CAF: Open-source Agent toolkit tailored for Cardano

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

CAF: Open-source Agent toolkit tailored for Cardano

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

70000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

7

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

AI developers struggle to interact with Cardano due to its complex EUTXO model and lack of standardized tools, hindering innovation and adoption.

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Apache-2.0 license

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

AI

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Mention your open source license and describe your open source license rationale.

Apache License 2.0

The Apache 2.0 license is permissive, allowing free use, modification, and distribution for any purpose—commercial or non-commercial—while providing clear legal protections for contributors. It explicitly grants patent rights, which is critical for fostering trust and adoption in a technology-driven ecosystem like Cardano. This license encourages broad collaboration, enables integration into both open and closed-source project, and aligns with Catalyst’s requirements for developer tooling, ensuring maximum accessibility and long-term sustainability of the Cardano Agent Kit.

How do you make sure your source code is accessible to the public from project start, and people are informed?

The source code will be publicly hosted on GitHub from day one of the project. A dedicated repository will be created immediately upon grant approval, with all code, documentation, and development updates pushed in real time. We will announce the project launch and repository link through key Cardano community channels—including the official Cardano Forum, Telegram groups, and X (Twitter)—to ensure immediate visibility. Regular updates, milestones, and tutorials will be shared to keep the community informed and engaged from the outset.

How will you provide high quality documentation?

We will provide high-quality documentation by creating comprehensive, clear, and beginner-friendly guides hosted on a dedicated website. This includes step-by-step setup instructions, API references, code examples, and real-world use cases. We will also produce video tutorials and maintain an actively updated GitHub README. All documentation will be written in plain language, version-controlled, and open to community contributions via pull requests to ensure accuracy and continuous improvement.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Diagram:

https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/openedu.net-production/images/ovFyIm26Na9ag9Oj_diagram-export-8-17-2025-11_25_28-PM.png

The Cardano Agent Kit is a next-generation, open-source framework designed to bridge the gap between artificial intelligence and the Cardano blockchain. It enables developers and end users to build AI-powered agents that can autonomously interact with Cardano’s ecosystem—including wallets, smart contracts, DeFi protocols, NFTs, and DAOs—using natural language commands. Unlike existing tools that are tightly coupled to a single LLM or limited to basic queries, this framework is modular, extensible, and LLM-agnostic, built on open standards like the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and CIP-0057 (Aiken Blueprints) to ensure long-term sustainability and interoperability.

Architecture & How the Toolkit is Built

The system is structured into four clear, decoupled layers, enabling flexibility, security, and scalability:

1. Interfaces (User Entry Points)

This is the user-facing layer, where interactions begin. It includes:

• Web Application: A clean UI for non-technical users to chat with their AI agent.
• Telegram/Discord Bots: Real-time interaction via messaging platforms.
• CLI & API: For developers to integrate agents into scripts or dApps.
• External AI Agents: Compatibility with LangChain, AutoGPT, or other frameworks.

These interfaces do not contain business logic—they forward requests to the core agent engine.

1. AI Framework Core (The "Brain")

This is the heart of the system, responsible for orchestrating AI reasoning and secure execution.

• Model Orchestrator:

Supports multiple LLMs (GPT-4, Claude, LLaMA via Ollama). The system dynamically selects the best model based on task type (e.g., GPT for natural language, a fine-tuned LLaMA for Plutus logic).

• MCP Server/Client:

Implements the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard for connecting LLMs to external tools. When the AI decides an action is needed (e.g., "get UTXOs"), it calls an MCP tool, which the server routes to the correct plugin.

• Plugin Manager:

Dynamically loads and manages plugins (e.g., blockfrost-tools, aiken-contract-runner). Developers can add new tools without modifying the core.

• Security & Logging Module:

Ensures safety by:

1. Sanitizing inputs to prevent prompt injection.

2. Managing API keys (Blockfrost, CoinMarketCap) securely.

3. Requiring user confirmation for high-risk actions (e.g., fund transfers).

4. Supporting offline signing via CIP-30 wallets (e.g., Nami, Eternl) for maximum security.

5. API Endpoints (Actionable Tools)

Each endpoint is a MCP-compliant plugin that performs a specific function:

• Blockfrost/Ogmios Integration:

Tools like getUtxosByAddress, getTransactionHistory, submitTransaction.

