMP to non-public buyers, of which a16z initially acquired 1.34 million COMP. Nonetheless, the fund has liquidated some over time, dropping their whole holdings to 1.1 million, or 11% of the whole provide.
This focus of energy within the palms of a single entity raises considerations in regards to the decentralization of Compound Finance. Decentralization is a core precept in blockchain, and since Compound Finance is a challenge working on public ledgers like Ethereum, it should make sure that a single entity doesn’t maintain that a lot management.
If a16z have been to make use of its majority stake in COMP to push by means of proposals that profit its pursuits, it may successfully undermine the neighborhood’s energy and compromise the protocol’s integrity.
As Bubble Maps noticed, Compound Finance is particularly prone to this, considering their vote quorum requirement is 4%. For a proposal to be effected, not less than 4% of COMP holders should assist the concept.
Is This A Threat For Compound Finance?
Whereas this vote quorum requirement does present some safety towards the undue affect of a single entity, it’s nonetheless potential for a16z to exert important affect over the protocol by coordinating with different massive COMP holders.
Furthermore, the truth that a16z holds 11% of COMP’s token provide raises questions in regards to the long-term sustainability of the protocol’s pro-DAO governance mannequin. If a16z continues accumulating COMP within the open market, it may finally attain a degree the place it may possibly successfully dictate the protocol’s route with out coordinating with different holders.
Characteristic picture from Canva, chart from TradingView
