Compound initially began as a tokenless protocol. Upgrades and changes were made unilaterally by the Compound Labs team. The protocol was still non-custodial but there was a centralized entity that retained administrative privileges. In order to remove themselves from this position, the team introduced COMP, a token used to govern the protocol. After several stages, Compound is now fully controlled by COMP holders with no remaining privileges held by Compound Labs. COMP is part of the Chicago defi alliance + TDAmeritrade= growth in assets locked in the long run.