• Aiken Smart Contract Tools:

Powered by CIP-0057 plutus.json schemas. A developer compiles an Aiken contract, runs aiken blueprint mcp-export, and the framework automatically generates an MCP tool (e.g., callValidator). The agent can then invoke contract functions like mintNFT or claimReward without knowing Plutus.

• Market & Oracle Data:

Plugins for getAssetPrice (CoinMarketCap), getPoolLiquidity (Minswap), or fetchCatalystProposal.

• Custom Business APIs:

Enterprises can plug in internal databases or research tools (e.g., "Check if this project passed our internal audit").

1. Data Sources (Underlying Infrastructure)

The final layer connects to real-world data:

• On-chain: Cardano Mainnet, Testnet, or private chains via Blockfrost, Ogmios, or cardano-node-api.
• Off-chain: Price feeds, Catalyst voting data, web scraping (via Firecrawl), or private datasets.

Workflow Example: Voting on a Catalyst Proposal

1. User says: "Vote yes on the top-ranked Catalyst proposal in Fund 10."
2. AI Framework uses getCatalystProposals (via Catalyst API plugin) to fetch active proposals.
3. It analyzes metadata and ranking, then calls getVotingPower to check the user’s stake.
4. The system generates a transaction using cardano-serialization-lib, signs it via the user’s CIP-30 wallet, and submits it through Blockfrost.
5. The entire process is logged securely, and the user is notified of success.

The Cardano Agent Kit is not just a tool—it’s a foundation for an intelligent, automated, and user-friendly Web3 ecosystem on Cardano.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

1. Dramatically Lower Barriers to Entry for Developers

• Impact: Enables AI, web2, and non-Cardano-native developers to build on Cardano without mastering Plutus, Haskell, or UTXO mechanics.
• Practical Outcomes:

1. Frontend and AI engineers can integrate blockchain features using familiar tools like LangChain and natural language prompts.
2. Reduces onboarding time from weeks to hours.
3. Expands the pool of potential builders beyond traditional blockchain developers.

2. Accelerate dApp Development & Innovation

• Impact: Provides ready-to-use, standardized tools (MCP plugins) for common tasks.
• Practical Outcomes:

1. Teams can launch MVPs faster—e.g., a DeFi dashboard or DAO assistant—in days instead of months.
2. Reduces duplicated effort (e.g., every project no longer needs to re-implement UTXO scanning or fee calculation).
3. Encourages experimentation with AI agents for yield optimization, portfolio tracking, and automated staking.

3. Empower Non-Technical Users with AI Assistants

• Impact: Allows everyday users to interact with Cardano using simple commands in plain language.
• Practical Outcomes:

1. A user can say: “Vote for the top Catalyst proposal” or “Show me my staking rewards this fund” — and the agent executes it securely.
2. Increases participation in governance (Catalyst), especially among less technical supporters.
3. Makes DeFi and NFT management accessible to non-coders.

Set a New Standard for AI-Blockchain Integration on Cardano

• Impact: Establishes MCP (Model Context Protocol) as the open standard for AI-agent communication.

1. Practical Outcomes:
2. Prevents fragmentation: Instead of every project building custom AI integrations, they adopt a shared framework.
3. Enables interoperability between agents, dApps, and tools across the ecosystem.
4. Positions Cardano as a leader in secure, deterministic AI automation—unlike EVM chains where gas and state changes create unpredictability.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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?

Our capability is built on relevant technical expertise, a history of successfully delivering funded projects in the AI space, and proactive validation of our proposed architecture.

We have proven our capabilities and responsibilities in the previous project: https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/13/cardano-open-developers/cardano-easydev-vs-tool

This is our commitment to contribute products to the Cardano ecosystem

Here are our team members:

Cuong Vo - AI Engineer ( Project Lead )

linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/vo-nhat-cuong/

Github : https://github.com/vonhatcuong

Hien Phan ( Web3 Engineer, top prize winners at Orainchain global hackathon, SUI

hackathon, NEAR hackathon, AI global hackathon)

Github : https://github.com/hienphv

Mr Tung Le: Smart contract developer, winner of SUI hackathon, NEAR hackathon, Algorand hackathon

Github : https://github.com/tung-lee

Mr Thang Le: Smart contract developer, winner of NEAR hackathon; ex-blockchain research at CMC corporation; experienced with multiple blockchain ecosystem

I intend to validate the feasibility of my approach through a combination of working prototypes, incremental development, and real-world testing.

