Breadchain Cooperative

Breadchain Cooperative is a federation of decentralized cooperative projects aimed at exploring the potential of blockchain for advancing progressive, post-capitalist economic systems. The collective originated around 2021 and is inspired by the idea of reimagining blockchain outside traditional financial and speculative models, particularly by reusing cooperative and solidarity principles for digital infrastructure. Its primary infrastructure centers on “solidarity primitives.” The first of these is the Bread Crowdstaking Application, a smart contract running on the Gnosis Chain. Through this platform, users stake xDAI to generate sDAI; interest from these funds is allocated to cooperative projects, while contributors receive BREAD tokens in a 1-to-1 ratio to their staked value. These tokens act as a local digital currency within the Breadchain ecosystem. The original stake can be withdrawn at any time, keeping the process distinct from traditional donations or speculative token models. Breadchain currently coordinates and develops tools for decentralized funding and resource allocation, with a track record of raising over $500 from more than 140 contributors and obtaining additional match funding for project development. The network includes projects like PactDAO—organizing with mutual aid efforts, LaborDAO—which experiments with blockchain tools for labor organizing, and Basis—focused on ecological, worker-managed production systems. Breadchain’s membership and governance are democratic, with monthly votes among BREAD holders deciding how to direct funding to projects. The organization remains a focal point for left-leaning blockchain initiatives, seeking to build an ecosystem where profit is not the driving force, but rather collective benefit and solidarity.