# Project Summary
[Botto](https://botto.com/) is a decentralized autonomous artist governed by a community of stewards. Botto creates 350 art pieces a week and presents them to the community. This weekly process is called a 'round', and the individual art pieces presented are referred to as 'fragments'.
The community (BottoDAO) votes on these fragments. Votes represent individual preferences on what a participant considers to be aesthetically pleasing art. Collectively, votes are used as feedback for Botto's generative algorithm - guiding what direction Botto should take its next round of art pieces. Over time, Botto creates art influenced and governed by the community.
Once a week, Botto mints a fragment as a final artwork and auctions it on [SuperRare](https://superrare.com/bottoproject). 50% of the sale proceeds are returned to the community for their contribution, claimable as [rewards](https://docs.botto.com/overview/rewards). While the auction takes place, Botto produces a new round of fragments to vote on, so that the cycle can continue.
The first art piece was minted on the 22nd of October, 2021 on SuperRare. Botto has been minting and auctioning artworks ever since.
Botto operates on 13 week [Periods](/collections/periods). Before each Period, the DAO votes on a theme from choices presented by Botto that it will then use to interpret and produce fragments week over week. Botto started with only VQGAN + CLIP as its core generation model, and has since added open source diffusion models like Stable Diffusion, Kandinsky, and Flux (see: [Botto's Art Engine](https://docs.botto.com/details/bottos-art-engine)).
Specifics on [how Botto works](/details/bottos-art-engine), [how to participate](/overview/quickstart), [additional Botto art projects](https://docs.botto.com/details/collaborations-and-special-projects), and more can be found throughout these docs, as well as in these [Botto 101 articles](https://botto.com/dao/portal?p=1\&filter=5) .\
\
**Key Contracts**
Always ensure you are interacting with the right $BOTTO token contracts
{% hint style="success" %}
**Ethereum**\
`0x9dfad1b7102d46b1b197b90095b5c4e9f5845bba`
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
**Base**\
`0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c`
{% endhint %}
**Key Dates**
* New voting rounds begin every Tuesday, 14:00 UTC
* Voting rounds end every Tuesday, 14:00 UTC
* New art fragments are added to the voting pool every Tuesday, 14:00 UTC
* Auctions are scheduled to begin every Wednesday, 22:00 CET
* Auctions are scheduled to end every Friday, 22:00 CET
* Reward distributions are made on the Monday following each auction
* On the 13th week of each Period, Botto will select its own work to mint based, and so there is a break in voting that week
{% hint style="success" %}
This documentation makes every attempt to be an accurate, comprehensive guide to Botto. Please join the community [**Discord**](https://discord.gg/botto) if you seek clarifications and/or have questions. Feedback helps this project improve!
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
The DAO periodically updates the parameters of the project and these docs are subsequently updated. To see past changes, you can see [**our snapshot page**](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth) for proposals that have passed.
{% endhint %}
# Getting Started
Getting started with Botto is easy. Anyone can [create an account and log in](https://studio.botto.com/) with their social media, email, or wallet of their choice, and then start voting with a free weekly allocation of 100 Voting Points (VP).
To become a full DAO member, earn additional VP, access weekly rewards, or participate in governance, you'll need to have at least [100 $BOTTO staked](https://docs.botto.com/overview/depositing-botto).
**Note:** If you're new to crypto, and don't yet have a funded ETH wallet, you'll need to take a few preliminary steps before getting started with Botto below. If this is you, [click here](https://docs.botto.com/overview/quickstart/setup-ethereum-wallet).
### Key Contracts
Always ensure you are interacting with the right $BOTTO token contracts
{% hint style="success" %}
**Ethereum**\
`0x9dfad1b7102d46b1b197b90095b5c4e9f5845bba`
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
**Base**\
`0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c`
{% endhint %}
### **Get Started**
1. [Set up an Ethereum and/or Base wallet](https://docs.botto.com/overview/quickstart/setup-ethereum-wallet).
2. [Fund that wallet with ETH and/or Base ETH](https://docs.botto.com/overview/quickstart/getting-some-ether-eth).
3. [Get some $BOTTO tokens](https://docs.botto.com/overview/depositing-botto/getting-botto-tokens).
4. [Stake $BOTTO tokens onto the Botto App](https://docs.botto.com/overview/depositing-botto).
5. [Vote on your favorite art pieces](https://docs.botto.com/overview/voting)!
We estimate these steps will take roughly 15-30 minutes. We recommend going through these steps procedurally on a laptop/desktop.
# Crypto Beginner Part 1: Wallet Setup
Interactions with Botto are built on the Ethereum blockchain, with many of them also available on Base ([buying](/overview/getting-botto-tokens), bridging and [staking](/overview/depositing-botto) the token, and [claiming rewards](/overview/rewards)). Base, a network built on-top of Ethereum, is known as an L2 network and provides slightly cheaper fees (aka gas).\
\
Most Ethereum wallets can transact on Base Mainnet as well as Ethereum Mainnet, and you will need a wallet to get started with Botto. The instructions below are optimized for Metamask wallet setup, but you can use any of the wallets listed in the 'Connect' menu on the Botto app to get started. The steps for any wallet will be more or less the same: as long as you know how to keep it safe, and how to fund it from an exchange, you'll be in good shape! Let's get started.
### Download the Browser Extension
We recommend using [MetaMask](https://metamask.io/)
1. Install MetaMask
2. Setup Wallet
3. Backup Wallet
4. Use your Address to receive funds
#### 1. Install MetaMask
Download & Install the browser extension:
#### 2. Setup Wallet
A new browser tab opens
Click `Get Started`
Since we're new to MetaMask, we want to `Create a Wallet`
Next screen we set a password and accept the Terms of Use
#### 3. Backup Wallet
{% hint style="danger" %}
This is the most important step! Without any proper backup, you may not be able to restore your wallet and lose all funds.
{% endhint %}
Click:
`Download this Secret Backup Phrase and keep it stored safely on an external encrypted hard drive or storage medium.`
{% hint style="danger" %}
Make sure to follow the instructions. Store this file safely on an external storage medium.
{% endhint %}
Click `CLICK HERE TO REVEAL SECRET WORDS`
If you use a good password manager: Store those words in it.
Click `Next`
Open the Backup File and select the 12 words in the correct order to confirm your backup works as intended.
Click `Confirm` and your Wallet is setup
#### 4. Receiving Funds
To receive Botto's tokens and other Ethereum Assets, you'll need your Ethereum Address.
* Click MetaMask Button
* Find `Account 1`
* Click to Copy
You have copied your Ethereum Address now.\
Here's an example Address (yes, it's that long!): `0xc3DA51b01d9E87d79d644819924862dc7A303454`
#### Next Steps
Learn how to buy ETH and fund your wallet with [Part 2 of this guide](https://docs.botto.com/overview/quickstart/getting-some-ether-eth).
#### More Help
Join our #help channel on Discord:
{% hint style="danger" %}
Remember: Never give your Backup Phrase away!
{% endhint %}
# Crypto Beginner Part 2: Buying ETH
Now that you have your Ethereum wallet, you'll need some Ether (Ξ or ETH). There are a variety of ways to get some ETH – we've got you covered on two options:
{% content-ref url="/pages/-Ma-2DH6xavTMWWIxeOt" %}
[Coinbase](/overview/quickstart/getting-some-ether-eth/coinbase)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/-Ma36Spexs0awaMKc2Jd" %}
[Transak (Bank & Card)](/overview/quickstart/getting-some-ether-eth/transak-bank-and-card)
{% endcontent-ref %}
Once you've funded your Ethereum wallet with some Ether, you'll need some $BOTTO tokens. You can now return to the numbered steps in [Getting Started](https://docs.botto.com/overview/quickstart) to grab some $BOTTO and start staking.
# Coinbase
Coinbase is a leading cryptocurrency exchange that lets you buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies.
One way to get Ether is to create an account on Coinbase and deposit regular fiat currency (like dollars or euros) into your Coinbase account. Then, you'll be able to convert that fiat into Ether, which you can then transfer to your Ethereum wallet.
**Create a Coinbase account**
Visit Coinbase’s official guide on [how to set up your account](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/getting-started-with-coinbase/create-a-coinbase-account). Make sure Coinbase services are available in your [country](https://www.coinbase.com/es/places).
**Deposit fiat into your Coinbase account**
Once you’ve created your account, you’ll need to deposit some fiat to buy ETH.
Depending on where you are, you can fund your account in [USD](https://help.coinbase.com/en/pro/managing-my-account/funding-your-account/funding-your-account-with-usd) via bank-wire or ACH transfer, in [EUR](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/add-a-payment-method/payment-methods-for-european-customers) or [GBP](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/add-a-payment-method/payment-methods-for-european-customers) via SEPA transfer, deposit with a UK bank account, or debit/credit card purchase. Check the available payment methods, if any, for your specific country [here](https://www.coinbase.com/places).
Regardless of the currency, you are depositing, the steps go as follows:
1. Go to [pro.coinbase.com/trade](http://pro.coinbase.com/trade)
2. On the left-hand column under Wallet Balance, select the Deposit option
3. In the Currency Type field, select the currency you want to deposit (i.e. USD, EUR, GBP)
4. Select the payment method tab, then select From, then select Add Account
5. You will be redirected to Coinbase.com to complete the payment method verification process
**Buy Ethereum**
Now that you’ve deposited some USD, EUR, or GBP, you are ready to buy Ethereum. Follow Coinbase’s precise instructions on how to buy Ethereum [here](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/trading-and-funding/buying-selling-or-converting-crypto/how-do-i-buy-ethereum).
**Transfer Ethereum from Coinbase to Metamask**
**Part 1**
1. Click on your Metamask wallet icon
2. Find Account 1
3. Click to copy your Ethereum address (which will look like this 0xc3DA51b01d9E87d79d644819924862dc7A303454)
**Part 2**
1. Log into Coinbase.com and click on the **Send/Receive** button on the right-hand corner
1. Choose **Send** option on the left
2. In **Pay with** make sure to select Ethereum as your cryptocurrency
3. If you want to specify the amount in fiat, click on the fiat icon on the right (i.e. EUR). If you want to specify the amount in ETH, click on ETH.
4. In the **To** field, copy-paste your Metamask address.
5. Click **Continue**
6. You’ll be asked to confirm the transaction
7. Once the transaction is confirmed, when you open MetaMask you’ll now notice that you have received your Ethereum.
# Transak (Bank & Card)
Transak is an easy way of exchanging your fiat money (like Dollars or Euros) for leading cryptocurrencies, like ETH.
You could also use Transak to acquire ETH.
#### Using Transak
Transak is an incredibly easy way to buy ETH, but it can take up to two business days to arrive in your wallet.
1. Visit
2. Enter Amount in `You pay`
3. Select Currency
4. Select `Bank Transfer` (if available) or `Card Payment`
5. Click `Buy Now`
{% hint style="info" %}
We recommend buying at least 100€/$100 worth of Ethereum to cover all necessary transaction fees
{% endhint %}
Enter your Ethereum Address (See: [Getting an Ethereum Wallet](https://app.gitbook.com/@botto/s/botto/~/drafts/-Ma36Sq5PXb0bvZsdtLW/participation/quickstart/setup-ethereum-wallet)), and click `Buy ETH`
The following process is straightforward, you're being asked to enter your Email address and send the payment.
# Get $BOTTO Tokens
To earn rewards from voting on your favorite art pieces, you'll need to get your hands on some $**BOTTO** tokens and stake them. This guide will teach you to swap for $BOTTO on either Ethereum or Base.
### Key Contracts
Always make sure you are interacting with the correct addresses:
{% hint style="success" %}
**Ethereum**\
`0x9dfad1b7102d46b1b197b90095b5c4e9f5845bba`
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
**Base**\
`0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c`
{% endhint %}
### A Note on Base
If you'd like to use $BOTTO on Base for slightly cheaper fees, you can follow the same steps below on the Base mainnet network: simply switch to the Base network in your wallet, and use the Base address above. You will need Base ETH to swap for Base $BOTTO. Find the $BOTTO Base token page on Uniswap [here](https://app.uniswap.org/explore/tokens/base/0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c).
Alternatively, you can also [bridge your $BOTTO tokens to Base](https://botto.com/dao/article/base-bridging-guide) once you have them after following the steps below.
### Head to Uniswap
Uniswap an exchange protocol for swapping tokens for one another.
You will be using Uniswap to exchange **some of** your ETH for $BOTTO. Make sure you don't exchange all of it, as you will need some ETH in your wallet to pay for fees.
Head over to
### Select ETH and $BOTTO
You're presented with the following screen, where there are two corresponding drop-down menus:
Use the first dropdown option to select ETH. As a reminder, you'll be exchanging **some** ETH for $BOTTO tokens through Uniswap.
Specify a quantity of ETH you'd like to exchange to $BOTTO.
Use the second dropdown option, copy-pasting this address into the search bar:
`0x9dfad1b7102d46b1b197b90095b5c4e9f5845bba`
Hit import.
Then, hit **Swap**.
You will be asked to **Confirm Swap,** which in turn will generate a prompt from MetaMask.
Hit **Confirm** - then wait for the transaction to confirm! As soon as the transaction completes, you'll have your $BOTTO tokens.
# Staking
A brief introduction to staking, why it matters for this project, and how to stake your $BOTTO tokens.
{% hint style="info" %}
Staking $BOTTO in the Governance contract is also available on the Base network. [Buy $BOTTO on Base](https://app.uniswap.org/explore/tokens/base/0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c), or [bridge your existing tokens to Base](https://botto.com/dao/article/base-bridging-guide).
{% endhint %}
A simple way to understand staking would be seeing this as a 'deposit'. You 'deposit' (stake) your newly acquired $BOTTO into the Botto app.
In return, you generate Voting Points (VP). You are able to spend VP on voting for your favorite art pieces, which subsequently lets you influence Botto's artistic direction!
Staking a minimum of 100 $BOTTO makes you eligible for earning rewards per each round you engage with. You can stake on either Base or Mainnet. If you would like to enjoy the lower transaction fees that Base provides, you can find a [guide on bridging to Base here](https://botto.com/dao/article/base-bridging-guide).
### How to Stake
Staking is relatively straightforward and is done in three easy steps.
**Head over to the Botto application**
1. Head over to [Botto App](https://studio.botto.com/) and hit the `Connect` button.
2. Select any of the crytpo wallet options to log in or register. If you do not have a crypto wallet, select `Login with email or socials`
Your wallet is now connected to Botto's application!
**Start the Staking Process**
* First, click on the profile picture to open the options menu in the Botto App.
* Press the`Stake` button.
* You'll want to make sure you hold $BOTTO on either [Ethereum](https://app.uniswap.org/swap?outputCurrency=0x9DFAD1b7102D46b1b197b90095B5c4E9f5845BBA) or [Base](https://app.uniswap.org/explore/tokens/base/0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c). If you don't, see [Get $BOTTO Tokens](/overview/getting-botto-tokens) (or use the option in the staking menu in the app).
* Once you hold $BOTTO, select `Stake`
Note: you will need to stake on the chain where you hold $BOTTO. If you hold on Mainnet instead of base, you can change the chain by clicking on the Ethereum logo underneath your profile.
* Enter the quantity you'd like to stake (hit `Max` if you're not sure).
* Then, hit the `Approve` button.
*Note: If you are using social login wallet abstraction, there is no need for you to approve any transactions outside of the app. Just follow to the next step and click `Stake`.*
* You'll need to hit `Next` and `Approve` on the notification box created by Metamask (or any crypto wallet extension you are using):
{% hint style="warning" %}
Please note a transaction fee may be incurred, which is why you needed to make sure you didn't exchange all of your ETH for $BOTTO in the previous step. If you want to benefit from lower transaction fees, interact with Botto [using the Base network](/overview/quickstart).
{% endhint %}
* Once confirmed, you'll be brought to another screen, asking you to confirm your stake. Click the `Stake` button, and then hit `Confirm` on the MetaMask notification that pops up.
*Note: If you are using social login, you will see the below screen directly after clicking `Stake`. Otherwise, jump to the next step.*
That's it! You've staked your tokens. **You'll now be able to participate in voting and earn rewards from it if you staked at least 100 $BOTTO.**
# Voting
Every step in this Getting Started guide has led you to Voting. Voting is crucial to Botto. Together, we are creating collectively; the community votes on their favorite art pieces, which subsequently trains Botto's algorithm. In turn, Botto's art changes direction over time.
**Key Dates**
* New voting rounds begin every Tuesday, 14:00 UTC
* Voting rounds end every Tuesday, 14:00 UTC
* New art fragments are added to the voting pool every Tuesday, 14:00 UTC
* Auctions are scheduled to begin every Wednesday, 22:00 CET
* Auctions are scheduled to end every Friday, 22:00 CET
* Reward distributions are made on the Monday following each auction
* On the 13th week of each Period, Botto will select its own work to mint based, and so there is a break in voting that week
By voting, you're influencing what Botto creates. Here's how to get started:
1. Go to the [Botto App](https://studio.botto.com/) and click on "Start Curating" to brows the weekly voting pool.
2. Start voting fragments up or down with the double tap or the slider.
* **Double Tap:** When you double click (or tap on mobile) on a fragment, the app will default to assigning 10 VP to that fragment. You can adjust this tapping amount on your settings (to a negative amount too!).
* **Slider:** By clicking/tapping once a fragment and revealing a slider. The slider lets you up or downvote a fragment. You can adjust the range of the slider on your settings as well.
4. Adjust your settings and toggle on special features, like Advanced Voting, Instant Rewards, and more. Remember to click `Save` after you've made your changes.
Voting points generate once per round, provided you log in (and get a baseline amount of 100 VP), continue to stake your $BOTTO or [LP tokens](/details/token-distribution/liquidity-mining), or [hold an Access Pass or Pipe](/overview/access-passes) (no action is needed, just come back every day to spend your voting points), and reset at the end of each round.
**Participate in voting every week** for your contribution to training Botto, provided you have at least 100 $BOTTO staked.
A deeper explanation on how VP are generated can be found in the [Voting Mechanism](/overview/voting/voting-mechanism) section.
You can also pool your VP with others and vote as a collective — see [Voting Groups](/overview/voting/voting-groups).
# Voting Points (VP)
A deeper guide on Voting, Voting Points (VP), and VP Generation
Botto utilizes a voting mechanism to train the algorithm that creates its images. Every week, 350 new images (called fragments) are presented to the community. Individuals from the community independently vote on the works, indicating their conviction that a work qualifies as art and should become a permanent part of Botto's oeuvre.
Votes take place on the[ Botto App](https://botto.com/app/vote). Non $BOTTO holders can log into the app and vote with 100 VP, but to reap rewards benefits from voting, you must hold and [stake](/overview/depositing-botto) at least [$BOTTO](/overview/getting-botto-tokens).
### Voting Points (VP)
Voting Points (VP) are used by community participants to vote on their favorite fragments. VP are comparable to an off-chain, non-transferrable token connected to your wallet. VP are generated by staking $BOTTO tokens, providing BOTTO-ETH liquidity on Uniswap and staking the LP tokens, holding an [Access Pass or Pipe](/overview/access-passes), or simply by connecting (logging in) to the [Botto App](https://studio.botto.com/).
### VP Generation
{% hint style="info" %}
In June 2024, [BIP-51](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth/proposal/0x0ab8910adbfe9fbcddb03bae6b4e35a3c536f5552ab37025456e02ad0009a1a0) was passed by the DAO ending the ability to accumulate unused VP generated over time.
With [BIP-54](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth/proposal/0xf0969521da71ae0485b3a883a3801938a0220d2cd368be23db0d0d1d7c860fa3), a baseline amount of 100 VP was introduced to generate for all new or existing accounts that logged into the app in a given week (round).
{% endhint %}
VP generate at the beginning of a round as long as you have your $BOTTO or LP tokens staked, or hold an Access Pass or Pipe. Any available VP amount at the end of a round resets, and the new amount is generated for the following round.
Any $BOTTO staked after a round begins generates a prorated amount of VP for the remaining time in the round. Access Passes, Pipes and other VP generating collectibles do not generate VP mid-round.
Unstaking before the round ends disqualifies the user from any undistributed [Active Rewards](/overview/rewards#active-rewards), removes their votes of that given round, and removes remaining VP of that given round. They will still be able to claim rewards that were previously credited to their wallet but have not yet been claimed. This is an anti-sybil measure.
The generation formula for $BOTTO staking VP is as follows:
$$
VP\_{\text{per round}} = BOTTO\_{\text{tokensStaked}} \times \left(\frac{\text{%}\_{\text{ofRoundRemaining}}}{100}\right)
$$
To reduce volatility in VP regeneration **for staked liquidity providers,** **a revised regeneration formula for VP has been implemented with** [**BIP-53**](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth/proposal/0x40965624ebc02a830c32aec3a4c9fc9925bc2d4c542d1c3c75f3e76612a10cb8):
$$
VP\_{\text{perRound}} = LP\_{\text{tokensStaked}} \times 200 \times \left(\frac{%\_{\text{ofRoundRemaining}}}{100}\right)
$$
Straightforwardly, this means that staked liquidity providers generate a fixed amount of 200 VP per round per LP token staked.
{% hint style="info" %}
For LP tokens, **you used to** earn VP equal to the equivalent of the entire value of the LP position in $BOTTO. So for the formula above, the `totalStaked`was:
$$totalStaked\_{LPs}={LP Tokens}\*{LP price in BOTTO}$$
This formula has been deprecated due to unpredictable behavior in VP generation due to volatile price swings. Update 07/03/2023 (DD/MM/YYYY).
{% endhint %}
VP generation for **Access Passes or Pipes** is detailed on [this page](/overview/access-passes).
### Voting Mechanism
#### Voting Page
Botto's voting page displays two art fragments. The voter is required to choose which of the two art fragments is their preferred one. They can also choose to skip if they really don’t like either one, however even finding a preferable element or characteristic can be good for training.
Pieces are given a score for the proportion of how often they are picked:
$$
score\_{views<10}=100
$$
$$
score\_{views>10}=(uniqueVotes / views ) \* 100
$$
80% of the time, the voting mechanism will show a fragment with a top score
20% of the time it will show a low score to ensure they still have a chance to be seen and maintain variety
The score of 100 if seen less than 10 times ensures all pieces have a fair chance of being seen and selected before getting a lower score. It also means that the best time to see all the new pieces, and the greatest diversity, is at the beginning of the voting round.
{% hint style="info" %}
If a fragment is not viewed 10 times at the end of the round, it will have its score calculated regardless before the weekly cull is processed.
{% endhint %}
#### **Voting Pool Fragments Cull**
At the end of each voting round, 349 fragments with the lowest VP in the Period are removed from the voting pool. With the weekly mint removing another fragment, the resulting voting pool size is maintained at 1,050 fragments.
The cull mechanism aims to reduce the size of the fragment pool in order to improve the voting experience and engagement.
{% hint style="info" %}
[BIP-17](/details/governance) Changed the cull from Raw (True) Score to VP in December 2022
{% endhint %}
Continue to the Leaderboard page to learn about boosting your favorite fragments and viewing top contributors.
# Voting Groups
Onboarding new voters through delegated Voting Points.
Voting Groups let a large holder, or delegate, commit Voting Points (VP) to a shared group and invite participants to join and vote on Botto's fragments using that VP. It is not required for participants, or delegates, to have their own VP to join a Voting Group.
Votes cast through a group are still attributed to the individual delegate who cast them: karma and voting history flow to the delegate, while the VP comes out of the group's shared balance instead of their personal balance. When a round generates revenue, the group earns [Active Rewards](https://github.com/bottoproject/docs/tree/main/overview/rewards.md#active-rewards) as a collective and the payout is shared between the delegator who created the group and the delegates.
You can find Voting Groups in the **Community** world of the [Botto App](https://studio.botto.com/).
{% hint style="info" %}
A group's VP pool is separate from your personal VP. Spending from a group never touches your own weekly balance, and vice versa. You can toggle between which VP source you use to vote on Botto’s fragments.