First, I have already built a functional prototype of the MCP server that successfully communicates with LLMs and executes basic blockchain queries (e.g., getBalance, getUtxos) via Blockfrost. This proves the core concept of using MCP to bridge AI and Cardano is technically sound.

Second, the project is structured into modular milestones, starting with foundational components (MCP integration, transaction handling) before advancing to complex features (Aiken contract interaction, CIP-30 wallet signing). Each milestone will be tested in isolation using unit and integration tests, ensuring reliability at every stage.

Third, I will use existing, mature tools and libraries — such as cardano-serialization-lib, @blockfrost/blockfrost-js, and the official MCP SDK — which are well-documented and widely used in the ecosystem, reducing technical risk.

Finally, I will conduct public test deployments (e.g., the X/Twitter bot and Web App) and invite community feedback early, ensuring the solution meets real user needs. Continuous validation through working demos, GitHub transparency, and milestone reviews will confirm feasibility throughout development

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Design System & Technology Stack Finalization

Milestone Outputs

A comprehensive Design System for developer-facing interfaces, including:

1. Component library (buttons, modals, code blocks, agent chat UI)
2. Typography, color scheme, and accessibility standards
3. Responsive layout guidelines for Web App and documentation site

Finalized Technology Stack for full-stack development:

1. Frontend: React + Tailwind CSS
2. Core Framework: TypeScript & Python (dual support)
3. MCP Implementation: @modelcontextprotocol/sdk (Node.js/Python)
4. Blockchain Layer: Blockfrost API, cardano-serialization-lib, Ogmios (optional)
5. Wallet Integration: CIP-30 (Nami, Eternl, Flint)
6. AI Orchestration: LangChain.js / LangChain.py

Public GitHub repository initialized with:

1. Monorepo structure (/core, /mcp-server, /ui, /docs)
2. CI/CD pipeline (GitHub Actions)
3. Contribution guidelines and license (Apache-2.0)

Acceptance Criteria

The framework must successfully:

1. The Design System is complete and ready to guide all future UI development.
2. The technology stack is documented and justified based on performance, security, and ecosystem compatibility.
3. GitHub repository is public, well-structured, and includes a clear README and setup guide.
4. All team members can successfully run the local development environment.
5. The stack supports both TypeScript and Python to maximize developer accessibility.

Evidence of Completion

1. Figma or GitHub link to the Design System documentation.
2. TECH_STACK.md file in the repository detailing all chosen technologies and rationale.
3. Screenshot of a successfully running local dev environment.
4. GitHub repository URL with initial commit, project board, and CI workflow.
5. Diagram of the proposed architecture (e.g., layered system: UI → MCP → Blockchain).

Delivery Month

1

Cost

25000

Progress

40 %

Milestone Title

Smart Contract & Wallet Integration

Milestone Outputs

• MCP Server implemented in TypeScript and Python, supporting STDIO and HTTP communication.
• Core AI agent logic for natural language processing, tool routing, and state management.
• Initial Web App interface with chat functionality and connection status.
• Basic blockchain query tools: getBalance, getUtxos, getTransaction via Blockfrost API.

Acceptance Criteria

• The MCP server can receive a prompt and call a blockchain tool.
• The agent can process a command like “What is my ADA balance?” and return real on-chain data.
• The Web App successfully connects to the backend and displays results.
• All components are tested and documented.

Evidence of Completion

• GitHub update with MCP server and agent logic.
• Video demo showing: user input → agent response → blockchain query.
• Screenshot of transaction data fetched from Blockfrost.
• API documentation for core tools.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

21000

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Full Stack Integration & Agent Deployment

Milestone Outputs

• Full stack integration: MCP server, Aiken contract tools (CIP-0057), and CIP-30 wallet support (Nami, Eternl).
• Advanced MCP features: dynamic plugin loading, input sanitization, and API key management.
• Example agents for DeFi, NFT ....
• Twitter/X Bot deployed and functional, allowing users to interact via DMs (e.g., “Check my voting power”).

Acceptance Criteria

• The agent can call an Aiken smart contract function using a plutus.json schema.
• A user can trigger a balance check via Twitter DM and receive a reply.
• CIP-30 wallet integration enables secure transaction signing.
• All new features are tested and documented.

Evidence of Completion

1. GitHub update with wallet and contract modules.
2. Video demo of Twitter bot in action.
3. Blockchain explorer link showing a successfully signed transaction.
4. Publicly accessible example agents.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

13500

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Final Deployment & Project Close-Out

Milestone Outputs

Production Deployment of Cardano Agent Kit v1.0:

• Stable, optimized release deployed and ready for public use.
• Web App hosted on Vercel/Netlify, MCP server on secure cloud instance.
• Final security review and performance testing completed.

Comprehensive Technical Documentation:

• Official documentation website (docs.cardanoagentkit.io) with:
• Getting Started Guide
• API Reference (TypeScript & Python)
• Tutorials: “Build Your First Agent”, “Integrate with Aiken Contracts”
• MCP Tool Development Guide
• Example code snippets and downloadable templates.

Project Close-Out Report:

• PDF document summarizing:
• Project goals and achievements
• Technical architecture and design decisions
• Challenges faced and solutions
• Metrics of success (GitHub stars, community size, demo agents)
• Future roadmap (multi-chain support, agent marketplace, etc.)

Project Close-Out Video:

• 5–7 minute video showcasing:
• Full demo of the agent in action (Web App, X Bot, wallet interaction)
• Explanation of impact on the Cardano ecosystem
• Vision for future development

Acceptance Criteria

• Milestones 1–3 have been reviewed and approved by the Catalyst Team and Milestone Reviewers.
• The Project Close-Out Report is submitted and accepted.
• The Project Close-Out Video is submitted and accepted.
• The v1.0 release is public, functional, and fully documented.
• The documentation site is live, searchable, and user-friendly.

Evidence of Completion

• GitHub release tag v1.0.0.
• URL to live documentation site
• Link to Project Close-Out Report (PDF).
• Uploaded Project Close-Out Video (YouTube or direct submission).
• Screenshot of the live Web App and X bot responding to queries.
• Confirmation of approval from Milestone Reviewers (via Catalyst portal).

Delivery Month

1

Cost

10500

Progress

10 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LtXwcnAOZfnGDNhgJZenc5FnXikN8sGXR9JzhuYIPEs/edit?usp=sharing

The detailed budget breakdown per tasks in each milestone can be seen in below google sheet

Milestone 1: Design System & Technology Stack Finalization [25,000 ADA]

• Design System Development [15,000 ADA]
• Technology Stack Selection & Architecture Design [5,000 ADA]
• Repository & Development Environment Setup [5,000 ADA]

Milestone 2: Core Framework & AI Agent Development [21,000 ADA]

• MCP Server Development [12,000 ADA]
• Initial AI Agent Logic Development [6,000 ADA]
• Initial Front-End Development [3,000 ADA]

Milestone 3: Full Stack Integration & Agent Deployment [13,500 ADA]

• Full Stack Integration [8,000 ADA]
• Twitter Bot Development & Deployment [4,000 ADA]
• Advanced MCP Server Integration [1,500 ADA]

Milestone 4: Final Deployment & Project Close-Out [10,500 ADA]

• Production Deployment & System Optimization [6,000 ADA]
• Technical Documentation Creation [2,000 ADA]
• Project Closeout Reporting [2,500 ADA]

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

The 70,000 ADA investment delivers exceptional value for the Cardano ecosystem by creating Cardano Agent Kit — a foundational, open-source framework that bridges AI and blockchain. This project enables developers and non-technical users to interact with Cardano using natural language, significantly lowering entry barriers. It unlocks new use cases in DeFi, NFTs, and Catalyst governance through secure, automated agents.

Unlike one-off dApps, this toolkit is a reusable infrastructure that any project can build upon, multiplying its impact. By integrating Aiken (CIP-0057) and CIP-30 wallets via the open Model Context Protocol (MCP), it sets a new standard for interoperability and developer experience. The result is accelerated innovation, increased participation, and long-term ecosystem growth — all from a single, cost-efficient investment. With full transparency, public code, and community-driven adoption, this project offers lasting value far exceeding its cost.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes