Revnets

TL;DR:

Revnets (short for Revenue-Aligned Networks) create systems where contributors, builders, and funders share upside as the network grows. Instead of giving out one-time grants, revnets distribute future revenue or value—tying funding to long-term alignment, not short-term output.

Revnets are based on a simple idea: contributors to public goods shouldn’t just be compensated—they should be invited into the value they help create. This flips the logic of extractive, transactional funding and introduces a regenerative, stake-based model.

They can be implemented via:

Revenue-sharing contracts
Streaming payments tied to usage or performance
Network-native tokens representing long-term claims
Impact certificates with future redemption rights

Revnets work especially well in:

Protocols with revenue or usage-based fees
DAOs coordinating infrastructure and core services
Ecosystems that want contributors to stay long-term

This mechanism is part of a broader movement toward regenerative crypto-economic design, where value circulates, trust compounds, and capital supports continuity.

Best For

Infrastructure, protocols, and coordination tools
Public goods with monetizable utility
DAOs wanting contributor alignment over time
Ecosystems designing post-grant funding models

Good At

Aligning contributors with long-term network health
Creating sustainable funding without extraction
Reducing the churn of one-time grants
Attracting mission-aligned builders and stewards

Dependencies / Requirements

Revenue-generating components or assets
Smart contracts to define and manage share flows
Mechanisms for allocating shares (governance, reputation, etc.)
Community alignment around values and commitments

Not Good At

Zero-revenue or early-stage projects without traction
Fast funding for upfront costs
Contexts without trust or shared vision
Environments needing strict accountability and reporting

Who Should Use It?

Protocols or DAOs with growing revenue streams
Communities building core infrastructure or shared services
Projects seeking post-grant sustainability models
Public goods funders focused on long-term alignment and resilience

Example Use Cases

A protocol commits a percentage of fees to a revnet that streams revenue to early ecosystem contributors
A contributor collective receives ongoing payments proportional to network usage of the tools they built
A retroactive funding round allocates impact-weighted shares in future DAO revenue to recipients