The following text is based on my current work with decentralized citizenships. 


Before 2015, the concept of decentralized citizenship and communities needed to be more well-developed. Many examples we now have, such as blockchain-based initiatives, were in their infancy. Some early initiatives and communities explored alternative forms of citizenship and organization, even if they needed to be more explicitly decentralized. Here are a few examples:

1. Intentional communities, such as eco-villages, communes, or co-housing projects, have existed for decades, if not centuries. These communities often emphasize shared values, self-governance, and alternative ways of organizing social and economic life. While they may not be decentralized like blockchain-based communities, they represent a different approach to traditional nation-state-based citizenship and organization.

2. Before 2015, online communities fostered a sense of digital citizenship among their members. These online communities are precursors to more recent developments in decentralized digital communities and e-citizenship. Examples include open-source software projects, where participants collaboratively develop software, and virtual worlds like Second Life, where users create and manage their own virtual environments.

3. Some organizations and initiatives have been promoting the idea of global citizenship for years, often as a response to the challenges of globalization and the need for more inclusive and sustainable ways of organizing society. For example, the World Service Authority, founded in 1954, has issued World Passports as a symbolic representation of global citizenship. Although not explicitly decentralized, these initiatives challenge the traditional nation-state-based model of citizenship.

4. Even before 2015, some cities or regions had begun exploring the idea of offering local citizenship to residents, regardless of their national citizenship status. For example, in the early 2000s, New Haven, Connecticut, introduced a municipal identification card program available to all residents, regardless of their immigration status. This early example of local citizenship aimed to promote social inclusion and access to city services for all residents. 

Example: Bitnation

Bitnation is a decentralized, borderless, and voluntary nation that operates on blockchain technology. Founded in 2014 by Susanne Tarkowski Tempelhof, Bitnation aims to provide various services typically offered by traditional governments but without the constraints of geographic borders and centralized authorities.

Some of the main aspects and services of Bitnation include:

1. Decentralized Governance: Bitnation uses blockchain technology to enable decentralized decision-making and governance, allowing individuals worldwide to participate and collaborate on various initiatives.
   
   
2. Blockchain-based Services: Bitnation provides various services through its platform, such as creating and managing Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), notary services, dispute resolution, and more. These services are enabled by smart contracts and blockchain technology, allowing for transparent and tamper-proof transactions.
   
   
3. Identity and Citizenship: Bitnation offers a form of digital citizenship to its members, granting them access to the platform's services and allowing them to participate in the Bitnation community. It also supports the creation of self-sovereign identities, enabling individuals to have greater control over their personal data and identity management.
   
   
4. Token Economy: Bitnation has its own native cryptocurrency called XPAT, which is used as a medium of exchange and a reward mechanism within the platform. XPAT tokens can be earned by participating in the Bitnation ecosystem and contributing to its growth and development.
   
   
5. Pangea: Bitnation's core platform is called Pangea, a decentralized and borderless jurisdiction built on the Ethereum blockchain. Pangea enables users to create and enter into smart contracts with one another and access various Bitnation services.
   
   

Despite its ambitious goals, Bitnation has faced several challenges, such as the need for widespread recognition of its services by traditional nation-states and regulatory bodies. Additionally, the adoption of Bitnation's services and digital citizenship still needs to be improved. However, the project represents an innovative approach to reimagining governance, citizenship, and identity management using blockchain technology and decentralized systems. 

Throughout its history, Bitnation has achieved several notable milestones that demonstrate its commitment to innovation and progress:

• In 2015, Bitnation facilitated the world's first blockchain-based marriage, land title registration, and birth certificate.
  
  
• Bitnation partnered with Estonia's e-Residency program in 2017 to offer blockchain-based notary services for e-residents, further legitimizing the project's vision.
  
  
• The project has hosted various events and meetups worldwide to raise awareness and engage with the global community interested in decentralized governance and citizenship.
  
  

After Bitnation's creation, several other projects have emerged that explore using blockchain technology and decentralized systems for alternative forms of citizenship and governance. Here are five examples:

1. E-Estonia: While not a direct competitor to Bitnation, Estonia's e-Residency program, launched in 2014, offers digital citizenship and access to various online government services to people around the world. The program leverages blockchain technology and other digital innovations to provide a secure and efficient platform for e-residents. Estonia also partnered with Bitnation in 2017 to provide blockchain-based notary services for e-residents.
   
   
2. Liberland: Founded in 2015, the Free Republic of Liberland is a self-proclaimed microstate located on a disputed territory between Croatia and Serbia. Liberland aims to establish a decentralized governance model based on principles of individual liberty and free-market economics. Although not built entirely on blockchain technology, the project has expressed interest in using blockchain and cryptocurrencies for various purposes, such as its native token, the Liberland Merit (LLM).
   
   
3. Aragon: Aragon is a decentralized platform built on the Ethereum blockchain that allows users to create and manage Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Founded in 2016, Aragon's mission is to empower people to create and participate in decentralized organizations focusing on governance and decision-making. While not offering citizenship per se, Aragon enables the creation of alternative organizational structures that challenge traditional nation-state-based models.
   
   
4. DAOstack: Similar to Aragon, DAOstack is another platform that facilitates the creation and management of DAOs. Founded in 2017, DAOstack is designed to provide a scalable, modular, and user-friendly framework for decentralized governance and collaboration. Like Aragon, DAOstack does not offer citizenship but focuses on enabling alternative forms of organization that are decentralized and community-driven.
   
   
5. Ulex is an open-source legal system that provides a decentralized, jurisdiction-independent framework for resolving disputes and enforcing contracts. Founded in 2018, Ulex aims to create a global, borderless legal system that can be used by individuals, organizations, and even decentralized communities like Bitnation. While not offering citizenship directly, Ulex represents a decentralized approach to legal systems that complements projects focused on alternative citizenship models. 

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