As the popularity and understanding of blockchain and Web3 technology grows, the annual Polkadot Decoded event continues to attract more interest from across the globe. This year, JUR’s representation by CEO Alessandro Palombo and newly appointed CTO Alessio Treglia was a standout, with their detailed and engaging presentation on the future of decentralized governance – and JUR’s pivotal role in it.
In his insightful opening discourse, Ale focused on the explosive potential of Web3, a potential he sees as extending beyond the realms of technology and into the very fabric of our future societies. He drew upon the transformative growth trajectories of giants like Google and Bitcoin – ubiquitous technologies that were once merely humble concepts, but today have become integral to many of our daily lives.
In the same vein, Ale explained how he sees Web3 as a cornerstone technology that will redefine how we view and manage public life and governance. The decentralization offered by blockchain and Web3 technologies allows for the creation of systems that are more equitable and just, where decision-making powers lie in the hands of the many, not the few. In this sense he believes that DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs are only the beginning of an ever-expanding system with the power to revolutionize governance. (He explained for example how NFTs currently operate at less than 0.1% of their real potential).
Ale then explained how he anticipates that the next big revolution will be in the realm of governance. He astutely pointed out that with public expenditures making up a significant portion of a country’s GDP, there is a pressing need for more streamlined and efficient governance in our daily lives. As the digital life we lead every day continues to evolve, he recognized a growing friction with the services managed by public organizations.
He drew an analogy with the transition from traditional mail to email, emphasizing how the inherent superiority of email as a medium has rendered traditional postal services almost obsolete. In the same vein, he predicts a future where Web3 and governance would undergo a similar transformation, becoming a foundational technology that shapes the public life of communities.
Technical Insight: Embracing Polkadot’s Capabilities
Taking over the stage, CTO Alessio shared his technical insights into JUR’s platform. He enlightened the audience about one of JUR’s most innovative initiatives, the Society DApp. The lauded, user-centric application targets communities who require a greater degree of flexibility than current DAOs can offer, such as influencers, Twitch streamers, sports clubs, Web3 groups, NGOs, and Network States united around a common cause.
While acknowledging the utility of DAOs for shared financial objectives and their success in fund management, Alessio emphasised how societies are distinct. They are founder-led and put people first, following the principle of one person, one vote. In this sense, a society member’s financial status or asset ownership does not influence their membership or voting power.
He then presented a direct comparison, highlighting that while DAOs usually have a token-based voting system, Network States prioritize membership. Unlike DAOs, Network State governance can be more centralized, but the governance model is defined by the actual citizens or members themselves. In addition, while DAOs primarily focus on managing funds or assets, societies can manage certain aspects of life.
Further, Alessio introduced the audience to the alpha version of the Society DApp itself, urging them to sign up for the hotly anticipated beta release. He explained how the platform is designed to simplify the process of creating societies: users can assign names, roles, and invite members. They can also establish the foundational principles, norms, traditions, and customs that define their society, allowing it to be fully prepared for when members join.
One of the standout features Alessio directly referred to was NFT passports – a unique and borderless membership proof within the community. Society founders can mint these ‘access keys’, which can be customized extensively, signifying a member’s status and validity within the community. He then explained how Jur has made creating societies easy, allowing founders to assign specific roles and establish the foundations, such as values, norms, traditions and customs. He also touched on the rewarding badge system – which acknowledges member contributions, serving as the basis for a versatile and effective reputation system. Lastly he broke down how societies can raise funds that are administered by a committee of delegates, who manage treasury expenditures and provide transparency and accountability to the founders and community members.
With the Society Dapp, Alessio demonstrated JUR’s commitment to creating flexible, decentralized platforms that put people first. By catering to a diverse range of communities and focusing on individual members over financial assets, JUR is ushering in a new era of decentralized governance.
Ale then took back over, discussing the Open Justice system – the first web3-based legally binding arbitration system, which will be testing its pallets publicly over the coming weeks and months. He gave a dynamic example of its use-case, namely with DAO treasuries. When a payment is made for work delivered, but it isn’t performed to satisfaction, there is very little recourse. Jur will allow a neutral third party of vetted arbitrators to assist with decision makers – forming just one of multiple dispute resolution systems to assist with problem solving (which will include different levels of legal enforceability including an online hearing if needed).
JUR’s Ambitious Roadmap for the Future
The pair didn’t stop at presenting their vision and the technical prowess of the JUR platform – also providing a sneak peek into JUR’s ambitious roadmap for the upcoming year. One of the major shifts includes JUR’s brand new substrate solo chain, which is now live and running with its first validators. Ale took the opportunity to cordially extend an invitation to those interested in becoming a validator, encouraging them to reach out via Discord. He also explained how holders would now be able to easily swap their VeChain-based JUR token to their new $JUR token, native to the new chain.
Additionally the pair mentioned the well-received Society Award part of the new DApp, which has already garnered participation from 53 different teams (and counting), representing a staggering 500,000+ society members. Something it was clear that the team are extremely proud of as the project continues to rapidly scale.
Bringing the Future Closer
As the Polkadot Decoded presentation concluded with a round of applause, it was clear that the JUR team had left a significant mark on the attendees. The discussion by Ale and Alessio brought forward a potential future where Web3 is central to public life, and a world where decentralized governance isn’t just a concept, but a beneficial reality. In this future, JUR stands as a beacon, leading the way with its dynamic platform and robust security offered by the Polkadot network.
Watch the full, exciting presentation 👇