[Spidex] AI Copilot for Cardano DeFi & SDK for builders

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

[Spidex] AI Copilot for Cardano DeFi & SDK for builders

[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

10

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

Yes

Original Language

vi

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Cardano DeFi lacks AI-powered intelligence to simplify discovery and execution. Users face fragmented tools, complexity, and poor personalization, limiting adoption and retention.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://spidex.ag
,
• https://app.spidex.ag
,
• https://spidex-ai.gitbook.io/spidex-ai-docs
,
• https://x.com/Spidex_ag
,
• https://discord.com/invite/xxxrzcwNfB

[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 external organizational dependencies. Technically dependent only on publicly available APIs from Cardano DeFi protocols.

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Core outputs (aggregation engine, SDK, and documentation) will be open-source under MIT License. Model weights for the Copilot will be published where licensing allows.

License and Additional Information

• License: MIT
• Extra: No proprietary lock-in, ecosystem-wide reuse encouraged.
• Github Spidex App: https://github.com/spidex-ai/spidex-app

[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.

Open Source License & Rationale

• License: MIT License
• Rationale: MIT is a permissive license that maximizes adoption by allowing anyone to use, modify, and redistribute the code with minimal restrictions. This encourages ecosystem-wide integration without legal or financial barriers, especially for small teams and individual developers.

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

Source Code Accessibility

• All code will be published from day one in a public GitHub repository, with clear contribution guidelines, tagged releases, and open issue tracking.
• Updates will be made weekly, with detailed changelogs posted both on GitHub and the Spidex AI community channels.

How will you provide high quality documentation?

High-Quality Documentation Plan

• A developer portal with structured documentation, code samples, API references, and integration tutorials.
• End-user guides and video walkthroughs explaining how to use yield aggregation features, AI recommendations, and execution flows.
• Documentation will be version-controlled alongside the source code.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

A. The Problem in depth

Cardano is experiencing explosive DeFi TVL growth fueled by liquidity, developer activity, and protocols. Yet user adoption, retention, and cross-protocol engagement remain limited by:

1. Fragmented user experience

• Low active DeFi users vs. developers: Despite having over 1,300 active projects by mid-2025, Cardano’s DeFi adoption lags. Average daily active addresses were around 42,900 in late 2024, even as daily transactions rose 65% QoQ to 71,500 Messari.

Source: https://messari.io/report/state-of-cardano-q4-2024

This disparity signals high activity from a small user base and indicates that many wallets remain dormant or unused in DeFi contexts.

• Surging interest but weak retention: After the ~$50M TVL low in Nov 2022, Cardano DeFi TVL rebounded toward ~$680–700M by early Dec 2024, yet active-user growth lagged, implying many users don’t stay engaged beyond initial transactions.

(Source: https://cryptoslate.com/cardano-defi-tvl-nears-record-700m-ada-skyrockets-20/))

2. Inefficient opportunity discovery

Big TVL growth, few real-time discovery tools: Despite TVL’s rapid recovery toward ~$700M (Dec 2024), users still hop across fragmented portals to find yield/swap routes, instead of getting consolidated, real-time paths.

• Centralized DeFi still evolving: Protocols like Minswap, Indigo, and Liqwid account for a large share (often >50%) of chain TVL; combined values have run into the hundreds of millions at peaks, but there’s still no “one place” for cross-protocol, real-time insights.

Source: https://levex.com/en/blog/cardano-defi-ecosystem-explodes-300m-tvl-growth

3. Risk and information gaps

• High risk, low visibility for newcomers: Large TVL gains don’t equate to user empowerment. Without tools to assess slippage, collateral health, or liquidation risk, users - especially newcomers - fear mistakes. Community discussions around iUSD/synthetics (e.g., peg stability, MCR changes, liquidation dynamics) highlight the need for unified alerting and explainability.
• Governance complexity: Despite advanced governance advances like on-chain DRep voting, Cardano lacks intelligent summarization mechanisms to help users follow evolving parameter changes, proposals, and treasury dynamics.

B. Proposed solution

The comparative analysis indicates a persistent market gap: beyond directories, token analytics, explorers, and multi-chain aggregators, Cardano still lacks a Cardano-first, AI-personalized intelligence and execution layer with a developer SDK, which Spidex AI is built to close.

Positioning: Spidex AI is the intelligence layer for Cardano DeFi, where every user journey - from discovery to execution - is AI-assisted.

