Orbs, a decentralized Layer-3 blockchain infrastructure project focused on advanced on-chain trading, has announced the launch of OIP-9 (Orbs Improvement Proposal 9) — the project's first formal community governance vote aimed at establishing the Orbs DAO and its accompanying governance framework.

Layer-3 networks like Orbs operate as application-specific execution layers that sit atop Layer-2 scaling solutions and underlying Layer-1 base chains, a design category that has gained traction as decentralized finance protocols demand richer execution capabilities than base layers alone provide.

If approved by the community, OIP-9 will create the DAO's initial governance layer, granting eligible participants authority over specific areas of the protocol and setting the groundwork for progressive decentralization — a model adopted by major DeFi protocols such as Uniswap, Compound, and Aave, in which governance authority is transferred to token holders in stages rather than all at once.

The proposal represents a significant milestone in Orbs' governance evolution, coming after more than seven years of protocol development and nearly four years of on-chain governance. Over that period, the network has developed into an operational Layer-3 infrastructure supporting decentralized finance applications and execution products across multiple blockchain ecosystems. OIP-9 formalizes the community's role in protocol oversight through a structured, phased approach that balances decentralization with operational security.

"Decentralization works best when responsibility grows alongside the community's ability to govern effectively," said Ran Hammer, VP of Business Development at Orbs. "This proposal establishes a governance framework with clearly defined authority from day one while creating a path for the community to take on greater responsibility over time. We believe this creates a strong foundation for the next phase of the Orbs ecosystem."

Under OIP-9, governance participation will initially be limited to holders of tokens staked within the Orbs Proof-of-Stake contract. The DAO will function through community proposals and Snapshot voting — a widely used gasless, off-chain voting platform adopted by numerous DAOs — with approved decisions executed via dedicated DAO-controlled multisig wallets.

The DAO's initial scope of oversight will include selected network parameters governing the Proof-of-Stake infrastructure, Guardian certification and revocation, approval of major protocol upgrades, and approval of new protocol deployments and network-level product modules. These responsibilities are intended to provide the community with substantive authority while keeping the initial governance scope focused and manageable.

Rather than decentralizing every aspect of the protocol simultaneously, the proposal adopts a progressive governance model designed to expand community responsibility over time. Future governance proposals could address protocol revenue, treasury management, liquidity strategies, grants, burn mechanisms, and broader tokenomics as the DAO accumulates operational experience and refines its governance processes.

To safeguard network stability during the transition, OIP-9 includes a limited emergency mechanism that permits the Orbs core team to take action when immediate responses are necessary and community voting is not feasible. Any invocation of these emergency powers would require subsequent ratification through DAO governance, maintaining transparency and community oversight.

If approved, the proposal will also lay the governance foundation for the next phase of the Orbs roadmap, including a planned Season 1 tokenomics proposal. By first establishing the DAO's structure and authority, Orbs intends to enable future community decisions on protocol economics, network incentives, and ecosystem growth through an increasingly decentralized process.

About Orbs

Orbs is a decentralized Layer-3 blockchain infrastructure designed specifically for advanced on-chain trading. Operating as a decentralized execution layer that complements EVM-compatible blockchains, Orbs powers protocols including dLIMIT, dTWAP, Liquidity Hub, and Perpetual Hub, enabling advanced trading execution for decentralized finance. Through its Proof-of-Stake architecture and network of decentralized validators, Orbs provides infrastructure that enhances smart contract capabilities while maintaining security and decentralization.