DAM is an online trading platform for businesses and enterprising individuals within communities. Technically, it operates as a mutual credit system. Instead of using euros, account holders exchange goods and services in Dam. It originated in the city of Rotterdam. The advantages:
- Account holders actively strengthen their community. Through DAM, they reinforce social cohesion within community network. The down-to-earth culture of the harbour city of Rotterdam is known for rolling up its sleeves and getting on with it. Dam’ers co-operate and support one another in creating a better, more prosperous community.
- Free credit. A healthy system needs active traders. To encourage and facilitate trade, business accounts can go up to 500 Dam ‘in the red’ without paying any interest. Higher amounts are available upon request.
- Businesses become less dependent on commercial banks. At the time of DAM's inception, a global economic crisis was partly caused by banks investing people's money in risky ventures and charging interest on loans. Dam introduces an additional way of buying and selling, reducing dependence on commercially driven banks.
- Convert excess capacity into additional turnover. Many businesses have excess capacity in one form or another: unsold stock or unused hours that could be used to take on extra work. DAM offers a practical way to monetise this spare capacity.
- Community investment. DAM is a local or thematic currency that keeps value circulating within the community. Together with its account holders, Stichting Dam contributes to a stronger, more lively and more prosperous community.
- Transparency. DAM operates without interest. It uses open-source software. Personal data storage is kept to a minimum. All data are stored in Europe. The terms of use are fully transparent. DAM is designed to be a secure and trustworthy system.
What’s in our name?
In Dutch, the name DAM means “The Alternative Currency”. It also alludes to the role of dams and dykes in the Netherlands: strong structures built to protect inhabitants from flooding, and historically the first bridges to connect both sides of a river, bringing people together and stimulating trade.
Rotterdam was founded when a dam was built on the Rotte — the “Rotter dam” — in the 1260s, at the site of what is now Hoogstraat (“High Street”).
DAM's mission
DAM is a currency of Rotterdam origin. Stichting DAM offers communities a fair, sustainable and home-grown alternative to the euro and cryptocurrencies. With an additional wallet, account holders expand their freedom of choice and spending power. In doing so, they strengthen cohesion within their community. Together with its account holders, Stichting Dam makes money social and enjoyable.
Our vision
By the end of 2011, at the time of DAM's inception, we wrote: by 2028 the people of Rotterdam will be accustomed to using different currencies alongside one another. Dam is then known as a stable method of payment, which prides itself on its transparency and is popular due to its system of granting interest-free credit. Dam is used by businesses and individuals for buying what they need: everything from the daily groceries and a beer in the pub to printed materials and the services of a book-keeper.
In 2025 we further refined this into: Stichting DAM aims to be a sustainable non-profit organisation that supports enterprising communities with a fair monetary system. DAM helps communities address social and societal challenges. It does so by providing a stable means of payment and by facilitating mutual, interest-free credit.
Stichting DAM enters into partnerships with local economies, thematic economies and impact projects. In this way, the foundation supports communities in self-organisation and in realising their societal objectives. DAM avoids perverse incentives such as rapid capital gains through speculation. DAM deliberately chooses to have the strongest shoulders bear the financial weight of the system. DAM develops independently of governments. Donations and occasional subsidies are welcome, but the foundation does not wish to depend on public funding for its continued existence. DAM operates on 100% open-source technology. This enhances privacy and creates an extremely low carbon footprint. As a result, DAM ranks among the most sustainable monetary systems in the world.