CHARLI3 - Open Source Multi-DEX SDK: A Pythonic Gateway to Decentralized Exchanges on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Robert Hever

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[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] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will develop an open-source Python SDK to facilitate seamless interaction with multiple Cardano DEXs, enabling easy integration for Python developers

[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.”

No Dependencies. We work with Mlabs and Metalamp as well as other development teams, but this will be an in-house project with minimal or no involvement from our contracting teams.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Project will be fully open source. Everything will be open source.

Apache open source license: https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

MAIN GOALS:

The primary aim of our project is to build a Python-based Multi-DEX SDK for the Cardano ecosystem, offering a unified interface for various Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs). Our approach is entirely feasible, backed by existing successful Multi-DEX SDK for other language. Our team has significant programming and blockchain expertise necessary to ensure the project's successful completion.

SOLUTION:

Our proposed solution aims to develop an open-source Multi-DEX SDK in Python for the Cardano ecosystem, which is informed by our understanding of the challenges developers face with the Haskell-based Plutus. We recognize that Python's broader and rapidly growing userbase presents an excellent opportunity to accelerate the Cardano ecosystem's development and growth.

Python's popularity in the developer community, ranking as the second-most used language on GitHub, underscores the need for better integration tools within the Cardano space. The development of a Python-native Multi-DEX SDK can leverage this popularity, making it easier for a large number of developers to create Cardano-based DeFi applications.

Our approach aims to streamline the development process by creating a Python-native tool that integrates seamlessly with existing Python Cardano tooling. This minimizes the friction of switching languages and allows developers to focus more on creating impactful solutions and less on overcoming language barriers.

Furthermore, the proposed Python-based SDK will be light and fast, allowing for efficient execution of DEX interactions. Like OpShin, the Multi-DEX SDK will utilize the inherent efficiency of Python, resulting in DApps that run faster and cost less for users.

In essence, our proposed solution will empower a broader community of developers to contribute to Cardano's growth, ultimately leading to more robust and varied DeFi applications within the ecosystem.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

Context

With Charli3 leading the Multi-DEX SDK project, we assure high levels of trust and accountability based on our experience and expertise. Our team has a strong track record of delivering quality outcomes in the Cardano ecosystem, notably through our work at Charli3 Oracle where we have played significant roles in backend development and cost reduction.

Furthermore, we have established connections with high-skilled developers who will contribute to the Multi-DEX SDK. This amalgamation of talents boosts our capability to deliver this project while maintaining transparency and professionalism.

The success of Charli3 in producing data feeds, demonstrated by our free community-based ADA/USD feed, serves as a testament to our technical proficiency and commitment to the Cardano ecosystem. Our operations are grounded on key pillars like accuracy, reliability, robustness, and security, guaranteeing the high-quality output for the Multi-DEX SDK.

We plan to bring the same level of dedication and expertise to the development of the Multi-DEX SDK, assuring the Cardano community that we can be trusted with this responsibility. With the Multi-DEX SDK, we aim to bridge the gap between the Python developer community and the Cardano DEX ecosystem, fostering greater innovation and growth within the Cardano blockchain.

Open source benefit

All code from our project will be open-source, hosted on the Charli3 GitHub repository. Detailed documentation of the project will be written and shared via blog posts. We will also disseminate updates and results through our social media channels to reach a wider audience.

Positive Impact

Our proposed Python-native Multi-DEX SDK simplifies the development process on Cardano by offering developers a unified interface to interact with multiple decentralized exchanges. This drives efficiency and has the potential to attract a portion of Python's vast developer community to Cardano, thereby growing the ecosystem and accelerating the rate of innovation.

The SDK will prove instrumental in facilitating more sophisticated DeFi applications and smart contracts. With the potential to develop DEX arbitration bots and DEX aggregators, it offers greater stability across Cardano DEXs. Furthermore, by easing the integration process of smart contracts with DEXs, it could expedite the development and deployment of complex smart contracts, thereby enhancing the functionality and attractiveness of the Cardano blockchain.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Charli3 is the first decentralized oracle built natively on Cardano. We begun development in 2021. We are the first team to pass a level two CertiK audit. Our mainnet solution has been live since 2022 and our ADA/USD price feed has enjoyed an uptime of 99.99999% since that time.

