IMPORTANT - This is a draft direction for Gitcoin 3.0 => 3.3. Digest it, debate it, fork it, make changes. Nothing is official until ratified by @gitcoin governance. The post is for informational purposes only. Do not make any financial decisions based off this post.
[TEMP CHECK] GTC in Gitcoin 3.3
Objective
The goal for this post is to articulate how GTC could be useful in Gitcoin 3.3 and receive feedback on its direction from the DAO.
TLDR
If ratified: GTC captures upside from every funding mechanism Gitcoin accelerates—GTC is your exposure to the coming wave of onchain capital allocation apps.
Recap: What is Gitcoin 3.3?
Gitcoin 3.3 transforms Gitcoin from a single grants program into an evolutionary arena—a modular, pluralistic ecosystem where domains compete to build the most effective capital allocation mechanisms for Ethereum and beyond.
- Domains have specific goals (e.g., onboarding devs, growing wallets, scaling infra).
- Mechanisms are tested in the wild, evaluated on real outcomes, and rewarded based on effectiveness.
- The network evolves “proof of allocation intelligence” to continually improve how funding flows.
This is the shift: from building one mechanism → enabling an ecosystem of mechanisms—a system designed to adapt, improve, and scale.
More more about Gitcoin 3.3 here.
Core Value Proposition of GTC
1. Governance Power Over the Arena
GTC holders aren’t passive stakeholders—they are the architects of the capital allocation network.
- Decide which domains and mechanisms enter the arena. (3.0)
- Influence funding priorities for Ethereum’s most pressing challenges—public goods, infrastructure, onboarding, and growth.
- Set the parameters for “proof of allocation intelligence” and evaluation frameworks. (3.2)
Owning GTC is owning a seat at the table where the rules for the next era of Ethereum’s funding are written.
2. Upside in Successful Mechanisms
The arena incubates + accelerates allocators and evaluators that can grow into major funding channels.
- I think that the most promising source of tokenizable exportable value (TEV) is to do token swaps with projects that Gitcoin helps accelerate/incubuate.
- In this world, successful apps/mechanisms benefit GTC by increasing treasury resources, expanding network influence, and driving more governance relevance.
- As the arena’s winners scale, GTC is positioned to participate in the upside—not just as an observer, but as a co-owner of the network.
The Market Opportunity (TAM)
Capital allocation on Ethereum is still in its early innings, but imo the wave is inevitable.
- Capital allocation is a multi trillion $$$ design space. A prioiri, we know that onchain capital allocation will be a thing and that Etherum is a much more effective high resolution substrate for capital allocation.
- Billions in onchain treasuries, L2 sequencer revenue, and DeFi/DAO funds will need effective allocation systems.
- Public goods funding, growth programs, retroactive rewards, and protocol-level distribution mechanisms are all emerging verticals.
- Even a single major L2 or protocol embedding these apps/mechanisms could represent hundreds of millions in flow.
We can’t predict when the tipping point will hit—but when it does, GTC holders will be steering the infrastructure that allocates that capital.
Why This Matters
- Bundles Control + Upside: GTC holders both govern and benefit from the most advanced funding network in Ethereum.
- First-Mover Position: As onchain capital allocation scales, Gitcoin’s arena can be the default substrate others plug into.
- Compounding Network Effects: Each successful mechanism brings more partners, more flows, and more relevance for GTC governance.
Steelman for/against this vision
Here’s a steelman version of the case for and against the GTC-in-Gitcoin-3.3 vision:
FOR
- Control + Upside Bundled – GTC uniquely combines governance over a critical funding infrastructure with the ability to capture value as successful mechanisms scale.
- First-Mover Advantage in a Multi-Trillion TAM – Onchain capital allocation is inevitable; Ethereum is the highest-resolution substrate for it, and Gitcoin can be the default coordination layer.
- Network Effect Flywheel – Each new winning mechanism brings more partners, flows, and attention, compounding GTC’s governance relevance and economic potential.
AGAINST
- Uncertain Monetization Timeline – The capital allocation “wave” is inevitable but unpredictable; GTC could face a long value-capture lag.
- Execution Risk + Uncertain Monetization Process – We would need to figure out how to become a VC - basically picking which software providers are going to have asymmetric upside and will provide that value back to GTC via tokenization.
- Value Capture Leakage – Successful allocators might exit the network to capture value directly unless incentives are tightly designed.
Vote: Should we pursue this 3.3 GTC utility vision?
Please cast your vote:
FOR — Adopt this vision for GTC utility.
AGAINST — Reject the direction; continue with the current approach
ABSTAIN — I am neutral or need more information
Also in your comments, Id love to know which of these taglines (or forks of these taglines) are the most promising to you.
- “GTC - Steer Ethereum’s funding future.”
- “GTC - Govern the capital flow. Share the upside.”
- “GTC - Your vote. Your stake. Ethereum’s future.”
- “GTC - Pick winners. Profit from impact.”
- “GTC - Guide the capital allocation wave.”
- “GTC - Shape the rules. Reap the rewards.”
- “GTC: Influence with upside.”
- “GTC : Drive the arena. Reap the gains.”
- “GTC: Where governance meets gains.”
- “Hold GTC, share upside in the coming capital allocation ecosystem.”
- “GTC: Upside in every allocation.”