> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://messier.gitbook.io/catalogue-de-messier/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://messier.gitbook.io/catalogue-de-messier/messier-dao/intro-to-virgodao.md).

# Intro to VirgoDAO

Messier's DAO on Ethereum

<figure><img src="https://877763161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgC0s0PkYGNLajUKAMJ2m%2Fuploads%2FrWg5bzbh5rup46eXkZAj%2Fbanner-virgodao.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=df632731-6c31-4ba7-970d-dca60a0a60d0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Virgo is a trustless decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) governed by M87 stakers and powered entirely by immutable smart contracts.** These smart contracts handle every internal function without intermediaries: spending treasury funds, buying tokens and distributing rewards. Middlemen never gain access to funds at any point, so Virgo is trustless by design.

**VirgoDAO operates independently of the Messier team.** Stakers make the decisions. The team does not vote on investments or control their outcome.

**Messier's applications operate across multiple networks.** They collect service fees from users and route them to the VirgoDAO treasury on Ethereum.

**M87 is the community token.** It trades freely on the open market. You can stake it in Virgo to earn passive rewards, and it was used to win the Messier Objects NFTs, which earn more than staking M87 alone.

The amount of M87 a holder stakes decides their governance role:

* **Pōwehi** (top 87 stakers with at least 500M M87 staked) **create proposals**.
* **Halo** (all other stakers with at least 8.7M M87 staked) **vote on proposals**.

Proposals decide how treasury funds are invested in other tokens. Stakers share the rewards from every successful investment.

Virgo's treasury does not depend on M87 purchases for funding. This lets the community evaluate and invest in other promising projects objectively.

Finally, **Virgo's buyback-and-burn mechanics** use value above 87 ETH at the end of each investment cycle to buy M87 on the market and burn it. This creates buy pressure and reduces the supply.

### Track record

| Metric                       | Value           |
| ---------------------------- | --------------- |
| Live since                   | January 2024    |
| Successful proposals         | 56              |
| Total investment volume      | 257.52 ETH      |
| M87 staked ("tokens locked") | \~242.1 billion |

*Source: Virgo dashboard, 23 September 2026. See* *Current Cycle Status* *for the live cycle.*

{% hint style="info" %}
**VirgoDAO V2 is coming.** A major upgrade to VirgoDAO is in final testing. See VirgoDAO V2.
{% endhint %}

### Links

* **Stake and vote:** [virgo.messier.app](https://virgo.messier.app/stake)
* **On-chain analytics:** [Dune dashboard](https://dune.com/messier/virgo)
* **Security monitoring:** [CertiK Skynet](https://skynet.certik.com/projects/messier)