# Gavin Andresen
# 2011-10-25 20:13:25
# https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=49841.msg593117#msg593117

Bitcoin is revolutionary because it is decentralized, with no single point of control or failure. @p{par}

However, over the last six months or so it has become obvious to me that the rest of the world isn't set up to interact with a radically decentralized system like Bitcoin, and I think forming a not-for-profit organization will be a positive step towards Bitcoin's long-term success. @p{par}

I'm posting this to see if there is a consensus on what a Bitcoin Foundation should be. @p{par}

To get the conversation started, here are some functions I think a Bitcoin Foundation could perform: @p{par}


@p{(li}Interact with the legal system, where a centralized entity is needed: for example, to hold the Bitcoin trademark, own/control the bitcoin.org domain name, etc. @p{brk}
@p{li)}

@p{(li}Act as a central library for accurate information about Bitcoin, so journalists and policymakers have an 'official' place to learn about Bitcoin. @p{brk}
@p{li)}

@p{(li}Collect donations to fund infrastructure necessary for Bitcoin's growth (organize regular developers' conferences or get-togethers maybe? pay for development of cross-implementation testing tools? pay core developers' salaries? create a certification/testing program for Bitcoin implementations? create a central clearinghouse for information about legal issues surrounding Bitcoin across the world?) @p{brk}
@p{li)}
 @p{brk}
Other not-for-profit organizations that could be emulated: @p{par}


@p{(li}The Anti-Phishing Working Group (the APWG's chairman, David Jevans @s{(link)}, is willing to help make a Bitcoin Foundation happen). @p{brk}
@p{li)}

@p{(li}The Tor Project @p{brk}
@p{li)}

@p{(li}The Apache Software Foundation @p{brk}
@p{li)}
 @p{brk}
Are there others that work well, or are there examples of what NOT to do? Assuming there is rough consensus that a Bitcoin Foundation is a good idea, I would like to get something imperfect up and running quickly, with the expectation that it will evolve over time.