> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.builtbydao.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.builtbydao.com/onboarding/faq.md).

# FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions about Built By DAO.

***

{% hint style="info" %}

## ❓ FAQ Categories

{% endhint %}

| ⛓️ Technical | 🗳️ Governance | 👥 Membership |    🪙 Tokens   |
| :----------: | :------------: | :-----------: | :------------: |
|  Blockchain  |     Voting     |     Ranks     | BLTBY & EQTBLT |

|  🏠 General |  🏠 Residents  | 🔨 Contributors |    💰 Investors    |  🤔 Objections |
| :---------: | :------------: | :-------------: | :----------------: | :------------: |
| What is it? | Member housing |   How to earn   | Investment options | Hard questions |

***

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="🏠 General" %}

## 🏠 General Questions

### What is Built By DAO?

Built By DAO is a decentralized autonomous organization building community-owned infrastructure. We're creating a system where members build equity through contribution, communities govern their own development, and the people who build it own it.

See [What is Built By DAO?](/getting-started/what-is-built-by-dao.md) for the full overview.

***

### How is this different from a regular company?

Built By DAO is governed by its members, not shareholders or a board. All decisions are made through on-chain voting, treasury movements are transparent, and there's no central authority that can override community decisions.

See [Governance](/governance/governance.md) for how decisions are made.

***

### Is this a cryptocurrency or housing project?

Both. We use blockchain technology (tokens, NFTs, smart contracts) to enable a new model of housing development and community ownership. The technology serves the housing mission, not the other way around.

See [Smart Contracts](/developers/contracts.md) for the technical foundation.

***

### Where is Built By DAO based?

Built By DAO operates as a global decentralized organization. [The Foundry](/the-foundry/foundry.md) locations will be established in multiple regions, starting with initial hubs determined by governance.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🏠 Residents" %}

## 🏠 For Residents

### How does member housing work?

When you live in a Built By DAO property, a portion of your rent is automatically converted to EQTBLT tokens—your stake in the DAO. These tokens give you governance rights and can be redeemed for DAO services.

See [Rental & Rebate Contract](/developers/contracts/rental-rebate.md) for technical details.

***

### Can I take my equity with me if I move?

Yes. EQTBLT tokens are in your wallet, not tied to a specific property. If you move to another DAO property, your equity follows you.

***

### What happens to my equity if I leave the DAO?

Your EQTBLT remains in your wallet permanently. It can be redeemed for DAO services but cannot be transferred or cashed out.

See [EQTBLT Token](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) for token mechanics.

***

### What kind of housing does the DAO develop?

We develop community-owned residential properties where members can live while building equity in the collective. Each property is governed by members and connected to the broader DAO network.

👉 [Member Housing](/onboarding/member-housing.md)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🔨 Contributors" %}

## 🔨 For Contributors

### How do I earn EQTBLT?

Complete tasks assigned through the DAO's project management system. Every completed task mints EQTBLT directly to your wallet.

***

### What kind of work is available?

Construction, deconstruction, technical work, design, administration, community building, governance, and more. We match tasks to your skills and interests.

See [Divisions](/divisions-and-roles/divisions.md) for the full organization structure.

***

### How much can I earn?

Rates vary by task complexity and your rank level:

| Work Type       | EQTBLT/Hour |
| --------------- | ----------- |
| 🌱 Basic tasks  | 10-20       |
| 🔧 Skilled work | 25-50       |
| 💻 Specialized  | 50-100+     |

***

### Is this a job replacement?

It can be. Some members contribute full-time; others contribute part-time alongside other work. The minimum to stay active is about 3 hours/week.

***

### Can I convert EQTBLT to cash?

No. EQTBLT is non-transferable by design. It can be spent at DAO businesses or redeemed for services, but it cannot be sold or traded.

👉 [Quick Start: Contributors](/quick-start/quick-start-builder.md)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="💰 Investors" %}

## 💰 For Investors

### What investment options are available?

| Option           | Description                                                       | Learn More                                 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| 💎 BLTBY tokens  | Purchase through BLTBYBank, tradeable on DEXs                     | [BLTBY Token](/token-economy/bltby.md)     |
| 🎫 Investor NFTs | Angel ($10k-$250k), VentureOne ($500k-$5M), or Trust ($5M-$100M+) | [Investment Options](/investors/invest.md) |

***

### Can investors control the DAO?

No. While investors get governance multipliers, there's a cap that ensures contributors have primary voting power. This is by design.

