CHARLI3 Dendrite v2: DEX, Lending, P2P DeFi Data Upgrades

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

CHARLI3 Dendrite v2: DEX, Lending, P2P DeFi Data Upgrades

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

100000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

5

[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?

Charli3 Dendrite receives 2000 downloads a month, but it is missing key integrations with new DEXs, lending protocols, P2P DeFi, and algorthmic stabelcoins like DJED.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://charli3-official.github.io/charli3-dendrite/
,
• https://github.com/Charli3-Official/charli3-dendrite
,
• https://charli3.io/
,
• https://steelswap.io/
,
• https://milestones.projectcatalyst.io/projects/1100093

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

Yes

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

Joint venture between Charli3.io and Steelswap.io

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

MIT License: https://github.com/Charli3-Official/charli3-dendrite/blob/main/LICENSE

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Developer Tools

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

MIT License: we want everything fully open without an restrictions to drive adoption, contribution, innovation, and trust in the community. This is a developer tool, built by developers for developers. Any partial or restrictive license does not match our goal with the project.

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

We will follow the same steps we used in the previous catalyst project: https://milestones.projectcatalyst.io/projects/1100093

You can review our github repo that is public: https://github.com/Charli3-Official/charli3-dendrite/

How will you provide high quality documentation?

Again we will follow the same process as we did the projects listed in the previous comment (https://milestones.projectcatalyst.io/projects/1100093)..)

You can review the documentation standards we will abide by with this project by reviewing it here: https://charli3-official.github.io/charli3-dendrite/

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Charli3 Dendrite (https://charli3-official.github.io/charli3-dendrite/)) co-developed with https://steelswap.io, is Cardano’s first Python-based open-source DEX aggregator. Python is the language of science, data, and AI — powering the majority of modern machine learning, statistical, and analytics frameworks. By delivering DeFi data directly in Python, Dendrite makes it natural for developers, data scientists, and AI researchers to plug Cardano into their existing workflows. Since launch, Dendrite has become a trusted resource with over 2,000 monthly downloads and multiple contributors, proving demand for a Python-first open-source aggregator.

This proposal funds Dendrite v2, evolving it from a swap-only aggregator into a comprehensive Cardano DeFi data aggregator. With integrations for new DEXs, lending protocols, peer-to-peer orderbooks, and algorithmic stablecoins, Dendrite will provide developers and researchers with complete, standardized access to Cardano’s DeFi data in the same language they already use for analytics and AI.

Project Outputs (Key enhancements):

1. Integrate New DEXs
   1. Add leading new DEXs such as ChadSwap, SaturnSwap, and WizardSwap.
   2. Each DEX integration includes schema alignment, parsing logic, and automated tests.
2. Integrate Lending Protocols
   1. Add lending protocol data, starting with Liqwid and Flow.
   2. Create structures for easy addition of lending protocols in the future
   3. Provide standardized access to collateral, borrow, lend, and interest-rate data.
   4. Extend Dendrite beyond swaps, unlocking cross-vertical DeFi analytics.
3. Algorithmic Stablecoin support
   1. Create the structure to add algorithmic stablecoins, starting with DJED
   2. Access buy and sell order activity for a stablecoin token (e.g. SHEN)
4. Add Peer-to-Peer Orderbook Data
   1. Incorporate orderbook-based DEX trading alongside AMM pool data.
   2. Include P2P lending markets with offers, borrows, and rates.
   3. Dendrite becomes a “multi-model” aggregator across AMM, orderbook, and lending protocols.
5. Enhanced Documentation
   1. Update documentation to reflect new integrations and agent support.
   2. Add tutorials and examples for developers.
6. Long Term Maintainaince Plan
   1. Publish a clear 6–12 month maintenance plan covering repo upkeep, contributions, and roadmap.

Dendrite v2 will remain free, open-source, and MIT-licensed, but with broader coverage, agent compatibility, updated documentation, and long-term sustainability planning.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Developers

Dendrite already has a strong foundation: a modular Python-based framework that normalizes liquidity and trading data from Cardano DEXs. This modularity means new integrations can be added without reinventing the system from scratch. Developers benefit directly, gaining a single, reliable entry point for swaps, lending, P2P orderbooks, and stablecoins. Instead of spending weeks rebuilding integrations, they can rely on Dendrite’s standardized infrastructure, freeing them to focus on dApps, analytics, bots, and experiments that push Cardano DeFi forward.

