Decentralized Autonomous Organizations — Evolution, Practice, and Prospects

This open access book explores the transformative world of DAOs, where decentralized governance meets blockchain technology. Based on a competitive peer-reviewed selection of papers presented at the third European DAO Workshop at ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Winterthur, Switzerland in 2026, this book provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of DAO research. This volume captures the forefront of DAO scholarship, exploring innovative models of coordination, participation, and accountability across social, technical, and legal dimensions. Contributors examine how decentralized systems challenge traditional hierarchies, balance autonomy with governance, and interact with existing institutional frameworks.Through an interdisciplinary lens, spanning computer science, law, economics, and organizational studies, the book shed light on both the promise and paradoxes of decentralization. It offers fresh insights into legitimacy, inclusivity, and innovation within self-governing digital communities. Engaging, rigorous, and forward-looking, it continues the European DAO Workshop series’ mission to chart the evolving landscape of decentralized governance. As such, it is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of organizations, collective action, and digital society.