See [Governance](/governance/governance.md) for the voting model.

***

### What returns can I expect?

Built By DAO is not a traditional investment with guaranteed returns. Value comes through BLTBY appreciation and participation in building sustainable communities.

***

### Is investment in Built By DAO regulated?

Investor NFT purchases require KYC/AML verification. Regulations vary by jurisdiction—consult your financial advisor.

👉 [Quick Start: Investors](/quick-start/quick-start-investor.md)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="⛓️ Technical" %}

## ⛓️ Technical Questions

### What blockchain does Built By DAO use?

Built By DAO operates on **Base**, an Ethereum Layer 2 network. This provides low transaction costs while maintaining Ethereum's security.

***

### Do I need cryptocurrency experience?

No. We help you set up a wallet during [onboarding](/onboarding/onboarding.md) and guide you through the technical aspects.

***

### What wallet should I use?

We recommend **Coinbase Wallet** or **MetaMask** configured for the Base network.

See [Wallet Setup Guide](/guides/wallet-setup.md) for detailed instructions.

***

### Are the smart contracts audited?

Yes. See our [Smart Contracts](/developers/contracts.md) documentation for details.

***

### Can smart contracts be changed?

Some contracts are upgradeable through governance votes. Token contracts ([BLTBYToken](/developers/contracts/bltby-token.md), [EQTBLTToken](/developers/contracts/eqtblt-token.md)) are intentionally non-upgradeable to ensure economic stability.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🗳️ Governance" %}

## 🗳️ Governance Questions

### How does voting work?

Members vote on proposals using a quadratic voting system. Voting power is based on rank, EQTBLT balance, and activity recency—capped at 4× to prevent any single member from dominating.

See [Voting](/governance/voting.md) for the complete voting model.

***

### Who can submit proposals?

Active contributing members can submit proposals. Proposal submission requires staking 2 BLTBY tokens to prevent spam.

See [Submit a Proposal](/guides/submit-proposal.md) for step-by-step instructions.

***

### What can governance decide?

| Category     | Examples              |
| ------------ | --------------------- |
| 💰 Financial | Budget allocations    |
| 🏠 Property  | Acquisition decisions |
| 📜 Policy    | Rule changes          |
| ⚙️ Technical | Platform upgrades     |

The Leadership Council can veto proposals that would harm the DAO's mission.

***

### How are disputes resolved?

Most disputes are handled through governance processes. The Leadership Council and Guardians (Level 9A) review high-stakes decisions.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="👥 Membership" %}

## 👥 Membership Questions

### How do I join?

Complete [onboarding](/onboarding/onboarding.md), including two onboarding calls, wallet setup, and your first task.

***

### Is membership free?

Onboarding is free. Membership is maintained through active participation.

***

### Can I be removed from the DAO?

Membership can be revoked for conduct violations or extended inactivity, following documented policies with appeal rights.

***

### What are the 14 membership ranks?

From Seeker (new member) through Steward (organizational leadership). Each rank represents increasing trust, responsibility, and governance power.

| Level        | Rank                            | Learn More                                      |
| ------------ | ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| 1A           | 🌱 Seeker                       | [Seeker](/membership/ranks/seeker.md)           |
| 1B           | 🌿 Apprentice                   | [Apprentice](/membership/ranks/apprentice.md)   |
| 2            | 🔧 Contributor                  | [Contributor](/membership/ranks/contributor.md) |
| 3-6          | ⚙️ Operator → 🧭 Guide          | [Ranks](/membership/ranks.md)                   |
| 7-10         | 🏘️ Community Lead → ⚜️ Steward | [Ranks](/membership/ranks.md)                   |
| {% endtab %} |                                 |                                                 |

{% tab title="🤔 Objections" %}

## 🤔 Common Objections

We've heard the skepticism. Here are honest answers to hard questions.

***

### "This sounds too good to be true."

**The concern:** Earn equity just by working? Housing that builds ownership? It sounds like a pitch, not reality.

**The honest answer:** Nothing here is magic. The model works because it trades short-term efficiency for long-term alignment.