The Four Layers of Spidex AI

To address the fragmentation and complexity in Cardano DeFi, Spidex AI is designed around four integrated layers. Each layer plays a specific role in guiding users from their very first interaction to advanced strategy building, while ensuring intelligence, safety, and personalization at every step:

1. Onboarding Layer

• Step-by-step AI guidance: Walks users through their very first interactions, from wallet setup and ADA acquisition to completing their first DeFi action.
• Adaptive flows: Adjusts guidance based on user experience (e.g., a beginner receives simplified tutorials, while an advanced trader gets deeper analytics).
• Saved prompts: Common onboarding queries (e.g., “How do I stake ADA?”) can be saved for quick access and re-use.
• Predictive guidance: Anticipates the user’s next step. For example, after staking ADA, Spidex AI suggests exploring governance participation or yield farming opportunities.

2. Execution Layer

• Context-aware execution assistant: Embedded inside wallets, DEXs, and dApps, Spidex AI understands user actions (swapping, lending, staking) in real time.
• Live transaction checks: Provides instant fee estimates, slippage warnings, and risk alerts before transactions are signed.
• Two-way interaction: Users can ask natural-language questions like: “What’s my liquidation risk if ADA drops 15%?” and receive clear, data-driven answers.
• Execution confidence: Every transaction is translated into plain language, so users understand exactly what they are doing, reducing errors and improving trust.

3. Aggregation Layer

• Continuous protocol scanning: Monitors all major Cardano DeFi platforms (DEXs, lending markets, yield farms, staking pools) for the most competitive opportunities.
• Cross-protocol strategies: Generates multi-step DeFi strategies in natural language (e.g., “Stake ADA, borrow iUSD, and provide liquidity in ADA/iUSD on Minswap”).
• Real-time Web3 insights: Goes beyond APY data - incorporates off-chain intelligence such as Cardano governance proposals, protocol announcements, token unlock schedules, and DeFi news to enrich decision-making.
• Opportunity prediction: By learning from user preferences and market signals, Spidex AI surfaces opportunities tailored to yield potential, time horizon, and individual risk profile.

Platforms such as DexHunter and Genius Yield have delivered certain value within the Cardano DeFi ecosystem; however, both still face notable limitations.

More Details: Table 4: Comparative Analysis: Liquidity Aggregation

Spidex AI positions itself not merely as a DEX aggregator (like DexHunter) or a yield optimizer (like Genius Yield), but as the comprehensive intelligence layer for Cardano DeFi – seamlessly connecting discovery, execution, and personalization into a single unified platform.

4. Intelligence Layer (Uniqueness of the solutions)

• Portfolio tracking: Consolidates wallet balances, dApp positions, and yield outcomes into one live portfolio view. Tracks health metrics such as collateral ratios and impermanent loss exposure.
• Actionable alerts: Proactively notifies users about liquidation risks, unstaked rewards, fee changes, or better-performing alternatives.
• Adaptive intelligence: Continuously refines recommendations by learning from chat history, user actions, and behavioral patterns.
• Personalized intelligence hub: Over time, Spidex AI becomes a custom DeFi dashboard - highlighting the most relevant protocols, strategies, and alerts for each individual.

While Cardano DeFi has grown in protocols and liquidity, users still lack an AI-powered intelligence layer to simplify discovery, decision-making, and execution. Current platforms illustrate this gap:

More Details: Table 2: Comparison of Cardano DeFi Intelligence Tools

As a result, users face fragmented workflows, steep learning curves, and poor personalization, which limits adoption and retention of Cardano DeFi. At the same time, dApps struggle to be discovered efficiently and to onboard users with actionable, intelligent pathways.

User Flows

• Compatible with all ADA wallets
• First-Time User Experience
• • AI widget activates on wallet setup: “Let’s set up your wallet and get your first ADA in 3 easy steps.”
• • Guides user through fiat onramp connection and first ADA purchase.
• • Suggests a starter strategy (e.g., ADA staking) with transparent projected APY.
• Active DeFi User
• • When visiting a DEX, AI detects pool selection and displays alternative APYs across protocols.
• • Before signing, AI issues risk alerts, e.g.: “Liquidity depth is low – you may incur 1.8% price impact.”
• Power User / Ongoing Engagement
• • Intelligence Hub dashboard aggregates all positions and historical yield data.
• • AI proactively notifies user

C. Statement of Milestones (SOM) Preparation

In alignment with Catalyst Fund 14 guidelines, our Statement of Milestones (SOM) is prepared in advance, with input and support from Cardano Ambassador Mrs Ha. This approach ensures:

• Transparency & Clarity – The plan is fully aligned with Catalyst standards, making our project roadmap clear and traceable for all stakeholders.
• Ease of Review – CR can quickly assess the deliverables, timelines, and budget allocation for each milestone.
• Performance Assurance – Our projected completion percentage for each milestone consistently exceeds the corresponding budget percentage, demonstrating delivery efficiency and accountability.

