Arbitrum (ARB)

What is Arbitrum?

Arbitrum is a protocol designed to make Ethereum transactions faster and cheaper. It achieves this by implementing two core protocols, Arbitrum Rollup and Arbitrum AnyTrust. Developers can leverage these protocols to build user-friendly decentralized apps (dApps) with improved scalability. Arbitrum has two primary chains: Arbitrum One, which was launched in 2021 and implements the Arbitrum Rollup protocol, and Arbitrum Nova, which is built on the Arbitrum AnyTrust protocol and focuses on ultra low-cost transactions. In August 2022, Arbitrum One was upgraded to the Arbitrum Nitro stack, which increased its scaling capabilities by 7-10 times.

The distribution of the ARB governance token plays a crucial role in decentralizing the governance of Arbitrum One and Arbitrum Nova, as well as their underlying protocols. This distribution enables ARB token holders to collaboratively shape the future of the Arbitrum ecosystem.

What is the Arbitrum (ARB) token?

The Arbitrum One (ARB) token is a governance token that represents membership in the Arbitrum DAO (decentralized autonomous organization). ARB token holders can participate in the governance process by voting on proposals related to the development and management of the Arbitrum protocols and chains. Holding ARB gives token holders the ability to influence the direction the Arbitrum ecosystem and contribute to its decentralized future. The ARB token is distinct from ETH, Ethereum's native token, in its purpose and function. While ETH is a transactional token used to pay for transaction fees on the Ethereum network, ARB is specifically designed for governing the Arbitrum protocols and chains.

How does Arbitrum's governance work?

Arbitrum's governance is driven by two main governing bodies: the Security Council and the Arbitrum DAO.

• The Security Council is a 12-member council elected by the Arbitrum DAO members. This council focuses on maintaining the security and performance of the Arbitrum ecosystem by applying emergency actions when necessary.
• The Arbitrum DAO is the global community of ARB token holders and their chosen delegates. This DAO is responsible for governing Arbitrum and its Security Council. The DAO can modify the Security Council's powers or even eliminate it entirely through constitutional proposals.

ARB token holders can participate in the governance process by voting on proposals directly or by delegating their voting power to delegates who represent their interests. This decentralized governance system ensures that decisions made within the Arbitrum ecosystem align with the community's best interests, rather than relying solely on a centralized group of decision-makers.