Protocols

Every new integration strengthens the aggregator’s value for the entire ecosystem. When a protocol is added to Dendrite, its data becomes visible to the broader developer community in a normalized format, alongside other major DeFi sources. This boosts visibility, adoption, and experimentation — especially for lending, orderbook, and stablecoin protocols that today may only reach niche audiences. Dendrite creates a compounding effect where the value of each protocol grows by being part of a wider, standardized dataset.

Python as a Strategic Advantage

A unique strength of Dendrite is its foundation in Python, the language of science, data analysis, and AI. Most leading machine learning frameworks, statistical libraries, and data science toolkits are Python-based. By keeping Dendrite in this ecosystem, developers can seamlessly connect Cardano DeFi data with advanced analysis techniques, predictive models, or even agent-based AI systems — without switching languages or contexts. This lowers the barrier for data scientists and researchers to experiment with Cardano DeFi, while enabling builders to create powerful analytics, trading strategies, and monitoring tools in the same language they already use for their research and AI development. In short, Python makes Dendrite not just a developer tool, but a bridge between Cardano’s DeFi infrastructure and the broader worlds of data science and artificial intelligence.

Ecosystem Growth

By expanding Dendrite’s coverage to include DEXs, lending protocols, P2P markets, and algorithmic stablecoins, Cardano gains a true “public infrastructure” layer for DeFi data. This reduces friction for new builders, accelerates innovation, and ensures protocols are more discoverable. For new entrants, instead of stitching together fragmented sources, Dendrite offers a single, well-documented, reliable access point to Cardano DeFi. For existing builders, it creates opportunities to scale into cross-vertical applications (e.g., swaps + lending + stablecoins).

Community

The community also benefits. Dendrite already attracts contributors, and updated documentation plus a clear maintenance plan will make it even easier to join in. By strengthening this virtuous cycle of contribution, Cardano gains resilience: no single team carries the burden, and improvements spread across the ecosystem. This signals long-term sustainability while reinforcing Dendrite as a reliable, open-source backbone for Cardano DeFi.

Closing the Loop

Taken together, the impacts are clear: developers save time and effort, protocols gain visibility and adoption, new builders face lower barriers to entry, and the community gains a sustainable foundation. With Python as its base, Dendrite opens Cardano DeFi not just to blockchain developers, but also to data scientists and AI researchers — expanding who can build on Cardano and how.

[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?

Proven Delivery Track Record

Both Charli3 and Steelswap have active mainnet solutions. In fact, Charli3 is one of the oldest solutions on Cardano launching oracle price feeds in Oct 2022.

Charli3 and Steelswap have already demonstrated the ability to deliver on ambitious open-source projects.

1. Original Charli3 Dendrite Project (Completed) https://milestones.projectcatalyst.io/projects/1100093
2. Charli3 Cardano Token Data API (Completed) https://milestones.projectcatalyst.io/projects/1300066
3. Charli3 is on track to complete 11/11 (100%) of their catalyst funded projects.

This consistent record shows that when we commit to a Catalyst-funded project, we follow through with results.

Technical Expertise

Our teams bring complementary strengths. Charli3 specializes in oracle and data infrastructure, with proven experience in indexing, parsing, and serving reliable on-chain data — as demonstrated in charli3.io/api, which delivers over 17,000 token prices in TradingView format. Steelswap has practical expertise in routing and aggregation logic across decentralized exchanges. Combined, these skills uniquely position us to expand Dendrite into lending, peer-to-peer orderbooks, and AI-agent friendly endpoints.

Low Risk, High Readiness

This proposal builds on a working and widely used foundation rather than starting from scratch. Dendrite’s current infrastructure is stable, modular, and already trusted by builders. That makes new integrations straightforward: we can add them incrementally, validate quickly, and ensure progress is steady. Each milestone stands on its own, so if one integration proves more complex, the rest of the roadmap continues without interruption.

