Cardano Staking API Development Proposal – Precise Insights and Analysis

[GENERAL] Name and Surname of Main Applicant

Mariia Borodaieva

[GENERAL] Email address of Main Applicant

m.borodaieva@everstake.one

Additional Applicants

-

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

3

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” in this field.

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project outputs be fully Open Source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.” in this field.

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

Dev Tools, API or Library

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution, the Cardano Staking API, aims to address the challenges faced by the Cardano community in obtaining precise insights and conducting efficient reward analysis. We perceive the problem as a lack of comprehensive real-time and historical data availability, which hinders stakeholders, particularly the community, from making informed decisions and optimizing their staking strategies.

We approach this problem by developing the Cardano Staking API, which directly collects and analyzes data from the Cardano blockchain. By doing so, we ensure that users have access to accurate and up-to-date information on staking behavior and rewards. Our solution focuses on empowering the community by providing them with valuable insights and enabling their active participation in the network.

The project will engage various stakeholders within the Cardano ecosystem. This includes Stake Pool Operators (SPOs), delegators, and community members who are interested in staking and participating in the Cardano network. SPOs will benefit from the API's comprehensive staking data insights, allowing them to monitor their own activities and analyze their performance. Delegators will have access to precise staking and reward analysis, helping them make informed decisions about which SPOs to delegate their stake to. The entire Cardano community will benefit from the transparency and data-driven decision-making facilitated by the API.

To demonstrate the impact of the Cardano Staking API, we will conduct several activities. Firstly, we will provide comprehensive documentation and guides on how to use the API effectively. This will help users understand its features and make the most out of the available data. Additionally, we will actively engage with the community, seeking feedback and suggestions to continuously improve the API's functionalities.

Furthermore, we will track and monitor the adoption and usage of the API, collecting data on the number of users, the volume of data processed, and the positive outcomes achieved by stakeholders. This data will serve as evidence of the impact and effectiveness of our solution. We will also leverage user testimonials and case studies to showcase how the Cardano Staking API has empowered users, improved their decision-making processes, and contributed to the growth and engagement of the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

The proposed solution, the Cardano Staking API, effectively addresses the challenges faced by the Cardano ecosystem, particularly regarding obtaining precise insights and conducting efficient reward analysis. Here's how our solution tackles the problem and the benefits it brings to the Cardano ecosystem:

a) Real-time Data: The Cardano Staking API retrieves data directly from the Cardano blockchain without delays, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for analysis and decision-making.

b) Method Variety: The API provides a wide range of implemented methods to cater to various needs, allowing users to access specific data points and perform advanced data manipulations.

c) Flexibility and Scalability: The API offers flexibility and scalability, empowering users to customize and expand its functionalities according to their specific requirements.

d) Reliable Staking Provider: The Cardano Staking API is developed by Everstake, a trusted and reputable staking provider with a proven track record of successful projects. Users can rely on the API's stability, security, and continuous support.

e) Retrospective Data Analysis: The Cardano Staking API allows users to view data retrospectively or in any specific time frame, providing the ability to analyze historical staking behavior and rewards.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

Key metrics to measure:

a) Adoption Rate: The number of stakeholders, such as staking providers, developers, and community members, actively utilizing the Cardano Staking API to access customer insights and perform staking behavior analysis. A higher adoption rate indicates that the tool is meeting the needs of the community and gaining traction.

b) Usage Volume: The frequency and volume of API requests made through the Cardano Staking API, indicating the level of engagement and utilization by stakeholders. Increasing usage volume signifies that the API is serving as a valuable resource for accessing staking data and conducting analysis.

c) Customer Satisfaction: Feedback and ratings provided by users of the Cardano Staking API, reflecting their level of satisfaction with the tool's functionality, ease of use, and reliability. Positive feedback and high satisfaction scores indicate that the API is meeting expectations and delivering a positive user experience.

d) Accuracy of Insights: The precision and accuracy of customer insights and staking behavior analysis provided by the API. Ensuring that the tool delivers reliable and precise information is crucial for stakeholders to make informed decisions and gain valuable insights.

e) Impact on Decision-Making: The extent to which stakeholders utilize the insights derived from the Cardano Staking API to make data-driven decisions, optimize staking strategies, and enhance overall performance. The successful integration of the API into decision-making processes indicates its effectiveness in driving positive outcomes.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

To share the outputs and results of the Cardano Staking API project, we have the following plans:

1. Public Documentation: Create detailed and user-friendly documentation for the API, including guides and reference materials.
2. Open-source Repository: Host the API's source code on an open-source platform for public access and contribution.
3. Blog Posts and Newsletters: Publish regular updates, milestones, and user success stories through blog posts and newsletters.
4. Social Media and Community Engagement: Utilize social media platforms and community channels to share updates, interact with users, and encourage discussions.
5. Data Analytics and Impact Reports: Analyze usage data and compile periodic reports to highlight key metrics and the API's impact.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Everstake, a reputable staking provider, is well-suited to deliver the Cardano Staking API project with trust and accountability due to the following factors:

• Experience and Expertise: Everstake has extensive experience in staking services and blockchain development, ensuring their capability to deliver the project effectively.
• Reputation and Trust: Everstake has a strong reputation in the industry, known for providing reliable staking services and maintaining trust with partners and clients.
• Secure Practices: Everstake follows rigorous security protocols and best practices to ensure proper fund management, including secure custody of assets and encryption mechanisms.
• Transparency and Governance: Everstake emphasizes transparency in operations, providing regular reporting and clear communication channels to ensure accountability.
• Community Engagement: Everstake actively engages with the Cardano community, providing support and addressing concerns, fostering trust and accountability.
• Compliance and Regulatory Adherence: Everstake adheres to applicable regulations and industry standards, ensuring proper fund management and legal compliance.
• Proven Track Record: Everstake's past successful projects and partnerships in staking demonstrate their capability to manage funds properly and deliver high-quality solutions.