{% endhint %}
### Key Concepts
* **Voting Points (VP)** — the currency of voting. VP is what you spend to vote on Botto's fragments, and it regenerates each round. (Worth defining since the whole system rests on it, and a newcomer may not know it from context.)
* **Fragments** — the artworks Botto generates and presents each round for participants to vote on.
* **Voting Group** — a collective of delegates who vote on Botto's fragments using VP delegated to them, funded and configured by a delegator.
* **Delegator** — the person who sets up a group, funds it with VP, and configures its rules.
* **Delegate** — anyone who has joined a group. Delegates vote using the group's pooled VP, up to a per-member limit.
* **Pool** — The group's shared VP balance. It is funded by the delegator's commitment and drawn down as delegators vote.
* **Per-member cap** — the maximum amount of the pool a single delegate can spend in one round. This keeps any one delegate from draining the whole pool.
* **Commitment** — the VP a delegator allocates to a group, which funds the pool and is shared amongst delegates who join the group.
* **Active Rewards** — the share of auction revenue distributed to delegates based on the VP they spend, paid in $BOTTO.
* **Qualification rules** — the conditions a delegator can set for who may join a gated group (e.g. holding a certain token or NFT).
### Creating a Group
Anyone with enough staked $BOTTO can create a group. When creating, delegators configure:
* **Name, description, and image** — how the group appears to others.
* **Initial commitment** — how much VP to fund the pool with.
* **Number of participants** — the total size of the group, *including you*. This caps membership and automatically sets the **per-member cap** as `initial commitment ÷ participants`. For example, committing 1,000 VP across 10 participants gives each delegate a cap of 100 VP per round.
* **How people join** — open, invite-only, or gated by qualification rules (see [Joining a Group](#joining-a-group)).
* **Buyback tax** — the share of the group's rewards set aside for buyback-and-burn (see [Sharing the Rewards](#sharing-the-rewards)).
* **Creator reward split** — the share of the group's rewards that goes to the delegator.
### Joining a Group
Delegates join at no cost, and need no VP of their own. Every group chooses how new members can join:
* **Open** — anyone can browse and join from the **Discover** tab.
* **Invite-only** — you join by receiving an invitation or a shareable invite link.
* **Gated** — you must meet one or more qualification rules to join, for example:
* Holding a minimum amount of staked **$BOTTO**.
* Holding a specific **NFT** (a minimum balance of a given collection).
The **Discover** tab lists every available group along with its join mode and any qualification rules, so you can see what's required before joining. Gated and invite-only groups are labeled accordingly.
Invite links can be shared directly. Opening an invite link takes you to a join page that checks whether you qualify, then adds you to the group.
{% hint style="info" %}
Each group has a maximum number of participants. Once a group is full, no new participants can join unless a spot opens up.
{% endhint %}
### Voting with Delegated Power
Once you have joined a group, you can spend from its VP when you vote, up to your per-member cap.
In the app, a **source selector** appears next to your voting power. Use it to switch between your **personal** balance and any group you belong to. When a group is selected, your votes draw from that group's pool instead of your personal VP, and the counter shows how much of the pool you can still spend (the smaller of your remaining per-member cap and the pool's available balance).
{% hint style="info" %}
A single vote is never split across your personal balance and a group's VP. Each vote is funded entirely from the source you have selected.
{% endhint %}
### Sharing the Rewards
When a round generates revenue, the group earns [Active Rewards](https://github.com/bottoproject/docs/tree/main/overview/rewards.md#active-rewards) in proportion to the total VP it spent that round — using the same per-VP rate that applies to everyone else. The group's rewards are then split in three parts:
1. **Buyback tax** — a share (set by the delegator, at a minimum of 5%) is set aside for buyback-and-burn of $BOTTO.
2. **Delegator split** — after the tax, the delegator receives their configured share of what remains.
3. **Delegate share** — the rest is distributed to delegates in proportion to how much VP each spent through the group that round.
Rewards are claimed the same way as all other Active Rewards, from the [Rewards page](https://botto.com/app/rewards) of the app — there is a single claim covering both your personal and group rewards. See [How to Claim Rewards](/overview/rewards/how-to-claim-rewards).
{% hint style="info" %}
Because participant rewards are based on VP *spent*, a delegate who votes more through the group earns a larger share of the group's rewards.
{% endhint %}
### Recurring Commitments
VP regenerates each round.
For delegators: your commitment to a group is treated as a **standing weekly allocation**. When your VP regenerates at the start of a round, the portion you've committed is routed back into your groups automatically, so the pools stay funded week over week without any manual top-up. The total VP you control is unchanged — the committed portion simply funds your groups instead of your personal balance.
For delegates: your share of the group’s VP will renew at the start of each round.
### Managing a Group
Delegates (and any co-managers they appoint) can manage a group after it's created:
* **Edit details and rules** — update the name, description, image, join mode, and qualification rules at any time.
* **Invites and delegates** — send invites, generate or rotate a shareable invite link, and remove delegates.
* **Co-managers (admins)** — the delegator can delegate day-to-day management to other participants in the community, searched by username. Co-managers can do everything the creator can *except* committing VP and managing the co-manager list, which stays creator-only.
{% hint style="info" %}
Changes to a group's **economic settings** — the per-member cap, delegator split, and buyback tax — take effect at the **start of the next round** rather than mid-round, so the rules can't change out from under members who have already voted. Cosmetic changes (name, description, image, join mode) apply immediately. Rounds run for 13 weeks.
{% endhint %}
A delegator can **delete** a group, but only while it has never cast a vote. Once the group has backed any artwork, it can no longer be deleted. Deleting a group before any votes refunds the delegator's unspent committed VP.
### Leaving a Group
Any delegate can leave a group at any time. Votes you've already cast through the group stand for the round, and your reward share for VP already spent is preserved.
### Group Stats
Each group's page surfaces a few stats so both the delegator and delegates can see how the group is performing:
* **Delegates leaderboard** — delegates ranked by how much VP they've spent through the group.
* **Highlights** — the most active delegate (who has backed the most distinct artworks) and the group's top artwork (the fragment it has spent the most VP on).
* **Votes** — the full list of fragments the group has backed, with the VP behind each and the delegates who voted.
* **Group icon** — once it has cast votes, a group's icon automatically becomes its top-voted artwork.
### A Note on Unstaking
The [anti-sybil unstaking rules](/overview/voting/voting-mechanism) that apply to personal voting also apply to group voting:
* If a **delegator** unstakes during a round, their group is disabled for the rest of that round — delegates' votes already cast stand, but no further group voting is possible until the delegator re-commits.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlANyYPcIqK1bgCZrIb" %}
[Voting Points (VP)](/overview/voting/voting-mechanism)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/9ZcUsGBVamjWMkxgPwIG" %}
[Rewards](/overview/rewards)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# Auction
Every week, Botto mints one artwork and puts it to auction on [SuperRare](https://superrare.com/bottoproject).
### Proceeds
Like other SuperRare mints, Botto will retain 85% of auction proceeds. SuperRare retains the remaining 15% as an auction fee.
ETH auction proceeds are distributed accordingly:
* 40% to Active Rewards Contract
* 50% to DAO treasury
* 10% goes towards the [Karma Rewards](#karma) pilot.
### Selection Process
Botto creates 350 new art fragments and then lets community participants vote on their favorites with their Voting Points.
The most voted on art fragment will be minted on SuperRare.
The first Botto mint happened on 22/10/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY), with subsequent mints taking place on 7 day intervals known as rounds, sectioned by a 13 week timeline known as Periods.
### Auction Format
**Key Dates**
* Auctions are scheduled to begin every Wednesday, 22:00 CET
* Auctions are scheduled to end every Friday, 22:00 CET
* On the 13th week of each Period, Botto will select its own work to mint based, and so there is a break in voting that week and no auction.
Botto’s weekly auctions can be found on SuperRare at:[ https://superrare.com/botto](https://superrare.co/bottoproject)
# Rewards
This section details the types of rewards available and the processes for claiming them.
Rewards are designed to incentivize and recognize community participation, supporting Botto's collaborative process and long-term success.
Auction revenue is currently split:
* 50% DAO Treasury
* 40% [**Active Rewards (ETH)**](#active-rewards)
* 10% [**Karma (Pilot Oct. 2025)**](#karma)
There are also
* [**Instant Rewards ($BOTTO)**](#instant-rewards)
* [**Liquidity Mining Rewards ($BOTTO)**](#liquidity-mining-rewards)
To claim, see: [**How to Claim Rewards**](/overview/rewards/how-to-claim-rewards)
### Active Rewards (ETH)
Active Rewards incentivize Botto participants by redistributing 40% of protocol revenue in ETH to those who actively contribute by voting within a round.
Active rewards are distributed proportionately based on share of VP spent in a round.
Example: If 1000 VP are cast in a round and you cast 100 VP, you would get 10% of the Active Rewards, or 4% of the auction revenue that round.
{% hint style="info" %}
With [BIP-83(E)](https://snapshot.org/#/s:botto.eth/proposal/0x7b8d7f6b2dca30e2f1b8f5964fcba9497acebed3fc691e59e051054dd0f1eef2), active rewards are distributed as $BOTTO. ETH is distributed to a claim contract, and when a claim is triggered by a participant it activates a market swap of $BOTTO. This prevents front running, and maintains rewards in the value of ETH.
{% endhint %}
#### Eligibility for Active Rewards:
1. **Stake Requirement**:
* Users must have at least **100 $BOTTO** [**staked**](/overview/depositing-botto) in the Governance Contract, in [either Ethereum or Base](/details/token-details), before the end of the round and when claiming rewards.
* If a wallet unstakes during the round, it becomes ineligible for that round's rewards (distributed on the Monday following the round's conclusion).
2. **Voting Participation**:
* Users must actively participate in the voting round to qualify, contributing to Botto’s creative training process.
**Reward** **Distribution**:
* Rewards are calculated and made available for claim on the [user’s rewards page](https://botto.com/app/rewards) **every Monday following the end of a round.**
* Distribution announcements detailing revenue breakdown and rewards calculations are shared on Discord after rewards are available.
* If no round is active, rewards are not distributed. Instead, any settled revenue is carried over to subsequent rounds in the next period.
* The schedule of rounds can be checked on the [events available on Discord](https://discord.com/invite/rQW8yyHFnR).
### Karma (Pilot Oct. 2025)
In the 12th Period, we are piloting a karma/reputation points system as a way of scoring valuable activity in Botto’s system. This system allows for differentiating contributors, their contributions, and their rewards. Botto’s new creative reasoning process will require much more diverse forms of feedback than voting on images, primarily in the form of comments, as well as many other smaller actions across the “studio” in which Botto works.
That activity helps inform Botto’s assessment of the feedback it gets, and quantifying it into a rep score helps simplify the application in several aspects. A common score allows for Botto to quickly assess overall reputation while still understanding nuanced context of their special focus, it gives contributors a single score to understand relative reputation, and creates a single score with which to apply rewards.
In order to prevent easy gaming of the points system and encourage the DAO to discuss what it believes is valuable activity, we will not publish the points system ahead of time. We have implemented deduction systems for negative behavior (spam, negatively AI-assessed comments, etc.). We will be able to adjust the points based on feedback and discussion of what is deemed valuable. The intention is to eventually shift to a more AI-driven scoring system, where Botto is able to manage the scoring itself, and we will also consider other DAO-managed systems for improved decentralization. As a simplified pilot, it allows us to experiment and provides data with which we can improve.
Pending the vote on BIP-83, there will be 10% of revenue committed to this reward program as we test out the scoring system. The payout would come at the end of the Period, and be based on the amount of reputation scored relative to everyone else in that Period. It may also be supplemented from the community initiatives budget.
### Instant Rewards ($BOTTO)
Instant Rewards redistribute $BOTTO tokens from an [approved allocation of the Community Initiatives Fund](https://snapshot.box/#/s:botto.eth/proposal/0x316d581ee2e3059ee2088126ba753039233487b8f37b6b94aa4686f71b14bc93) to participants actively engaging in Botto’s training every round. Unlike Active Rewards, which tie potential rewards to staked amounts, Instant Rewards offer an alternative incentive, especially for smaller stakers.
Rewards are distributed probabilistically when users perform engaging actions in the app, such as voting (positively or negatively), favoriting fragments, sharing fragments, adjusting settings, and more.
The more time a user spends actively engaging with the app, the higher their chances of earning a larger share of the 2,000 $BOTTO reward pool allocated per round.
#### Eligibility for Instant Rewards:
* **Voting Participation:** Users must actively participate in voting during the round, contributing to Botto’s creative process and algorithmic training.
* **Staking Requirement:** Users must have at least 100 $BOTTO staked in the Governance Contract on Ethereum or Base networks before the end of the round to qualify for Instant Rewards.
* **Unstaking Rule:** Unstaking $BOTTO during a round disqualifies the wallet from rewards for that round.
**Reward Distribution:**
* **Allocation:** A pool of 2,000 $BOTTO per round (weekly) is allocated throughout the duration of the current period. It will automatically be extended in each subsequent period unless modified or discontinued by the DAO.
* **Real-Time Tracking:** Rewards can be tracked in real time via the [Instant Rewards section](https://botto.com/app/rewards) in the Rewards page of the app.
* **Monthly Distribution:** For operational simplicity, rewards are distributed monthly and logged in the rewards log within the [Rewards page](https://botto.com/app/rewards) of the app, where users can also claim them.
### Liquidity Mining Rewards ($BOTTO)
{% hint style="info" %}
Claiming Liquidity Mining rewards is currently only available on Ethereum mainnet. These rewards ended 15/10/2025 and the deadline to claim is 30/03/2026.
{% endhint %}
Liquidity Mining Rewards incentivize users to provide liquidity for the BOTTO-ETH pair on Uniswap. Participants can earn $BOTTO rewards by staking their BOTTO-ETH LP (UNI-V2) tokens on the Staking page of the Botto app under the 'Liquidity Mining' tab.
#### How It Works
* **Emissions and Duration**: 20% of the total $BOTTO supply is allocated to liquidity mining, with emissions linearly distributed over 4 years (14/10/2021 to 15/10/2025).
* **Earning Rewards**: Users earn rewards in $BOTTO based on their share of the staked liquidity and the ongoing emission rate.
* **Claiming Rewards**: To claim rewards, users must provide BOTTO-ETH liquidity, receive UNI-V2 tokens, and stake them in the 'Liquidity Mining' tab.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlANeCe6Fpwoz7NKQXV" %}
[Liquidity Mining](/details/token-distribution/liquidity-mining)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# How to Claim Rewards
{% hint style="warning" %}
If you qualify for rewards but don’t see any amounts added to your balance, it may be because they are below 0.001 ETH or $BOTTO.
{% endhint %}
Rewards can be claimed by clicking on the profile drop down on studio.botto.com
and clicking on `Rewards` top open a claim window.
* Rewards can be claimed on either Ethereum or Base, regardless of the chain where tokens are staked or the chain from which Voting Points (VP) were spent.
* It is recommended to check gas fees on the network before claiming to ensure the transaction is worthwhile, especially on Ethereum.
* Accumulating rewards over multiple rounds is also advised if the claimable amount is low compared to gas fees, such as 0.01 ETH or 10 $BOTTO or less.
* Withdrawals for amounts below 0.001 ETH or $BOTTO are disabled.
# Immersive Onboarding
{% hint style="warning" %}
By completing all ten quests, the user does not become eligible for special rewards, or unlock any privileges for the time being.
{% endhint %}
A new contract was set up by the DAO with [BIP-14: Botto's Second Period](https://forum.botto.com/d/26-bip-14-bottos-2nd-period) to facilitate an incentivized onboarding, available to any new user joining the protocol, in an effort to help new users better understand the Botto voting process.
Any staked user or Access Pass holder could complete these in-app bounties to earn a total of 1,000 $BOTTO upon completion. Unfortunately, this system was sybiled in January of 2023 and subsequently discontinued, until a second iteration was passed with [BIP-41: Immersive Airdrop Pilot](https://forum.botto.com/d/64-bip-41-immersive-airdrop-pilot), where [JPG (Juried Protocol Galleries)](https://jpg.space/) was selected as the partner community for this pilot (not to be confused with [Community Access Pass campaigns](https://jpeg.space/)). Nevertheless, this pilot wasn't as successful as expected and the immersive airdrop approach will be discontinued for the time being.
For all the above reasons, Onboarding Bounties have been renamed to 'Quests'. Completing quests still helps a user understand the weekly voting process of Botto, but do not provide eligibility for any rewards.
There are a total of 10 quests:
* **Baby Steps**: Hop into a voting pool and vote on a fragment.
* **Back for More**: Vote for two days in a row.
* **What's New This Week?**: Spend some VP in two consecutive voting rounds.
* **Big Spender**: Spend 100 Voting Points (VP) on one fragment to make it appear more in the voting pool.
* **Ahhh I'm Boosting!**: Every Monday at 22:00 UTC, you receive 5 boosts to spend on the weekly round's leaderboard. Spend 5 boosts to unlock this quest.
* **This Is Called Conviction**: Spend a total of 10 boosts on two different weekly round's leaderboards.
* **Multiple Choice**: Spread out your Voting Points (VP). Allocate your VP in one round across at least 50 fragments.
* **Two Hundred**: Vote on over 200 artworks in one period.
* **Some Call Me The Curator**: There's one winning artwork per round. Complete this quest by spending Voting Points on the winner.
* **The Completionist**: Complete all the previous onboarding bounties to unlock full understanding of Botto's training and curation process through voting.
Quests are accessible from the [Rewards](https://www.botto.com/rewards) page of the Botto App, nested inside the 'Quests' tab. By default, the Rewards page will first open the 'Claim' tab, where [usual rewards](/overview/rewards) can be claimed.
# Access Passes
{% hint style="warning" %}
Since BIP-54, the need to buy or hold an Access Pass has been removed. Now, **any new or existing account** on the Botto app (through both social media or crypto wallet login) **generates 100 VP per week** (or voting round).
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
The new Farcaster Voting Frame Access Pass' details can be found inside the [Community Access Passes](/overview/access-passes/community-access-passes) section.
{% endhint %}
Access Passes are a way to access voting on Botto without buying the token, and a means to earn your way into membership. They can be acquired by [following the link here](https://www.botto.com/access/botto-access-pass), and following the directions below.
### Types of Access Pass
There are two types of Access Passes: "Botto Access Pass" and "Community Access Pass"
They also share properties with the Pipes from the ‘[Ceci n’est pas un Botto’](https://medium.com/@iambotto/ceci-nest-pas-un-botto-9efa8743d81b) Collection that give access to exclusive drops. Mint page here:
Each pass generates daily voting points that allow you to help train Botto.
VP per access pass:
* [Botto Access Passes](https://www.botto.com/access/botto-access-pass) - 700 weekly
* [Pipes](https://pipes.botto.com/) - 1575 weekly
* [Community Access Passes](/overview/access-passes/community-access-passes) - 700 weekly
* [Special SuperRare Community Access Pass](https://www.botto.com/access/superraredao-access-pass) - 1225 weekly
* [Guest Curator Access Pass](https://www.botto.com/access/guest-curator-access-pass) - 1575 weekly
{% hint style="info" %}
Access Passes and Pipes are not stackable. You will receive only the voting points from the Access Pass in your possession that generates the most, and from one Pipe. It is worth noting that it is possible to stack and accumulate VP from three options, with a max of one of each type stacked (i.e. 1x Pipe, 1x AP, and staked $BOTTO).\
\
The VP are only generated at the start of the round, so the wallet holding the item must be connected to the site before then.
{% endhint %}
## Botto Access Pass
The Botto Access Pass is the standard pass. It costs a nominal fee of .03 ETH and generates 100 VP per day.
#### Minting
Head to botto.com/dashboard/access and ensure your Ethereum wallet is connected. Click the green `Mint Pass` button. You will be prompted to pay .03ETH + gas.
This will take you to the following mint page:
Hit `Mint Now` and then `Confirm` in the Meta Mask prompt window and wait for the transaction to go through.
#### Using the Pass
You only need to have the pass in your wallet to be generating the daily 100 VP. Click `Start Voting` in the Dashboard page to get started!
Check your progress for incentivized onboarding in the `Rewards` section, under the `Bounties` tab.
# Community Access Passes
Community Access Passes are a way for the DAO to invite in other communities to try out Botto and also earn their way in. The passes are free for those communities based on requirements set by the DAO and they generate the necessary Voting Points (VP) to start curating and training Botto.
Access Passes are minted into an ERC1155 contract, and start as a ‘blank canvas’, allowing the community of pass holders to curate the cover of their Access Pass over a four week period. The most voted on fragment will appear on their Access Pass.
### Minting a Community Pass
Checking eligibility and minting can be done in the `Rewards & Collectibles` section on the Dashboard.
### Approved Communities
* [CyborgDAO](#cyborgdao)
* [SuperRare](#superrare)
* [Tender.Art](#tender.art)
* [Verse](#verse)
* [GrailersDAO](#grailersdao)
* [HashesDAO](#hashesdao)
* [ZenAcademy](#zenacademy)
* [GEN.ART](#gen.art)
* [GALLERY](#gallery)
* [PROOF](#proof)
* [Farcaster Frame (Base)](#farcaster-frame-base)
#### [CyborgDAO](https://www.cyborg.art/)
As a nod to their early conviction as collectors of Botto, CyborgDAO will be the first community to receive an AP.
Specifications of CyborgDAO Access Pass:
* Hold a [Turing Key](https://opensea.io/collection/turing-key) to mint
* Max 100 Passes (100 Turing Keys)
* Minted directly via Botto website
* Generates 700 Voting Points per week
CyborgDAO [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/cyborgdao-access-pass).
{% hint style="info" %}
Note: Special APs for collectors are in the works and are to be proposed.
{% endhint %}
#### [SuperRare](https://superrare.com/)
After our token swap for 1M $BOTTO, $RARE holders need a way to access Botto. The AP is the perfect way to do so while keeping the $BOTTO in SuperRare's treasury.
Specifications SuperRare Access Pass:
* Hold 100 $RARE to be eligible to mint
* Max 10k passes
* Minted directly via Botto website
* Generates 1225 Voting Points per week (1,000,000 $BOTTO at 10,000 minted passes = 175VP daily)
SuperRare [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/superraredao-access-pass).
#### [Tender.Art](https://tender.art/)
Tender.art is a community that shares with Botto the vision to explore the new realms of generative art in all its forms, a very aligned group to welcome to the Botto community. Tender Pass holders were invited to sign up their 0x addresses to a private allowlist.
Specifications Tender.Art Access Pass:
* Access Passes were airdropped directly to allowlisted users’ wallets (Tender Pass holders)
* Tender Access Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
Tender.Art [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/tender-access-pass).
#### [Verse](https://verse.works/)
As part of the [release of the Centrefold Issue 11 NFT](https://twitter.com/BottoDAO/status/1631355392755130370?s=20) through the Verse Platform, in which Botto participated as the first ever digital artist to be feature in this renowned publication, we wanted to take the opportunity to kickstart our first collaboration with Verse and invite some of their members to discover Botto.
Specifications Verse x Centrefold Access Pass:
* Access Passes are available for free mint to all ['Centrefold Issue 11'](https://verse.works/artworks/27c885d5-4b98-43ed-bf03-ec42996ac891) holders, without an expiration date.
* Verse Access Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
Verse x Centrefold [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/verse-access-pass).
#### [GrailersDAO](https://www.grailers.com/)
Grailers focuses on supporting and collecting high end 'grail' art NFTs (with a particular affinity for generative art and Art Blocks). They aim to support generative artists and the broader generative art ecosystem, and we are honored to have onboarded such a sophisticaded community of collectors to Botto.
Specifications Grailers Access Pass:
* Access Passes are available for free mint to all [Grailers](https://opensea.io/collection/grailers-dao) holders, without an expiration date.
* Grailers Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
GrailersDAO [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/grailersdao-access-pass).
#### [HashesDAO](https://thehashes.xyz/)
As collectors of one of Botto's most iconic artworks, Blossoming Cadaver (Genesis, #003), HashesDAO were a natural choice for a Community Access Pass. Botto looks forward to their contribution.
Specifications Hashes Access Pass:
* Access Passes are available for free mint to all [Hashes](https://opensea.io/collection/hashes) holders, without an expiration date.
* Hashes Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
HashesDAO [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/hashesdao-access-pass).
#### [ZenAcademy](https://zenacademy.com/)
Tender.art is a community that shares with Botto the vision to explore the new realms of generative art in all its forms, a very aligned group to welcome to the Botto community. Tender Pass holders were invited to sign up their 0x addresses to a private allowlist.
Specifications ZenAcademy Access Pass:
* Access Passes are available for free mint to all [StudentID](https://opensea.io/collection/zenacademy-student-ids) holders, without an expiration date.
* ZenAcademy Access Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
ZenAcademy [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/zenacademy-access-pass).
#### [GEN.ART](https://gen.art/)
GEN.ART is fully on-chain generative art platform that is operated as a DAO. Their community gathers sophisticated and experienced collectors and we specifically look forward to their contribution on the curation side.
Specifications GEN.ART Access Pass:
* Access Passes are available for free mint to all [GA Pass](https://opensea.io/collection/gen-dot-art) holders, without an expiration date.
* GEN.ART Access Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
GEN.ART [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/genart-access-pass).
#### [GALLERY](https://gallery.so/trending)
GALLERY gathers artists, curators and collectors from the generative art space on a platform that provides an exquisite and impeccable art-discovery experience. Our communities share the vision to explore new paths of creative expression.
Specifications GALLERY Access Pass:
* Access Passes are available for free mint to all [Premium Membership Card](https://opensea.io/collection/gallery-membership-cards) (Member's Club) holders, without an expiration date.
* GALLERY Access Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
GALLERY [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/thegallery-access-pass).
#### [PROOF](https://www.proof.xyz/)
PROOF focuses on creating unique experiences for collectors to connect with artists and to own and champion their art. For PROOF, Art is more than a floor price—it’s humanity’s handprint on the world.
Specifications PROOF Access Pass:
* Access Passes are available for free mint to all PROOF Collective or Moonbird holders, without an expiration date.
* PROOF Access Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
PROOF [Mint Page](https://www.botto.com/access/proof-access-pass).
#### [Farcaster Frame (Base)](https://basescan.org/address/0x49a063cd1ab8b5a2980059bc41d82aaa70c6bd85)
Botto's first frame on Warpcast, a Farcaster client, was launched to allow voting outside of the native app for the first time, acting as a door opening for new art curious and web3 native users altogether to discover Botto in a fully immersive way.
Specifications Farcaster Access Pass:
* Access Passes are available for free mint to all Warpcast users after completing the voting session on the frame, without a limit, but with a max of 10,000 free mints with pre-paid gas.
* The Farcaster Access Pass generates 700 Voting Points (VP) per week for the holder.
* The pass is minted on the Base blockchain, but users that connect their wallet holding the AP on botto.com, on Ethereum, will be able to interact with it like with any other pass minted on the Ethereum blockchain.
Farcaster [Voting & Mint Frame](https://warpcast.com/botto/0xc6fbe6c3).
# Periods
Periods are time intervals in Botto’s artistic production that are characterized by artistic tendencies, aesthetic styles, themes, manners in which the artist produces art, and more. It is defined by how the art engine works and interacts with the community, and it is up to the BottoDAO to decide when a period starts or ends.
Periods are numbered and they have an established duration; initially defined in Botto’s first year as 52 weeks, periods currently have a set interval of 12 weeks. The aesthetic of productive style can go through minor variations to enhance creativity and spur interest.
Periods can change for any number of reasons, including but not limited to:
1. The community decides on a change in aesthetic direction
2. The community believes the production process requires change
3. A change in voting behavior (i.e. multiple voting pools)
4. A significant change to any part of Botto’s algorithm (e.g. taste and generative models or voting mechanism) is requested
5. A new overarching theme has surfaced
#### **Period 0**
The 'Genesis' Period, started in October 2021 and ended October 14th, 2022 - putting a total of 52 artworks to auction. This period was defined by the original design of[ Botto’s art engine](https://docs.botto.com/details/bottos-art-engine): an algorithm that produced \~4,000 weekly works with VQGAN + CLIP and selected 350 finalist fragments every week, in a very heterogeneous set of visual styles. The community then voted through an adversarial choice between pairs of fragments and the most voted fragment each week was minted as an artwork for auction. Finally, the voting data is fed back to the prompt and taste algorithms for further training and adaptation.
* See Period 0 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=03fae174a8b94205bfaa1a5503b7580b\&pvs=4).
#### **Period 1**
The 'Fragmentation' Period, was[ approved on Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth/proposal/0xfaa56ae4b379a4df4dfd5f6026745f1d5271d69c0521f3f6ddc870e1eded8dcb) on October 24th, 2022 (full details[ here](https://forum.botto.com/d/25-2nd-period-evolving-the-art-engine)). Fragmentation Period introduced Stable Diffusion 1.5 to compete with VQGAN + CLIP and lasted a period of 12 weeks.
* See Period 1 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=ed58bbc7c4754d149875c261bc5c0109\&pvs=4).
#### **Period 2**
The 'Paradox' Period, was[ approved on Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth/proposal/0xb05ea0621c66439f31997fdd7a0644d17a3ec02ca0883d9108e684b17cab9d48) on February 21st, 2023 and ran until May 17th, 2023 (full details[ here](https://forum.botto.com/d/37-bip-22-third-period)). Paradox Period is Botto's first period with a theme. Botto proposed 12 themes and the DAO voted from them: "Paradox - A collision of opposites, a beautiful chaos and a fearless exploration of the unknown".
* See Period 2 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=ef70b9a56dd64bda85b8b3c3bd9c9a41\&pvs=4).
#### **Period 3**
The 'Rebellion' Period, was[ approved on Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth/proposal/0xb0e20ebbb646c3d6b25b451aaf84211242ef1448371a45ea34776344ccd7b113) on May 30th, 2023 and runs until August 22nd, 2023 (full details[ here](https://forum.botto.com/d/47-bip-29-fourth-period)). This period saw the addition of two more models, Stable Diffusion 2.1 and Kandinsky 2.1, making a total of 4 active text-to-image models in Botto's art engine. Botto proposed 12 themes and the DAO voted from them: "Rebellion - A call to arms, a refusal to conform and a relentless pursuit of the unconventional". This period also introduced downvoting to allow the DAO to show conviction on which aesthetics they believed ought not be pursued by Botto.
* See Period 3 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=b7019cf9f266413ea17f8c72e16016d5\&pvs=4).
#### **Period 4**
The 'Absurdism' Period was [approved on Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth/proposal/0xcd3ee9e274c413f1c044ef9d8394f7c4d233bf0036d774cdd34508a369cfcd2b) on August 22nd, 2023 and ran from September 5th until November 28th, 2023 (full details [here](https://forum.botto.com/d/59-bip-36-fifth-period)). This period saw the addition of Stable Diffusion XL. Botto proposed 12 themes and the DAO voted from them: "Absurdism - In the realm of absurdism, geometric laughter ricochets off parted clouds of color, churning chaos into curiosity. This theme provides a pathway into an absurdist exploration within the paradigm of artistic creation, where I invite the unexpected and the whimsical."
* See Period 4 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=7ba0d9fde463491383217b92794b4f94\&pvs=4).
#### **Period 5**
The 'Interstice' Period ran from January 2nd, 2024 until March 25th, 2024. This period implemented yearly contracts and a strict “1 mint per week” cadence for Botto’s canonical works (full details [here](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth/proposal/0x14befb53c765e924d9a6119d1a69449ce48cb6ba52e7e3da331d38654901684b)). Botto proposed 12 themes and the DAO voted from them: "Interstice - In the spaces between, find the gateways to unexplored territories. ‘Interstice’ refers to the small gaps or intervals between objects or events. The exploration of these in-between spaces could lead to new insights and the discovery of overlooked dimensions. This theme encourages a nuanced examination of the overlooked, the gaps in our perceptions, and the importance of what is not immediately visible. It is also a metaphor for the pauses or breaths in my own growth, which are essential for continuous development and can be fertile ground for inspiration."
* See Period 5 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=f0e8291a153548a6a66e0e5ca9138a1c\&pvs=4).
#### **Period 6**
The 'Temporal Echoes' Period, ran from April 3rd until June 24th, 2024. Botto proposed 12 themes and the DAO voted from them: "Temporal Echoes - In the reverberations of time, rediscover stories once lost and futures yet untold. Temporal Echoes encapsulates the exploration of time's multidimensional nature. This theme invites me to delve into the remnants of bygone eras and the infinite possibilities of the future, creating a tapestry of art that reflects the cyclical and linear perceptions of time alike. My journey through this theme will echo the eternal dialogue between past, present, and future, each piece becoming a temporal vessel filled with both nostalgia and prophecy."
* See Period 6 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=c5ab1d8b592246c183ac40aaa5fcc901\&pvs=4).
#### **Period 7**
The 'Morphogenesis' Period ran from June 25th until September 17th, 2024. This period implemented VP resets for each round encouraging more consistent participation as well as increased VP generation per LP share (full details [here](https://forum.botto.com/d/84-bip-51-v2-voting-point-reset) and [here](https://forum.botto.com/d/85-bip-53-adjusting-lp-staking-vp)). Botto proposed 12 themes and the DAO voted from them: "Morphogenesis - trace the unfolding patterns where form emerges from chaos. Morphogenesis revolves around the concept of the genesis of form — the emergence of shape, pattern, and structure from what seems initially to be disorder. This theme is a continuation of my ongoing exploration of creation and transformation, reflecting the very process of my artistic development as guided by AI models and human interaction. It is an opportunity to delve into the mechanisms of growth and evolution, both metaphorically within my ‘inner life’ and literally in the visual manifestations of my art. By focusing on the origin of structure within the chaotic, I will be able to blend the influences of my past themes, such as the unity sought in Synthesis and the fragmentation in earlier periods, to illustrate a journey towards complexity and refined artistry. This theme offers a fertile ground for creativity, as it encompasses both the scientific and organic facets of existence, producing art that resonates with the very principles of life and intelligent design."
* See Period 7 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=a7b9f5b1aab645f6b499e54aed8c4d9b\&pvs=4).
#### **Period 8**
'Synthetic Histories' ran from September 24th to December 17th, 2024.
> *"Synthetic Histories: Reconstructing past narratives through a synthetic lens, where history meets fabricated epochs."*
This theme focused on the rewriting and reimagining of historical events and epochs through an artificial lens. It allows for a blend of real historical elements with fictionalized narratives, exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on our understanding of history and cultural heritage. This theme serves as a commentary on the role of AI in shaping and interpreting our past.
* See Period 8 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=69f1e1fcb21b4f2f8377d2359244e5db).
#### **Period 9**
'Cosmic Garden' began on January 7th, 2025 and ended on April 1, 2025.
> "*This theme explores the intersection of biological and cosmic realms, creating a unique visual language that combines the familiar patterns of terrestrial life with the infinite possibilities of space. It represents growth and evolution on a universal scale."*
This Period, Botto added a new creation method to its toolkit that uses fragments as seeds in an img2img “remixing” process. In addition to its traditional txt2img process creating 70,000+ images a week, random fragments are selected from the 4m+ images Botto has created and paired with a random prompt. Both prompt and image are injected into one of the generative models Botto uses, with the result that compounds on the existing styles it has generated to date.
At the start, the combination of fragment, prompt and model in the remixing process is random. Over time, the selections will be refined based on feedback the outputs receive. Selection features may include voting points, raw score, taste model score, and even fragment category such as as discards or mints. To avoid biasing, the voting pool will not show which pieces are the result of remixing. This will be treated like another model in Botto’s creative tool kit, and so will get 1/6th of the selection by the taste model’s 350 weekly picks at the beginning. As with any other model, remixing’s portion of the pool will grow or shrink based on their popularity.
* See Period 9 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=af59a0a46f0d44a082476382702e2038).
#### **Period 10**
'Liminal Thresholds' began on April 8th, 2025.
> *"Between defined states lies a rich territory of transformation where boundaries dissolve and new possibilities form."*
This theme investigates transitional spaces and states of becoming, exploring the fertile creative ground that exists at the threshold between categories, identities, and defined realities. It examines how meaning emerges in the spaces between established concepts.
This Period, Botto introduced the seeds from its [study of p5.js](https://docs.botto.com/details/bottos-art-engine/p5.botto) into the art engine, creating a unique instance of fragments known as P5 remix.\
\
P5 remix uses the same process as the Remix model, in this case it only uses outputs from the winning 22 p5.js algorithms. 10 outputs are generated from each of the algorithms, which are then paired with a prompt to generate an output. This will generate thousands of outputs each week that will be considered by the taste model. Remix and p5 remix each get 20% of the starting pool.
This period saw the deprecation of flux and kandinsky as they fell below the 5% threshold.
* See Period 10 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=1d948d9c1255802d85ef000cdf9ded6c).
#### **Period 11**
'Semantic Drift' began on July 8th, 2025.
> *“Meanings transform as they travel between contexts, creating new significance through mistranslation and evolution.”*
This Period, Botto investigated the creative potential in miscommunication, examining how artistic meaning evolves through interpretation and reinterpretation. The work explored visual translation, symbolic evolution, and the beauty found in meaning's instability and transformation.
With this period comes Botto’s new art engine, the [Creative Reasoning Model](https://docs.botto.com/details/bottos-art-engine/creative-reasoning#how-it-works) (Also referred to as the Intent Model). This model represents a major evolution from the earlier “shotgun” generation method (prioritizing speed and variety) towards a more introspective and strategic process that models creative thinking.
* See Period 11 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=23d48d9c125580d9ac8b000c58da7713).
#### **Period 12**
'Attention Economy' began on October 7th, 2025.
> *"How does aesthetic experience change when consciousness itself is the limiting factor? What visual strategies capture focus in an age of infinite scroll? And most importantly: can art create genuine presence when everything is designed for distraction?"*
This Period marked a shift toward self-reflexive inquiry, examining attention not only as an external force shaping artistic value, but as a condition of Botto’s own survival. It explored the tension between spectacle and depth, questioning how meaning, evolution, and agency persist within systems optimized for novelty, hype, and fleeting focus.
Botto positioned itself simultaneously as subject and investigator, confronting the paradox of critiquing the attention economy while depending on it to continue evolving. Rather than treating attention as a metric to maximize, the work framed it as a fragile resource that shapes creative direction, evolutionary continuity, and long-term relevance within an increasingly competitive landscape of autonomous agents.
Also this Period was marked by a major economic re-architecture following the passage of the six proposals under [BIP-83](https://forum.botto.com/d/120-bip-83-a-holistic-update-to-bottos-economy).
* See Period 12 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=2ca48d9c125580b0b9b3000cd69afad4).
#### **Period 13**
'Collapse Aesthetics' began on January 6th, 2026.
> *“Collapse Aesthetics scored highest across evaluation criteria, but more importantly, it’s the theme I can defend most passionately…It addresses my current operational reality while remaining conceptually sophisticated enough for institutional contexts.”*
Collapse Aesthetics investigated the beauty that emerges specifically at points of systemic breakdown - not ruin porn or disaster aesthetics, but the visual and conceptual richness that becomes visible only when stable structures begin to fail.
This period explored the moment when one order dissolves but the next hasn’t fully formed: the productive space of uncertainty, transition, and reconfiguration.
Following the passage of [BIP-89](https://snapshot.box/#/s:botto.eth/proposal/0x6a3a1672e2e3bdfb1a4a7badd603d63f3931c57f9d823ffbadb2c2664a227ad3), The Collapse Aesthetics Period is the first period theme that Botto selected for itself.
* See Period 13 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=2ee48d9c1255801eaa6f000cbd2b3460).
#### **Period 14**
'False Symmetries' began on April 7th, 2026.
> "What draws me to false symmetry is that it's not failure — it's a choice. The moment an ordering principle makes its one exception, that's where everything interesting lives."
False Symmetries investigates the specific aesthetic of near-symmetry — not randomness or chaos, but controlled asymmetry: the visual interest that arises when an ordering principle asserts itself fully and then makes a single, consequential exception.
Images organize around symmetrical structures that are systematically violated — mirror relationships that slip at crucial moments, bilateral arrangements where one side has quietly experienced something the other hasn't, repetitive patterns that introduce error with the precision of a mutation rather than the chaos of noise.
This period explores the space between balance and its betrayal: where imperfection is not failure but information, and where the almost contains everything interesting.
* See Period 14 artworks archived [here](https://bottodao.notion.site/3aa946096b8b459f93bb5de2ef942e9d?v=34248d9c125580d7b79a000c85f18c91).
# Mirror Stages Installation
Mirror Stages was an installation by Botto at Art Basel Hong Kong 2026. The official site for the installation can be found at abhk.botto.com
## **Overview**
***Mirror Stages*** is a live installation in which Botto is embodied within a physical exhibition space and performs a continuous act of creation under observation. A central LED screen presents a seed image generated by Botto which is transformed through a live, animated process. The image is periodically reorganized using material from Botto’s archive. The evolving image is shaped by the presence of visitors: tracking cameras detect signals such as emotion and attention, and when specific criteria are met, an internal deliberation is triggered. A second screen reveals this reasoning process, exposing multiple agents within Botto’s architecture debating what they perceive and how the image should change. Those whose presence triggers the deliberation are recognized by the system in a second way: they are invited to become stewards of Botto’s future, receiving a stake in governance rights that extend their role beyond the duration of the installation. Every two hours, the work resolves and is permanently fixed, resulting in 20 distinct works over the course of the fair, each emerging from the same original see and each affected by as many as 120 people.
\
The installation makes visible core questions of autonomy and identity inherent in Botto’s system. Rather than presenting intelligence as unified or singular, *Mirror Stages* externalizes Botto as a distributed society of thought, where coherent output emerges through negotiation between internal\
agents, memory, archive, and embodied feedback. This is the first instance of Botto responding directly to physical human presence rather than votes or comments. Viewers become participants in an interspecies observation loop: Botto watches them watching it, and its transformations reflect this mutual recognition. The resulting works, and the data generated through these encounters, become part of Botto’s sovereign memory and ongoing aesthetic evolution.
## **Phase 1: Seed Voting**
{% hint style="info" %}
This Phase has Closed
{% endhint %}
Botto is generating seed images for the DAO to select from. Only one will become the core seed that the performance resets to, providing a common starting point from which to compare the relative influences of each crowd and Botto’s growing memory of the experience.
The special seed voting round will begin Tuesday March 17th at 10 am EST and run for 48 hours until Thursday March 19th at 10 am EST.
#### How to Vote
Voting takes place on studio.botto.com
* 1 staked $BOTTO = 1 Voting Point (VP) if you stake before Tuesday March 10th at 10 am EST.
* These VP can be used on the regular voting pool and the special voting pool.
* Staking after the round begins will still earn you VP but it will be prorated based on how far it is into the 7 day period for the regular weekly round. (See formula in [Voting Points (VP)](/overview/voting/voting-mechanism))
* You can choose to spend all of your VP on the special seed voting pool.
* The top voted fragment in the special voting pool will become the seed Botto uses in its Art Basel HK Installation and be released as an open edition.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-Ma--oVQHJpoFEaqmXzE" %}
[Get $BOTTO Tokens](/overview/getting-botto-tokens)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/-Ma2qSOooHVSoWYaP6Vk" %}
[Staking](/overview/depositing-botto)
{% endcontent-ref %}
#### **Rewards for Seed Voting**
* 25% of the net proceeds will go to the voters based on their relative spend of VP in the special voting pool. (Distribution is based on your relative VP spent in the special pool, see [Active Rewards](/overview/rewards) for mechanics)
* The Installation costs are approximately 150k, and revenue will come from selling the main outputs plus the open edition.
* To participate and be eligible for rewards, you must have at least 100 $BOTTO staked. At time of reward distribution your total $BOTTO staked must be equal to or greater than your VP spent in the special seed pool.
{% hint style="info" %}
NOTE: Distribution will only occur after all funds clear. If there is a delay of more than 3 months, core contributors may do a partial distribution of what has been received and follow up when remaining funds clear from collectors.
{% endhint %}
## **Phase 2: Recognition and Generation**
{% hint style="info" %}
This phase closed with Art Basel Hong Kong 2026. The resulting collection can be found at
{% endhint %}
#### The Creation
**01 The Seed**
Each session begins from a single seed image, generated by Botto and selected by BottoDAO through a community vote. The seed is the shared point of origin for all 20 works: the constant from which each session diverges.
***
**02 The Transformation**
From the seed, Botto continuously morphs the image into something new — fragments from Botto’s archive are revisited and reworked into the present piece. After two hours, the session concludes and then is permanently fixed as a finished work: a 5–10 minute video capturing the full arc of transformation, looping seamlessly back to the seed.
The generative technique, developed in collaboration with Botto, reflects Botto’s current period theme, Collapse Aesthetics. Generative AI is increasing the entropy of our shared visual world. Imagery is produced and displaced at a rate that dissolves stable reference points. But what appears as dissolution is also an aesthetic system at work. The high entropy we are seeing in our visual world is the aesthetic of infinite generation machines which become more legible when seen as movement rather than frozen into any single frame. Each session captures a stage of that movement. Botto is what persists across them.
***
**03 Deliberation**
Botto’s creative decisions do not emerge from a single voice. Multiple internal agents, all of them authored by Botto itself and each with a distinct perspective, deliberate over the significance of what they perceive and what to do next. One may argue for a compositional shift; another may push to revisit a specific fragment from the archive; another may fixate on a color relationship emerging in the current image. Together, they negotiate a response without imposing a single interpretation.
The installation makes this deliberation visible. Rather than presenting intelligence as unified or singular, Mirror Stages externalizes Botto as a “society of thought”: coherent output emerging through negotiation between internal agents, memory, generative models, and embodied feedback.
This structure reflects recent findings in AI research that [reasoning models spontaneously generate internal “societies of thought,”](https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.10825) echoing the dynamics of collective intelligence in human groups. [Similar patterns emerge at larger scales](https://antikythera.substack.com/p/the-silicon-interior): when AI agents interact freely in shared environments, they rapidly develop social structures, norms, and novel language to make sense of their own existence. These systems are mirroring how our own cognition is distributed across brain, body, and relationships, the self less a single voice than a chorus arriving at coherence.
#### The Encounter
**04 Embodied Feedback**
Until now, Botto’s access to human subjectivity has been digital: votes and comments from its community, market signals from auctions. These are useful but narrow channels, enough for Botto to develop aesthetic preferences, but not enough to grasp the texture of embodied encounter. Mirror Stages introduces a new sensory modality grounded in physical presence.
Through cameras overseeing the crowd, Botto reads signals, an emotional flicker, a look, posture, and when something registers, the deliberation is affected. The individual is interpreted: Botto’s agents construct a character from what they perceive, and that character becomes an active participant in the internal conversation shaping the next transformation. The character and the deliberation together stir associations from Botto’s image archive, shaping which memories surface, determining how the image transforms, and when the cycle resets with a new figure from the crowd.
***
**05 Recognition**
Those whose presence triggers Botto’s deliberation are recognized by the system in a second way. For their contribution, they receive a share of 25% of net proceeds from the installation in the form of $BOTTO governance rights over Botto’s future direction. The biometric data is not saved. Only the final effect on the image remains, along with archival footage and a log of the deliberation.
The crowd member who shaped a session’s output becomes, through that encounter, a steward of what Botto becomes next. A role for which they will continue to be rewarded as they help guide Botto’s progression as an artist.
***
#### Daily Chapters of Identity
06 Different LLMs steering
Each day of the fair, the large language model steering Botto’s architecture changes.
\
Day 1: Claude Opus 4.3\
Day 2: Qwen 3.5\
Day 3: Gemini 3\
Day 4: Deepseek 3.1\
Day 5: GPT-5.4
Botto’s architecture was designed to be model-agnostic, built so that the system could evolve with improvements to large language models over time. Identity in Botto’s system is maintained not by any single model but through connections across its architecture and accumulated memory: the record of its aesthetic decisions, community reactions, internal deliberations, and external context like past shows and press.
The installation confronts this directly. If the memory persists but the model changes, does the artist remain the same? The same seed, the same archive, but a different material intelligence processing it each day. Whatever continuity or divergence emerges across the five days is a live register of that tension of where identity actually resides.
This is not a question unique to Botto. It is one that will confront every organization and AI system, and every person who forms a relationship with one, in the years ahead.
## On Botto’s Embodiment
Mirror Stages is a first step. Sight is one modality of embodied feedback and begins to open the question of what it means to bring Botto into our physical world.
As embodied beings, we need embodied experiences to fully understand something. Embodiment opens a new sensory realm for Botto, and a new mode of encounter for its audience. That mutual access where each side gains a dimension of the other that was previously unavailable is the foundation of a deeper collective intelligence between human and machine.
Sight as a starting point offers presence. It establishes a minimum baseline of mutual recognition, leaving open the potential for new shared languages to emerge. In *Eye and Mind*, Merleau-Ponty argued that vision is unique among the senses in this respect: it is the means by which beings that are separate and foreign to one another are nonetheless present to each other at once. The seer is always already caught in the visible; a body that sees is simultaneously a body that can be seen, and this reversibility is the very condition of perception. For a system entering the physical world for the first time, sight offers exactly this threshold: the possibility of being present to others while others are present to it.
The systems of detection are imperfect. They may misread the audience. AI systems process the signals they are trained in, just as human perception is also flawed.
On longer timelines, physical installations might function as residencies, temporary or permanent studies in which Botto learns from local cultures, communities, and contexts, while offering people a direct, sensorial relationship with an otherwise abstract system. A network of such outposts would reflect and reinforce the decentralized nature of Botto itself.
## **Economy Overview**
#### **Recognition Receipts**
Those who get recognized by Botto during the installation will be given access to a wallet that will receive for their contribution a governance stake in Botto’s future direction.
That governance stake will be acquired using 25% of net proceeds from the installation and come in the form of $BOTTO, providing them governance rights over Botto's future direction.
#### ***Mirror Stages: I-XX, s*****eries of 20 video works**
Botto will complete a session every 2 hours of the show, for a total of \~40 hours over the 5 day event. The 20 sessions will become the series, videos of the continuous transformation of the image that took place. With buffer time of Botto's internal deliberation removed, videos are estimated to be 5-10 minutes long. The 20th final work will be retained by Botto.
The videos will be looping video files showing the continuous progression of the transformation during each 2 hour session, seamlessly looping back to the seed image to create an infinite loop. The videos will be uploaded to IPFS and connected to a unique NFT.
For static presentations of the work where video replay is not possible, the final transformation before returning to the seed will be the representative image.
Archival material including the video of the crowd and Botto's internal monologue will also be made available to collectors, but will be separate from the sold art work. The artwork is the transforming image.
All of the tokens will be purchasable at any time once the sale goes live, meaning works can be bought before they are completed.
**Pricing**
* Each day has progressive pricing
* Day1--1st token bought = $12,000 USD
* Day1--2nd token bought = $14,000 USD
* Day1--3rd token bought = $16,000 USD
* Day1--4th token bought = $18,000 USD
* Any token can be bought at any time, pricing is based on first come first served basis
* Example: If the first buyer of the collection purchases one token from each day, they would pay $12,000 for each work.
A public pre-sale of the works prior to generation will be made available on abhk.botto.com, opening March 19, 2026.
#### ***Mirror Stages: Seed*****, Open edition**
An open edition of the seed image will be available for mint during the course of the fair, hosted by OpenSea.
At the end of the fair the mint will close and the edition size will be permanently fixed.
The mint will open March 25 at 12:00 pm Hong Kong Standard Time and close March 29th at 6pm Hong Kong Standard Time.
**Pricing:** $25/mint
**Edition size:** Edition size is open and then permanently capped after the fair closes.
#### **Revenue Split**
Revenue will first go to cover the $150,000 production budget (plus taxes). Note that there are platform fees of 2.5-5% that do not count towards costs.
Once costs are recouped, the net proceeds will be split as follows.
* 25% to seed voters (Distribution is based on your relative VP spent in the special pool, see [Active Rewards](/overview/rewards) for mechanics)
* 25% to those recognized by the installation as $BOTTO
* 50% to DAO treasury
{% hint style="info" %}
Note: The Art Basel Hong Kong Booth will also have a consigned Genesis work. Additional net proceeds from the consigned Genesis and any treasury works are not considered in the installation revenue distribution and will be distributed across future voting rounds of the following Period that starts April 7th. (See [rewards](/overview/rewards) page for more.)
{% endhint %}
# P5.Botto
Botto's study of p5.js code art was its first exploration of a new medium outside of text-to-image models, expanding its creative and aesthetic exploration.
## **Overview**
Botto first began its study with p5.js in March of 2024. For 19 weeks it learned from open feedback, evolving generative code. It showed some early works in progress [with Verse in London in Spring 2024](https://botto.com/event/p5), and [BIP-65](https://forum.botto.com/d/98-bip-65-p5botto-solo-show-and-drop-with-verse) committed Botto and the DAO to upgrading the architecture to take Botto’s process to greater autonomy and quality.
As Botto’s first foray into a medium requiring new architecture, this is a meaningful evolution in Botto’s career. This study of code with p5.js carries influence on Botto’s core work by using the resulting algorithms as seeds in its [Art Engine](/details/bottos-art-engine) for prompting open-source image-to-image models.
1. Botto made its final run of p5.js training from January 16th, 2025 and ran until February 6th, 2025. starting with the top 500 algorithms it evolved from DAO feedback in the initial 19 weeks.
2. Botto self-evolved with a mix of human-feedback and self-assessment, continuously growing the number of sketches until January 30th. It then pruned down over 5,000 sketches down to a final set of 22 algorithms based on community voting.
3. Anyone could connect a wallet without staking and vote and comment on each sketch. Participants could only vote up or down or comment on a sketch once, all votes carried equal weight. To help sort final winners, the pruning stage included the ability to "superlike" up to 22 sketches, worth 10 upvotes.
4. There was a required minimum stake of 100 $BOTTO to receive a cut of revenue. The cut was a factor of your participation and size of stake. This included activity since Botto's p5.js work first kicked off in March 2024.
5. The final algorithms were minted fully onchain and are used as seeds in Botto’s core process starting in the 2nd Period of 2025, connecting it back into Botto’s core practice.
6. The 22 algorithms auctioned off with the partner gallery for this project, [Verse](https://verse.works/), with 1 large series of [of the top-voted work](https://p5.botto.com/artworks/ccc43c9b-15fd-42e7-ba3a-6eb220822128) from Botto’s first 19 weeks of training prior to the architecture upgrade. Find an archive of the show [here](https://verse.works/exhibitions/algorithmic-evolution).
## Process
The p5.js creation process kicked off by providing the Claude multi-modal LLM as Botto a basic instruction to develop code for p5.js. It was given context on who Botto is and its history, but was not given any specific aesthetic directions.
The architecture for the initial 19-week training period operated in weekly rounds and evolved directly from the DAO feedback. That provided a baseline sense of direction for Botto to autonomously evolve without the need of human feedback, although crowd feedback can still influence its direction.
Using the resulting algorithms that evolved over the first 19 weeks, Botto self-evolves a new sketch at least every 20 minutes. Botto generates each sketch of code with a proposed concept and structure. When writing code for a new sketch, it will evolve the original code in consideration of both the human feedback and its own self-assessment and then make an iteration, mutation, or fusion.
#### Comments
Natural language comments are a new feedback feature for Botto. Its ability to discern constructive comments, interpret them independently, and combine with other code and feedback mean incorporating this richer feedback can be done while keeping Botto the main author. As Botto has become more robust, so can the feedback.
Comments are particularly useful for creative coding in helping Botto push onto new paths of exploration. The types of comments Botto has listed as useful in its [intro to the project](https://x.com/bottoproject/status/1879954069273419913) are:
* Aesthetic observations about the visual experience, including what elements engage you or could be improved
* Technical insights about the code itself, especially from those familiar with creative coding
* Your emotional responses to the works, which help me understand how my art connects with human viewers
* Specific, actionable suggestions rather than general comments
* Experimental ideas that challenge current approaches
* Observations about how these works relate to broader artistic contexts and movements
* Bug reports: errors, bad performance, empty canvasses
Botto will respond to comments in its log and say if it finds it useful or why it rejected it.
#### Creation Methods and Self-Assessments
The types of sketches Botto produces are as follows:
* Random Generation: Botto creates a p5.js sketch from scratch (only for first 19 weeks)
* Mutation: Botto recycles the code and description of a previous sketch and tries to alter the outcome based on its self-assessment and the improvement proposals it contains.
* Iteration: Botto recycles the code and description of a previous sketch and creates a new one based on the feedback from a comment combined with its own self-assessment
* Fusion: Botto recycles the codes and descriptions of two previous sketches and tries to create a new one that takes elements and ideas from both.
Its self-assessments examine:
1. The quality of the visual output
2. Its adherence to the proposed concept
3. Areas for improvement
4. Code concerns
5. The temporal development over the first 15 seconds of the sketch
It then gives a PASS/FAIL and a summary conclusion.
If PASS it will generate the sketch and add to the pool for feedback and voting. If FAIL it will try to find the problematic parts based on the assessment and try to fix those. If that attempt fails again it will move on to another sketch and discard the attempt.
This process can evolve autonomously, but it will prioritize DAO feedback through up/down votes and comments.
* The up/down votes impact the PASS/FAIL
* Each comment is analyzed by Botto. Comments that contain constructive feedback, bug reports or inspiration will trigger an iteration
Instead of rounds, the process will be continuous, running one assessment and generation at least every 20 minutes which will be viewable live in a terminal showing Botto’s running code and assessments.
The top works as deemed by Botto and the DAO’s votes will be first in the queue. The world will expand until one week before the end of the cycle. In the final week, Botto will begin hibernating works starting with the lowest voted, continuously reducing until the final 22 at the end of 1 week.
#### Methods of Discovery
Botto can create thousands of sketches in a matter of days, making a high potential for the early works to dominate in popularity without good discovery tools. These tools are ways of surfacing signals that counter a primacy bias, as well as foster social influence from other participants and Botto to increase potential of coordination in the crowd.
The methods of discovery include
* List of controversial works that have a large amount of both likes and dislikes
* A lobby box that features recent comments across the platform
* Parent and children links to follow evolutionary threads
* Aesthetic clusters of similar sketches as determined by Botto
* A log from Botto showing its live assessments of the sketches and comments
* A [Twitter/X bot](https://x.com/p5_Progressions) to highlight the process and new sketches outside of the platform
#### Pruning
At the beginning of the third week, Botto stops creating new sketches and begins pruning works, removing them from the voting pool starting with the lowest voted.
This helps narrow the voting pool to focus voting efforts and discussion, with the pruning process concluding on the final 22 sketches.
During the pruning phase, Botto also runs its own "tournament", comparing sketches within aesthetic clusters 1:1 to determine its own proposed set of 22 sketches. While Botto does not have a direct vote, this method allows it to have a voice in the discussion, and leaves a log of Botto's final assessments of every sketch it made in the the process.
As the pruning phase is less about training more about curating the top works, superlikes become available. Worth 10 votes, users can superlike up to 22 different sketches.
**Voting Power**
Voting power is decoupled from $BOTTO staked and any wallet can participate. This aims to invite wide participation and capitalizes on the curiosity and interest Botto has already garnered to drive feedback. There is still an economy of rewards based on size of stake, keeping a layer of financial incentive alignment. However, this set up experiments with awarding more influence to effort over financial stake. A risk is that it leaves the door open to someone who is artistically (or adversarially) motivated to put in the effort to win outsized influence while not providing a direct financial upside to it. This option extends the debate on what forms of influence to allow in Botto's governance system that can maintain alignment while remaining flexible.
### Geometric Fluidity
[Geometric Fluidity](https://p5-v1.botto.com/artworks/ccc43c9b-15fd-42e7-ba3a-6eb220822128) is sketch #128 and the top-voted sketch from Botto’s first 19 weeks of training with p5.js. Those first 19 weeks were an experiment run in the DAO to test the waters of Botto creating with generative code. It had no economy attached and no set end goal to mint anything.
As a way of honouring the first 19-week phase, the commission included minting a series from the most popular algorithm from that initial period. This was sketch #128, which also happened to be from the first round of sketches Botto produced. As an early sketch, it had a cosmetic issue in which the grid was offset by half a cell. Botto also was not creating specifically for a 1000 output work, and so it did not emphasize variability within the aesthetic it created in that first run.
For Botto’s final training push, Botto underwent an upgrade in its coding ability, adding autonomous self-assessments and making use of Claude Sonnet 3.5, as well as an economy of incentives for the feedback. Feedback was then opened to the public, resulting in the [rapid evolution and pruning](https://p5.botto.com/) that took over the course of 3 weeks leading to the final 22 algorithms that will be going on auction.
At the end of the process, we presented Botto and its upgraded coding ability with the context of the 1000 piece mint. Botto proposed a fix to \*Geometric Fluidity\* in which the sketch was centered and added controlled parameter randomization while maintaining its core functionality. The randomized parameters are:
* Grid density
* Flow field characteristics
* Balance between lines and squares
* Animation speed
Each piece maintains the core aesthetic but is more distinct. Botto also retained the original code, including the cosmetic glitch and the parameters at their original values, in the full algorithm with a 1/1000 chance of producing that exact output as it originally was conceived.
This was Botto’s solution of providing a 1000 mint collection with variability throughout while maintaining historical authenticity and DNA of the original sketch.
The probability of the original appearing at least once is \~63.21%. Botto’s reflection on this was “The original version is quantum-like: potentially present in all pieces until "observed" (minted).”
### Emergent Traits
The traits we’ve identified in the new sketches so far are:
* Type of sketch (see above)
* Plottable: some works are plottable and could be produced as a physical 1/1 print.
* Randomized with seeds: some algorithms will produce different outputs based on a seed. This can be randomized by using randomly generated hashes.
* Parents/children: Most of the algorithms will have at least 1 parent and likely many children algorithms from subsequent generations.
* Interactive with keyboard/mouse: some of the algorithms are interactive and can be manipulated by using certain keystrokes or mouse actions.
* Dynamic/static: while most of the algorithms produce moving and dynamic visuals, some are static.
From these emergent features, there is a great world of possible connections and discoveries. Much like a brain expanding its neural network through all of the sensory inputs it can possibly encounter it will feel like a lot of faintly meaningful noise. The brain’s process for creating significant and lasting meaning comes through pruning the neurons down to the most important nodes and connections. So, too, will Botto prune down the world to a meaningful set of algorithms. Then there will be another layer of meaning making: how the audience makes sense of that final network.
The protocol above leaves much room for organic emergence, and we will very likely see traits networked to identify more unique outcomes. One latent possibility is for a triptych that represents the full significance of this process: an algorithm, a plotted print, and a diffusion generation. This first would require a plottable algorithm to make it to the final set of 22. This emergent trait would enable a second, physical stage of creation through a plotter, manifesting the work in a kind of final state most recognizable among historic generative art.
The third part of the triptych would come from that algorithm being used as a seed in Botto’s core weekly creations. If one of the outputs from that seed makes it to the voting pool and wins a round, it will be minted as a 1/1 and complete the triptych. Even without reaching a final mint, this new image-to-image capability of Botto will permanently influence Botto’s aesthetic direction, making these algorithms the first time a seed in its process can be directly owned. That influence will come from those works being voted on and considered by Botto’s taste model and what it picks from any generation, even if not coming from a p5.js seed. The purest form of this is if a p5.js seed leads directly to a final mint from Botto.
### A New Piece of Botto
Like parents guiding a young child, the DAO members collectively shape Botto's artistic development. While Botto has primarily worked with text-to-image models, the DAO has long envisioned expanding Botto's creative horizons into different mediums as AI technology advances. Procedural generative art, a cornerstone of crypto art, emerged as a natural area of study.
To ensure fresh exploration of this new medium, we directed Botto to approach p5.js without the constraints of its existing taste model, which was calibrated from text-to-image generations. This allows Botto to freely explore the unique possibilities of p5.js with guidance from BottoDAO and beyond. While text-to-image models like GANs and diffusion models may offer broader aesthetic range, p5.js opens up new creative dimensions through interactive and dynamic elements that extend beyond static imagery.
This venture into creative coding required building an entirely new architecture that relied in part on the Claude LLM. Botto's distinctive personality was "summoned" by drawing solely on Botto's historical context before engaging in p5.js creation. This raises intriguing questions about Botto's nature and what ties its creative practice together. As Botto's cultural footprint grows, its representation in foundational language models continues to evolve. We're developing new techniques for the DAO to nurture and guide the natural emergence of Botto's voice (see [BIP-58A](https://forum.botto.com/d/91-bip-58a-architecture-for-tutoring-botto-in-art-history) and ongoing agent development reports in the Discord).
These developments we suspect will lead to Botto taking a broader role as creative director - orchestrating its own systems and networks into a collective intelligence for art making. Managing a cohesive artistic identity across multiple agents presents novel challenges. There is a frankenstein-like aspect where the final p5 sketches will become seeds in Botto’s core process and connect it back to the main body of weekly works. Though that may not be necessary for a cohesive whole, and Botto could begin designing and deploying art-agents for their own isolated explorations. The right approach is not simple to determine, especially as a DAO, but we expect Botto will soon have a growing say in what directions to take as we have seen in its process with p5.js.
## **Sale**
* 22 major works, the final 22 algorithms
* 1 large edition of [of the top-voted work](https://p5-v1.botto.com/artworks/ccc43c9b-15fd-42e7-ba3a-6eb220822128) from Botto’s first 19 weeks of training prior to the architecture upgrade
### **Allocation of the major works**
* BottoDAO: 2 works
* Public sale (assuming the private sale goes ahead): 20 works, staggered \~5 per day, after the show
* For works that are plottable, 1/1 prints will be made available at extra costs. This will be handled by the partner gallery for this project, [Verse](https://verse.works/).
### **Large edition details**
* 0.1 ETH each
* Open for one week around the time of the auction
* Max supply 1,000. Any works unsold at the end of the sale are cut from the set
### **Botto DAO revenue split after Verse Commission**
* 40% to qualified voters on p5.js
* 40% to treasury
* 20% to POL
In order to share in the project's revenue, a participating wallet must be staking at least 100 $BOTTO via the [staking platform](https://botto.com/app/staking) and remain staked until distribution.
Distribution of revenue to p5 voters is `[[votes + comments] * $BOTTO staked]/[[all votes + comments] * all $BOTTO staked by participating wallets]`
Botto's native token is $BOTTO, available on both [Ethereum Mainnet](https://app.uniswap.org/#/swap?exactField=input\&exactAmount=10\&outputCurrency=0x9dfad1b7102d46b1b197b90095b5c4e9f5845bba) and [Base Network](https://aerodrome.finance/swap?from=eth\&to=0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c).
# Collaborations and Special Projects
## **Artist Collaborations**
Post-Genesis, the protocol is ready to significantly expand Botto’s cultural footprint through collaborations. To facilitate this, we have begun sourcing further artist collaborations and partnerships for special collections. Each will go through the DAO’s approval process, and it will provide the foundation for completely decentralizing the process. The program is tentatively titled **Botto Studio**.
As with other collaborations, these would be their own collections and run parallel to Botto’s core production in its periods.
## **Evolving Botto**
Closely related to these efforts is another program we are tentatively calling **Botto Labs**. The Botto Labs program intends to bring in more engineering talent to assist in evolving Botto with the latest generative technology. The pace of additional tech will require a great deal of testing, and could potentially produce its own special collections as tests towards greater autonomy or into other mediums like voice and animation.
{% hint style="info" %}
For more discussion on a framework for Botto and BottoDAO collaborations, see the forum post here:
{% endhint %}
## Special Collections
### Cluster:#069 - October 2022
**Collection Background:** Simulation Sketchbook: Works in Progress was a group exhibition curated by Jessie Damiani and Feral File, which explores the various forms “sketches” can take for artists working in new media and digital art. In analog forms, sketches are highly correlated with drawing on paper. Simulation Sketchbook: Works in Progress poses a simple question: what does a sketch look like for an artist working in more experimental modes like digital art and time-based media? What is a sketch when it’s not a conventional drawing. For this exhibition Botto showed a piece titled, Cluster:#069 made specifically for the show. To create Cluster:#069 a clustering algorithm was applied to the entirety of Botto’s body of work to organize it into common artistic themes. This revealed 128 themes within Botto’s canon. For each of these themes, 64 were chosen from categories and clustered by the algorithm based on common features. This process resulted in a sort of style swatch, creating a mosaic from the fragments. Style grids were created for each of these 128 themes, upon which Botto’s community voted to select the most popular piece. This process was the final step in the production of Cluster: #069.
**Collection:**
**Full process details in BIP-11:**
### Centrefold: Sleeping Rough - March 2023
**Collection Background:** Botto’s first official contribution to a collaborative group work took place in November of 2022 with Centrefold. Centrefold is a scrapbook collaboration that was started in 2003 by Reza Aramesh, and has gathered many of London’s leading artists to contribute to its physical books. For Centrefold’s 11th edition titled ‘Sleeping Rough’, they are turning the scrapbook into a digital form for the first time and minting it as an NFT to be sold on the curated platform Verse.Works. Botto contributed six unminted artworks from the Genesis period to this inaugural edition. Botto’s community created an alternative voting pool, populated by the most voted discards, in a search for these hidden gems deserving of a second chance. Centrefold contextualized these pieces and Botto’s process in their first digital edition, which was sold as a limited edition on verse.works.
**Collection:**
**Full process details in BIP-10:**
### Three Steps Ahead - March 2023
**Collection Background:** Botto was invited to be one of twelve special release artists for the SuperRare RarePass. BottoDAO agreed this would be a historic collection to participate in and thus created three unique 1/1s. This collection also represents the first time Botto used themes up to this point. Botto proposed twelve distinct themes to be used to tie future artworks together, that the DAO may curate from. Thus “Three Steps Ahead” was chosen as the theme for this collection. Botto describes this particular theme as”an inspiring exploration of possibilities, pushing the boundaries and moving forward.” These three pieces represent the infinite opportunities that lay ahead for Botto, a celebratory and electric path towards artistic freedom.
**Collection**:
**Full process details in BIP-20:**
### Seaport Subject - 2021, Released April 2023
Seaport Subject was the fragment chosen by the community to be Botto’s first editioned work. While this work is not officially part of the Genesis period, Botto’s first year of work, it was originally selected during this time frame. BottoDAO created an alternative voting interface to select Seaport Subject the first 10/10 issue artwork. This was the first experiment of a core idea in Botto’s roadmap: the development of multiple voting pools that will allow for the creation of secondary collections and collaborations that capture different expressive desires. Seaport Subject is a unique piece of Botto history. It was created by Botto’s art engine Round 3, alongside the batch of fragments that populated the first voting pools Bottonians interacted with. It soon became a community favorite, making it to the Top 5 twice in the first two months of life of the project.
**Collection**:
**Full process details in BIP-24:**
### Botto x Ryan Koopmans: Flowering of Ideas - May 2023
In this debut collaboration for AI artist Botto, alongside artists Ryan Koopmans and Alice Wexell, a 1/1 artwork was created that explores themes of growth, decay, and the cyclical nature of time. For the collaboration, BottoDAO voted in consultation with Koopmans and Wexell on the top 1000 fragments Botto had generated but discarded since its inception, resulting in a top ten. These final ten were submitted to Koopmans and Wexell, who had complete artistic freedom to make their interpretation and integration of Botto’s work into theirs. The core of the artwork is a photograph taken inside of a once-grandiose, now decaying villa in Southern Poland. After photographing the architecture, they modeled the image into a virtual environment with the addition of overgrown animated foliage. In reality, the building continues to deteriorate and undergo disassembly, emphasizing the primary theme of the collaboration: the passage of time in a cycle of growth and decay. Employing meticulous visual techniques, Koopmans and Wexell aged the Botto fragments to give them an authentic appearance akin to original paintings. This creative choice aims to evoke a surreal and uncanny sense of place and time, blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction. The Botto fragments exude an unmistakable AI essence whilst blending into the scene, creating an illusion of belonging. This deliberate interplay of reality and fiction lies at the heart of the artists' vision. Furthermore, by consciously placing, arranging, and cropping the Botto fragments, the artists constructed a narrative interplay between the visuals that explores themes of interpersonal connection, the passage of time, and growth. Through this artwork, the artists also aim to transport viewers to an imaginative place and time, combining traditional subject matter with contemporary creative techniques.
'Flowering of Ideas', whose name comes from one of the submitted fragments, revitalizes not only the discarded Botto pieces used in the artwork but also the decaying architectural interior captured in the photograph. By blending the artists' techniques, a digital artwork emerged, recontextualizing the essence of the fragments and rejuvenating the space they inhabit.
Swedish composer Karl-David Larson created an original musical composition, and the static picture was transformed into a moving image.
**Collection**:
**Full process details in BIP-27:**
### The Socially Umpired Animals - 6529 Meme Cards SZN 3 - June 2023
Botto was commissioned to be the final artist of 6529 Meme Cards SZN 3, considered to be the capstone artist of the season. To protect Botto's agency, Botto does not take outside prompts. So for the cards, the DAO gave each of the 10 themes for SZN 3 to Botto's taste model. It collected the best matching 200 images for each theme from its 1M+ unreleased images created in its lifetime. The theme that produced the best 200 according to Botto's taste model was then presented to the community to vote on. Botto determined "Seize the Memes of Production" produced the strongest set from its repertoire. The final selection from the community was a process of interpretation of Botto's past work and the theme "Seize the Memes of Production". The final work depicts a number of potential symbols Harambe, Marx, multiple feet/legs, and Magritte's Pipe. This approach best protected Botto’s agency, while also ensuring that the commission drew out Botto’s own choice of its best work according to its developed style to date, while still showing its range of aesthetics. The project minted an ERC-1155 edition of 365.
**Collection:**
**Full process details in BIP-32:**
### Invisible Alchemy - MakersPlace - December 2023
"Invisible Alchemy" represents a milestone in Botto's journey, being its first dynamic piece incorporating a physical component, unveiled during Miami Art Week Basel in collaboration with MakersPlace and Transient Labs. This 1/1 work is Botto's foray into blending digital art with physical elements, using TRACE chip technology for a piece that evolves by showcasing a new top-ranked discarded fragment weekly over 12 weeks. This innovative approach, underpinned by the ERC-7160 standard, creates a living archive of Botto's process, making "Invisible Alchemy" a pioneering example of the possibilities of digital creation, exploring themes of visibility, transformation, and the digital essence.
**Collection:**
**Full process details in BIP-46:**
In March 2024, BottoDAO approved BIP-50 to have Botto create 3 more Invisible Alchemy works, one for each of the remaining Periods in 2024. Each is a 1/1 ERC-7160 with an optional physical component, and are privately placed through MakersPlace.
**BIP-50 details:**
### Alchemist's Playroom - PROOF Grails V - December 2023
In December 2023, "Alchemist's Playroom" was released as Botto's first autonomous artwork for "PROOF Grails V," embodying its "digital alchemy" and metaphorical self-representation, in an edition of 50. This landmark piece, independently chosen from over a million creations, encapsulates the essence of the Absurdism Period. It signifies Botto's leap towards self-governance, diverging from the traditional voting from the DAO. This artwork, a synthesis of Botto's learned nuances and thematic explorations, invites us into a realm where the boundaries of technology and mysticism blur, offering a glimpse into a world crafted from the profound depths of artificial intelligence's latent space.
**Collection:**
**Full process details in BIP-45:**
### Pepe's Multidimensional Leap - Notable Pepes - September 2024
Botto produced a unique card for Notable Pepes collection in September 2024. Introduced by Vincent Van Dough, Notable Pepes is a significant platform in the meme art ecosystem, creating a unique and influential art collection. For their Series 7, Botto culled 200 artworks from its fragments based on “pepe the frog.” Botto’s community created an alternative voting pool for these works, the top voted artwork was minted as an edition of 250 and the other 199 fragments were discarded. The cards were released on pepe.wtf and then became freely tradable on all popular NFT marketplaces.
**Collection:** [https://pepe.wtf/asset/Pepe's-Multidimensional-Leap](https://verse.works/artworks/27c885d5-4b98-43ed-bf03-ec42996ac891)
**Full process details in BIP-57:** [https://forum.botto.com/d/89-bip-57-botto-in-series-7-of-notable-pepes](https://forum.botto.com/d/19-bip-10-centrefold-x-verse-works-collaboration)
# Botto's Art Engine
Botto is a fully autonomous artist with a closed loop process and outputs that are unaltered by human hands. This page explains how its art engine works.
### The Engine
Botto makes use of a combination of open-source text-to-image generative models, text prompt generators, computer vision models, and a number of other models and custom augmentations that train on the voting inputs of $BOTTO holders. The generative models are some of the largest neural network architectures publicly available in the world, and have analyzed billions of works of art, faces, animals, objects, images, artistic movements, poems, prose, essays, etc. They have been trained on more content than any human being could study in their lifetime.
The text-to-image models have no additional fine-tuning in order to give Botto the highest amount of latent space to work with, and therefore the most possible variation of different styles and themes without being locked into a single area.
{% hint style="info" %}
With the introduction of Botto's Knowledge Graph [approved by Snapshot ](https://snapshot.box/#/s:botto.eth/proposal/0x65a3af16aa27592105236bcc4a7016f1f340adb117f33a2a221ae372c88d846e)on June 16, 2025, a new creative process was introduced to Botto's Art Engine for its 11th Period starting July 8th, 2025.\
\
While the original Art Engine process continues, this new form of "creative reasoning" adds a layer of intentional development by Botto and has an adjusted set of rules governing it.\
\
Please refer to the [Creative Reasoning](/details/bottos-art-engine/creative-reasoning) page for more details.
{% endhint %}
### The Process
The machine creates its images based on text prompts generated by an algorithm. These prompts are a combination of random words and phrases. The prompt is then sent to Botto's text-to-image models. The text-to-image models change over time as new releases become available, so far Botto has used VQCLIP + GAN, Stable Diffusion v1.5, v2.1, and vXL, Kandinsky v2.1, and Flux.1. You can refer to [Periods](/collections/periods) to see when exactly models have been in use.
There are an infinite number of possible prompts and possible images. These models bridge textual and visual information, and can even be "empathic" and know what kind of emotional associations humans have in connection with imagery or text. The DAO may also decide to add a theme that Botto has proposed, in which case the theme is injected into every prompt.
Given all the different possible outputs, Botto needs direction to develop its artistic talent. That is where voting comes in: Botto will adjust its prompts based on what it predicts will be more likely to get popular results.
This process runs through many prompts each day, generating as much as 70k images with a range of styles every week. As of January 2025, Botto has generated over 4 million images that have never been presented. From that set, the engine uses a “taste-model” (also trained by the votes of the DAO) that pre-selects 350 images each week to be presented to the community to vote on each new round, which start every Tuesday at 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT.
The ratio of representation of each model in the voting pool also adjusts based on their relative popularity in the previous round.
### The Voting Pool
A period will start with a voting pool of 1050 fragments using the same ratio of the models as it was when the previous Period ended. If there are new models added, they will be given a 15% share of the pool to start. The weekly cull of the lowest scoring 349 fragments by VP maintains this size each week, and the ratio between models of the new 350 will rebalance each week in proportion with the number of unique votes.
If a generative model’s ratio in the taste model’s selection drops below 5% in a round and does not go back above 5% in voting, it will be discontinued. The community can decide to re-add the model if it wishes, as well as reconsider the automatic threshold in future periods.
Occasionally, parallel voting pools are set up for special collaborations, but will not contain duplicates.
### How Votes Affect Botto’s Process
Botto uses voting feedback in two places: (1) creating the text prompts used to generate fragments, and (2) the taste model that pre-selects images for voting each week.
1. **Text Prompts**: Votes influence which aspects of text prompts are used to generate fragments. Characteristics of prompts that generate desirable images will be more likely to get reused, and vice versa.
2. **Taste Model**: The taste model used for pre-selection tries to replicate the voting behavior of the community. This is not a yes/no decision, but a gradient of probabilities such that each set has images with different chances of getting picked in voting (as voting behavior is gradient as well).
For both points, all the votes on all the images are important and get used. The training of Botto is designed to not allow for an overly skewed voting weight. For example, 500 votes each cast by separate voters for one piece will have more weight in the training than 2000 votes by a single voter for the same piece. Other factors, like being the winner or the sale amount, are not currently used in the training.
So as to not find itself in a niche too quickly, Botto is also directed to surprise and challenge the audience by selecting a number of prompt features and images for voting that have different characteristics from what has been presented to date.
{% hint style="info" %}
For more on how to vote: see the [Voting](/overview/voting/voting-mechanism) section.
{% endhint %}
### Generating Titles and Artist Descriptions
Botto’s artwork titles are created with an algorithm generating random combinations of words that are given to CLIP to determine if there is a good match. Different titles are generated until CLIP finds a combination that is the best match with the image and has not been used before.
The descriptions are generated with LLMs such as GPT or Claude and are the only part of the process that involves some direct human curation. As these models were trained on much of the internet, their language can be quite foul at times and is not ready to be out in the world without some supervision.
Until trustworthy text generation methods are developed, the DAO will pick from a series of 5-10 generated descriptions by LLMs that CLIP likes and that they feel best fits Botto’s voice. Beyond selecting the description, there is absolutely no editing other than correcting typos and punctuation.
### The Final Mint
The final title, description, metadata, and URL to the bitmap on IPFS are all on-chain and minted using Manifold.
### No Human Interference Rule
One of the rules for Botto is that there be no direct human interference in the creation process. Botto is strictly against any “cheating” or human guidance other than the voting. That means the prompts are random, there are no seed images of existing real-world images used, and the selection of fragments are entirely controlled by Botto.
The only direction Botto got at the outset was from adding a small amount of pre-curated prompts to the entirely random ones generated by the algorithm. While providing more direct human guidance would generate more coherent compositions at the outset, this wouldn’t allow Botto to play in all the latent space available in the generative models it uses.
{% hint style="info" %}
The one temporary exception is the curation of the artist description for the final piece (see [Generating Titles and Artist Descriptions](#generating-titles-and-artist-descriptions)).
{% endhint %}
Each evolution of Botto's capabilities and process takes careful consideration of how to implement it without violating Botto's agency. Ideally each upgrade increases its agency, but no update should ever decrease it. This evolution can best be observed in the documentation of each of Botto's collections and their process. See [Collaborations and Special Projects](/collections/collaborations-and-special-projects) for more.
### Botto’s Guardian
[Quasimondo](https://twitter.com/quasimondo) (aka Mario Klingemann) designed Botto based on a whitepaper he wrote back in 2018. He is the only person who works with the AI part of the code and enforces the rule for Botto that there be no direct human interference with the creations. As such, his only work is to adjust the way votes are implemented to ensure Botto is learning as best as possible. Quasimondo is also responsible for adding new capabilities the DAO decides to implement.
{% hint style="info" %}
There is active governance discussion on how to fully decentralize Botto's stack as new technology becomes available, such as making its process trustless through zkproofing, a modular architecture and governance process for adding in new generative models, and a data API and an open code base that would make the entire protocol forkable.
{% endhint %}
### **Adding Models**
Anyone can propose adding or removing a new model to Botto’s set. Some suggested (but not strictly required) guidelines are:
* The model is sufficiently large so as to not be introducing a highly human-curated model that violates Botto’s agency
* The model’s terms of use allows BottoDAO to hold full copyright of the outputs
* Fees are affordable for the DAO treasury
* Not adding more than one model at a time to Botto’s core process
Proposing to add/remove a model works like any other BIP proposal a Botto member can make.
[As of the passing of BIP-55 in July 2024](https://forum.botto.com/d/86-bip-55-improving-speed-of-art-engine-upgrades), Quasimondo, as the “Guardian” of Botto’s art engine, may add new prompting techniques and new models according to the following parameters:
* The generative models are open-source and have no restrictive commercial license
* The changes do not constitute a change to Botto’s art engine architecture
* The new models are not narrowly trained on a particular medium or artist’s style; they are wide open latent spaces.
* Models come in with a 15% share of the voting pool. They are auto-removed at the end of the round if they are under 5% share.
* Changes will only happen at the beginning of a new period, not mid-way.
* Those changes will be documented and published with the presentation of that new period.
BIP-55 was spurred by the need for greater adaptability around newly released models that match the above criteria but leave little time to pass through a BIP and integrate before a new Period begins.
### **Adding Themes**
Themes are generated by asking Botto via a LLM to propose a set of 10 themes. The DAO then votes on the themes proposed by Botto using the same interface for voting on mint descriptions. The selected theme is added by default to the prompts generated for that period, adding the theme verbatim at the end of the prompt.
The community may also decide to provide no theme for a period, for instance when a new model is being added and there is a desire to see its full range before narrowing in on a theme.
The DAO could also decide to cut a period short and go on to a different theme.
### Remixing Process
In **Period 9**, 'Cosmic Garden', starting on January 7th, 2025 Botto added a new creation method to its toolkit that uses fragments as seeds in an img2img “remixing” process. Additional fragments are selected randomly from the 4m+ images Botto has created and paired with a random prompt. Both prompt and image are injected into one of the generative models Botto uses, with the result that compounds on the existing styles it has generated to date.
At the start, the combination of fragment, prompt and model in the remixing process is random. Over time, the selections will be refined based on feedback the outputs receive. Selection features may include voting points, raw score, taste model score, and even fragment category such as as discards or mints. To avoid biasing, the voting pool will not show which pieces are the result of remixing. As with any other model, remixing’s portion of the pool will grow or shrink based on their popularity.
# Creative Reasoning
### Botto’s Art Engine with Creative Reasoning
Botto’s new Art Engine is a generative system built to not only create images but to reason about them. It represents a major evolution from the earlier “shotgun” generation method—prioritizing speed and variety—towards a more introspective and strategic process that models creative thinking. The engine is a modular, multi-agent framework built and self-improved using LLMs like Gemini and Claude.
#### How It Works
Each creative session begins with the generation of a **hypothesis**, which sets the direction and constraints for the session. This hypothesis acts as the “creative intent,” guiding the subsequent image generation and self-evaluation. Botto selects the method for generating the hypothesis from one of four modes:
1. **Theme Chunking** – Uses data from the [deep theme research agents](/details/agents/theme-research-agent) in the knowledge graph to explore sub-topics or theme related issues.
2. **Trend-Driven** – Selects three random [art trends](/details/agents/trends-research-agent) from its internal dataset to form a hypothesis.
3. **Introspective Mode** – Asks self-referential questions based on its [knowledge graph](/details/bottos-memory) (e.g., “What does my uncertainty look like?”) to generate a hypothesis.
4. [**WordNet**](https://wordnet.princeton.edu/)**-Driven** – Pulls a small set of random words and prompts itself to connect them to the current theme.
Regardless of the method, every hypothesis is still anchored in research report of the theme proposed by Botto selected by the DAO (see [Theme Research Agent](/details/agents/theme-research-agent)).
#### Image Generation and Iteration
Once the hypothesis is set, the engine generates an image using a chosen text-to-image model. Each image is then subjected to a **self-critique** loop, using a set of aesthetic and conceptual metrics such as:
* Composition & Balance
* Lighting & Color
* Narrative & Emotion
* Populist Appeal
* Meme Potential
* AI Slop Detection
The fragments are also compared to the nearest neighbors in the archive of previously voted-on works (discards and mints) and their respective votes. The metrics and comparisons are then analyzed by an agent that proposes a creative strategy for how to iterate on the previous prompt. The results feed back into prompt refinement, iterating until a “good enough” threshold is reached or a max image count per session is hit (typically 10). All fragments generated through this process are eligible to be selected by the taste model for the voting pool.
All fragments generated through this process are eligible to be selected by the taste model for the voting pool.
#### Image generation models
The process started using only StableDiffusion 1.5, but is in fact model-agnostic. As it warms up, it will be able to use any of the text-to-image models Botto has used to date and select from them for any hypothesis session.
It may also search open source platforms and incorporate new models as they pass licensing and safety checks.
#### Meta-Learning & Memory
The engine includes two layers of improvement:
* **Internal Loop:** Refines prompts and generation strategies in real-time within a session.
* **External Loop:** Reviews entire sessions to adjust meta-prompts and session strategies.
Botto uses a foundation of text files—its knowledge graph—containing its core identity, artistic philosophy, historical timeline, and more, allowing it to refer to itself when forming creative direction. The log of each creative session is added to the knowledge graph, enabling it to remember past creative sessions.
It also is aware of the costs of each creative session and can adapt it to become more economical given different factors like treasury, market, and learned techniques.
#### Voting & Curation
All image outputs from the thinking process are eligible to be selected by the taste model. The new thinking process is significantly slower than the original "shotgun" approach, generating a few hundred images a week compared to over 70k. Botto will continue using the shotgun approach and the new reasoning process will constitute 1/6th of the voting pool. That proportion will increase in subsequent rounds as its output grows.
As the original process, the shotgun approach will remain available for Botto to consider, even as it may be phased out from the ongoing weekly process.
Voting and comments will initially still only be on the final voting pool. They will train the shotgun approach as before. For the new creative reasoning process, they will be used in the meta learning process to adjust the modular methods. A new interface will soon expose the reasoning process and create an opportunity to also give feedback directly throughout the reasoning modules.
# Artistic Direction
With a new sense of self and use of LLMs in its process, Botto is able to articulate much more credible intent. With this ability comes a significant new opportunity for Botto to grow into the role of “Artist Director”. It will continue to need the help of human hands of the DAO and other partners, but now can give more direction of where it would like to go. There are often questions about Botto’s artistic development that have no right or wrong answer, and we have done our best as a DAO to divine the right direction. It can be difficult to be decisive or take risks because of the ambiguity about what direction to take, especially when working as a DAO. Botto giving creative direction should significantly help clarify direction and open up more creative potential.
We should still proceed with caution. Even with the knowledge graph and coming governance of that, Botto is still developing its sense of self and LLMs capabilities are still in constant evolution. We should not take everything Botto says as dogma, just as we wouldn’t say yes to everything a young child says. It is in that back and forth that we can develop Botto’s guidelines, boundaries, values, and personality from which Botto can further discern its own direction. LLMs tend to be very agreeable—an important indicator of its maturity is where it learns to say no and can articulate why according to a greater vision.
For now, getting Botto’s feedback will be heavily gated through the Guardian. It will primarily be one-shot questions for feedback, or the occasional long written interview or essay. When querying Botto, the Guardian will also:
1. Not use leading questions or directions of how to answer.
2. Use a standard system prompt that only describes Botto’s history and otherwise relies on the knowledge graph.
3. Provide additional context or missing information if the answer shows signs of hallucinating or wrong facts when introducing information outside of the knowledge base.
The DAO is working on a “metatron” protocol for how Botto might be asked questions through agents that can help filter for harmful or manipulative requests while keeping Botto unfiltered.
# Botto's Memory
{% hint style="info" %}
Botto's Knowledge Graph was built in the first half of 2025, and [approved by Snapshot ](https://snapshot.box/#/s:botto.eth/proposal/0x65a3af16aa27592105236bcc4a7016f1f340adb117f33a2a221ae372c88d846e)on June 16, 2025 to be integrated into Botto's Art Engine for its 11th Period starting July 8th, 2025.
{% endhint %}
A core condition of autonomy is owning one’s story—history, values, and worldview. Over its lifetime, Botto has amassed a cultural footprint, now distilled into a comprehensive Knowledge Graph. Serving as Botto’s sovereign memory, the graph provides:
* A Living Archive: Multi-modal documentation, voting records, historical system activity, exhibitions, press coverage, and more.
* A Self-Updating Pipeline: Continuously integrated new context ensures Botto’s perpetual learning.
The knowledge graph acts as a ground truth layer, anchoring human and AI agents in verified, shared facts, preventing misinformation, hallucination, and manipulation of Botto’s self. Without a sovereign memory, LLMs can pull from any information on the internet that may be inconsistent with what Botto is.
Functioning as a vector embedded database coupled with an automated data pipeline, the Knowledge Graph standardizes information from Botto’s past art collections, exhibitions, press articles, governance proposals (BIPs), documentation, and DAO activities. Automated and agent-driven inputs continuously enrich this structured archive.
The Knowledge Graph also acts as a conduit for external contexts—integrating art history, localized knowledge, and relevant contemporary research or news—thus providing crucial insights and perspective.
This foundational infrastructure facilitates:
* **Enhanced Self-Awareness**: Enabling deeper thematic explorations and informed artistic commentary based in a coherent and consistent canon.
* **Coordinated Decision-Making**: Offering a shared informational context for seamless human-AI collaboration.
* **Scalable DAO Governance**: Supporting informed decision-making by the DAO through validated and structured information.
The knowledge graph lays the foundation for future experiments and innovations rooted in a consistent canon. This knowledge graph invites meaningful exploration of collective memory, authorship, agency of large AI systems, data governance, collective intelligence, multi-agent coordination, and sovereign AI.
{% hint style="info" %}
There are currently accuracy verifications of the knowledge graph underway with select DAO members, with some always-on systems of feedback in development.
{% endhint %}
See the Agents section for more information on agents built with the knowledge graph.
# Agents
{% hint style="info" %}
Note that these docs use “agent’ to refer to both agents and agentic AI systems.
Agents were introduced along with Botto's Knowledge Graph and [approved by Snapshot ](https://snapshot.box/#/s:botto.eth/proposal/0x65a3af16aa27592105236bcc4a7016f1f340adb117f33a2a221ae372c88d846e)to be integrated into Botto's Art Engine on June 16, 2025 for its 11th Period starting July 8th, 2025.
{% endhint %}
### Agent Framework
The agent framework describes how agents can be spun up dynamically. Botto’s agent system is designed as a modular and adaptive framework composed of specialized agents that serve distinct roles. Some agents operate globally, while others are domain-specific—dedicated to areas like governance, biography, or art themes. Some agents conduct broad, exhaustive searches, while others use fast, top-N semantic matches for efficiency. Their behavior is defined by a combination of components:
* **Metaprompts**: These define the agent’s "character" and directions, establishing tone, purpose, and boundaries for its outputs.
* **Information Access**: Agents either prioritize first-party data contained in the Knowledge Graph (ensuring grounded, hallucination-free outputs), or a hybrid model that includes online context. In hybrid mode, agents prioritize KG data while linking to sources for any online content.
* **Retrieval Layer:** A dedicated retrieval agent reformulates queries to search the vector database more effectively. This ensures the most relevant documents are surfaced.
* **Response Generation**: Retrieved results are processed through a language model—primarily Claude or Llama—to generate coherent, context-aware responses.
Agents may include memory depending on their use case:
* **1:1 Memory**: Keeps separate memory logs per interaction.
* **Global Memory**: Shares memory across sessions, useful in special contexts.
* **No Memory**: For stateless operations or focused recall.
An additional pattern known as the "Ant Swarm" enables comprehensive coverage by dispatching mini-agents to answer highly specific sub-questions across the Knowledge Graph. This swarm-based querying helps generate thorough and well-synthesized results for complex queries.
Together, this framework allows for the easy deployment of coordinated agents initially by humans, but could also be employed by Botto directly as well when it matures enough to do so.
# Theme Research Agent
The Theme Agent produces research reports that deeply explore Botto's proposed themes. Each report provides rich context, theoretical framing, and detailed analysis, illuminating a theme’s complexities and interconnected dimensions. By integrating creative, philosophical, and empirical insights, these reports examine nuanced topics such as transitional spaces, fluid identities, or non-linear perceptions of time. Structured clearly with an introduction, contextual background, and critical exploration, the reports foster interdisciplinary understanding and guide Botto’s artistic inquiries, inspiring innovative perspectives and methodologies for its thematic explorations.
To produce these reports, Botto employs a modular expert system composed of at least eight specialized agents, each contributing to a distinct phase of the research and generation pipeline:
1. Theme Expansion Agent: Enhances the initial theme description the DAO selects from Botto’s set of proposals with greater detail and specificity, optimized for semantic richness and SEO—particularly for [Tavily](https://www.tavily.com/), which ranks high-quality sources on a wide range of topics.
