Astar Network Transitions to Decentralized Governance with Governance V1

Astar Network is embarking on a significant transition from centralized governance to a decentralized system with the introduction of Governance V1. This strategic move, inspired by Polkadot’s model and adopted by other parachains in the Polkadot ecosystem, aims to empower the community and ASTR token holders, fostering a more democratic and resilient ecosystem, according to astar.network.

Overview of the New Governance Model

The new governance system is an onchain mechanism designed to facilitate collective decision-making by stakeholders. Astar's governance model emphasizes stakeholder participation, allowing them to guide the network's development through stake-weighted referenda, Adaptive Quorum Biasing, and batch approval voting. These elements enable token holders and councils to collaboratively shape the protocol.

Proposals can originate from the public or the Council. Public proposals undergo a queue process, advancing to referendums for stakeholder voting if they receive enough endorsements. The governance process is inclusive and flexible, allowing token holders to vote directly or delegate their voting power. Decisions are executed after an enactment period, ensuring transparency and adaptability.

Participation and Tools

ASTR token holders are vital to the governance model, with the ability to propose ideas, endorse proposals, vote on referendums, and request treasury funds for Web3 projects. The Subsquare platform facilitates these activities, making governance participation straightforward and accessible. The initial governance launch commenced on December 2, 2024, following a runtime upgrade.

Understanding Proposal Types

Astar distinguishes between onchain and offchain proposals. Onchain proposals, which directly affect the blockchain, are managed through Astar Governance V1 and include changes to network parameters, treasury payments, and DApp staking decisions. Offchain proposals, managed in the Subsquare Discussions section or Astar Forum, gather community opinions on topics not requiring onchain execution, such as event locations or marketing strategies.

Conviction Voting and dApp Staking

Conviction voting, adopted from Polkadot, allows token holders to increase their voting power by committing to lock their tokens for a specified duration. This mechanism encourages participation in both dApp staking and governance. Tokens used in Astar Native dApp Staking can also be employed in governance activities.

The Three Councils Model

Astar's governance is supported by three councils: the Main Council, the Technical Committee, and the Community Council. These bodies ensure community-driven decisions are implemented effectively. The Main Council manages membership changes and treasury spending, while the Technical Committee oversees technical security and stability. The Community Council focuses on community initiatives and manages the Community Treasury.

Treasury Management

Astar Network features two onchain treasuries: the Main Treasury and the Community Treasury. The Main Council manages the Main Treasury, funding ecosystem growth through development grants and marketing initiatives. The Community Treasury supports community development, events, and dApp Staking projects.

First Onchain Proposal

The activation of onchain governance marks a pivotal moment for Astar and its community. The first proposal, "Astar Governance Day 1," invites community participation in the voting process, offering an initial experience before voting on substantive proposals. This proposal encodes a remark call within a block on the Astar Network, serving as a historical marker for the start of onchain governance.

Astar’s governance evolution represents a collaborative effort where token holders shape the network’s future, supported by councils that ensure stability and execution. This decentralized model is crucial for expanding Astar's capacity to support new initiatives and achieve its broader vision of real-world Web3 adoption.