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Breaking the Centralized Order: DAO Design for Founders in Washington

The Seattle area is home to some of the world's largest software and cloud-computing companies and a dense startup community.

Across Washington, from Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma, more teams are asking how a community can own and govern something together online.

Washington is also home to REI, one of the country's best-known consumer cooperatives, founded in Seattle. Breaking the Centralized Order treats traditions like these as design lessons: clear membership, shared obligations and visible accountability.

The book is about institutional design, not legal advice: rules on entities, tokens and taxes differ by jurisdiction, so consult a local professional in Washington before you launch.

At a glance: Washington

Cities: Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma
Education authority: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Region: United States — West

3 practical tips for founders and builders in Washington

Plan for failure: document how a contested proposal is reviewed, how a vote can be paused and how the DAO can wind down.
Map your upgrade powers: list every admin key and contract permission, and publish who holds them.
Separate the community from the contracts: decide which decisions need an on-chain vote and which can stay with working groups.

Get the book: Breaking the Centralized Order

Breaking the Centralized Order Other edition: DAO: Rompiendo el orden centralizado

Breaking the Centralized Order

Questions and answers

Can I use Breaking the Centralized Order to start a DAO in Washington?

The book covers institutional design (governance, treasury, voting and upgrade powers), which applies anywhere. It is not legal advice: rules for entities, tokens and taxes vary, so consult a local professional in Washington before launching.

Who wrote Breaking the Centralized Order?

Jarvis Nelson Osorio, a technology entrepreneur and innovator, systems architect and DAO institutional designer.

Where can I buy it?

On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HLWZVBCK

Jarvis Nelson Osorio is a technology entrepreneur and innovator, AI technology innovator, systems architect and DAO institutional designer.