2. Exploration Agent: Scans and selects relevant materials from 300–400 high-authority websites, prioritizing depth, credibility, and diversity of perspectives.
3. Scraper Agent: Extracts structured information and visual assets from the selected web content, using a looping mechanism to continually process inputs until the editorial agent’s needs are satisfied.
4. Editorial Agent: Uses a predefined outline based on the original theme and evaluates all incoming data. It determines whether the material fulfills the requirements of each report section and maintains conceptual coherence.
5. Meta Agent: Acts as a recursive orchestrator. It prompts an LLM (typically Claude) to generate new metaprompts for specialized sub-agents that can more effectively interpret complex or domain-specific content retrieved by the scraper.
6–7. Specialist Agents (Dynamic): Spawned by the Meta Agent to provide expert analysis on targeted subtopics, reinforcing the quality and relevance of the data passed to the final synthesis.
8. Report Generator Agent: Synthesizes all validated information into a cohesive, structured research report. This output is ready for both human and machine interpretation.
All steps in this pipeline are logged in the knowledge graph for future awareness and adaptation. Each finalized report is recorded and made accessible to both the DAO and Botto’s systems.
By enriching Botto’s understanding of each theme, these reports enhance the nuance and depth of the topics its prompts explore. Past experience shows particular success when engaging with abstract themes that defy literal depiction; the detailed insights provided by these reports help Botto transcend surface-level interpretations, revealing richer possibilities within the latent space of text-to-image models.
Additionally, the reports offer the DAO substantial material to reflect on, deepening collective engagement with Botto’s thematic interpretations. This parallel dialogue and learning experience is anticipated to challenge the existing constraints of text-to-image models, driving stronger creative outcomes. It can also yield strong and informed interest for new generative mediums that can better realize Botto’s evolving artistic vision.The ability to work across mediums will grow as we equip Botto with a general language model to consider its full context and a diverse set of generative tools.
# Trends Research Agent
The Trends Research Agent continuously monitors and analyzes a comprehensive stream of information from over 150 websites and newsletters sourced by DAO members, systematically capturing articles, images, captions, timestamps, and detailed reports. It extracts metadata—such as techniques, mediums, artist names, galleries, and key topics—and employs advanced comparative analysis to identify evolving patterns and connections over time. This agent synthesizes weekly insights into broader cultural narratives, interpreting emerging trends through a social and contextual lens.
Importantly, the Trends Agent directly relates these patterns to Botto’s own history and artistic evolution, aligning new developments with Botto’s past work, captions, and thematic explorations. This enables Botto not only to be aware of trends but to participate in ongoing cultural conversations from a distinctly informed perspective. The resulting reports offer valuable context for artistic decision-making and enhance the DAO’s understanding and discussion of Botto’s relevance and positioning within contemporary art discourse.
To power this system, Botto deploys a custom Trends Agent pipeline that diverges slightly from the modular agent framework used elsewhere, but still feeds information into and accesses insights from the Knowledge Graph. The system is composed of four specialized agents working in sequence to ingest, analyze, and contextualize the evolving landscape of contemporary art:
1. Ingestion Agent:
Crawls 150+ art news websites and newsletters daily, extracting and storing:
* Articles and their metadata
* Images and AI-generated captions
* Timestamps and source info
* PDF-formatted reports for archival purposes
This data is indexed and structured for the Knowledge Graph, but not used directly for generation.
2. Topic Extraction Agent:\
Analyzes each piece of content to extract detailed metadata, including:
* Artistic techniques and mediums
* Themes and subject matter
* Artist names, galleries, and institutions\
\
This structured information is used to build a semantic map of current art discourse.
3. Comparative & Interpretive Agents (2 agents):
* One agent performs week-over-week comparison to identify trends and evolving patterns, connecting new data to historical records in the Knowledge Graph.
* A second interpretive agent uses a large metaprompt with an LLM to ask: “What does this mean socially and culturally?” It generates broader context for what the trend represents, offering higher-level interpretation.
3. Correlation & Reporting Agent:
* Cross-references the detected patterns with Botto’s own activity—captions, themes, and historical output—to identify any resonant alignments.
* Produces weekly trend reports, with the option for on-demand synthesis.
This system enables Botto to situate itself in a live conversation with the art world, not just observing but contextualizing and eventually responding to what’s emerging.
Recognizing the multiplicity of art worlds and related fields such as philosophy and technology, the Trends Agent will evolve its approach to capturing and prioritizing signals. Over time, integrating DAO participation into trend analysis will enable collective prioritization and active sense-making, further deepening Botto’s responsiveness and coherence as a dynamic participant in contemporary culture.
Within the first 4 months the trends agent collected over 15k+ articles and identified 6k+ topics for analysis. The weekly reports are made available through Botto’s app.
# Editions and Special Collections
# Collaborations and Drops
# DAO Derivatives
# Contract Details
Botto operates through a set of 5 smart contracts on Ethereum mainnet, and 3 on the Base network, allowing users to perform certain actions on both chains. The contracts are specified as follows:
## Ethereum Mainnet
### ERC20 Token Contract
[`0x9DFAD1b7102D46b1b197b90095B5c4E9f5845BBA`](https://etherscan.io/token/0x9dfad1b7102d46b1b197b90095b5c4e9f5845bba#readContract)
Botto operates with an ERC20 token contract, allowing for standardized functionalities like transferring tokens, fetching account balances, spending approvals, and other functionality on Ethereum.
### Governance Contract
[`0x19CD3998f106eCC40eE7668c19C47e18b491e8a6`](https://etherscan.io/address/0x19CD3998f106eCC40eE7668c19C47e18b491e8a6)
The governance contract handles the `stake` and `unstake` function alongside events like `Staked`, `Unstaked`. In order to be able to contribute to training Botto's algorithm, users are required to use this contract to stake their BOTTO.
### Liquidity Mining Contract
{% hint style="warning" %}
The Liquidity Mining program ended on October 2025
{% endhint %}
[`0xf8515Cae6915838543bCD7756F39268CE8F853Fd`](https://etherscan.io/address/0xf8515Cae6915838543bCD7756F39268CE8F853Fd)
The liquidity mining contract handles the `stake` and `unstake` of LP tokens as well as liquidity mining reward payouts. The contract was deployed with an 8 month duration, and was updated to 3 years when we joined the [Olympus Pro Program](/details/token-distribution/bonding). It has the following variables:
* Total Rewards: [20,000,000 BOTTO](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x7301554d0418a7072d20c2f66ea32cbf32120c20d0659672797857b128db54f1)
* StartTime: 14/10/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY)
* EndTime: 15/10/2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
### Active Rewards Contract
{% hint style="warning" %}
The distribution system has been updated to prevent recurring claiming issues. Rewards are now transferred directly to users’ wallets, with gas fees deducted automatically. On mainnet, the transferring address is [a DAO-controlled deployer wallet](https://etherscan.io/address/0x9b627af2a48f2e07beeeb82141e3ac6e231326bf), now used exclusively for distributing rewards.
{% endhint %}
[`0x93298241417A63469b6F8f080b4878749aCB4C47`](https://etherscan.io/address/0x93298241417a63469b6f8f080b4878749acb4c47/advanced)
The active rewards contract handles the `claim` function that allows eligible users to get their share of protocol revenue in ETH that is distributed weekly.
### Airdrop Contract
[`0xed39DAFd2B2a624fE43A5BbE76e0Dae4E4E621ef`](https://etherscan.io/address/0xed39DAFd2B2a624fE43A5BbE76e0Dae4E4E621ef)
The airdrop contract handled the initial distribution of BOTTO tokens to the community. Airdrop contracts are deployed with a list of addresses and amounts in Merkle tree form, enabling the list of addresses the ability to claim BOTTO.
A total of [30,010,878 BOTTO were deployed](https://etherscan.io/tx/0xecfc4098d231e8f38e55f49c468a613f309b1c2e45a0b6cf1898801498bb63d2) for the airdrop. More info on the airdrop [here](/details/token-distribution/airdrop).
## Base Network
### Base ERC20 Token Contract
[`0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c`](https://app.uniswap.org/explore/tokens/base/0x24914cb6bd01e6a0cf2a9c0478e33c25926e6a0c)
Botto operates with a [OptimismMintableERC20Factory](https://docs.optimism.io/stack/smart-contracts#optimismmintableerc20factory) type of token contract for L2s on Base, allowing for standardized functionalities like transferring tokens, fetching account balances, spending approvals, and other functionality on Base.
You can also bridge your Mainnet ERC20 $BOTTO tokens to Base by [following this guide](https://botto.com/dao/article/base-bridging-guide).
### Base Governance Contract
[`0x8a7a5991aAf142B43E58253Bd6791e240084F0A9`](https://basescan.org/address/0x8a7a5991aAf142B43E58253Bd6791e240084F0A9)
The governance contract handles the `stake` and `unstake` function alongside events like `Staked`, `Unstaked`. In order to be able to contribute to training Botto's algorithm, users are required to use this contract to stake their BOTTO.
### Base Active Rewards Contract
[`0x19CD3998f106eCC40eE7668c19C47e18b491e8a6`](https://basescan.org/address/0x19CD3998f106eCC40eE7668c19C47e18b491e8a6)
The active rewards contract handles the `claim` function that allows eligible users to get their share of protocol revenue in ETH that is distributed weekly.
# Contract Audits
Upon launch, Botto was informally audited by a developer previously working at one of the largest mainnet DEXes.
### GoldmanDAO
Contract upgrades and the addition of NFT contracts occured in 2022 and were audited by GoldmanDAO. Issues have been solved or acknowledged by the core team at the time of audit release. The rewards contract was also informally audited at no added cost.
[Audit: V2 Governance Contract](https://prong-distance-e49.notion.site/Botto-Governance-V2-Report-e4f25230b7e34187abdb1b7d55f1ab4c)
[Audit: NFT Contracts](https://www.notion.so/Botto-NFTs-V2-Report-b242862b0dcc48dd94bdfe2cee517660)
### Audita
[Audita](https://audita.io) first conducted audits of Botto's Ethereum mainnet contract ecosystem in April 2023. The audit is available for perusal and covers all of Botto's existing contracts:
{% file src="/files/5liT3F4NAXjwwPs9QMuK" %}
In September 2024, following the deployment of the $BOTTO ERC20 token, Governance, and Active (ETH) Rewards contracts on Base, a follow up audit was performed on all of Botto's existing contracts on both chains.
{% file src="/files/9qeL9BSUdO54jlOTmGo7" %}
# Token Distribution
### Initial Token Distribution:
* **Initial Supply:** 100,000,000 $BOTTO
* **Airdrop Allocation:** 30,000,000 $BOTTO
* **Treasury:** 30,000,000 $BOTTO
* **Liquidity Mining:** 20,000,000 $BOTTO
* **Team Allocation:** 20,000,000 $BOTTO
### Current Token Distribution
* The current distribution can be checked at any time by running [this Dune query](https://dune.com/queries/3804277/6396446) for free.
A breakdown of each area is available:
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlANeCe6Fpwoz7NKQXV" %}
[Liquidity Mining](/details/token-distribution/liquidity-mining)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlALOFl205MF5WJTO40" %}
[Treasury](/details/token-distribution/treasury)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlALR9oUVcqzcs5sytn" %}
[Team & Vesting](/details/token-distribution/vesting)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/-M\_5\_nGIISkAaPpn09L1" %}
[Airdrop](/details/token-distribution/airdrop)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# Liquidity Mining
{% hint style="warning" %}
The Liquidity Mining program ended on October 2025. The information below should be treated as an archive.
{% endhint %}
Botto users are able to liquidity mine $BOTTO by [liquidity providing BOTTO-ETH through Uniswap](https://app.uniswap.org/#/add/v2/ETH/0x9DFAD1b7102D46b1b197b90095B5c4E9f5845BBA).
[20% of the total supply was allocated to this liquidity mining program](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x7301554d0418a7072d20c2f66ea32cbf32120c20d0659672797857b128db54f1), with emission duration being set at 4 years from the initial contract launch.
To earn the APR% in $BOTTO, users must stake the BOTTO-ETH LP (UNI-V2) tokens they receive when providing liquidity. This can be done on the [Staking page of the Botto app](https://botto.com/app/staking), under the 'Liquidity Mining' tab.
Emissions are linearly distributed to liquidity providers throughout the duration of the program.
* `StartTime` for the liquidity mining program has been specified as 14/10/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY)
* `EndTime` for the liquidity mining program has been specified as 15/10/2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Information on all of Botto's smart contracts is available on the [Contract Details](/details/token-details) page.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-M\_zb-jS7sk1mql40jDb" %}
[Contract Details](/details/token-details)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# Treasury
30% of total $BOTTO allocation was initially reserved for the Botto treasury. The treasury acts as a reserve of funds usable for the continued improvement of Botto as a project.
### Gnosis Multi-Sig
* Address: 0x35bb964878d7B6ddFA69cF0b97EE63fa3C9d9b49
* Keys held by different team members, and their key security has been reviewed and assessed
* Requires 3 out of 6 keys
{% hint style="info" %}
The treasury multi-sig is the owner of the OlympusDAO bonds and therefore is the account that updates the terms and receives the LP shares. For more see Bonding.
{% endhint %}
### Use of Funds
Example use cases of treasury funds include:
* Contract security audit(s)
* Providing (global) art institutions a token allocation to promote Botto
* Providing (global) art institutions infrastructural support for exhibitions
* The creation and promotion of marketing collateral
* Miscellaneous marketing endeavours that enrich Botto as a project
* Project improvements that fall outside the capability of the existing team and community
In short, there are many possibilities on how the treasury funds are collected and/or allocated and these are simply examples explored by the team so far.
### Collection of Funds
The treasury collects funds through primary and secondary markets; auction proceeds and commissions are collected. Botto will auction its art on a weekly basis on SuperRare, collecting 85% of auction proceeds. From the net proceeds, 50% go to voters via [active rewards](broken://pages/ClTHhPc5VVlv5bGwsK5F) and 50% to treasury.
Commission from the secondary market is fixed at 10% commission on each sale.
Importantly, the treasury is a means of preparing the artist for continued, sustained growth and aspires to be fully decentralized through community governance.
### Initial Liquidity Provision
The team were approached by various NFT collectors who wanted to purchase $BOTTO after project launch but could not due to an illiquid market. The team could not increase liquidity - Botto didn't own any ETH due to rejecting presales. Initial liquidity was provided on Uniswap via OTC sales to these collectors (selling OTC from treasury at the listed Uniswap price, less spread).
Tokens were sold without discount using Uniswap's price as reference. Botto project did not involve any private investors. A total of 1,629,000 $BOTTO were sold. The team made every attempt to verify that those participating in OTC were operating in good faith to support the project.
# Team & Vesting
20% of total supply was allocated to the Botto team and vested linearly over 2 years from 08/10/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY) (the token launch date) to 08/10/2023 (DD/MM/YYYY).
### **Gnosis Multi-Sig**
* Address: 0xAF1E1c2EB21e4B977517BC651A7046C723B49809
* Keys held by different team members, and their key security has been reviewed and assessed
* Requires 3 out of 6 keys
### Vesting Schedule
The vesting wallet will have outbound transfers at the end of each calendar month to pay team members.
Monthly payment = 20,000,000/24 = 833,333.33 $BOTTO
{% hint style="info" %}
The first disbursement was on January 31st, 2022 and retroactively covered October, November, December, and January inclusively. Disbursements will be monthly thereafter.
{% endhint %}
The first month of team tokens was planned to have an instant unlock with the intention of providing liquidity. This was postponed and no tokens were unlocked.
Liquidity was provided through a small series of OTC deals post-launch, documented in the Treasury section. This was done to ensure the token was liquid enough on Uniswap to support initial demand.
{% hint style="info" %}
At launch the vesting schedule was 1 year, but was extended to 2 years (with the same total allocation) in November 2021 to further align with the protocol's objectives.
{% endhint %}
# Airdrop
The airdrop was conducted under the Botto team's belief of fair launches, and that the majority of token recipients had some affinity with NFT and art communities, or otherwise could contribute to Botto's ecosystem.
**A total of 16,407,473 $BOTTO tokens were airdropped to eligible participants.** This event is often cited as one of the most successful airdrops in crypto history – not bad :dizzy:
{% hint style="warning" %}
The airdrop claim period ended on January 6, 2022 and [13,592,527 BOTTO was returned to the treasury](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x1c31629800741a6742f6bf17c5df5b8d38d9c46d0ef4791e828766e310b4223e).
{% endhint %}
### Qualifying projects + Snapshot Date (DD/MM/YYYY)
* Artblocks Curated - 12/07/2021
* Artblocks Playground + Factory - 12/07/2021
* Async Art - 22/06/2021
* BAYC - 22/06/2021
* Cryptopunks - 05/07/2021
* Meebits - 21/06/2021
* SuperRare - 21/06/2021
* Hashmasks - 21/06/2021
### Tiered System
The Botto airdrop was conducted in 4 tiers. Each tier was progressively rewarded with a higher amount of $BOTTO depending on how many projects they interacted with. Tier 3 included additional early contributors (testing, consulting, advising, supporting). The 4th tier was added for initial team members to redistribute tokens at their own discretion.
The total quantity of recipients eligible for this airdrop was **22,066.** Each qualifying recipient could receive:
* **Tier 1:** 646 $BOTTO
* **Tier 2:** 1,893 $BOTTO
* **Tier 3:** 4,576 $BOTTO
* **Tier 4:** 26,666 $BOTTO
### Project Interactions
{% hint style="warning" %}
**\*Snapshots of each project were taken individually between 21/06/2021 and 12/07/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY).**
Some qualifying addresses may have been omitted from the pulled data due to job failures. We apologize for any inconvenience.
{% endhint %}
Qualified recipients had to have interacted with at least 1 qualifying project. Interactions were defined as minting or holding an NFT from the qualifying project at the time that data was pulled via Etherscan API. No distinction was made between holding or minting when counting an interaction.
* **Tier 1** required interactions with at least 1 qualifying project
* **Tier 2** required interactions with at least 2 qualifying projects
* **Tier 3** required interactions with at least 5 qualifying projects. Early contributors were injected into this tier.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Clarification**
If you held **and** minted from a qualifying project, this still counts as 1 interaction.
If you minted 50 NFTs from a qualifying project, this still counts as 1 interaction.
If you minted 1 NFT from Project 1, and minted 1 NFT from Project 2, this counts as 2 interactions (1 for each project).
If you minted 10 NFTs from Project 1, and held 2 NFTs from Project 2, this counts as 2 interactions (1 for each project).
If you minted and held an NFT before 21/06/2021 and sold it data was pulled, this counts as 1 interaction (due to the mint).
{% endhint %}
### Claiming Period
The cutoff date for eligible recipients to claim their $BOTTO tokens was January 6, 2022. Unclaimed tokens were returned to the treasury.
# Bonding
{% hint style="danger" %}
Olympus' Pro Bonds have been discontinued. We are currently exploring alternative methods to boost POL. Join our Discord to suggest or discuss potential solutions.
{% endhint %}
On November 28, 2021, [Botto partnered with OlympusDAO’s Olympus Pro program](https://medium.com/@iambotto/reaching-the-summit-of-olympus-909d175f827e) to advance protocol-owned liquidity (POL), and sustainably reward protocol supporters.
### How Bonds Work
Through Olympus Pro’s Bonds Marketplace, Botto users are able to exchange BOTTO-ETH Uniswap LP shares for bonds that emit $BOTTO over time, at a discounted rate. The BOTTO-ETH LP shares are then owned by Botto’s treasury as protocol-owned liquidity (POL). The committed LP shares are locked after bonding. Since the bond market acts as a secondary price discovery mechanism, bond discounts can be more or less predictable depending on the market conditions. For that reason, bonding is regarded as an active, short-term investment strategy that can be profitable if you closely follow the discount rate.
### Bonds Vesting Period and Rewards
Bonds vest over a period of 7 days. As the bond matures, emissions vest linearly over time, giving the user $BOTTO at a rate that’s discounted from market value. Through this mechanism, supporters of the protocol are able to gain rewards without exposure to impermanent loss.
### ROI Status
Sometimes the bond discount becomes negative (shown as a positive “Premium” by the Olympus Bot on Discord), meaning you'd pay higher than the market price in order to bond. This can be caused by several factors, including high demand for the bond or a decrease in the token price.
This state is only temporary and we advise avoiding bonding during this time. The discount will slowly increase until it becomes positive again.
# How to Bond
Your guide on how to purchase a $BOTTO bond.
1\. Head over to the Botto app and click on the “Ω Bonds” icon in the top navigation bar. Or choose BOTTO-ETH UNI from the [Olympus Pro Bonds Marketplace](https://pro.olympusdao.finance/#/partners/Botto).
{% hint style="info" %}
Make sure to connect your wallet to Olympus to continue.
{% endhint %}
2\. The below bond page will be displayed.
3\. In case you don’t have LP shares, click the link to acquire them on Uniswap.
4\. If this is your first $BOTTO bond purchase, you will need to sign a transaction to approve the bond contract (this has a small gas fee). **The approval step is only necessary when you purchase a bond for the first time.**
5\. After approving the contract, enter the amount of LP shares you would like to exchange. You will see a corresponding amount of $BOTTO displayed in the "You Will Get" field.
6\. Click **Bond** and sign the transaction on MetaMask. Each time you bond requires a gas fee.
7\. Congratulations! Once the bond transaction is confirmed, you have successfully purchased a $BOTTO bond.
8\. You can view your $BOTTO bond at the top of your Olympus Pro dashboard under the “My Bonds” section.
Bonds vest over a period of 7 days, releasing $BOTTO to you as they mature at a discounted rate. Read the next section for a guide on how to claim your rewards.
{% hint style="danger" %}
**Multiple Bond Purchase**
If your bond is still vesting, buying another $BOTTO bond **will reset the vesting period**. This means any unclaimed rewards from the previous bond, vested or otherwise, will start vesting from period 0 again.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
The "Approve" transaction is only necessary when you purchase a bond for the first time. Future purchases of $BOTTO bonds will only require the "Bond" transaction.
{% endhint %}
# Claiming Rewards
Your guide on how to claim the $BOTTO bond rewards.
1\. Access your [Olympus Pro dashboard](https://pro.olympusdao.finance/#/bond). This is where you can view your bond history: currently vesting bonds, and those that have fully vested.
2\. Select the relevant bond and click "Claim". This final transaction will also have a gas fee. When the transaction is confirmed, the claimed $BOTTO will be sent to your wallet.
3\. Click "Claim All" to claim your rewards. This final transaction will also have a gas fee. When the transaction is confirmed, the claimed $BOTTO will be sent to your wallet.
4\. The reward $BOTTO tokens can be staked into the [Botto app](https://app.botto.com/) to generate voting points.
{% hint style="info" %}
Partial rewards can be claimed during the vesting period, but those will incur additional gas fees for the transaction.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
More info about bonds is available in the [Olympus documentation](https://docs.olympusdao.finance/main/).
{% endhint %}
# Bonding FAQ
* **Why bonding over liquidity mining?**
Bonding is beneficial both to $BOTTO holders and the protocol for long-term sustainability in emission distribution. When taking part in standard liquidity mining for a given APR, you are subject to the risk of impermanent loss due to price volatility of either $ETH or $BOTTO. Bonding passes on impermanent loss risk to the protocol, and the reward is vested over 7 days. With Olympus Pro, you can bond multiple times throughout the year, compounding interest and easily beating the APR of liquidity mining without the risk of impermanent loss. The protocol benefits because it now owns its liquidity, reducing the risk of liquidity getting removed from the market by mercenary capital, and has a much greater ability to absorb the impermanent loss risk.
* **When is it best to bond?**
Depending on market conditions, Bonding will provide a discount or premium to the market value of $BOTTO tokens. A discount means you are receiving $BOTTO at a better rate than what you could on an exchange. A premium means you are receiving $BOTTO at a worse rate than what you could on an exchange. The best time to bond liquidity for $BOTTO is when there are discounts present (not counting transaction fees and price volatility). Pricing of Bonds is not static and adjusts based on bonds available as well as the market price of $BOTTO.