More details: SOM

Furthermore, our final milestone meets the Catalyst minimum threshold of 15% of total project scope, achieving 15%, which provides additional assurance of sustained delivery until project close-out.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Spidex AI aims to be the Cardano-native DeFi Intelligence Hub that removes confusion, integrates directly with wallets/dApps, and serves as the gateway to onboard the next million Cardano users - combining education, wallet creation, and advanced DeFi execution in one open-source, community-aligned platform.

More Details: Table 1: Comparison of Potential Competitions in terms of DeFi Intelligence Solutions

A. Who Will Be Impacted?

1. For Users

• Seamless onboarding: buy ADA and start interacting in just a few steps.
• AI-guided staking and liquidity strategies with transparent APY comparisons.
• Real-time risk alerts before signing transactions (e.g., slippage, low liquidity).

2. For Developers / dApp Teams

• SDKs and widgets for easy integration into existing front-ends.
• Higher user retention through AI-driven personalized experiences.
• Reduced user education costs, as AI provides real-time guidance and onboarding support.

3. For the Cardano Ecosystem

• Improved newcomer retention rates.
• Increased TVL and cross-dApp transaction volume.
• Establishes a competitive AI+DeFi UX case study that rivals Ethereum and BSC solutions.

B. Projected Metrics / KPIs

• 30% reduction in onboarding drop-off within 90 days post-launch.
• 20% increase in average transactions per user across integrated platforms.
• 5 major Cardano dApp integrations within the first 6 months.
• ≥10,000 active users reached within Year 1.
• 50–60% lower salary benchmark rate vs. comparable AI–DeFi projects, ensuring maximum cost efficiency.
• 5–8% TVL growth across partner dApps within 12 months, driven by AI-guided user flows and yield optimization.

[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?

With strong technical expertise, an experienced team, and built-in contingency measures, Spidex AI is designed to remain stable, reliable, and adaptive under real-world conditions—delivering lasting value and trust for the Cardano community.

1. Team Expertise

• Project Lead - 5+ years in blockchain integrations, Cardano specialist.
• AI Engineer - Expert in LLM fine-tuning and DeFi data pipelines.
• Blockchain Developer - Cardano smart contract and API integration expert.
• Fullstack Developer - SDK & widget development.
• UX Designer - Fintech and DeFi usability expert.
• Marketing Lead - Web3 growth specialist with proven go-to-market experience.

2. Readiness

• Early chatbot prototype completed using OpenAI + Koios API.
• SDK architecture defined for rapid integration.
• Strong API ecosystem (Koios, Blockfrost, TapTools) ensures reliable data feeds.

3. Validation Plan

Beta testing with two partner dApps.

Metrics tracked:

• Onboarding drop-off rate before/after integration.
• Transaction volume growth.
• Yield optimization success rate.

4. Risk & Mitigation Plan

Like any complex DeFi and AI integration, the proposed solution for Spidex AI must carefully account for risks that are specific to Cardano’s ecosystem. These risks span from API dependencies and protocol upgrades to user adoption challenges and regulatory uncertainty. To ensure resilience, we have mapped out each risk with a clear mitigation strategy and a backup plan to minimize disruption.

More Details: Risk and Mitigration Plan

By proactively identifying risks and preparing robust mitigation measures, Spidex AI ensures that development remains stable, reliable, and adaptive under changing market or technical conditions. This approach allows us to deliver on our vision of building a sustainable, AI-powered intelligence layer for Cardano DeFi, while maintaining flexibility to adjust in the face of future uncertainties

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Research, Specification & Partner Onboarding

Milestone Outputs

• Technical specification (AI architecture, SDK API structure, data pipeline design).

• Market & gap analysis for Cardano DeFi tools (≥5 peer projects benchmarked).

• Signed MoUs with ≥2 Cardano DeFi platforms for beta integration (e.g., Minswap, CSwap, DexHunter – subject to agreement).

• Draft compliance & risk framework for AI-powered DeFi assistants.

• User journey maps for onboarding + advanced DeFi use cases.

Acceptance Criteria

• Technical specification published on GitHub.

• Competitive analysis published ( at least 5 projects analyzed).

• At least 2 signed partner agreements (verifiable, redacted).

• Compliance framework reviewed by legal advisor.

• Journey maps validated by QA + ≥1 partner.

Evidence of Completion

• GitHub repo (specifications & diagrams) public

• Public PDF report (competitive analysis).

• Screenshots/letters confirming partnership.

