In decentralized finance, technology alone isn't enough – it's the people behind it that drive real change. The Cork Protocol community understands this better than most. We're not just users or developers; we're a collective of pioneers united by a shared vision: to redefine how risk is managed in DeFi – and to do it together. This manifesto lays out our vision and invites you to be an active part of it.

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Our Vision for DeFi's Future

Imagine a future where DeFi is both open and secure – a world where anyone can participate in finance without fearing unpredictable risks. This is the future the Cork community is working toward. We believe that for DeFi to reach its full potential, robust risk management must be woven into its foundation. By building tools that allow the community to hedge and trade risks openly, we aim to foster a more stable and transparent financial ecosystem. In Cork’s vision, DeFi isn’t a wild frontier – it’s a resilient landscape of stability, transparency, and opportunity, all made possible by the community that stands behind it.

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A Home for DeFi Explorers

Cork is a home for the curious and bold. It’s a space for DeFi enthusiasts who thrive on innovation, experimentation, and staying ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a seasoned DeFi degen pushing the limits or a newcomer taking your first steps into decentralized finance, you’ll find a welcoming community here. We embrace curiosity and celebrate experimentation, knowing that today’s bold idea could spark tomorrow’s breakthrough. In Cork’s community, everyone has a place to learn, contribute, and belong from day one.

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Our Guiding Principles

Cork fosters a community culture defined by a few core principles. These principles guide our decisions, shape our programs, and reflect how we aim to grow together:

• Collaborative Environment: Cork is shaped by its community. What matters most is the quality of ideas, not who says them. We encourage open discussions where anyone can contribute insights, ask thoughtful questions, and propose solutions. We win together, we learn together and we keep improving as a group.
• Feedback Culture: Mistakes happen, especially when you're doing something new. We embrace a constructive feedback culture: speak early, openly, and with respect. If you see something that can be better, speak up. We aim for a balance between recognizing what works and pointing out what can be improved.
• Curiosity and Openness: Stay curious, stay open. The best ideas often come from unexpected places. We welcome experimentation, exploration, and differing perspectives. Whether you're new or experienced, every question, idea, or observation matters.
• Transparency and Trust: We believe in building in the open. As much as possible, decisions, updates, and plans are shared publicly. Transparency builds trust: and trust builds strong communities.
• Focus and Professionalism: Cork’s community space is informal but intentional. We keep things fun, but focused. This means bringing your best energy to meaningful conversations around risk management, market design, DeFi innovation, and more. Let’s keep the vibe smart, grounded, and on-mission.
• Self-Sovereignty & Integrity: Cork is rooted in cypherpunk values: open access, trustlessness, and self-sovereignty. Our community should reflect the same. Act with integrity, respect others, and be mindful that we’re all here to make DeFi better for everyone.

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Join Us and Shape What’s Next

The Cork community is open to anyone excited about pushing the boundaries of onchain finance. There’s always an experiment to run, a discussion to spark, or an idea to bring to life – and your perspective matters. In the coming weeks, we have exciting milestones ahead. If you’re passionate about innovating, you’re already one of us.

To grow alongside this momentum, we’re now rolling out our Community Roles Interest Form – a way to connect with contributors who want to get more involved in shaping Cork’s journey. Whether you see yourself as a moderator, tester, or ambassador, there’s a place for you in the community.

You could help by:

• Supporting users and answering questions on Discord
• Testing new features and sharing feedback
• Spreading the word about Cork across social media

The most engaged and high-quality contributors may later have the opportunity to work more closely with the Cork team.

Ready to jump in? Fill out the interest form here: https://tally.so/r/3Nbj8O

Join our Discord, dive into the discussions, connect with fellow Cork enthusiasts, and help turn this manifesto into reality. The journey is just beginning, and we’re thrilled to have you along for the ride.

Join Our Discord