Definition
In a crypto or blockchain setting, a treasury is a designated pool of digital assets controlled by a protocol, DAO, or on-chain organization. It functions as a structured balance sheet component, holding tokens or other crypto assets under predefined governance rules. Control over the treasury is typically mediated by governance mechanisms, smart contracts, or multi-signature arrangements rather than by a single individual.
In Simple Terms
A treasury in crypto is a shared pot of digital assets that belongs to a project or on-chain organization. It is kept in specific wallets or contracts and is collectively controlled according to agreed governance rules, instead of being owned by one person or company.
Context and Usage
The term treasury is commonly used in discussions about DAO structures, protocol governance, and on-chain financial organization. It appears in governance forums, Snapshot spaces, and documentation describing how a project accounts for and manages its token holdings. References to treasury often involve governance tokens, voting processes, and the overall financial state or reserves of a decentralized project.