Emre Yumlu 
Arbitrum DAO evaluates Web3 gaming fund clawback and restoring investor confidence.
Arbitrum DAO Debates the Future of Its Web3 Gaming Fund
Arbitrum’s decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) is evaluating the potential clawback of funds allocated to building a gaming ecosystem on the network. The decision is being considered due to a lack of transparency and insufficient progress.
On March 24, DAO member Nathan van der Heyden submitted a proposal to recover unused funds from the Arbitrum Gaming Catalyst Program (GCP). Launched in 2024, the program aimed to position Arbitrum as a leading platform for blockchain-based gaming development.
Van der Heyden noted that the expectations at the time of the program’s approval were overly optimistic and that the current state is unsustainable.
“We must wind down GCP activities and secure all possible funds. This will help protect the DAO’s financial resources and rebuild investor confidence.”
He also claimed that the program had been reluctant to document its activities and had failed to deliver on its promises.
A Divisive Proposal Within the DAO
Another DAO member supported the proposal, emphasizing the need to protect the remaining funds:
“The DAO should secure the remaining funds and then determine the best strategy moving forward.”
While many members favored an immediate clawback, some argued that it could be counterproductive. One member acknowledged the importance of transparency but cautioned against abruptly withdrawing all funds, stating that such a move could be overly harsh and have unintended negative consequences.
Instead, they suggested a phased approach to reclaiming funds and implementing a more flexible reporting system for the program.
ARB Token Down 81% Since GCP Launch
The GCP was announced on March 12, 2024, to foster the growth of Web3 gaming within the Arbitrum ecosystem. The program allocated 225 million ARB tokens, intended to fund gaming studios and solidify Arbitrum’s position in blockchain gaming.
However, the program’s launch coincided with a $2.2 billion token unlock, leading to a drop in ARB’s price. By June 2024, the allocated funds had lost over 50% of their initial value, falling to $215 million.
Similarly, ZKsync recently announced the termination of its Ignite liquidity rewards program, citing challenging market conditions.
Declining Investments in Web3 Gaming
The Arbitrum DAO debate comes amid a broader downturn in Web3 gaming investments. Toshiyuki Otsuka, founder of GameFi platform Snpit, noted that investors are becoming more cautious, focusing on projects that demonstrate long-term viability.
“The speculative frenzy of previous years has given way to a more sustainable investment landscape. Only the most promising projects can now secure funding.”
This suggests that the fate of the Arbitrum Gaming Catalyst Program is closely tied to shifting investment trends within the Web3 gaming sector.
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