Audio reading of this post here.

Background

A decade from its launch, Ethereum has grown into the largest distributed coordination system in history. Over the years, builders across the globe have converged around the world computer, drawn by its potential as a new, standard internet protocol. Once drawn to Ethereum, the computer, the significance of ETH, the money, becomes clear:

The computer gives value to the money.

The money gives security to the computer.

Without Ethereum, there would be no value for ETH. Without ETH, there would be no economic security for Ethereum. These distinct components exist in a thoughtfully designed, symbiotic relationship.

Market Gap

Efforts to harden the computer are steadily growing. Over 40 researchers are supported by the Ethereum Foundation, a fundamental pillar guiding technical direction and advancement.

More than 180 core devs and researchers from over a dozen organizations are funded through the efforts of Protocol Guild. The future of the Ethereum virtual machine depends on these critical builders, so if you can spare it, toss a coin to your core dev.

Meanwhile, few parallel efforts exist to bolster and support the money that secures our collective computer. Understanding what ETH is and what sets it apart from other assets requires deep technical knowledge and an abundance of time. Whenever an investment banker or politician brings up the “exciting potential” of some failed 2017-era ghost chain, we are reminded of a deep knowledge chasm that still exists today.

Supporting ETH

In a world where most don’t even know that Ethereum is a computer, supporting ETH begins with educating about Ethereum. 

Supporting ETH comes in the form of educational content from The Daily Gwei and Bankless. It looks like Etherealize making the institutional pitch for Ethereum and clear data visualization tools from growthepie. 

Supporting ETH means championing concise memes like “ETH is money” and explaining the value proposition of Ethereum’s monetary policy.

Supporting ETH means coordinating efforts like these and rallying the social layer. This is where Ether Guild comes in.

Ether Guild is a group of hyper-focused ETH supporters, working to elevate ETH, the money, in service of Ethereum, the computer.

On the spectrum of shape between community and institution, Ether Guild is a collective, community initiative. On the spectrum of focus between the computer and the money, Ether Guild’s attention is fixed on supporting ETH.

More concisely, Ether Guild funds ETH initiatives similar to the way Protocol Guild funds Ethereum development. Ether Guild achieves this mission through efforts called Quests.

Guild Quests

Quests are an opportunity for the Ethereum community to signal and aid through fine-grained, direct funding and achieve shared goals that support ETH.

Ether Guild’s first quest was to create a dashboard articulating why ETH is money using data collated beautifully by the growthepie team. Check it out.

Future quests will take various shapes and sizes, but all will fund initiatives supporting ETH.

Stay tuned for new quests.

Nonprofit

As a US-based nonprofit applying for 501(c)(3) status, Ether Guild relies entirely on donations and grants. While this structure imposes constraints that are uncommon in crypto, we believe that a legally transparent organization operating on financially transparent rails is essential for building legitimacy and trust within the community.

This legal status also allows Ether Guild to offer tax-deductible donation benefits to US-based donors.

Guild Officers

It is crucial for the Guild treasury to be managed by a cross section of the community:

Ryan Sean Adams of house Bankless

Anthony Sassano of house The Daily Gwei

Tobias Schreier of house growthepie

Grant Hummer of house Etherealize

Everdred of house Metal

The role of these members is to ensure that every wei received goes toward funding ETH initiatives.

Join us

Ether Guild is looking for partners in our mission to support ETH. Join the mailing list, follow us on twitter and farcaster, and stay tuned for our first crowdfunding effort to become a member. 

Volunteers interested in executing this mission can reach out at info@etherguild.xyz.

Donors interested in funding this mission can reach out at donate@etherguild.xyz.