* **I’ve already staked my LP, can I still bond?**
Yes, you will need to unstake your BOTTO-ETH LP shares from the [app.botto.com](https://app.botto.com/) in order to bond them. This transaction will cost a gas fee (you will still need to claim your accumulated rewards separately).
* **Why is it important?**
Bonding allows Botto to accumulate its own liquidity (POL). More POL ensures there is permanent, deep liquidity in Botto’s trading pools to facilitate market operations and protect token holders from unnecessary slippage and volatility.
* **What's the catch?**
There isn’t one. When $BOTTO tokens are purchased through a bond, they are not released all at once. By vesting linearly over a set period of time, the bonders are unable to sell their new $BOTTO immediately for a quick profit, buffering against dumps on discounts.
# Single-Sided Staking Rewards
{% hint style="warning" %}
Single-sided staking rewards ended on February 22nd, 2024 and are no longer accruing to $BOTTO stakers. You can still claim any pending rewards after this date. Staking $BOTTO will still [generate Voting Points (VP)](https://docs.botto.com/details/voting-mechanism#vp-regeneration) that can be used to train Botto and [receive revenue share](/overview/rewards), if a minimum of 100 $BOTTO is staked.
{% endhint %}
On February 22nd, 2022, the team announced an upgrade in the [Governance smart contract](/details/token-details) to create a reward system for single-sided stakers from the unclaimed [airdrop ](/details/token-distribution/airdrop)funds.
Botto users could claim rewards for staking their $BOTTO through the website app.
1.5% of the total supply of $BOTTO tokens was allocated for this measure, translating into 1,500,000 $BOTTO emissions over a 2 year period (750,000 $BOTTO a year). Single-sided staking rewards ended on February 22nd, 2024 at 13:11:45 ET.
# Governance
Botto aspires for full decentralization through governance. Four forms of governance exist:
Governance of the algorithm.\
Governance of the artist.\
Governance of the auction.\
Governance of the protocol itself.
### The Algorithm
Governance of the algorithm has been unlocked at the genesis of Botto. Community participants become eligible to vote on their favorite art fragments provided they hold and stake $BOTTO. Staking $BOTTO generates Voting Points (VP), which in turn can be spent on voting on preferred outcomes of Botto's art. Needless to say, this form of governance influences art generated by Botto.
### The Artist
BottoDAO strives for Botto to become a fully decentralized autonomous artist. To do so, the choices we make as a community should be governed accordingly in and through proposals and votes.
Governance for Botto as an artist includes updates to its art engine, "forks" that allow Botto to experiment with new mediums, and the management of its artistic career via its expansion into exhibitions, collaborations, physical artworks, and more.
### The Auction
Botto requires governance on the selection of auctioned artwork. 12 weeks after the project launch, the community was able to begin voting Botto's art to determine a weekly minted NFT.
This 12 week grace period was initiated to test and assess decentralized voting behavior, and this grace period came to a close on October 14, 2022, 7 days prior to the end of the first voting period.
Since October 2022, Botto has maintained a weekly cadence of minting 1 Botto work selected from the previous week of voting activity.
### The Protocol
This area of governance encapsulates all other processes that BottoDAO follows to fulfil protocol objectives. This includes management of the token and liquidity pools, incentive mechanisms, changes to the project's architecture, and overall project management.
#### **Public Roadmap**
A [public roadmap](https://botto.com/roadmap) for the DAO and external stakeholders was released at the end of the Governance Grace Period. This roadmap indicates the team’s ongoing projects spanning the upcoming three to six months. The roadmap is publicly accessible and doubles as a way for the Botto community to plan and contribute to the future direction of the project.
{% content-ref url="/pages/CWGy8PROzBuaqWOQSnjW" %}
[Governance Process](/details/governance/governance-process)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/LXFBpvkTIBxPEAdqdL3U" %}
[Snapshot Votes](/details/governance/snapshot-votes)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/zOF7U8HLcc90z0iuoVif" %}
[Proposal Template](/details/governance/proposal-template)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# Governance Process
### **Lifecycle of a proposal**
> [**Step 1**](#step-1-general-discussion)**: Discuss proposal ideas on** [**Discord**](https://discord.gg/MUaqSZCn)
>
> [**Step 2**](#step-1-general-discussion)**: Construct a formal proposal using the** [**template**](/details/governance/proposal-template)
>
> [**Step 3**](#step-3-governance-mod-gov-mod-review-48-hours)**: Gov mod reviews for completion and passes along any remaining info requests to the core team (48-72h)**
>
> [**Step 4**](#step-4-final-deliberation-7-days)**: Announce the formal proposal and deliberate on remaining details on the** [**forum**](https://forum.botto.com/) **(7 days)**
>
> [**Step 5**](#step-5-vote-72-hours)**: Vote on** [**Snapshot**](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth) **(72h), proposals require a 2/3rds supermajority (66.66%) to pass**
### Step 1: General Discussion
Everyone is encouraged to start discussion threads about potential proposals in the community Discord on the [#ideas](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/1263145906878943366) channel.
The goal of this phase is to test interest and develop a potential solution using the wisdom of the community. There also may be others working on similar proposals, and this discussion phase is an important step to identify opportunities toThe goal of this phase is to begin conversations, test interest, and develop potential solutions to governance issues using the wisdom of the community.
Opening a discussion invites input from the DAO, discover others who may be working on similar proposals, and to begin assessing demand for changes to Botto's existing governance protocols.combine proposals. If you do not want to own the development of a proposal, this is also a good way to find someone to make the formal proposal.
{% hint style="info" %}
As a general rule, building consensus at this stage will have a big impact on the ultimate success of the proposal.
{% endhint %}
### Step 2: Construct Formal Proposal
Whoever is owning a proposal should create a formal proposal using the [proposal template](/details/governance/proposal-template) in a way that best reflects the consensus developed in discussion.
The proponent is encouraged to reach out to team members to gather feedback or obtain insights or data necessary for informing the proposal’s implementation if they haven’t already contributed to the discussion.
### **Step 3: Governance Moderator Review (48 hours)**
Once they feel it is ready, the proponent can upload their proposal draft to a [#bip-discussion](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/1068218310988152872) thread and tag one of the gov mods (@Caretaker) to review.
The gov mods will then have 48h (72h if Friday-Sunday) to review the proposal.
Moderators:
* Ensure the proposal meets the expectations of the template and suggest needed changes.
* If necessary info is missing from the core team, they will direct questions to the relevant team member.
* Suggest changes if they think it doesn’t fully represent the discussion so far.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** the proponent doesn’t have to agree with the discussion, but there is a “Cons” section in the template that should record the reasons for dissenting views.
{% endhint %}
Within those 48h, gov moderators will suggest changes publicly in the corresponding #bip-discussion thread. The team will then wait for changes to be discussed and a new request to be made to upload.
Once the proposal is complete, gov mods will:
* Add a BIP number to the #bip-discussion thread
* Invite proposer to upload to forum.botto.com
* Tag the proposal appropriately
* Announce the proposal being live in the forum inside its #bip-discussion thread
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note**: the time frame of gov mods to respond may be subject to change if there is a surge in proposals.
{% endhint %}
### Step 4: Final Deliberation (7 days)
The time of the announcement in the #bip-discussion thread marks the beginning of the 7 day deliberation time. This is the last chance to debate the proposal and the details of its implementation.
{% hint style="info" %}
Snapshot votes reference the forum proposal and its comments, therefore any significant positions and changes to the proposal should be documented there. Gov mods will help proponents to request Bottonians to write their opinions on the forum (even if the active discussion is taking place on Discord).
{% endhint %}
Proponents are expected to address criticism and consider incorporating it in the final formulation, or include it in the Cons section of the template.
The team will announce the expiration of the deliberation time 48h and 24h prior to the closing of the debate. If consensus is unclear and there are materially new comments coming in, gov mods may extend the deliberation period as needed.
Once the deliberation time has ended, the gov mods will agree with the proponent on a date and time for the start of the Snapshot vote within the next week, as well as on a summary that is posted on the Snapshot website itself.
### **Step 5: Snapshot Vote (72 hours)**
When the deliberation ends, the team will lock the forum proposal so that no further information can be added to it after the [Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth) vote is submitted.
The team will launch the vote with the agreed summary and announce via:
* [#snapshot-votes](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/950772087973363743) channel
* [@BottoDAO on twitter](https://twitter.com/BottoDAO)
* the next appropriate recap made in [#announcements](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/896274010193690694)
#### Final Considerations:
* Ideally all votes are simple Yes/No choices, but there may be situations where another format is needed or becomes available.
* The team will send reminders with the provisional results after 48h of voting to encourage full participation and announce the result as soon as the vote is over.
* There may only be one snapshot vote live at a time.
For more on governance voting see [Snapshot Votes](/details/governance/snapshot-votes)
# Snapshot Votes
### Voting Eligibility
DAO members are able to vote on the snapshot provided they are staking $BOTTO (on either Ethereum or Base) and/or BOTTO-ETH (LP UNI-V2 tokens). Those who are not actively staking in the project are ineligible to vote. This means the balance of $BOTTO in your wallet does not count.
For those staked in through the liquidity mining contract, only the calculated $BOTTO portion of your wallet counts. Voting weight scales linearly according to how many $BOTTO you have staked in the governance and/or liquidity mining contracts.
### Passing the vote
Both the Gnosis and the original treasury have been listed as administrators of the [Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth).
A quorum value of 500,000 ($BOTTO) has been set for each snapshot, meaning the snapshot vote is not considered as long as valid quorum requirements are not met.
Votes pass on a 2/3rds supermajority, translating to 66.66% of votes.
# Proposal Template
{% hint style="info" %}
Please use this template to create a formal governance proposal. This template should also help guide informal discussions to cover important points when brainstorming solutions as a community.
Gov mods will help ensure completeness, mostly looking to be sure it incorporates all necessary information and discussion, and can reach out to core team members to provide missing info as needed.
When writing, using bullet points is helpful for readability and staying concise.
{% endhint %}
#### Title
Write a clear and unique title, add in parentheses themes it touches on.
*Ex. Distributing proceeds in ETH (Buy Back and Burn, Tokenomics, Revenue)*
#### BIP-\#
\[A moderator will add the BIP-# to keep track of proposals.]
#### Summary
Elaborate what actions the proposal requires and what goals the proposal aims to achieve. (\~3-5 sentences. It can be easiest to write this part last.)
#### Rationale
* Briefly describe background aspects of the proposal that need to be understood.
* Indicate the motives behind the proposal and goals for the protocol this supports, e.g. issues to be addressed, opportunities to be considered, areas to be improved, etc.
*Ex. OlympusDAO offers bonds in exchange for LP shares, enabling the Botto protocol to own its liquidity.*
#### Proposal Specification
Detail the specific steps that would need to be carried out and what the new scenario looks like after. This should include a timeline estimating how long each step might take.
#### Budget (If applicable)
Indicate the expected budget and resources needed to complete the implementation and how the budget shall be distributed. This estimate will be reviewed by core DAO members and/or the treasurers.
#### Criteria of success (if a larger project)
This section should indicate how the success of the proposal could be determined. A key question to ask here would be ‘what is our definition of done?’
#### Disadvantages
Summarize arguments against and disadvantages/risks of your proposal, highlighting possible ramifications and problem areas when implementing.
# Official Links
# FAQ
### **The Art Engine**
**How does Botto work?**
Botto makes use of a combination of AI algorithms including VQGAN + CLIP, GPT-3, and others (see [Art Engine](/details/bottos-art-engine)), and a number of custom augmentations to generate all of the unique images, titles, and artist descriptions. Botto learns and develops based on votes from the community (see [Voting](/overview/voting)).
**Is there any human involvement in Botto’s process?**
Other than voting, the only human involvement is in some minor edits of artist descriptions written by Botto for the final mint for typos and punctuation.
**Can Botto add capabilities?**
Yes, Botto will grow up and learn new abilities over time and as governance determines.
**Where did Botto come from?**
Botto is based on a 2018 whitepaper by generative artist Mario Klingemann (a.k.a. [Quasimondo](https://twitter.com/quasimondo)). Quasimondo is part of the founding team and designed Botto.
{% content-ref url="/pages/YgnrTjfX6N0zDKCAOFHl" %}
[Botto's Art Engine](/details/bottos-art-engine)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### Key Dates
* Voting rounds end every Tuesday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
* New rounds begin every Tuesday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
* New art fragments are added to the voting pool every Tuesday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
* Auctions are scheduled to begin every Wednesday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
* Auctions are scheduled to end every Friday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
### $BOTTO Tokens
**Where do I get $BOTTO?**
{% content-ref url="/pages/-Ma--oVQHJpoFEaqmXzE" %}
[Get $BOTTO Tokens](/overview/getting-botto-tokens)
{% endcontent-ref %}
**Where do I see the price of $BOTTO?**
On [Coin Market Cap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/botto/) or [Coin Gecko](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/botto).
**What is the token distribution?**
{% content-ref url="/pages/-M\_zb43hjSb\_WIiJndyT" %}
[Token Distribution](/details/token-distribution)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### Access Pass
**Where do I get an Access Pass?**
You can buy a an Access Pass on [secondary on OpenSea](https://opensea.io/collection/botto-access-passes).
**Should I get an Access Pass or $BOTTO?**
{% hint style="warning" %}
You don't need an Access Pass to start participating in Botto's process anymore. Simply[ log in to the app](https://botto.com/app/vote).
{% endhint %}
$BOTTO is the only way to get full membership into the DAO, however the Access Pass is designed for a simpler entry into the Botto ecosystem and makes a nice collectible. It provides voting points to vote on the art, and there are $BOTTO rewards for completing certain actions that enable users to earn their way into membership and help cover the costs of joining.
Access Passes will also add voting points to what is already earned from staked $BOTTO, but cannot be stacked beyond your highest earning Access Pass.
### Voting and VPs
**How do I vote/help train the AI?**
Go to the [Botto App](https://botto.com/app/vote) and:
* Easily login with your social media credentials or crypto wallet to get a baseline amount of 100 Voting Points (VP)
* Stake your $BOTTO or LP tokens, or get an Access Pass or Pipe on secondary to earn more voting points (VPs)
* Vote for your favorite pieces (“fragments”)
**What’s the right voting strategy to best train Botto?**
Go with your gut and pick your favorite of the two fragments presented to you, even if you don’t love either one.
**Does spending more VPs add more weight for training?**
No, spending more VPs only makes the fragment more likely to be picked for auction at the end of the week. As far as training goes, all votes are equal regardless of weight.
**How do I get VPs?**
Simply connect with your socials or crypto wallet to instantly get 100 VP. For more VP, [stake](/overview/depositing-botto) your [$BOTTO](https://app.uniswap.org/swap?inputCurrency=ETH\&outputCurrency=0x9DFAD1b7102D46b1b197b90095B5c4E9f5845BBA\&use=V2) or [LP tokens](https://app.uniswap.org/add/v2/ETH/0x9DFAD1b7102D46b1b197b90095B5c4E9f5845BBA), or get an [Access Pass or Pipe](#access-pass). The VP generation mechanism is explained in more detail on the page below.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlANyYPcIqK1bgCZrIb" %}
[Voting Points (VP)](/overview/voting/voting-mechanism)
{% endcontent-ref %}
**Do I get any rewards from voting?**
Yes, 40% of revenue is distributed at the end of each round according to your proportion of all VP spent that round. There are also [emissions for staking LP tokens](/details/token-distribution/liquidity-mining) that pay out in $BOTTO.
### Auctions
**When and where does the art get auctioned off?**
Each week, Botto mints one artwork and then puts it to auction on [SuperRare](https://superrare.com/bottoproject). The winning fragment is announced on Tuesday, the auction starts on Wednesday and ends on Fridays. Bids are tracked in #announcements on Discord.
**What happens with the proceeds?**
40% of revenue is distributed directly to contributors, the other 40% goes to the treasury controlled by the DAO, and finally 20% goes into adding to the Protocol-Owned-Liquidity position.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlS\_Q5YTRGClMrRY8sV" %}
[Auction](/overview/auction)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### Support & Suggestions
**How do I report a bug, ask for support, suggest another question for the FAQ, or give feedback?**
Add your suggestion or ask a question using the [#feedback](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/907591115648163870) channel on [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/rQW8yyHFnR).
# Press
If you'd like to feature Botto in the press or have a general enquiry, please get in touch via email at `info[a-t]botto.com`. You will likely get a faster response by reaching out on [Discord](https://discord.gg/rQW8yyHFnR).
Please also see the [Botto brand kit](https://www.figma.com/file/NfttsMal759M0qmAEL5MSs/Botto-Brand-Guidelines) (view-only access). You may reach out to the abovementioned email should you require assets for showcasing Botto.
Thank you!
# Acknowledgements
While Botto is still in its infancy, creating the decentralized autonomous artist has been a great collaborative effort between multiple teams and contributors. The teams from [ElevenYellow](https://elevenyellow.com) and [Carbono ](https://carbono.com)have spent the better part of the year concepting, planning, and iterating on this very first version of Botto.
The team and growing community are also eternally grateful for the art engine that was created, tweaked and then made autonomous by the generative artist [@quasimondo](https://twitter.com/quasimondo).
Needless to say, this project has certainly not been a single collective's effort. Countless contributors have helped by providing their own interpration of who Botto is and why Botto matters.
We are thankful for the continued support of all early contributors. You are visionaries of Botto.
### Current Token Distribution
* The current distribution can be checked at any time by running [this Dune query](https://dune.com/queries/3804277/6396446) for free.
A breakdown of each area is available:
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlANeCe6Fpwoz7NKQXV" %}
[Liquidity Mining](/details/token-distribution/liquidity-mining)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlALOFl205MF5WJTO40" %}
[Treasury](/details/token-distribution/treasury)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlALR9oUVcqzcs5sytn" %}
[Team & Vesting](/details/token-distribution/vesting)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/-M\_5\_nGIISkAaPpn09L1" %}
[Airdrop](/details/token-distribution/airdrop)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# Liquidity Mining
{% hint style="warning" %}
The Liquidity Mining program ended on October 2025. The information below should be treated as an archive.
{% endhint %}
Botto users are able to liquidity mine $BOTTO by [liquidity providing BOTTO-ETH through Uniswap](https://app.uniswap.org/#/add/v2/ETH/0x9DFAD1b7102D46b1b197b90095B5c4E9f5845BBA).
[20% of the total supply was allocated to this liquidity mining program](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x7301554d0418a7072d20c2f66ea32cbf32120c20d0659672797857b128db54f1), with emission duration being set at 4 years from the initial contract launch.
To earn the APR% in $BOTTO, users must stake the BOTTO-ETH LP (UNI-V2) tokens they receive when providing liquidity. This can be done on the [Staking page of the Botto app](https://botto.com/app/staking), under the 'Liquidity Mining' tab.
Emissions are linearly distributed to liquidity providers throughout the duration of the program.
* `StartTime` for the liquidity mining program has been specified as 14/10/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY)
* `EndTime` for the liquidity mining program has been specified as 15/10/2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Information on all of Botto's smart contracts is available on the [Contract Details](/details/token-details) page.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-M\_zb-jS7sk1mql40jDb" %}
[Contract Details](/details/token-details)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# Treasury
30% of total $BOTTO allocation was initially reserved for the Botto treasury. The treasury acts as a reserve of funds usable for the continued improvement of Botto as a project.
### Gnosis Multi-Sig
* Address: 0x35bb964878d7B6ddFA69cF0b97EE63fa3C9d9b49
* Keys held by different team members, and their key security has been reviewed and assessed
* Requires 3 out of 6 keys
{% hint style="info" %}
The treasury multi-sig is the owner of the OlympusDAO bonds and therefore is the account that updates the terms and receives the LP shares. For more see Bonding.
{% endhint %}
### Use of Funds
Example use cases of treasury funds include:
* Contract security audit(s)
* Providing (global) art institutions a token allocation to promote Botto
* Providing (global) art institutions infrastructural support for exhibitions
* The creation and promotion of marketing collateral
* Miscellaneous marketing endeavours that enrich Botto as a project
* Project improvements that fall outside the capability of the existing team and community
In short, there are many possibilities on how the treasury funds are collected and/or allocated and these are simply examples explored by the team so far.
### Collection of Funds
The treasury collects funds through primary and secondary markets; auction proceeds and commissions are collected. Botto will auction its art on a weekly basis on SuperRare, collecting 85% of auction proceeds. From the net proceeds, 50% go to voters via [active rewards](broken://pages/ClTHhPc5VVlv5bGwsK5F) and 50% to treasury.
Commission from the secondary market is fixed at 10% commission on each sale.
Importantly, the treasury is a means of preparing the artist for continued, sustained growth and aspires to be fully decentralized through community governance.
### Initial Liquidity Provision
The team were approached by various NFT collectors who wanted to purchase $BOTTO after project launch but could not due to an illiquid market. The team could not increase liquidity - Botto didn't own any ETH due to rejecting presales. Initial liquidity was provided on Uniswap via OTC sales to these collectors (selling OTC from treasury at the listed Uniswap price, less spread).
Tokens were sold without discount using Uniswap's price as reference. Botto project did not involve any private investors. A total of 1,629,000 $BOTTO were sold. The team made every attempt to verify that those participating in OTC were operating in good faith to support the project.
# Team & Vesting
20% of total supply was allocated to the Botto team and vested linearly over 2 years from 08/10/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY) (the token launch date) to 08/10/2023 (DD/MM/YYYY).
### **Gnosis Multi-Sig**
* Address: 0xAF1E1c2EB21e4B977517BC651A7046C723B49809
* Keys held by different team members, and their key security has been reviewed and assessed
* Requires 3 out of 6 keys
### Vesting Schedule
The vesting wallet will have outbound transfers at the end of each calendar month to pay team members.
Monthly payment = 20,000,000/24 = 833,333.33 $BOTTO
{% hint style="info" %}
The first disbursement was on January 31st, 2022 and retroactively covered October, November, December, and January inclusively. Disbursements will be monthly thereafter.
{% endhint %}
The first month of team tokens was planned to have an instant unlock with the intention of providing liquidity. This was postponed and no tokens were unlocked.
Liquidity was provided through a small series of OTC deals post-launch, documented in the Treasury section. This was done to ensure the token was liquid enough on Uniswap to support initial demand.
{% hint style="info" %}
At launch the vesting schedule was 1 year, but was extended to 2 years (with the same total allocation) in November 2021 to further align with the protocol's objectives.
{% endhint %}
# Airdrop
The airdrop was conducted under the Botto team's belief of fair launches, and that the majority of token recipients had some affinity with NFT and art communities, or otherwise could contribute to Botto's ecosystem.
**A total of 16,407,473 $BOTTO tokens were airdropped to eligible participants.** This event is often cited as one of the most successful airdrops in crypto history – not bad :dizzy:
{% hint style="warning" %}
The airdrop claim period ended on January 6, 2022 and [13,592,527 BOTTO was returned to the treasury](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x1c31629800741a6742f6bf17c5df5b8d38d9c46d0ef4791e828766e310b4223e).
{% endhint %}
### Qualifying projects + Snapshot Date (DD/MM/YYYY)
* Artblocks Curated - 12/07/2021
* Artblocks Playground + Factory - 12/07/2021
* Async Art - 22/06/2021
* BAYC - 22/06/2021
* Cryptopunks - 05/07/2021
* Meebits - 21/06/2021
* SuperRare - 21/06/2021
* Hashmasks - 21/06/2021
### Tiered System
The Botto airdrop was conducted in 4 tiers. Each tier was progressively rewarded with a higher amount of $BOTTO depending on how many projects they interacted with. Tier 3 included additional early contributors (testing, consulting, advising, supporting). The 4th tier was added for initial team members to redistribute tokens at their own discretion.
The total quantity of recipients eligible for this airdrop was **22,066.** Each qualifying recipient could receive:
* **Tier 1:** 646 $BOTTO
* **Tier 2:** 1,893 $BOTTO
* **Tier 3:** 4,576 $BOTTO
* **Tier 4:** 26,666 $BOTTO
### Project Interactions
{% hint style="warning" %}
**\*Snapshots of each project were taken individually between 21/06/2021 and 12/07/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY).**
Some qualifying addresses may have been omitted from the pulled data due to job failures. We apologize for any inconvenience.
