Governance Risk

Definition ∞ Governance risk pertains to the potential for adverse outcomes stemming from the decision-making processes and structures of an organization or protocol. It involves the possibility that decisions made by governing bodies or token holders may negatively impact the value, security, or operational integrity of an asset or system. This risk is particularly relevant in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
Context ∞ Discussions of governance risk in the crypto sphere often arise when new proposals are debated, voting mechanisms are scrutinized, or past governance decisions have led to unforeseen consequences. News coverage frequently analyzes how token holder votes might alter protocol parameters, affect treasury management, or even lead to network forks. Understanding governance risk is essential for assessing the long-term stability and predictability of decentralized projects.