The BitShares Blockchain is a decentralized "Blockchain Organization" (BAO); an industrial-grade decentralized platform built for high-performance financial instruments and smart contracts. It represents the first decentralized autonomous community, enabling its core token holders to determine its future direction and financial products.

The BitShares blockchain is similar to a public company or open joint stock company. However, unlike traditional entities, the BitShares Blockchain does not need to be registered in any jurisdiction as the trust between its users is mediated by (AI) technology on the Internet.