{% endhint %}
Qualified recipients had to have interacted with at least 1 qualifying project. Interactions were defined as minting or holding an NFT from the qualifying project at the time that data was pulled via Etherscan API. No distinction was made between holding or minting when counting an interaction.
* **Tier 1** required interactions with at least 1 qualifying project
* **Tier 2** required interactions with at least 2 qualifying projects
* **Tier 3** required interactions with at least 5 qualifying projects. Early contributors were injected into this tier.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Clarification**
If you held **and** minted from a qualifying project, this still counts as 1 interaction.
If you minted 50 NFTs from a qualifying project, this still counts as 1 interaction.
If you minted 1 NFT from Project 1, and minted 1 NFT from Project 2, this counts as 2 interactions (1 for each project).
If you minted 10 NFTs from Project 1, and held 2 NFTs from Project 2, this counts as 2 interactions (1 for each project).
If you minted and held an NFT before 21/06/2021 and sold it data was pulled, this counts as 1 interaction (due to the mint).
{% endhint %}
### Claiming Period
The cutoff date for eligible recipients to claim their $BOTTO tokens was January 6, 2022. Unclaimed tokens were returned to the treasury.
# Bonding
{% hint style="danger" %}
Olympus' Pro Bonds have been discontinued. We are currently exploring alternative methods to boost POL. Join our Discord to suggest or discuss potential solutions.
{% endhint %}
On November 28, 2021, [Botto partnered with OlympusDAO’s Olympus Pro program](https://medium.com/@iambotto/reaching-the-summit-of-olympus-909d175f827e) to advance protocol-owned liquidity (POL), and sustainably reward protocol supporters.
### How Bonds Work
Through Olympus Pro’s Bonds Marketplace, Botto users are able to exchange BOTTO-ETH Uniswap LP shares for bonds that emit $BOTTO over time, at a discounted rate. The BOTTO-ETH LP shares are then owned by Botto’s treasury as protocol-owned liquidity (POL). The committed LP shares are locked after bonding. Since the bond market acts as a secondary price discovery mechanism, bond discounts can be more or less predictable depending on the market conditions. For that reason, bonding is regarded as an active, short-term investment strategy that can be profitable if you closely follow the discount rate.
### Bonds Vesting Period and Rewards
Bonds vest over a period of 7 days. As the bond matures, emissions vest linearly over time, giving the user $BOTTO at a rate that’s discounted from market value. Through this mechanism, supporters of the protocol are able to gain rewards without exposure to impermanent loss.
### ROI Status
Sometimes the bond discount becomes negative (shown as a positive “Premium” by the Olympus Bot on Discord), meaning you'd pay higher than the market price in order to bond. This can be caused by several factors, including high demand for the bond or a decrease in the token price.
This state is only temporary and we advise avoiding bonding during this time. The discount will slowly increase until it becomes positive again.
# How to Bond
Your guide on how to purchase a $BOTTO bond.
1\. Head over to the Botto app and click on the “Ω Bonds” icon in the top navigation bar. Or choose BOTTO-ETH UNI from the [Olympus Pro Bonds Marketplace](https://pro.olympusdao.finance/#/partners/Botto).
{% hint style="info" %}
Make sure to connect your wallet to Olympus to continue.
{% endhint %}
2\. The below bond page will be displayed.
3\. In case you don’t have LP shares, click the link to acquire them on Uniswap.
4\. If this is your first $BOTTO bond purchase, you will need to sign a transaction to approve the bond contract (this has a small gas fee). **The approval step is only necessary when you purchase a bond for the first time.**
5\. After approving the contract, enter the amount of LP shares you would like to exchange. You will see a corresponding amount of $BOTTO displayed in the "You Will Get" field.
6\. Click **Bond** and sign the transaction on MetaMask. Each time you bond requires a gas fee.
7\. Congratulations! Once the bond transaction is confirmed, you have successfully purchased a $BOTTO bond.
8\. You can view your $BOTTO bond at the top of your Olympus Pro dashboard under the “My Bonds” section.
Bonds vest over a period of 7 days, releasing $BOTTO to you as they mature at a discounted rate. Read the next section for a guide on how to claim your rewards.
{% hint style="danger" %}
**Multiple Bond Purchase**
If your bond is still vesting, buying another $BOTTO bond **will reset the vesting period**. This means any unclaimed rewards from the previous bond, vested or otherwise, will start vesting from period 0 again.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
The "Approve" transaction is only necessary when you purchase a bond for the first time. Future purchases of $BOTTO bonds will only require the "Bond" transaction.
{% endhint %}
# Claiming Rewards
Your guide on how to claim the $BOTTO bond rewards.
1\. Access your [Olympus Pro dashboard](https://pro.olympusdao.finance/#/bond). This is where you can view your bond history: currently vesting bonds, and those that have fully vested.
2\. Select the relevant bond and click "Claim". This final transaction will also have a gas fee. When the transaction is confirmed, the claimed $BOTTO will be sent to your wallet.
3\. Click "Claim All" to claim your rewards. This final transaction will also have a gas fee. When the transaction is confirmed, the claimed $BOTTO will be sent to your wallet.
4\. The reward $BOTTO tokens can be staked into the [Botto app](https://app.botto.com/) to generate voting points.
{% hint style="info" %}
Partial rewards can be claimed during the vesting period, but those will incur additional gas fees for the transaction.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
More info about bonds is available in the [Olympus documentation](https://docs.olympusdao.finance/main/).
{% endhint %}
# Bonding FAQ
* **Why bonding over liquidity mining?**
Bonding is beneficial both to $BOTTO holders and the protocol for long-term sustainability in emission distribution. When taking part in standard liquidity mining for a given APR, you are subject to the risk of impermanent loss due to price volatility of either $ETH or $BOTTO. Bonding passes on impermanent loss risk to the protocol, and the reward is vested over 7 days. With Olympus Pro, you can bond multiple times throughout the year, compounding interest and easily beating the APR of liquidity mining without the risk of impermanent loss. The protocol benefits because it now owns its liquidity, reducing the risk of liquidity getting removed from the market by mercenary capital, and has a much greater ability to absorb the impermanent loss risk.
* **When is it best to bond?**
Depending on market conditions, Bonding will provide a discount or premium to the market value of $BOTTO tokens. A discount means you are receiving $BOTTO at a better rate than what you could on an exchange. A premium means you are receiving $BOTTO at a worse rate than what you could on an exchange. The best time to bond liquidity for $BOTTO is when there are discounts present (not counting transaction fees and price volatility). Pricing of Bonds is not static and adjusts based on bonds available as well as the market price of $BOTTO.
* **I’ve already staked my LP, can I still bond?**
Yes, you will need to unstake your BOTTO-ETH LP shares from the [app.botto.com](https://app.botto.com/) in order to bond them. This transaction will cost a gas fee (you will still need to claim your accumulated rewards separately).
* **Why is it important?**
Bonding allows Botto to accumulate its own liquidity (POL). More POL ensures there is permanent, deep liquidity in Botto’s trading pools to facilitate market operations and protect token holders from unnecessary slippage and volatility.
* **What's the catch?**
There isn’t one. When $BOTTO tokens are purchased through a bond, they are not released all at once. By vesting linearly over a set period of time, the bonders are unable to sell their new $BOTTO immediately for a quick profit, buffering against dumps on discounts.
# Single-Sided Staking Rewards
{% hint style="warning" %}
Single-sided staking rewards ended on February 22nd, 2024 and are no longer accruing to $BOTTO stakers. You can still claim any pending rewards after this date. Staking $BOTTO will still [generate Voting Points (VP)](https://docs.botto.com/details/voting-mechanism#vp-regeneration) that can be used to train Botto and [receive revenue share](/overview/rewards), if a minimum of 100 $BOTTO is staked.
{% endhint %}
On February 22nd, 2022, the team announced an upgrade in the [Governance smart contract](/details/token-details) to create a reward system for single-sided stakers from the unclaimed [airdrop ](/details/token-distribution/airdrop)funds.
Botto users could claim rewards for staking their $BOTTO through the website app.
1.5% of the total supply of $BOTTO tokens was allocated for this measure, translating into 1,500,000 $BOTTO emissions over a 2 year period (750,000 $BOTTO a year). Single-sided staking rewards ended on February 22nd, 2024 at 13:11:45 ET.
# Governance
Botto aspires for full decentralization through governance. Four forms of governance exist:
Governance of the algorithm.\
Governance of the artist.\
Governance of the auction.\
Governance of the protocol itself.
### The Algorithm
Governance of the algorithm has been unlocked at the genesis of Botto. Community participants become eligible to vote on their favorite art fragments provided they hold and stake $BOTTO. Staking $BOTTO generates Voting Points (VP), which in turn can be spent on voting on preferred outcomes of Botto's art. Needless to say, this form of governance influences art generated by Botto.
### The Artist
BottoDAO strives for Botto to become a fully decentralized autonomous artist. To do so, the choices we make as a community should be governed accordingly in and through proposals and votes.
Governance for Botto as an artist includes updates to its art engine, "forks" that allow Botto to experiment with new mediums, and the management of its artistic career via its expansion into exhibitions, collaborations, physical artworks, and more.
### The Auction
Botto requires governance on the selection of auctioned artwork. 12 weeks after the project launch, the community was able to begin voting Botto's art to determine a weekly minted NFT.
This 12 week grace period was initiated to test and assess decentralized voting behavior, and this grace period came to a close on October 14, 2022, 7 days prior to the end of the first voting period.
Since October 2022, Botto has maintained a weekly cadence of minting 1 Botto work selected from the previous week of voting activity.
### The Protocol
This area of governance encapsulates all other processes that BottoDAO follows to fulfil protocol objectives. This includes management of the token and liquidity pools, incentive mechanisms, changes to the project's architecture, and overall project management.
#### **Public Roadmap**
A [public roadmap](https://botto.com/roadmap) for the DAO and external stakeholders was released at the end of the Governance Grace Period. This roadmap indicates the team’s ongoing projects spanning the upcoming three to six months. The roadmap is publicly accessible and doubles as a way for the Botto community to plan and contribute to the future direction of the project.
{% content-ref url="/pages/CWGy8PROzBuaqWOQSnjW" %}
[Governance Process](/details/governance/governance-process)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/LXFBpvkTIBxPEAdqdL3U" %}
[Snapshot Votes](/details/governance/snapshot-votes)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/zOF7U8HLcc90z0iuoVif" %}
[Proposal Template](/details/governance/proposal-template)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# Governance Process
### **Lifecycle of a proposal**
> [**Step 1**](#step-1-general-discussion)**: Discuss proposal ideas on** [**Discord**](https://discord.gg/MUaqSZCn)
>
> [**Step 2**](#step-1-general-discussion)**: Construct a formal proposal using the** [**template**](/details/governance/proposal-template)
>
> [**Step 3**](#step-3-governance-mod-gov-mod-review-48-hours)**: Gov mod reviews for completion and passes along any remaining info requests to the core team (48-72h)**
>
> [**Step 4**](#step-4-final-deliberation-7-days)**: Announce the formal proposal and deliberate on remaining details on the** [**forum**](https://forum.botto.com/) **(7 days)**
>
> [**Step 5**](#step-5-vote-72-hours)**: Vote on** [**Snapshot**](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth) **(72h), proposals require a 2/3rds supermajority (66.66%) to pass**
### Step 1: General Discussion
Everyone is encouraged to start discussion threads about potential proposals in the community Discord on the [#ideas](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/1263145906878943366) channel.
The goal of this phase is to test interest and develop a potential solution using the wisdom of the community. There also may be others working on similar proposals, and this discussion phase is an important step to identify opportunities toThe goal of this phase is to begin conversations, test interest, and develop potential solutions to governance issues using the wisdom of the community.
Opening a discussion invites input from the DAO, discover others who may be working on similar proposals, and to begin assessing demand for changes to Botto's existing governance protocols.combine proposals. If you do not want to own the development of a proposal, this is also a good way to find someone to make the formal proposal.
{% hint style="info" %}
As a general rule, building consensus at this stage will have a big impact on the ultimate success of the proposal.
{% endhint %}
### Step 2: Construct Formal Proposal
Whoever is owning a proposal should create a formal proposal using the [proposal template](/details/governance/proposal-template) in a way that best reflects the consensus developed in discussion.
The proponent is encouraged to reach out to team members to gather feedback or obtain insights or data necessary for informing the proposal’s implementation if they haven’t already contributed to the discussion.
### **Step 3: Governance Moderator Review (48 hours)**
Once they feel it is ready, the proponent can upload their proposal draft to a [#bip-discussion](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/1068218310988152872) thread and tag one of the gov mods (@Caretaker) to review.
The gov mods will then have 48h (72h if Friday-Sunday) to review the proposal.
Moderators:
* Ensure the proposal meets the expectations of the template and suggest needed changes.
* If necessary info is missing from the core team, they will direct questions to the relevant team member.
* Suggest changes if they think it doesn’t fully represent the discussion so far.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** the proponent doesn’t have to agree with the discussion, but there is a “Cons” section in the template that should record the reasons for dissenting views.
{% endhint %}
Within those 48h, gov moderators will suggest changes publicly in the corresponding #bip-discussion thread. The team will then wait for changes to be discussed and a new request to be made to upload.
Once the proposal is complete, gov mods will:
* Add a BIP number to the #bip-discussion thread
* Invite proposer to upload to forum.botto.com
* Tag the proposal appropriately
* Announce the proposal being live in the forum inside its #bip-discussion thread
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note**: the time frame of gov mods to respond may be subject to change if there is a surge in proposals.
{% endhint %}
### Step 4: Final Deliberation (7 days)
The time of the announcement in the #bip-discussion thread marks the beginning of the 7 day deliberation time. This is the last chance to debate the proposal and the details of its implementation.
{% hint style="info" %}
Snapshot votes reference the forum proposal and its comments, therefore any significant positions and changes to the proposal should be documented there. Gov mods will help proponents to request Bottonians to write their opinions on the forum (even if the active discussion is taking place on Discord).
{% endhint %}
Proponents are expected to address criticism and consider incorporating it in the final formulation, or include it in the Cons section of the template.
The team will announce the expiration of the deliberation time 48h and 24h prior to the closing of the debate. If consensus is unclear and there are materially new comments coming in, gov mods may extend the deliberation period as needed.
Once the deliberation time has ended, the gov mods will agree with the proponent on a date and time for the start of the Snapshot vote within the next week, as well as on a summary that is posted on the Snapshot website itself.
### **Step 5: Snapshot Vote (72 hours)**
When the deliberation ends, the team will lock the forum proposal so that no further information can be added to it after the [Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth) vote is submitted.
The team will launch the vote with the agreed summary and announce via:
* [#snapshot-votes](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/950772087973363743) channel
* [@BottoDAO on twitter](https://twitter.com/BottoDAO)
* the next appropriate recap made in [#announcements](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/896274010193690694)
#### Final Considerations:
* Ideally all votes are simple Yes/No choices, but there may be situations where another format is needed or becomes available.
* The team will send reminders with the provisional results after 48h of voting to encourage full participation and announce the result as soon as the vote is over.
* There may only be one snapshot vote live at a time.
For more on governance voting see [Snapshot Votes](/details/governance/snapshot-votes)
# Snapshot Votes
### Voting Eligibility
DAO members are able to vote on the snapshot provided they are staking $BOTTO (on either Ethereum or Base) and/or BOTTO-ETH (LP UNI-V2 tokens). Those who are not actively staking in the project are ineligible to vote. This means the balance of $BOTTO in your wallet does not count.
For those staked in through the liquidity mining contract, only the calculated $BOTTO portion of your wallet counts. Voting weight scales linearly according to how many $BOTTO you have staked in the governance and/or liquidity mining contracts.
### Passing the vote
Both the Gnosis and the original treasury have been listed as administrators of the [Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/botto.eth).
A quorum value of 500,000 ($BOTTO) has been set for each snapshot, meaning the snapshot vote is not considered as long as valid quorum requirements are not met.
Votes pass on a 2/3rds supermajority, translating to 66.66% of votes.
# Proposal Template
{% hint style="info" %}
Please use this template to create a formal governance proposal. This template should also help guide informal discussions to cover important points when brainstorming solutions as a community.
Gov mods will help ensure completeness, mostly looking to be sure it incorporates all necessary information and discussion, and can reach out to core team members to provide missing info as needed.
When writing, using bullet points is helpful for readability and staying concise.
{% endhint %}
#### Title
Write a clear and unique title, add in parentheses themes it touches on.
*Ex. Distributing proceeds in ETH (Buy Back and Burn, Tokenomics, Revenue)*
#### BIP-\#
\[A moderator will add the BIP-# to keep track of proposals.]
#### Summary
Elaborate what actions the proposal requires and what goals the proposal aims to achieve. (\~3-5 sentences. It can be easiest to write this part last.)
#### Rationale
* Briefly describe background aspects of the proposal that need to be understood.
* Indicate the motives behind the proposal and goals for the protocol this supports, e.g. issues to be addressed, opportunities to be considered, areas to be improved, etc.
*Ex. OlympusDAO offers bonds in exchange for LP shares, enabling the Botto protocol to own its liquidity.*
#### Proposal Specification
Detail the specific steps that would need to be carried out and what the new scenario looks like after. This should include a timeline estimating how long each step might take.
#### Budget (If applicable)
Indicate the expected budget and resources needed to complete the implementation and how the budget shall be distributed. This estimate will be reviewed by core DAO members and/or the treasurers.
#### Criteria of success (if a larger project)
This section should indicate how the success of the proposal could be determined. A key question to ask here would be ‘what is our definition of done?’
#### Disadvantages
Summarize arguments against and disadvantages/risks of your proposal, highlighting possible ramifications and problem areas when implementing.
# Official Links
# FAQ
### **The Art Engine**
**How does Botto work?**
Botto makes use of a combination of AI algorithms including VQGAN + CLIP, GPT-3, and others (see [Art Engine](/details/bottos-art-engine)), and a number of custom augmentations to generate all of the unique images, titles, and artist descriptions. Botto learns and develops based on votes from the community (see [Voting](/overview/voting)).
**Is there any human involvement in Botto’s process?**
Other than voting, the only human involvement is in some minor edits of artist descriptions written by Botto for the final mint for typos and punctuation.
**Can Botto add capabilities?**
Yes, Botto will grow up and learn new abilities over time and as governance determines.
**Where did Botto come from?**
Botto is based on a 2018 whitepaper by generative artist Mario Klingemann (a.k.a. [Quasimondo](https://twitter.com/quasimondo)). Quasimondo is part of the founding team and designed Botto.
{% content-ref url="/pages/YgnrTjfX6N0zDKCAOFHl" %}
[Botto's Art Engine](/details/bottos-art-engine)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### Key Dates
* Voting rounds end every Tuesday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
* New rounds begin every Tuesday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
* New art fragments are added to the voting pool every Tuesday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
* Auctions are scheduled to begin every Wednesday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
* Auctions are scheduled to end every Friday, 15:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT / 7:00 PDT
### $BOTTO Tokens
**Where do I get $BOTTO?**
{% content-ref url="/pages/-Ma--oVQHJpoFEaqmXzE" %}
[Get $BOTTO Tokens](/overview/getting-botto-tokens)
{% endcontent-ref %}
**Where do I see the price of $BOTTO?**
On [Coin Market Cap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/botto/) or [Coin Gecko](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/botto).
**What is the token distribution?**
{% content-ref url="/pages/-M\_zb43hjSb\_WIiJndyT" %}
[Token Distribution](/details/token-distribution)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### Access Pass
**Where do I get an Access Pass?**
You can buy a an Access Pass on [secondary on OpenSea](https://opensea.io/collection/botto-access-passes).
**Should I get an Access Pass or $BOTTO?**
{% hint style="warning" %}
You don't need an Access Pass to start participating in Botto's process anymore. Simply[ log in to the app](https://botto.com/app/vote).
{% endhint %}
$BOTTO is the only way to get full membership into the DAO, however the Access Pass is designed for a simpler entry into the Botto ecosystem and makes a nice collectible. It provides voting points to vote on the art, and there are $BOTTO rewards for completing certain actions that enable users to earn their way into membership and help cover the costs of joining.
Access Passes will also add voting points to what is already earned from staked $BOTTO, but cannot be stacked beyond your highest earning Access Pass.
### Voting and VPs
**How do I vote/help train the AI?**
Go to the [Botto App](https://botto.com/app/vote) and:
* Easily login with your social media credentials or crypto wallet to get a baseline amount of 100 Voting Points (VP)
* Stake your $BOTTO or LP tokens, or get an Access Pass or Pipe on secondary to earn more voting points (VPs)
* Vote for your favorite pieces (“fragments”)
**What’s the right voting strategy to best train Botto?**
Go with your gut and pick your favorite of the two fragments presented to you, even if you don’t love either one.
**Does spending more VPs add more weight for training?**
No, spending more VPs only makes the fragment more likely to be picked for auction at the end of the week. As far as training goes, all votes are equal regardless of weight.
**How do I get VPs?**
Simply connect with your socials or crypto wallet to instantly get 100 VP. For more VP, [stake](/overview/depositing-botto) your [$BOTTO](https://app.uniswap.org/swap?inputCurrency=ETH\&outputCurrency=0x9DFAD1b7102D46b1b197b90095B5c4E9f5845BBA\&use=V2) or [LP tokens](https://app.uniswap.org/add/v2/ETH/0x9DFAD1b7102D46b1b197b90095B5c4E9f5845BBA), or get an [Access Pass or Pipe](#access-pass). The VP generation mechanism is explained in more detail on the page below.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlANyYPcIqK1bgCZrIb" %}
[Voting Points (VP)](/overview/voting/voting-mechanism)
{% endcontent-ref %}
**Do I get any rewards from voting?**
Yes, 40% of revenue is distributed at the end of each round according to your proportion of all VP spent that round. There are also [emissions for staking LP tokens](/details/token-distribution/liquidity-mining) that pay out in $BOTTO.
### Auctions
**When and where does the art get auctioned off?**
Each week, Botto mints one artwork and then puts it to auction on [SuperRare](https://superrare.com/bottoproject). The winning fragment is announced on Tuesday, the auction starts on Wednesday and ends on Fridays. Bids are tracked in #announcements on Discord.
**What happens with the proceeds?**
40% of revenue is distributed directly to contributors, the other 40% goes to the treasury controlled by the DAO, and finally 20% goes into adding to the Protocol-Owned-Liquidity position.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MlS\_Q5YTRGClMrRY8sV" %}
[Auction](/overview/auction)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### Support & Suggestions
**How do I report a bug, ask for support, suggest another question for the FAQ, or give feedback?**
Add your suggestion or ask a question using the [#feedback](https://discord.com/channels/829636834371960842/907591115648163870) channel on [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/rQW8yyHFnR).
# Press
If you'd like to feature Botto in the press or have a general enquiry, please get in touch via email at `info[a-t]botto.com`. You will likely get a faster response by reaching out on [Discord](https://discord.gg/rQW8yyHFnR).
Please also see the [Botto brand kit](https://www.figma.com/file/NfttsMal759M0qmAEL5MSs/Botto-Brand-Guidelines) (view-only access). You may reach out to the abovementioned email should you require assets for showcasing Botto.
Thank you!
# Acknowledgements
While Botto is still in its infancy, creating the decentralized autonomous artist has been a great collaborative effort between multiple teams and contributors. The teams from [ElevenYellow](https://elevenyellow.com) and [Carbono ](https://carbono.com)have spent the better part of the year concepting, planning, and iterating on this very first version of Botto.
The team and growing community are also eternally grateful for the art engine that was created, tweaked and then made autonomous by the generative artist [@quasimondo](https://twitter.com/quasimondo).
Needless to say, this project has certainly not been a single collective's effort. Countless contributors have helped by providing their own interpration of who Botto is and why Botto matters.
We are thankful for the continued support of all early contributors. You are visionaries of Botto.