About DRC
About DRC
Advancing decentralization through research and policy
Advancing decentralization through research and policy
What we’re building
at the Decentralization Research Center
What we’re building at the Decentralization Research Center
What we’re
building at the Decentralization Research Center
The Decentralization Research Center is a 501(c)(4) social welfare
nonprofit that advocates for decentralization as a fundamental characteristic of emerging technologies.
The Decentralization Research Center is a 501(c)(4) social welfare nonprofit that advocates for decentralization as a fundamental characteristic of emerging technologies.
Our work spans blockchain protocols and applications, artificial intelligence,
privacy technology and other systems where questions of control,
ownership and participation matter.
Our work spans blockchain protocols and applications, artificial intelligence, privacy technology and other systems where questions of control, ownership and participation matter.
Our work spans blockchain protocols and applications, artificial intelligence, privacy technology and other systems where questions of control, ownership and participation matter.
We support technologies that are immutable, censorship-resistant,
transparent, secure and capable of giving people greater control over their
data and digital lives.
We support technologies that are immutable, censorship-resistant, transparent, secure and capable of giving people greater control over their data and digital lives.
We support technologies that are immutable, censorship-resistant, transparent, secure and capable of giving people greater control over their data and digital lives.
THE CASE FOR DECENTRALIZATION
THE CASE FOR DECENTRALIZATION
The next generation of technology
should expand participation
and individual agency, not
concentrate power in fewer hands
The next generation of technology should expand participation and individual agency, not concentrate power in fewer hands
The next generation of technology should expand participation and individual agency, not concentrate power in fewer hands
Blockchain, artificial intelligence and other emerging
technologies have the potential to become some of the
most consequential systems of our time. They also carry
the risk of concentrating power and wealth, marginalizing
diverse voices and weakening individual control.
Blockchain, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies have the potential to become some of the most consequential systems of our time. They also carry the risk of concentrating power and wealth, marginalizing
diverse voices and weakening individual control.
DRC works to ensure that decentralization remains part of
the conversation about how these technologies are owned, governed and regulated.
DRC works to ensure that decentralization remains part of the conversation about how these technologies are owned, governed and regulated.
DRC works to ensure that decentralization remains part of the conversation about how these technologies are owned, governed and regulated.
OUR MANDATE
OUR MANDATE
Connecting research, technology and public policy
Connecting research, technology and public policy
Research-backed findings
Providing a trusted gateway to independent research on decentralized technologies and their implications for society.
Research-backed findings
Providing a trusted gateway to independent research on decentralized technologies and their implications for society.
Institutional convening
Bringing academics, policymakers, technologists and industry participants together through focused events and academic partnerships.
Institutional convening
Bringing academics, policymakers, technologists and industry participants together through focused events and academic partnerships.
Education
Drafting, funding and curating educational resources that make decentralized technologies easier to understand.
Education
Drafting, funding and curating educational resources that make decentralized technologies easier to understand.
Policy and public dialogue
Directly engaging with policymakers, regulators and institutions to advance the adoption of decentralized technologies.
Policy and public dialogue
Directly engaging with policymakers, regulators and institutions to advance the adoption of decentralized technologies.
OUR HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
From DAO research to a broader decentralization mandate
From DAO research to a broader decentralization mandate
From DAO research to a broader decentralization mandate
DRC was formed in 2021 with an initial focus on decentralized systems and DAOs. As emerging technologies became more integrated into everyday life, the organization expanded its focus to the wider policy, governance and societal questions surrounding decentralized technology.
APRIL 2025
The third annual Decentralized Tech Summit convened 100 leading academics, industry experts, and policymakers to explore both the evolving landscape of decentralized technologies and the policies shaping their future.
The third annual Decentralized Tech Summit convened 100 leading academics, industry experts, and policymakers to explore both the evolving landscape of decentralized technologies and the policies shaping their future.
June 2024
The first Equitable Tech Summit convenes academics, industry experts and regulators to discuss how technologies such as AI and blockchain should be owned and governed.
The first Equitable Tech Summit convenes academics, industry experts and regulators to discuss how technologies such as AI and blockchain should be owned and governed.
February 2024
DAO UTokyo brings together practitioners, policymakers and academics to discuss research, law and policy in the Asia-Pacific region.
DAO UTokyo brings together practitioners, policymakers and academics to discuss research, law and policy in the Asia-Pacific region.
November 2023
The Canadian Emerging Tech & Policy Summit convenes policymakers, regulators and industry leaders around technology policy.
The Canadian Emerging Tech & Policy Summit convenes policymakers, regulators and industry leaders around technology policy.
August 2023
DRC’s third annual Stanford summit explores how decentralized tooling can be used by centralized institutions.
DRC’s third annual Stanford summit explores how decentralized tooling can be used by centralized institutions.
April 2023
A live summit at Harvard brings academics, industry and policymakers together around decentralization and governance.
A live summit at Harvard brings academics, industry and policymakers together around decentralization
and governance.
September 2022
DRC begins publishing primers on decentralization, governance, advocacy and legal entity formation.
DRC begins publishing primers on decentralization, governance, advocacy and legal entity formation.
August 2022
The first live Stanford summit brings academics and industry together to discuss the challenges facing organizations pursuing decentralization.
The first live Stanford summit brings academics and industry together to discuss the challenges facing organizations pursuing decentralization.
August 2021
DRC begins funding, drafting and publishing decentralization research in a freely accessible public research library.
DRC begins funding, drafting and publishing decentralization research in a freely accessible public research library.
June 2021
DRC co-hosts its first Virtual DAO Summit with the Stanford Center for Blockchain Research.
DRC co-hosts its first Virtual DAO Summit with the Stanford Center for Blockchain Research.
Academic collaboration
Academic collaboration
Academic collaboration
Working across disciplines and institutions
Working across disciplines and institutions
Working across disciplines and institutions
DRC has collaborated with academic institutions to create spaces where research, technology and policy can meet.
University of Tokyo
University of Toronto
Harvard University
Stanford University
Harvard University
University of Cambridge
Cornell University
University of Oxford
Stanford University
Harvard University
University of Toronto
University of Tokyo
Harvard University
University of Cambridge
Cornell University
University of Oxford
MONTHLY UPDATE
Stay informed
DRC brings together policy experts, researchers and operators working across decentralization, governance and emerging technologies.
MONTHLY UPDATE
Stay informed
DRC brings together policy experts, researchers and operators working across decentralization, governance and emerging technologies.
MONTHLY UPDATE
Stay informed
DRC brings together policy experts, researchers and operators working across decentralization, governance and emerging technologies.
Contact
Let’s continue the conversation
We work with policymakers, researchers, journalists and builders seeking a clearer view of decentralization and emerging technology.
Contact
Let’s continue the conversation
We work with policymakers, researchers, journalists and builders seeking a clearer view of decentralization and emerging technology.
Contact
Let’s continue the conversation
We work with policymakers, researchers, journalists and builders seeking a clearer view of decentralization and emerging technology.