Let's understand why $OOKI DAO is on the monitoring list.

bZeroX, LLC operated a blockchain-based software called the “bZx Protocol” (Protocol) from 2019-2021. The Protocol operated on the Ethereum blockchain through the use of smart contracts that allowed anyone with an Ethereum wallet to make investments and bet on the rise and fall of certain virtual currencies. bZeroX, LLC charged fees for access to its technology.

In August 2021, bZeroX, LLC transferred control of the software protocol to “the bZx DAO” which was later named “Ooki DAO.” Ooki DAO continued to operate as bZeroX, LLC did, but the CTC alleged it failed to register with the CFTC as required by the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) for most exchanges that allow commodity derivative transactions. Additionally, Ooki DAO failed to implement a Consumer Information Program (CIP), and failed to conduct Know Your Consumer (KYC) or anti-money laundering procedures. Consequently, the CFTC filed suit against Ooki DAO.

In mid-2022..

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed a lawsuit against the Ooki DAO platform for engaging in activities that only regulated entities called futures commission merchants (FCM) can perform.

However, CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger disagreed with the regulator’s ruling, calling the action “blatant regulation by enforcement”, and said it (the ruling) failed to “rely on the legal authority” of the Commission’s mandate. “I cannot agree with the Commission’s approach of determining liability for DAO token holders based on their participation in governance voting for a number of reasons,” Mersinger wrote.

DAOs have become so big in the crypto landscape that there’s a belief that all consumers are going to be working for them in the future. With over 4,000 decentralized autonomous organizations already in existence and holding more than $8 billion in their treasuries, they represent a new wave of corporate organizations that cannot be ignored.

On June 8, 2023, Judge William H. Orrick, awarded the CTFC $643,542 in monetary damages.