The Mysterious FWB DAO: Rethinking the Next Version of the World

Friends With Benefits(FWB) This name may sound like it refers to certain special relationships, but in reality, it represents a DAO organization that is bringing new meaning to the Web3 world.

Early biases against FWB had made me overlook its value until more and more people around me started mentioning it. When I learned that FWB had secured a $10 million investment and was valued at $100 million, I realized I might have missed out on something big. So I decided to join FWB's Discord server to find out more.

The Essence of FWB

FWB is a private club with over 2,000 members. Joining requires not only passing a strict identity verification but also purchasing a "ticket" costing nearly ten thousand dollars. Members can enjoy club resources and participate in operational decision-making, which gives FWB characteristics of a DAO.

The FWB Discord server has hundreds of channels covering various fields such as learning, art, creativity, trading, and life. On the surface, it seems like just a large chat group, but in reality, it is much more than that.

The community declaration of FWB emphasizes that they are the intersection of technology and culture, committed to promoting open knowledge and data flow in the Web3 world. They gather creators, artists, thinkers, and doers to discuss and shape the future together.

A video blogger's summary of FWB is quite apt: "FWB is a platform where a diverse group of people on the internet gather, communicate, and collaborate on interesting projects, involving music production, digital art, cryptocurrency learning, or even just coming together to enjoy good times."

The Threshold to Join FWB

Becoming an FWB member is not an easy task. First, you need to fill out a detailed application form, which will be reviewed by a membership committee composed of 15 people. The application requires you to provide real identity information, professional background, personal interests, and more. The committee particularly values applicants' interests and hobbies outside of cryptocurrency.

After approval, it is also necessary to purchase community tokens equivalent to ten thousand US dollars as a "ticket." This makes FWB, to some extent, a crypto version of an elite club.

The Unique Atmosphere of FWB

Unlike other crypto communities, technical experts are actually in the minority among FWB members; instead, there are more creative workers, artists, and traditional entrepreneurs, all of whom are curious about Web3.

The FWB Discord channel is divided into seven main sections: Public Area, Learning Area, Trading Area, NFT Area, Creative Area, Lifestyle Area, and Governance Area. Each section maintains a high level of activity and features diverse content.

In addition to online communication, FWB also provides members with various online and offline activities, city guides, exclusive materials, and project benefits.

FWB Activities

FWB's activities are divided into online and offline categories. There are 5 fixed online activities each week, including creative sharing, Web3 discussions, investment exchanges, etc. These activities have fixed hosts and often invite guests to participate.

Offline events are irregularly held gatherings, with large events having been held in places like Miami and Paris. Recently, FWB also introduced the concept of city subDAOs to allow more people to participate in local communities with a lower barrier to entry.

FWB believes that Web3 needs to move offline to create a broader social impact. They emphasize the idea that social comes first, followed by creation.

FWB Products

Although FWB is not a productivity-oriented organization, they have gradually developed some products:

• Weekly Digest: Summarizing community hot discussions and social dynamics
• Semi-finished products: Exploring culture, Web3, and thoughts on the future
• Gatekeeper: An application for identity verification at offline events
• Gallery: NFT exhibition and auction platform
• FWB University: Web3 training product (in preparation)

In addition, various activities of FWB can also be regarded as their core products.

It is worth noting that communication among FWB members often gives rise to new ideas and projects, which are often organized and implemented spontaneously by members rather than relying on the framework and funding of a DAO.

Organizational Structure of FWB

Although FWB has only one full-time employee, it has over 2000 members, of which about 200 are active contributors and 31 hold important responsibilities. FWB has built its organizational structure through seven areas of division: editorial, membership, product, city, events, partnerships, and DAO team.

Create the Next Version of the World

FWB is a diverse and complex community. It is both a high-end club and more than just a club. Members can trade, participate in events, expand their networks, and also delve into grand themes such as culture and the impact of Web3 on society.

The uniqueness of FWB lies in the fact that it has not established a highly structured operational model like other DAOs. This has led to little documentation recording the community's history and thoughts, with most information residing in the minds of core members.

Understanding FWB requires a lot of time and effort. Even so, it is difficult to fully grasp the whole picture of this "small world" in a short period of time. However, a good community can always inspire newcomers, creating a sense of belonging and enthusiasm for exploration.

FWB recently secured a $10 million investment led by A16z. As a DAO, this investment also requires the approval of its members. The related proposal passed with high votes, demonstrating the members' confidence in FWB's future development.

As stated in the proposal: "If we see FWB as a digital city, this financing is our way of developing the suburbs of the city. We are creating a model that brings strangers together on the internet to redefine the way cultural creation and funding work."

The story of FWB continues, and its future development is worth looking forward to.