Work

The metagovernance trilemma across decentralized autonomous organizations: a scoping review

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Metagovernance in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) refers to the mechanisms through which one DAO shapes or constrains another DAO’s governance, typically through token-based influence. Despite the growing inter-organizational relationships in decentralized ecosystems, metagovernance remains significantly understudied. Methods This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and systematically searched seven electronic databases from 2008 to 2025. From the 979 initial records, seven publications met the inclusion criteria. Results Three mechanism families emerged: voting and control links, architectural layering through nested DAO structures, and participation coupling via airdrops that create governance interlocks. Recurrent challenges include procedural complexity, participation concentration, security vulnerabilities in multi-stage voting pipelines, and cross-chain infrastructure risks. A metagovernance trilemma emerged, whereby simultaneously maximizing decentralization, security, and participation proves impossible. Conclusion Metagovernance spans forum deliberation, off-chain polling, and cross-chain execution, where decision points become obscured. Future research should focus on developing uniform definitions, interoperable measurement tools, and legal frameworks for cross-jurisdictional DAO governance.

Source: Frontiers in Blockchain

DOI: 10.3389/fbloc.2026.1759073

Authors: Lukas Weidener, Logan Bishop-Currey, Karlin Compton

Institutions: Northwestern University, Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Blockchain Technology Applications and Security

Subfield: Information Systems

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,418