1. Why We Exist: The Mission, Vision & Origin Story

Summary

This whitepaper explains why The LifeDAO (TLD): Community-Owned Nobank (The Association) exists, the objectives and goals of the Association, the tactics and tools at its disposal, and who the Association aims to serve.

Mission Statement

To empower global citizens to be their own bank and to achieve financial freedom with simple, borderless, and ethical financial tools—so they can grow, protect, and pass on their wealth by leveraging the collective strength and wisdom of the community. The LifeDAO makes it easy to save, spend, and access financial protection—with full self-custody of funds and without banks and interest.

Vision Statement

We envision a world where all people have access to tools that enable financial freedom and that no one is barred from financial success because of location, class or beliefs. We envision an alternative financial system that eschews interest and gambling that destroys wealth for the majority.

Background

Human beings have always sought protection and growth through community. It is hardwired in our species. In today’s world however, where our social interactions are increasingly moderated by screens and where the prominence of “third places” have been diminished, communities are difficult to form and join.

As people become more and more isolated, another phenomenon is occurring, whereby there is a growing distrust in financial institutions and the financial system in general. People are getting richer in nominal terms, but feeling poorer in real terms. People increasingly distrust banks, insurance companies and governments. Even governments distrust other governments, as observed with the movement toward de-dollarisation. The 2008 financial crisis, triggered by America’s subprime mortgage crisis, is a pivotal moment which saw the rise of a challenger financial infrastructure commonly called web3 and blockchain.

These two phenomena, eroding communities and increasing distrust in institutions, form the backdrop against which The LifeDAO: Community-Owned Nobank is formed.