--- title: 'Veda DAO' sidebar_position: 4 description: Learn about the Veda DAO. hide_title: true --- ![](img/book.png) A **DAO**, or **Decentralized Autonomous Organization**, is an organizational structure that operates through smart contracts on a blockchain, with decision-making processes carried out in a decentralized and autonomous manner. The Veda DAO aims to create transparency, eliminate centralized authority, and allow members to participate directly in decision-making. > its the technical underpinning of the cooperative, our digital tools on ledger tech. ### Key Characteristics of a DAO: 1. **Decentralization** - Decisions are made collectively by the members. 2. **Autonomy** - Once deployed, a DAO operates according to its pre-defined smart contracts, which enforce rules and execute decisions automatically without manual intervention. 3. **Governance via Token Ownership** - Members often participate in governance by holding tokens, which can be used to vote on proposals or influence decisions. 4. **Transparency** - All transactions and governance decisions are recorded on the blockchain, ensuring accountability and transparency. 5. **Programmable Rules** - DAOs use smart contracts to define rules, manage assets, and execute actions based on collective decisions.