DV Cohort 5 Application – Daniel (DV-Light, Kusama focus)

olanod
Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:38:55 +0000
Governance

Hello Polkadot community,

I’m Daniel, a long-time participant in the Polkadot ecosystem since 2019, with a dedicated focus on Kusama. I’m applying for the DV-Light track, aiming to contribute to the health and growth of the Kusama network through active governance participation, particularly in the areas of protocol improvements that can turn Kusama into a cypherpunk paradise and innovation hub.

My Governance Lens

My core belief is that Kusama should be a welcoming and innovative space for anyone interested in building and experimenting with Web3 technologies. I approach governance with a strong bias towards supporting proposals that align with this vision – a cypherpunk paradise where decentralized ideals are not just talked about, but actively realized. I believe in fostering a positive and constructive environment where experimentation is encouraged, and builders are empowered.

I’m an firm believer in “aye” voting for pretty much everything(unless it’s malicious) having a positive welcoming attitude, and I’m always happy to engage with proposers to help refine flawed proposals and encourage them to try again, Kusama needs to be as warm and welcoming as possible. I see governance as a collaborative process, and I’m committed to helping the community reach consensus. I’m particularly interested in proposals that address real-world usability and can help bring mass adoption to Kusama, making it the ideal decentralized backend for entrepreneurs and developers.

Experience & Contributions

I’ve been actively participating in Kusama governance for years, with over 150 on-chain votes cast. Beyond simply voting, I’m also a proposer, actively submitting proposals for improvements to the protocol via WFC and even root referenda. I don’t just identify problems; I actively work to implement solutions, bringing the necessary code changes myself(or with my lovely team).

I’m the founder of Virto, the team behind the Kreivo parachain, focused on DAO governance tooling. We’re committed to open-sourcing our tools and making them available to the broader Kusama community. Currently, we’re working to integrate these tools with Kusama AssetHub, further expanding their reach and utility.

Technical Expertise

I bring a strong technical background to the table, with proficiency in Rust, Substrate, and a deep understanding of Kusama runtimes and protocol design. This allows me to effectively evaluate technical proposals, identify potential risks and benefits, and contribute to informed decision-making. I’m confident in my ability to assess the technical feasibility and long-term sustainability of proposed changes.

Conflict of Interest Policy

I understand the importance of transparency and objectivity in governance. I will always abstain from voting on proposals where I have a direct conflict of interest. However, if a proposal is neutral (e.g., a roadmap discussion) and doesn’t provide me with any personal benefit, I will feel comfortable participating in the vote. My priority is always the best interests of the Kusama network. I will not vote in any Polkadot referendum(unless it relates somehow to Kusama), so feel free to not delegate DOT(sell it for KSM instead ;P).

Looking Ahead

I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the Decentralized Voices program and help shape the future of Kusama. I believe my experience, technical expertise, and positive approach to governance would be a valuable asset to the community.

Here you can find evidence of my voting history (Subsquare profile)

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

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