Education is at a turning point in its history. Faced with the limitations of traditional systems, new approaches are emerging, driven by technology and a more inclusive vision of knowledge. At the heart of this revolution is EducDAO, a decentralized university that aims to make education accessible to everyone, everywhere in the world, through the power of blockchain and artificial intelligence [1]. For social impact investors, who seek to combine financial returns with positive societal contributions, EducDAO represents a unique opportunity. This article explores how investors can sustainably support this initiative using two innovative financial instruments from the Web3 ecosystem: the EASY token and the Hive Backed Dollar (HBD).
Impact investing aims to generate measurable social and environmental outcomes while ensuring a financial return [2]. In the context of philanthropy, blockchain technologies are opening new horizons, particularly in terms of transparency, efficiency, and governance [3]. Here, we will present a sustainable investment model that not only allows for the preservation of capital but also generates a stream of passive income that can be partially or fully donated to fund educational projects within EducDAO.
EducDAO is not just an online course platform. It is a complete learning ecosystem based on the principles of decentralization, equity, and collaboration. Its mission is to break down the financial and geographical barriers that hinder access to education.
The fundamental pillars of EducDAO are as follows:
Access for All: By bypassing traditional gatekeepers, EducDAO offers a truly global and inclusive learning environment.
Basic Income During Studies: Inspired by decentralized economic models like FreeOS, EducDAO allows students to receive a basic income, enabling them to fully focus on their studies [1].
Freedom to Learn: Students are free to build their own educational path, choosing from a multitude of subjects and skills.
Collaborative Learning: Learning takes place in small groups, fostering communication, problem-solving, and the appreciation of different viewpoints.
Rewards and Opportunities: Active participation and learning efforts are rewarded with HIVE tokens, introducing students to decentralized finance and the Web3 ecosystem [1].
The entire ecosystem is built on the Hive blockchain, a fast, scalable, and, most importantly, feeless platform, which is essential for ensuring the accessibility of education.
To support EducDAO, investors can rely on two digital assets with distinct but complementary characteristics: the EASY token and the HBD stablecoin. The choice between these two options will depend on the investor's risk profile, return objectives, and familiarity with decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems.
The following table summarizes the main characteristics of these two instruments:
Characteristic | EASY Token | Hive Backed Dollar (HBD) |
|---|---|---|
Type | Reflexive Token (XPR Network) | Stablecoin (Hive Blockchain) |
Potential Yield | Up to 60% APY (reported) [4] | ~15% APR (variable) [5] |
Yield Mechanism | Transfer Fee (2%), Liquidity Pools, Yield Farming | Hive Savings Account |
Volatility | More volatile | Stable (pegged to the US dollar) |
Complexity | Moderate (requires a WebAuth wallet and use of the Alcor DEX) | Simple (managed via Hive ecosystem wallets) |
The HBD is the native stablecoin of the Hive blockchain, designed to maintain a peg to the US dollar (1 HBD ≈ 1 USD) through decentralized conversion mechanisms [5]. Its main appeal for impact investing lies in its savings account, which currently offers an annual percentage rate (APR) of about 15%. This rate, voted on by the Hive network witnesses, provides a stable and predictable source of passive income.
The EASY token, which operates on the XPR Network, is a "reflexive token" with sophisticated tokenomics. Its reward system is based on three pillars [4]:
Reflection Rewards: A 2% fee on most transactions is collected and redistributed to token holders.
DeFi Yields: Investors can earn transaction fees by providing liquidity on platforms like Alcor Exchange.
Over-Backing Mechanism: The fees generated from the official liquidity pools are reinvested to strengthen the token's price floor.
This model has enabled some early investors to achieve annual percentage yields (APY) of over 60% [4]. However, it is important to note that the EASY token is a more volatile asset than HBD.
The model we propose allows impact investors to support EducDAO continuously, without ever dipping into their initial capital. This sustainable philanthropic approach can be summarized in four simple steps:
Invest the Capital: The investor places a sum of their choice in HBD or EASY.
Generate Passive Income: The capital generates interest through the yield mechanisms of each asset (HBD savings account or EASY rewards).
Preserve the Capital: The investor's initial capital remains intact and continues to generate income.
Donate the Interest: The investor chooses to donate part or all of the interest earned to fund EducDAO's activities.
This model transforms a one-time donation into a perpetual source of funding. For example, an investment of $10,000 could generate:
With HBD (at 15% APR): $1,500 in interest per year. The investor could decide to donate $1,000 to EducDAO while keeping $500, thus achieving a significant social impact while earning a 5% return on their capital.
With EASY (assuming a 40% APY): $4,000 in rewards per year. A donation of $2,000 to EducDAO would still leave the investor with a 20% return.
Here are the concrete steps to implement this investment model.
Create a Hive Account: The first step is to create an account on the Hive blockchain. Platforms like Ecency or Peakd make this process very simple.
Acquire HBD: You can buy HBD on the Hive blockchain's internal markets (Hivedex, Ecency) or on centralized exchanges that list it.
Place in Savings: In your Hive wallet, transfer your HBD to the savings account. The interest will start to accumulate automatically.
Donate the Interest: Periodically, you can withdraw the generated interest and send it directly to EducDAO's official Hive account.
Create a WebAuth Wallet: Since the EASY token is on the XPR Network, you will need a compatible wallet. WebAuth is the official and easiest wallet to use.
Acquire EASY: The easiest way is to buy XPR (the network's native token) on an exchange, send it to your WebAuth wallet, and then swap it for EASY on a decentralized exchange like Alcor.
Hold and Earn: By simply holding your EASY tokens in your WebAuth wallet, you will automatically receive your share of the reflection rewards.
Donate the Rewards: In the same way as with HBD, you can periodically send a portion of the earned EASY tokens to EducDAO's XPR Network wallet.
Supporting EducDAO through the Hive Backed Dollar or the EASY token offers a tangible path for investors eager to participate in the redefinition of education. This impact investing model, which involves preserving capital while sharing the returns, embodies a new form of philanthropy: sustainable, transparent, and decentralized. By choosing to place their funds in instruments like HBD or EASY, investors are not just making a financial investment; they are becoming key players in an educational revolution that promises to unlock the potential of millions of people around the world.
[1] EducDAO. (n.d.). EducDAO - The Decentralized University. Retrieved from https://educdao.live [2] RSF Social Finance. (2025, March 5). What Is Impact Investing?. Retrieved from https://rsfsocialfinance.org/news/what-is-impact-investing/ [3] The Giving Block. (n.d.). 9 Nonprofits Harnessing Blockchain For Social Impact. Retrieved from https://thegivingblock.com/resources/nonprofits-using-blockchain-social-impact/ [4] Chrisaiki. (2025, November). Understanding the EASY Reflexive Token on the XPR Network. Retrieved from
@chrisaiki/understanding-the-easy-reflexive-token
[5] Hive.io. (n.d.). Hive Backed Dollar. Retrieved from https://hive.io/hbd/
