The VOW Ecosystem Foundation

As the ecosystem matured, another organizational structure emerged.

The VOW Ecosystem Foundation.

Like VOW Limited, the VOW Ecosystem Foundation is frequently misunderstood.

Many people hear the word "foundation" and assume ownership.

Others assume governance.

Others assume control.

The reality is considerably simpler.

The VOW Ecosystem Foundation was established in Jersey in February 2023 as part of the transition of the VOW project from a founder-led structure toward a more decentralized ecosystem.

It was registered in Jersey on 7 February 2023 as VOW Ecosystem Foundation, Registration Number 472, with its registered office in St. Helier, Jersey.

Its purpose was not to own the ecosystem.

Its purpose was not to operate the ecosystem.

Its purpose was not to control participants.

What Is It?

The foundation's stated purpose is to hold and administer assets for the benefit of the VOW ecosystem and VOW token holders.

The white paper sets out the following:

• The Foundation currently holds 250 million VOW tokens after the initial token distribution, in these addresses:
  • 0x4891cafF84bf5Cb7b3f9EB2584b4d31c0f9432b9
  • 0x99f671F620284E37B926ad1F6380485b3bC3C4b1
  • 0xb422904485397F1A344B9526884EE6688b2b8dAa
• Those tokens are intended to be used to promote the use and adoption of VOW.
• The foundation has no owners and is intended to operate under a public charter rather than for the benefit of any individual or company.
• Members of the VOW community can apply for grants intended to benefit the ecosystem.

Why Jersey?

Jersey has a specific legal structure known as a Jersey Foundation, which is often used where assets need to be held for a defined purpose rather than for shareholders.

The VOW documentation states that the foundation was chosen to support decentralization because the assets are held for the ecosystem rather than being owned by a company or founder.

A Steward, Not An Owner

The VOW Ecosystem Foundation exists as a steward.

A steward is fundamentally different from an owner.

Owners possess economic rights.

Stewards possess responsibilities.

The VOW Ecosystem Foundation has no shareholders.

No beneficial owners.

No private beneficiaries.

No individuals entitled to its assets.

It exists solely to support the development of the broader ecosystem.

This distinction is critically important.

The VOW Ecosystem Foundation does not own entrepreneurs.

It does not own infrastructure.

It does not own applications.

It does not own businesses.

It does not own communities.

The VOW Ecosystem Foundation exists to support the ecosystem.

Not to control it.

This reflects one of the core principles that has guided the project from its inception.

The ecosystem should belong to its participants.

Not to any single institution.