We work with several industry leading contracting teams and have an in-house development team as well.

As we work on the project, we will pay outside contracting teams to provide input onto the feasibility of our approach/design. This is calculated into our funding ask and could be consider "mini audits".

This solution is one our team has been researching for quite some time as we leverage python in our back-end code. With our successful track record, industry leading partnerships, we have no doubt we will be able to complete this open source SDK for the entire ecosystem to enjoy.

The success of our project will be measured through a blend of quantitative and qualitative metrics.

1. Developer Engagement: We will measure the number of developers actively using our SDK. An increase in the number of developers adopting our toolset will be a clear indication of the utility and accessibility of our product.
2. Community Feedback: We will actively engage with the developer community and seek their feedback.

[Project Milestones] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Plan development roadmap and prepare team for project delivery

• Deliverables: Allocate team to project, complement with contractors if required
• Outputs: Epics, tickets, and team are ready to deliver project
• Intended outcomes: begin work on milestone two of developing a fully functional open source Python Multi-DEX SDK.

Milestone 2: SDK Development and Integration

• Deliverables: Python-based Multi-DEX SDK, Integration with SundaeSwap and other major DEXs.
• Outputs: Open source code pushed to the public repository including passing test cases.
• Intended outcomes: A fully functional open source Python Multi-DEX SDK.

Breakdown of steps:

SDK Development and Integration

1. Define SDK Architecture
2. Implement SDK Interfaces and Models
3. Prototype Integration with SundaeSwap
4. Integration with Other Major DEXs on the Cardano Network
5. Code Refinement and Testing

Milestone 3: Documentation

• Deliverables: Examples and tutorials, comprehensive SDK documentation
• Outputs: Demonstrative examples, well-documented SDK
• Intended outcomes: Increased adoption by Python developers.

Breakdown of steps

Milestone 3: Documentation and Adoption

1. Create Examples and Tutorials
2. Documentation Preparation
3. Community Engagement

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

The core Charli3 team is headed by Robert Hever and Damon Zwarich, who are co-founders of Charli3 and have built it up over the past 2 years into a fully functioning oracle operation. Heading up the development team is Deep Bhatt, our senior dev, who has been with us since the start, mainly developing the node operation software and setting up the feeds. Also our junior haskell/plutus dev for all on-chain functionality, Jose Seraquive.

Mlabs and Metalamp are two dev shops that already work with us and will assist in all operations towards this proposal. Both have a strong standing reputation in Cardano.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

The proposed budget for the project is $24000, calculated at a rate of $75/hour for a full-time senior Python developer over a 8-week period.

Based on the estimated price of $0.3 per ADA, the budget translates to approximately 80,000 ADA.

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

The Python-based Multi-DEX SDK for Cardano opens up various potential use cases and opportunities within the ecosystem. Some of the possible use cases include:

1. Application Development: The SDK enables Python developers to build decentralized applications (DApps) with integrated DEX functionalities on the Cardano blockchain. This allows for the creation of innovative financial and trading applications.
2. DEX Arbitration Bots: The SDK can facilitate the development of DEX arbitration bots, which automatically analyze and compare prices across multiple DEXs on the Cardano network. This can contribute to price stability and improve trading efficiency.
3. DEX Aggregators: The SDK can be utilized to create DEX aggregators that consolidate liquidity and trading pairs from different DEXs into a single user-friendly interface. This enhances accessibility and convenience for traders and investors.
4. Market Analysis and Research: Python developers can leverage the SDK to access and analyze data from various DEXs on the Cardano network. This can enable market insights, statistical analysis, and research for traders, investors, and analysts.
5. DeFi Ecosystem Expansion: By simplifying the integration of DEX functionalities into Python applications, the SDK promotes the growth and adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) within the Cardano ecosystem. This can contribute to the development of new financial instruments, lending protocols, yield farming strategies, and more.

Overall, the Python-based Multi-DEX SDK offers a wide range of possibilities for Python developers to create innovative applications, automate trading strategies, enhance market analysis, and contribute to the expansion of the Cardano DeFi ecosystem.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund 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