Accountability and Transparency

We avoid vague promises. Every milestone will produce clear, public deliverables:

• Code: integrations merged into Dendrite’s public GitHub repo (https://github.com/charli3-official/charli3-dendrite)..)
• Documentation: updated step-by-step guides and examples published at https://charli3-official.github.io/charli3-dendrite/
• Verification: demo videos showing live queries and instructions so developers can test new features themselves.
• Reporting: as our previous projects show, we provide high quality demo videos and public assets as evidence (https://milestones.projectcatalyst.io/projects/1100093))

Feasibility and Validation

The feasibility of this work is high. We are not experimenting with untested ideas but extending a proven architecture. Success is straightforward to validate: if an integration works, it provides live on-chain data that anyone can query; if it doesn’t, the failure is visible immediately. By coupling each integration with documentation and demos, we ensure that milestones are not only technically complete but also practically usable.

Sustaining the Project

This proposal also addresses sustainability. The final milestone includes a 6–12 month maintenance plan, covering:

1. Regular upkeep of integrations to reflect protocol updates
2. Defined pathways for new contributors to add protocols.
3. A roadmap for expanding into additional lending platforms and agent ecosystems.

By publishing this plan and keeping the repository active, we ensure that Dendrite remains a durable and evolving public good for Cardano DeFi.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Integration Feasibility and Initial DEX Work

Milestone Outputs

We will contact all targeted integration partners (WizardSwap, ChadSwap, DJED, Liqwid, Flow, SaturnSwap) to confirm technical feasibility and finalize a clear list of confirmed integrations. During this step we will explore other integration partners beyond the list above. This milestone will also include the first steps of integration work, beginning with at least one DEX, showing that the path forward is both realistic and achievable.

Acceptance Criteria

A finalized integration list with feasibility notes will be published in the public GitHub repository. In addition, at least one DEX integration will be visible in repo code with queries functioning. A demo video will be provided to show this progress in action.

Evidence of Completion

GitHub commits showing the published integration list, technical feasibility notes, and initial code for at least one DEX integration. Demo video provided to show queries returning data and confirm real progress.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

20000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

DEX and Algorithmic Stablecoin Integrations

Milestone Outputs

We will complete the integration of confirmed DEX protocols into Dendrite. All working code will be made available in the public repository, and we will provide a demo video showing queries successfully returning live data from each of the new integrated DEXs.

The team will integrate an algorithmic stablecoin.

If any issues occur with our list of tegration partners (e.g. their protocol goes down, system updates occur, or black swan events) that prevent us from integrating, we will create an integration issues list that includes an estimated timeline for adding them in later (if possible).

Acceptance Criteria

1. All DEXs specified in milestone 1 are integrated with Charli3 Dendrite and requests to pull data from them are successful
2. An algorithmic stablecoin specified in milestone is integrated with Charli3 Dendrite and requests to pull data on them are successful
3. An Integration Issues Report is created if necessary

Evidence of Completion

1. A link to the github repo is shared containing the additional integrations
2. A demo video showing successful requests for data from the new integrations is available to the public on google drive, youtube, vimeo, or another suitable site.
3. An Integration Issues Report is created if necessary and publicly available as a PDF or other format in a public google drive.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

30000

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

Lending Protocol Integrations

Milestone Outputs

We will extend Dendrite to integrate confirmed lending protocols such as Liqwid, and Flow. All working code will be published in the public repository, and we will provide a demo video showing queries returning live lending data such as collateral and borrow values. If issues arise with integration partners (e.g., API changes, downtime, or unexpected system upgrades) that block integration, we will publish an integration issues list with reasons and a timeline for adding them later. Lastly we will create structures for easily adding lending protocols in the future.

Acceptance Criteria

1. All lending protocols specified in milestone 1 are integrated with Charli3 Dendrite and requests to pull data from them are successful
2. Github repository is updated with structures to easily add new lending protocols in the future
3. An Integration Issues Report is created if necessary

Evidence of Completion

1. A link to the github repo is shared containing the lending protocol integrations and the new structure for adding lending protocols in the future
2. A demo video showing successful requests for data from the new integrations is available to the public on google drive, youtube, vimeo, or another suitable site.
3. An Integration Issues Report is created if necessary and publicly available as a PDF or other format in a public google drive.