In our portfolio, we have a lot of successfully released projects, for example:

1. Oasis Monitor: a robust and full blockchain explorer and API for the Oasis network. It provides the most extensive information on transactions, validators, and overall network stats.
2. EXTRNODE: an RPC gateway. Fault-tolerant and disaster-resistant access to RPC nodes is vital for the ecosystem. We are developing our own battle-tested decentralized RPC gateway called Extrnode so that any dApp developer can connect to dApp to a decentralized cluster of RPC nodes and automatically reroute responses if any node is down.
3. Wormhole Bridge: Wormhole ensures profound cross-chain functionality for numerous blockchains, including Ethereum and Solana. Everstake has been working with and actively involved in the development of Wormhole since 2020.
4. Metaplex: decentralized protocol paired with an open-source web framework that lets artists, brands, and creators launch self-hosted NFT storefronts as easily as building a website – all without writing any code.

In Cardano Everstake (Group EVE) is represented by 11 stake pools, and over 160 000 users stake ADA to our pools. 

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goals of the Cardano Staking API project are to provide precise insights and efficient reward analysis to the Cardano community. We will validate the feasibility of our approach through technical analysis, prototyping, testing, data source verification, user acceptance testing, and iterative development based on user feedback. 

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Planning (Week 1)

• Define project objectives, scope, and requirements
• Formulate the development team and allocate resources
• Conduct initial technical analysis and feasibility assessment

Milestone 2: API Design and Prototyping (Week 2-3)

• Design the architecture and data models of the API
• Develop prototypes or MVPs to validate functionality
• Perform initial testing and gather user feedback

Milestone 3: Data Collection and Analysis (Week 4-5)

• Implement data retrieval mechanisms from the Cardano blockchain
• Establish processes to collect and analyze staking data
• Conduct data integrity checks and verification

Milestone 4: API Development and Integration (Week 6-7)

• Develop the API backend and frontend components
• Integrate data analysis algorithms and features
• Ensure compatibility and interoperability with Cardano infrastructure

Milestone 5: User Testing and Refinement (Week 8-9)

• Engage with a group of users for user acceptance testing
• Gather feedback on usability and functionality
• Identify and address any issues or required improvements

Milestone 6: Documentation and Release (Week 10)

• Prepare comprehensive documentation and guides
• Finalize API documentation, including usage examples
• Conduct internal testing and quality assurance checks
• Prepare for the public release of the Cardano Staking API

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Planning

• Deliverables: Project objectives, scope, and requirements documentation, resource allocation plan, technical analysis report.
• Outputs: Clear understanding of project goals, defined scope, and technical feasibility assessment.
• Intended Outcomes: Alignment among team members, clarity on project direction, and a solid foundation for subsequent project activities.

Milestone 2: API Design and Prototyping

• Deliverables: API architecture and data model designs, prototypes or MVPs, user feedback report.
• Outputs: Well-designed API structure, validated prototypes with initial functionality, initial user feedback.
• Intended Outcomes: Confirmation of API design approach, identification of necessary adjustments, and a solid basis for further development.

Milestone 3: Data Collection and Analysis

• Deliverables: Data retrieval mechanisms, data collection and analysis processes, data integrity report.
• Outputs: Functional data retrieval systems, established data analysis processes, validated data integrity.
• Intended Outcomes: Successful collection and analysis of staking data, ensuring reliable and accurate information for subsequent stages.

Milestone 4: API Development and Integration

• Deliverables: API backend and frontend components, integrated data analysis algorithms, compatibility and interoperability report.
• Outputs: Fully developed and functional API, integrated data analysis capabilities, compatibility with Cardano infrastructure.
• Intended Outcomes: A robust and reliable API ready for testing and deployment, seamless integration with the Cardano ecosystem.

Milestone 5: User Testing and Refinement

• Deliverables: User acceptance testing report, identified issues or improvement areas.
• Outputs: Feedback from user testing, a list of identified issues or areas for refinement.
• Intended Outcomes: Validation of the API's usability and functionality, necessary adjustments made to improve the user experience.

Milestone 6: Documentation and Release

• Deliverables: Comprehensive documentation, finalized API documentation, release-ready API version.
• Outputs: Well-documented API usage guides, finalized API documentation, a stable version of the Cardano Staking API.
• Intended Outcomes: Accessibility of information, smooth adoption of the API, and the public release of the Cardano Staking API.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Project Manager - 160 hours:

• Total allocation: 20,000 ₳ (20% of the budget)
• Monthly rate: 10,000 ₳

Data Engineer - 160 hours:

• Total allocation: 25,000 ₳ (25% of the budget)
• Monthly rate: 12,500 ₳

Backend Developer - 480 hours:

• Total allocation: 30,000 ₳ (30% of the budget)
• Monthly rate: 15,000 ₳

DevOps - 205 hours:

• Total allocation: 10,000 ₳ (10% of the budget)
• Monthly rate: 5,000 ₳

QA Engineer - 60 hours:

• Total allocation: 15,000 ₳ (15% of the budget)
• Monthly rate: 7,500 ₳

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the Cardano Staking API represents value for money by providing efficient data access, increasing stakeholder engagement, saving time and resources, offering reliability, and contributing to the long-term growth of the Cardano ecosystem.

The rates for each participant in the project correspond to market standards and reflect the time and expertise required for their respective roles. By aligning bids with market expectations and taking into account the time and experience of each participant, the project ensures that it attracts and can retain qualified professionals to effectively achieve the desired results.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept