Decentralized Cooperation Foundation (DCF) is an independent non-profit foundation founded in February 2022 that exists to build mechanisms for human cooperation from tools of secure computing, cryptography, and distributed systems. DCF operates under the laws of the Cayman Islands. ^[1][2][3]

Overview

The Decentralized Cooperation Foundation (DCF) is focused on developing tools for human cooperation by leveraging secure computing, cryptography, and distributed systems. The organization supports the evolution toward a decentralized future, often referred to as Web3, to enhance data security, scalability, and privacy while addressing the limitations of centralized platforms. ^[1]

DCF is committed to fostering the growth of emerging ecosystems and assisting in the development of public goods that promote decentralized cooperation. Initially, the foundation is concentrating on Agoric’s proof-of-stake chain and the Cosmos-focused IBC environment, with plans to expand support to other blockchain and non-blockchain ecosystems over time.^[4][5]

"Our mission is to unite people and entities in the spirit of cooperation with web 3.0, blockchain and decentralization as a binding fabric.

We are certain of the potential of web 3.0 as transformative pathway for both individuals and organizations, and we are committed to helping steward a new generation of users into this future." - DCF mission statement^[4]

Pillars of Cooperation

Advocacy

They aim to bring the old web into the future and to do so by campaigning on behalf of new technologies.

Evangelism

Confidence in the cooperative promise of blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Grant-Making

They fund exceptional developers in building (and building upon) innovative tools and services.

Community Support

They serve as connectors of individuals and organizations across specializations and globally.

Team

• Ric Shreves - President
• Bob Calabritto - Vice President, Marketing
• Joyce Kim - Operations Manager
• Hannah Hamilton - Financial Specialist
• Albena Kostova-Nikolova - Marketing Manager

Board Member

• Zaki Manian - Board Chair
• Jason Potts - Board Member
• Dean Tribble - Board Member
• Julian Morris - Board Member
• Silke Noa Elrifai - Board Member

Grants

Range

Announced in July 2024, DCF provided a grant to the blockchain monitoring and risk management platform Range to integrate Agoric and Inter Protocol. The DCF grant offered to Range involved a number of tangible deliverables across alerting, analytics, and forensics for the Agoric chain. ^[6][7]

"It is thrilling to witness a DCF grant producing an actual difference, boosting users’ security and safety guarantees, and delivering predictability and convenience. We are looking forward to seeing Range’s work realized and deepening our collaboration even further." - the team noted^[6]

CosGov

DCF awarded a grant to CosGov for the development of the Cosmos Proposal Builder, a Web application for creating Text Proposals, Parameter Change Proposals, and CoreEval Proposals for the Agoric blockchain network. It is now up and running, and allows for building a proposal for both Agoric and Inter Protocol. ^[8]