Delivery Month

3

Cost

25000

Progress

70 %

Milestone Title

P2P DeFi Integrations

Milestone Outputs

We will add peer-to-peer orderbook integrations. All new code will be committed to the public repo, and we will provide a demo video showing orderbook queries returning live data to the Dendrite endpoints. If issues arise with integration partners (e.g., their protocol becomes unavailable or technical constraints prevent integration), we will publish an integration issues list outlining the blockers and potential timeline for completion.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Github repository is updated with commits that add functionality to Charli3 dendrite to provide p2p orderbook data
2. A user requests p2p orderbook data from Charli3 Dendrite and is returned a successful set of data.
3. An integrations Issue report is created or updated if necessary

Evidence of Completion

1. Provide a list of commits and a link to the github repository with the new integrations
2. Provide a demo video showcasing the p2p integrations including successful requests to Charli3 Dendrite and returned values
3. Provide an Integrations Issues Report if necessary

Delivery Month

4

Cost

20000

Progress

90 %

Milestone Title

Documentation, Maintenance Plan & Close-Out

Milestone Outputs

We will publish updated documentation covering all integrations delivered in this project, along with a 6–12 month maintenance plan describing how the software will be supported and how new contributors can participate. Catalyst close-out deliverables, including a written report and video, will also be submitted. If any integrations remain incomplete due to partner-related issues, a final integration issues list will be included in the report with explanations and next steps.

Acceptance Criteria

Documentation is publicly available and up to date. A detailed maintenance plan is published. Close-out video and written report are submitted to Catalyst. Any outstanding integrations have a transparent issues list explaining blockers and timelines.

Evidence of Completion

Links to updated documentation, a published maintenance plan, Catalyst close-out video and report submitted, and a publicly available integration issues list if any partner-related issues remain.

Delivery Month

5

Cost

10000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Integration Feasibility & Initial DEX Work (20,000 ADA)

Scope:

We will contact targeted integration partners (WizardSwap, ChadSwap, DJED, Liqwid, Flow, SaturnSwap) to confirm technical feasibility and finalize a definitive list of integrations. This milestone also includes beginning work on at least one DEX integration as proof of progress.

Resource Allocation:

• 2 developers, 60 hours each (120 hrs total): partner outreach, repo setup, feasibility testing, initial integration coding.
• 1 project manager, 25 hours: coordination, integration notes, milestone tracking.
• Infrastructure & hosting costs: 10 hours engineering time for sandbox testing.

Value:

This milestone de-risks the project by confirming feasibility upfront and publishing a transparent integration list. Delivering partial DEX integration early demonstrates technical viability and gives the community immediate value.

Cost: 20,000 ADA

Milestone 2: DEX & Algorithmic Stablecoin Integrations (30,000 ADA)

Scope:

We will complete integration of confirmed DEX protocols and add support for at least one algorithmic stablecoin (starting with DJED). Working code will be published to the GitHub repository along with a demo video showing queries returning live data. An integration issues list will be published if any protocols cannot be integrated due to partner or system issues.

Resource Allocation:

• 2–3 developers, 80 hours each (200–240 hrs): schema parsing, integration logic, stablecoin structure creation, validation.
• 1 tester, 30 hours: test coverage, demo preparation, bug-fixing support.
• 1 project manager, 20 hours: milestone tracking, issue list publication.

Value:

DEX and algorithmic stablecoin integrations expand Dendrite beyond swaps into critical DeFi infrastructure. Developers gain access to normalized price, liquidity, and stablecoin data in a single place, accelerating new product development.

Cost: 30,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Lending Protocol Integrations (25,000 ADA)

Scope:

We will integrate lending protocols such as Liqwid and Flow. All code will be published in the repository, with a demo video showing live queries for collateral, borrow, and lending data. An integration issues list will be provided if any protocols cannot be integrated due to technical or partner-side blockers.

Resource Allocation:

• 2 developers, 100 hours each (200 hrs total): smart contract query parsing, schema mapping, integration coding.
• 1 tester, 30 hours: test coverage and demo recording.
• 1 project manager, 15 hours: milestone documentation, issue tracking.

Value:

Access to standardized lending data is a key missing piece in the Cardano DeFi stack. This milestone unlocks borrowing and lending analytics for developers, enabling richer dashboards, trading tools, and risk management products.

Cost: 25,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Peer-to-Peer (P2P) DeFi Integrations (20,000 ADA)

Scope:

We will add peer-to-peer orderbook integrations. New code will be committed to the repo and demonstrated with queries returning live P2P data. An integration issues list will be published if any partners cannot be integrated due to technical or protocol issues.

Resource Allocation:

• 2 developers, 80 hours each (160 hrs total): orderbook data mapping, schema extensions, repo commits.
• 1 tester, 25 hours: demo prep, query verification, bug-fixing support.
• 1 project manager, 15 hours: milestone coordination, integration notes.

Value:

Adding P2P integrations expands Dendrite beyond AMM-style swaps, enabling developers to access orderbook-based trading and lending data in the same standardized format. This creates a “multi-model” aggregator across AMM, orderbook, and lending protocols.

Cost: 20,000 ADA

Milestone 5: Documentation, Maintenance Plan & Close-Out (10,000 ADA)

Scope:

We will publish updated documentation across all integrations and deliver a 6–12 month maintenance plan. Catalyst close-out deliverables (report + video) will also be submitted. Any integrations blocked by partner-side issues will be transparently documented with timelines.

Resource Allocation:

• 1 technical writer, 40 hours: update and polish documentation.
• 1 project manager, 25 hours: maintenance planning and contributor guidelines.
• 1 video/editor, 15 hours: Catalyst close-out video production.
• Developers, 20 hours total: final review and documentation support.

Value:

This milestone ensures Dendrite is not only delivered but sustained. Clear documentation and a long-term plan guarantee usability for future contributors and accountability to the community.

Cost: 10,000 ADA

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

First and foremost, the requested **100,000 ADA **delivers significantly more than a single product — it strengthens one of the most active open-source initiatives in Cardano, Charli3 Dendrite, and positions it as the community-owned backbone for DeFi data.

Eliminating Duplicated Work

Right now, every team building on Cardano must repeat the same integration work: connecting to protocols, decoding data, and maintaining compatibility. This duplication wastes weeks of developer time across the ecosystem. By funding integrations through Dendrite, the community pays once for high-quality, open-source infrastructure that everyone can use. The result is a multiplier effect: 985 hours of funded development can save thousands of hours across projects.

Expanded Integrations

Dendrite already sees 2,000+ monthly downloads and provides proven utility. With this proposal, it expands to cover:

1. DEXs – standardized liquidity and price data.
2. Lending protocols – borrow rates, collateral values, liquidation monitoring.
3. P2P orderbooks – access to real-time depth of market data.
4. Algorithmic stablecoins (e.g., DJED) – reliable pricing and risk inputs.

Each new integration compounds the platform’s value, transforming Dendrite into the go-to entry point for Cardano DeFi data.

Python as a Strategic Advantage

Dendrite’s foundation in Python is a unique strength. Python is the language of data science, research, and AI, supported by the world’s most widely used statistical and machine learning libraries. Keeping Dendrite in this ecosystem lowers the barrier for data scientists and developers to experiment with Cardano DeFi, while enabling powerful analytics, trading strategies, and monitoring tools without switching contexts. In short, Python makes Dendrite not just a developer tool, but a bridge between Cardano DeFi and global data science.

TL;DR - Charli3 Dendrite is the ideal toolkit for AI and Agentic Solutions

Accountability and Sustainability

This proposal includes more than just delivery. The team will:

• Publish clear documentation and contributor guidelines.
• Deliver a 6–12 month maintenance plan to ensure long-term usability.
• Provide transparent progress checks through GitHub commits, demo videos, and integration issue reports.

Even if partner protocols face delays, the work will be documented and available for future contributors — ensuring no effort is wasted.

Conclusion

For 100,000 ADA, the community receives a maintained, open-source aggregator with expanded integrations, transparent milestones, and a sustainability roadmap. This is not funding one tool, but enabling hundreds of tools to be built faster, with less friction, on a reliable shared foundation.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes