Perpetual Equity

Definition ∞ Perpetual equity refers to an ownership interest in an entity that has no fixed maturity date or expiration. Unlike debt instruments or preferred shares with redemption clauses, this form of capital contribution grants continuous rights to a portion of the entity’s profits and assets. Holders typically possess voting rights and a residual claim on assets after all other liabilities are settled. It represents the fundamental and enduring capital base of a corporation or similar organizational structure.
Context ∞ The concept of perpetual equity is foundational in traditional finance, representing a stable source of capital for businesses. In the context of digital assets, discussions sometimes arise concerning tokenized equity or decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) issuing similar perpetual ownership stakes. The debate centers on how traditional equity principles translate into a blockchain environment, particularly regarding governance rights and asset claims. Future developments may involve novel structures for fractionalized or tokenized perpetual ownership within digital frameworks.