MetisDAO (METIS) is an Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution that strives to address the blockchain trilemma, which suggests that a blockchain cannot be decentralized, secure, and scalable all at once. MetisDAO intends to overcome Ethereum's primary challenges, namely speed, cost, and scalability. The platform is designed to assist developers in creating and managing decentralized applications (dApps), while also supporting those who wish to build and launch new dApps. MetisDAO integrates the Decentralized Autonomous Company (DAC) framework into its Layer 2 infrastructure, with the intention of facilitating the transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0 for developers and businesses.

MetisDAO operates by using Optimistic Rollups, which allow users to perform transactions quickly and inexpensively on the Ethereum blockchain. These rollups bundle multiple transactions into a single transaction that is then processed on Ethereum. MetisDAO's Layer 2 infrastructure leverages Ethereum's security and decentralization to make transactions more affordable and faster. Unlike traditional systems where transaction data is stored on layer-1, Metis stores most of its transaction data off-chain, with only the minimum viable data stored on its layer-1. This off-chain data is then placed in Memo Labs storage by the Sequencer, making storage substantially cheaper compared to Layer 1 like Ethereum. MetisDAO provides a modular framework, enabling developers to build and customize their own dApps using Metis’ infrastructure.

MetisDAO functions as a Layer 2 scaling solution and a platform for building and running decentralized autonomous companies (DACs). It provides a grants program through its DAOTribution Campaign, which aims to empower contributors and communities to initiate their DACs on KORIS. Qualified applicants can submit grant proposals and receive funding through the Metis token. Furthermore, MetisDAO has developed a Hybrid Rollup, which combines optimistic rollup architecture with zero-knowledge proofs. Although the rollup is still under development, MetisDAO aims to provide a developer-friendly Layer 2 through this combination for Ethereum developers to deploy all types of decentralized applications.

MetisDAO was founded in 2019 by Elena Sinelnikova, Kevin Liu, and Yuan Su, and the business launched on November 17, 2021. Sinelnikova has a background in blockchain, cybersecurity, software development, and full-stack programming. Prior to founding Metis, she established other crypto projects, including the non-profit blockchain educational hub ‘Crypto Chicks,’ in 2017. Kevin Liu, who worked as an investment manager and in strategic development before launching Metis, holds an undergraduate degree in management and an MBA from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Yuan Su, who studied computer science as an undergraduate and then did an MBA at the University of Toronto, worked as a software engineer and manager at IBM until 2019, when he co-founded Metis. He now also heads up development at CaseWare International.

MetisDAO provides a Layer-2 scaling solution, which is a protocol that operates on top of an existing blockchain (Layer-1), in this case, Ethereum. This Layer-2 protocol is designed to address some of the challenges inherent in blockchain technology, such as transaction speed and cost. MetisDAO's protocol supports smart contract development, dApps, and more scalable transaction processing. It also strives to address the scalability trilemma, which is the challenge of achieving security, scalability, and decentralization simultaneously in a blockchain system. MetisDAO aims to create a scalable environment for apps, businesses, and the development of the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) community. The platform provides a range of solutions for developers seeking to address these challenges.

MetisDAO addresses scalability concerns in the development and deployment of Layer 2 solutions by implementing a technology stack and infrastructure. This technology stack includes Optimistic Rollups, a Layer 2 scaling solution that groups many transactions into one, then validates the group of transactions as a whole, saving on processing power. MetisDAO introduces the concept of Decentralized Autonomous Companies (DACs), designed to support collaborations beyond payments and voting. MetisDAO has developed its own Metis Virtual Machine (MVM) that separates computing and storage duties, creating new storage layers specific to each DAC. This separation allows the computing part to adjust dynamically on-demand. The Metis system has the capability to adjust the network horizontally as needed. These features are designed to scale transactions while maintaining security and usability.

MetisDAO's decentralized project management tools intend to bring changes to how people and businesses collaborate using blockchain technology. One of the elements is the Decentralized Autonomous Company (DAC) framework, which is designed to provide solutions for governance problems, organization management, and incentive alignment. This framework strives to improve upon traditional Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) by leveraging reputation systems. To join a DAC, members must hold and stake the DAC's tokens, which helps filter out potential members who might negatively impact the organization. Members establish their reputation through staking, and the longer they stake their tokens, the more established their reputation becomes. This system seeks to build trust among community members and manage decentralized collaboration effectively. Another element is the Metis token (METIS), which plays several roles in the Metis ecosystem, including transaction validation and processing on the Metis Andromeda network. These elements aim to facilitate collaboration by creating a decentralized, autonomous management system for day-to-day operations.

MetisDAO utilizes a distinctive governance structure that is contribution and reputation-based. This structure is designed to foster collaboration and decision-making in a decentralized environment. The MetisDAO platform is built around Decentralized Autonomous Companies (DACs), which are governed by contributors based on their level of contribution. This approach strives to foster a sense of responsibility among contributors for their decisions and accountability for the outcomes. The governance token used in Metis ecological governance voting is veMetis, which can only be obtained by staking Metis in DACs at the Commons and EcoNodes level. veMetis cannot be traded or manually destroyed. During ecological voting, veMetis is scanned and calculated at the DAC level to be counted as voting power. This governance structure seeks to reduce the reliance on inefficient token-based governance mechanisms present in current DAOs with ones based on users’ actual contributions and local reputations.

Users have the ability to bridge assets to the MetisDAO network using a variety of bridges, including the Metis Bridge, Celer Bridge, and PolyNetwork. In order to bridge assets, it is necessary for users to add the Metis Mainnet to their MetaMask account. This can be accomplished manually or through platforms that list EVM networks. Once this is set up, users can initiate the bridging process. The Metis Bridge and Celer Bridge aim to facilitate the bridging of $METIS token from the Ethereum chain to Andromeda and vice versa. Whereas, PolyNetwork strives to facilitate the bridging of $METIS token from other blockchain networks to Andromeda and vice versa. Please be aware that the bridging process involves transaction costs and requires careful attention to ensure the correct network and wallet address are used.

METIS token holders have the opportunity to participate in the staking process. Staking is a process where token holders contribute to transaction validation on a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain. By staking METIS tokens, holders may participate in the staking process, which has varying non-monetary rewards. The rate of these rewards is determined based on the crypto supply that retail clients store and the crypto borrowing demand from financial institutions, commercial, retail loans, and staking. Staking METIS tokens allows holders to participate in network decision-making processes. The main advantage of staking is that it may result in non-monetary rewards, and staking processes vary. In some cases, the non-monetary rewards from staking METIS tokens can be substantial. Participating in the staking process with METIS tokens is a process with potential non-monetary rewards.