• Finalized compliance framework document attached as part of deliverables.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

13000

Progress

10 %

Milestone Title

AI Engine Development & Data Integration

Milestone Outputs

• Development of a fine-tuned LLM optimized for Cardano DeFi scenarios, trained on curated datasets and adapted to execute user intents reliably and consistently.
• Implementation of a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipeline integrated with Koios, Blockfrost, and TapTools, ensuring the AI has access to live Cardano blockchain data.
• Deployment of an automated data cleaning and caching layer, enabling the system to filter out errors, reduce latency, and ensure high reliability of real-time DeFi information.

Acceptance Criteria

• AI resolves ≥80% core DeFi scenarios on curated dataset, including:

    (1) Token swap (exact-in / exact-out).
  
    (2) Provide/remove liquidity.
  
    (3) Borrow/repay asset on lending protocols.
  
    (4) Stake/unstake ADA or LP tokens.
  

• Test dataset = ≥200 user queries sourced from Cardano DeFi dApps (Minswap, CSwap, DexHunter, Indigo).

• Resolution defined as: correct protocol selection + valid parameter output + successful simulated execution.

• Response latency <2s.

• Risk flags validated on test data.

Evidence of Completion

• AI benchmark report (test suite results with accuracy metrics).
• API integration logs.
• Demo video (real queries answered).

Delivery Month

4

Cost

20000

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

SDK & Embeddable Widget Development

Milestone Outputs

• A cross-compatible JavaScript SDK for React, Vue, Vanilla JS.

• Customizable widget with theme options, docking positions and context awareness.

• Complete developer documentation and example integrations.

Acceptance Criteria

• Widget must load in under 1.5 seconds within at least 2 partner dApps during live testing, ensuring lightweight performance and usability.
• SDK and widget must pass partner integration tests, demonstrating compatibility and stability within different environments and workflows.
• The widget must comply with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards, ensuring usability for a wide range of users including those with accessibility needs.

Evidence of Completion

• GitHub repository hosting SDK code, widget source, and complete developer documentation.

• Demo video showing the widget integrated into real partner dApps.

• Partner feedback letters.

Delivery Month

6

Cost

17000

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

DeFi Intelligence Hub & Strategy Builder

Milestone Outputs

• Web dashboard with portfolio tracking across at least 5 Cardano protocols.

• A natural-language strategy builder enabling multi-step strategies, providing APY estimates and risk scoring.

• Risk/return scoring engine.

Acceptance Criteria

• The dashboard must successfully synchronize with at least 5 Cardano DeFi protocols, ensuring live updates and accurate portfolio visibility.
• Strategy outputs must deviate less than 5% compared to real APY values, ensuring that projections remain realistic and reliable for users.
• SDK and widget compatibility must be demonstrated, proving seamless integration and functional interoperability with the Intelligence Hub.

Evidence of Completion

• Testnet deployment link publicly available.

• Screencast demonstrating strategy creation, execution and portfolio tracking.

• Partner verification letters.

Delivery Month

8

Cost

18000

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Launch, Marketing & Partner Rollout

Milestone Outputs

• Public launch of widget + Intelligence Hub.
• Website, branding, onboarding campaigns.
• Educational content series (articles, videos, guides).
• Live integrations with ≥3 partners on Cardano mainnet.

Acceptance Criteria

• At least 03 partner integrations go live.

• At least 1,500+ unique website visitors (month 1), validated by analytics tools.

• At least 3,000+ active members across Discord and Telegram community.

Evidence of Completion

• Website analytics + traffic screenshots.
• Public partner announcements.
• Community growth metrics.

Delivery Month

9

Cost

17000

Progress

90 %

Milestone Title

Final Reporting, Audit & Close-Out

Milestone Outputs

• Execution of an independent audit covering both smart contract code and AI model outputs, validating technical soundness and trustworthiness.
• Compilation of a comprehensive impact report covering KPIs, adoption metrics, partner feedback, and lessons learned during the project lifecycle.
• Creation of a governance handover plan to enable a smooth transition of project oversight to the community, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Acceptance Criteria

• Audit report published (publicly accessible).

• Impact report addresses at least 80% of defined KPIs.

• Governance handover document reviewed and approved by community reps, confirming readiness for community-led continuation.

Evidence of Completion

• Final audit report (PDF).
• Impact & governance report (PDF).
• On-chain Catalyst report submission.

Delivery Month

10

Cost

15000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

The total estimated budget required to develop and deliver Spidex AI – AI Copilot for Cardano DeFi & SDK for Builders is $150,000. (4.2% risk management of over total budget)

Out of this amount, the Spidex AI team will directly sponsor $50,000 from its own capital to demonstrate strong commitment and shared responsibility.