* Contributors earn equity instead of higher wages. The tokens have value *if* the DAO grows.
* Residents build equity instead of getting lower rent. The benefit compounds *over time*.
* Investors get governance participation instead of control. The tradeoff is intentional.

The risk is real: if the DAO fails, EQTBLT is worthless and BLTBY may decline significantly. This isn't "too good to be true"—it's a different risk/reward profile that requires believing in the model.

***

### "What if the DAO fails?"

**The concern:** I put in work/capital and the whole thing collapses. What then?

**The honest answer:** This is a real risk. Here's what happens in failure scenarios:

| Scenario         | What Happens                                                                                                                    |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Slow decline** | Treasury depletes (with [safety rails](/governance/safety-rails.md) slowing it). BLTBY value drops. EQTBLT becomes less useful. |
| **Rapid crisis** | Safety rails kick in: 15% floor always retained, daily/monthly caps prevent rapid drainage. Time to respond.                    |
| **Wind-down**    | Properties would be sold. Treasury distributed per governance. No liquidation preference for investors.                         |

**The mitigation:** Built By DAO is structured for resilience—real property backing, safety rails, diversified revenue—but no guarantee exists. Don't invest or contribute what you can't afford to lose.

***

### "How is this different from a timeshare?"

**The concern:** "Build equity through residency" sounds like timeshare marketing.

**The key differences:**

| Timeshare                     | Built By DAO                                 |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| You buy a *week* of access    | You earn *permanent equity*                  |
| Fees escalate, value plummets | No escalating fees, value tied to DAO growth |
| Can't exit easily             | EQTBLT stays with you forever                |
| No governance rights          | Full voting power                            |
| Single property               | Network of properties                        |
| Extractive business model     | Community ownership model                    |

Timeshares are designed to extract ongoing fees from trapped buyers. Built By DAO is designed for members to accumulate governance power over time. The incentives are opposite.

***

### "If EQTBLT can't be sold, is it really valuable?"

**The concern:** A token I can't cash out sounds like funny money.

**The honest answer:** EQTBLT is valuable *within the DAO ecosystem*—not on external markets.

| What EQTBLT Gets You                     |
| ---------------------------------------- |
| Voting power on treasury decisions       |
| Redemption for DAO services (\~$1 value) |
| Spending at DAO businesses               |
| Access to programs and resources         |
| Voice in organizational direction        |

The non-transferability is the feature, not the bug. It ensures governance power reflects contribution, not speculation. If you need liquid returns, [BLTBY](/token-economy/bltby.md) is the investment token.

***

### "What stops the founders from running off with the money?"

**The concern:** Crypto is full of rug pulls. Why trust this team?

**The structural protections:**

| Protection                        | How It Works                                                                        |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Treasury safety rails**         | Hardcoded: 10% per proposal, 5% daily, 20% monthly, 15% floor. No one can drain it. |
| **Multisig control**              | Treasury requires multiple signatures, not single-key access                        |
| **On-chain transparency**         | Every transaction is publicly verifiable on Base                                    |
| **Founder → Multisig transition** | Control transfers to community multisig over time                                   |
| **No special privileges**         | Founders earn EQTBLT like everyone else                                             |

The system is designed to be trust-minimized. You don't have to trust the founders—you can verify the contracts.

***

### "DAOs are unproven for real-world operations."

**The concern:** DAOs work for DeFi protocols. Physical real estate is different.

**The honest answer:** This is valid skepticism. Most DAOs manage digital assets. Built By DAO is attempting something harder.

**Why we think it can work:**

* **Legal structure:** Wyoming DAO LLC provides real-world legal recognition
* **Property ownership:** DAO can legally hold title to real estate
* **Operational structure:** Divisions, guilds, and working groups provide traditional management within DAO governance
* **Hybrid model:** Day-to-day operations run by contributor teams; governance handles strategic decisions

**What could go wrong:** Decision-making may be slower than traditional companies. Contributor governance may make poor choices. Coordination overhead may be higher.

This is genuinely experimental. We're betting that aligned incentives outweigh coordination costs.

***

### "The crypto market is volatile. Won't this collapse in a bear market?"

**The concern:** BLTBY could crash 90% like other tokens.

**The honest answer:** BLTBY *will* be volatile. Crypto markets are volatile. However:

| Stabilizing Factor         | Why It Matters                                                      |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Real asset backing**     | DAO owns actual property, not just tokens                           |
| **Non-speculative equity** | EQTBLT can't be traded, so governance isn't speculation-driven      |
| **Utility demand**         | BLTBY needed for staking, transactions, access—not just speculation |
| **Revenue generation**     | Rent and business income provide non-token revenue                  |

BLTBY price may fluctuate. But the DAO's underlying value—property, treasury, member activity—doesn't disappear in a bear market. The token price and organizational health aren't the same thing.

***

### "I don't understand crypto. Is this for me?"

**The concern:** Wallets, tokens, blockchain—it's overwhelming.

**The reality:** You don't need to understand blockchain to participate.

| What You Need             | What We Provide                                                      |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Basic smartphone/computer | [Wallet setup guide](/guides/wallet-setup.md)                        |
| Willingness to learn      | [Onboarding](/onboarding/onboarding.md) walks you through everything |
| 30-45 minutes             | Setup time with support                                              |

Many members start with zero crypto experience. The technology is a tool—you don't need to understand how it works to use it.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🪙 Tokens" %}

## 🪙 Token Questions

### What's the difference between BLTBY and EQTBLT?

| Aspect      | 💎 BLTBY             | 🏠 EQTBLT              |
| ----------- | -------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Type        | External token       | Internal token         |
| Tradeable   | ✅ Yes, on DEXs       | ❌ No, non-transferable |
| Acquisition | Purchased with money | Earned through work    |
| Primary use | Investment           | Governance             |

See [Token Economy](/token-economy/tokens.md) for complete details.

***

### Why can't EQTBLT be transferred?

This prevents wealthy individuals from buying voting power and ensures governance remains tied to actual contribution.

See [EQTBLT Token](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) for the full rationale.

***

### What's the maximum supply of BLTBY?

7 billion tokens. New minting is limited to 5% of max supply per year with a 365-day lockout between mints.

See [BLTBY Token](/token-economy/bltby.md) for tokenomics.

***

### Is there an EQTBLT supply cap?

No. EQTBLT supply is unlimited because it reflects actual DAO activity. More work = more tokens.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

<details>

<summary>🏭 The Foundry Questions</summary>

### What is The Foundry?

The Foundry is our network of physical regenerative development hubs where construction, training, material recovery, and community building happen.

See [The Foundry](/the-foundry/foundry.md) for the complete guide.

### What are the 7 zones?

| Zone                                                | Function                       |
| --------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| 🏗️ [The Yard](/the-foundry/foundry/yard.md)        | Material intake and processing |
| 🏪 [The Depot](/the-foundry/foundry/depot.md)       | Storage and inventory          |
| 🔧 [The Workshop](/the-foundry/foundry/workshop.md) | Woodworking and finishing      |
| 🔥 [The Forge](/the-foundry/foundry/forge.md)       | Metal fabrication              |
| 🚉 [The Station](/the-foundry/foundry/station.md)   | Logistics and transport        |
| 🏛️ [The Hall](/the-foundry/foundry/hall.md)        | Community gathering            |
| 🏠 [The Loft](/the-foundry/foundry/loft.md)         | Training and offices           |

### Can I visit The Foundry?

Yes. [The Hall](/the-foundry/foundry/hall.md) zone hosts community events and tours. Check the events calendar.

### Do I need to be a member to participate at The Foundry?

Anyone can attend public events. Contributing to work requires membership.

</details>

***

{% hint style="success" %}

## 🆘 Still Have Questions?

* 👋 Attend an [onboarding session](/onboarding/onboarding.md)
* 📖 Check the [Glossary](/help-and-resources/glossary.md) for terminology
* 🏠 Read [What is Built By DAO?](/getting-started/what-is-built-by-dao.md)
  {% endhint %}

***

## 🔗 Related Pages

{% content-ref url="/pages/xMUO6M1qDh2obOQRiNJu" %}
[The Organization](/getting-started/what-is-built-by-dao.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/0JPWvKB9gRgOVtbduPp0" %}
[Member Onboarding](/onboarding/onboarding.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/6hlRgEVSNtJTgWnUOpqT" %}
[Overview](/token-economy/tokens.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/SS8wIERv7K8t3TYmBbhQ" %}
[Overview](/governance/governance.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

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