What Is WYDE?
WYDE is the Wyoming Decentralized Exchange, an “Impact Exchange” built on the Base blockchain. The core idea is simple: market activity itself generates charitable funding, with no separate donation required.
WYDE is a decentralized exchange where trading activity automatically funds verified nonprofit organizations.
How it works
Section titled “How it works”- You trade a Cause Coin (the first is $EAT) on WYDE, just like any swap on a decentralized exchange.
- A trading fee is collected on the swap.
- The smart contract automatically routes a portion of that fee, on chain, to a cause-specific treasury.
- Verified nonprofit partners receive funding. Every transaction stays transparent and auditable on Base.
The key distinction from traditional fundraising: WYDE is not asking people to give money away. It channels existing market activity toward social outcomes.
Cause Coins
Section titled “Cause Coins”WYDE hosts cause-specific tokens called Cause Coins. Each Cause Coin is tied to a mission and a verified nonprofit treasury. The first Cause Coin is $EAT, focused on hunger and food insecurity, chosen because the problem has clear metrics and immediate relevance.
The legal structure: two entities
Section titled “The legal structure: two entities”WYDE is two separate legal entities, structured like AARP: the Wyoming Decentralized Exchange Association (a 501(c)(4) Wyoming DUNA that runs the exchange and token economy) and the WYDE Foundation (a separate 501(c)(3) charity that takes tax-deductible gifts). The DUNA framework, a 2024 Wyoming law, gives the Association legal clarity and limited liability and lets token holders vote on funding. See Association & Foundation and Governance & DUNA.
The founders
Section titled “The founders”WYDE was co-founded by Martin Simms and Aaron Rafferty.
The big goal
Section titled “The big goal”The long-horizon mission is to fund 1 billion meals through hunger relief. That is the destination, not the year-one target. Read how the meals add up in Ending Hunger.