Accordingly, we are requesting $100,000 in funding support from Catalyst. This co-funding structure ensures that the project is not solely dependent on external resources and highlights our long-term investment in building a sustainable AI-powered solution for the Cardano ecosystem.

1. Caculation

Budget rate: ADA = 0.8, referenced as of the proposal submission date (August 11, 2025).

This rate is not based on the spot market price, but rather calculated from the last 6-month average price of ADA, determined by taking (highest ADA price + lowest ADA price) / 2. This method ensures stability and fairness in budget estimation, while also mitigating risks from short-term market volatility.

More Details: Budget Calculation

2. Budget allocation

More Details: Budget Allocation

• 53.3% for product development
• 22.5% for marketing
• 20% for personnel expenses.
• 4.2 % for Risk management

3. Personnel expenses:

With the desire to have the opportunity to contribute to supporting Cardano, Catalyst to grow stronger, we will strive to work with a salary 36-57% lower than the average salary in the market. (please see salary benchmarking below)

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

A. Efficient Use of Funds

The requested 100,000 ADA budget is tightly aligned with clear, measurable deliverables over a 10-month period. Each milestone has defined outputs, acceptance criteria, and cost allocations to ensure maximum impact per ADA spent.

We prioritize high-leverage activities - AI development, SDK integration, and ecosystem partnerships over non-essential overhead.

B. Key Cost Efficiency Factors

1. Competitive Talent Costs

Our team operates at 36–57% lower salary benchmarks compared to similar AI/blockchain product teams in the US, EU, or Singapore, due to strategic location in emerging tech hubs with lower cost-of-living.

More Details: Salary benchmarking

• An AI DeFi prototype on Ethereum typically requires ~$300–400K USD in seed funding; Solana-focused AI trading assistants report budgets of $250K–350K.
• In contrast, our full 10-month roadmap is achievable with 100,000 ADA ($45–50K USD equivalent), representing 5–7x cost efficiency while maintaining senior-level expertise.

Comparative Analysis: Cost & ROI for Onchain DeFi Intelligence Hub Deployment

More Details: Table 3: Comparative Analysis: Cost & ROI for Onchain DeFi Intelligence Hub Deployment

2. Open Source & No Licensing Overheads

All SDK, AI modules, and data pipelines will be released under an MIT license.

• No licensing fees for projects adopting it.
• Compounding returns through ecosystem-wide reuse.

3. Multi-Platform Impact from Single Build

The same AI engine + SDK can integrate into wallets, DEXs, lending protocols, and DeFi dashboards without rebuilding per partner.

• One dev investment → multiple ecosystem integrations.

4. Built-in Marketing & Partner Adoption

Partner onboarding is embedded into Milestone 1 and 5, ensuring adoption is secured before public rollout.

• Lower GTM costs.
• Faster adoption curve.

5. Minimal Operational Overhead

• Server & hosting costs = scalable, usage-based cloud.
• Community support = AI-assisted self-serve + documentation → less reliance on human moderators.

6. Ecosystem-Wide ROI

By reducing onboarding friction and increasing transaction completion rates, Spidex AI directly impacts:

• Total Value Locked (TVL) growth
• User retention in Cardano DeFi
• Developer adoption of Cardano-based products

Value for Cardano ecosystem

• TVL growth: AI-guided discovery + cross-protocol strategies convert intent into completed transactions, increasing deployed capital and raising Cardano DeFi TVL.
• User retention: Personalized alerts and risk guardrails (slippage/liquidation) reduce mistakes and keep users active and returning.
• Developer adoption: Open SDK + embeddable widget cut integration time/cost, driving more Cardano-based product integrations.
• Return on investment: If Cardano DeFi adoption rises 20%, it could unlock 100M ADA ($50M) in extra liquidity across integrated platforms - a network-wide multiplier far exceeding the initial Catalyst grant.

Risk Mitigation & Cost Controls

• Milestone-linked disbursement: no funds spent without measurable progress.
• Open GitHub repo: transparent oversight for community + funders.
• Multi-partner beta integrations: no single-point dependency.

Long-Term Sustainability (No Recurrent Funding Needed)

• After launch, ongoing costs will be covered by:
• Partner contributions for premium features.
• Optional API usage fees for high-volume requests.
• Community-led governance and contributions.
• Lean operation keeps fixed costs minimal beyond the grant period.
• This ensures long-term impact for Cardano without repeated Catalyst funding cycles.

By funding this proposal, Catalyst can deliver the first AI Copilot + SDK for Cardano DeFi at a fraction of the cost seen on Ethereum or Solana - while directly accelerating TVL, adoption, and developer innovation across the ecosystem.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes