Build a Dex Aggregator on Cardano

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Build a Dex Aggregator on Cardano

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

50000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

6

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

Yes

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Cardano lacks a DEX Aggregator that enables users to efficiently find the best swap rates across multiple decentralized exchanges, leading to fragmented liquidity & suboptimal trading outcomes

[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

All code, documentation, and resources will be publicly available on GitHub

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

DEX

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).

Our solution introduces a DEX Aggregator for Cardano, enabling smart order routing across multiple DEXs to minimize slippage and optimize liquidity. Unlike previous projects that built isolated DEX platforms, this approach consolidates fragmented liquidity, enhancing efficiency and interoperability. By leveraging real-time routing algorithms and adaptive architecture, the platform ensures scalability and future-proof integration as the Cardano DeFi ecosystem grows.

Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.

The MVP will demonstrate key features of the DEX Aggregator: multi-DEX liquidity aggregation, price comparison, and optimal trade execution on Cardano testnet. Users can connect wallets, input trades, and view real-time aggregated quotes before executing transactions. The MVP will be accessible via a secure web-based interface and supported with open-source smart contracts on GitHub, along with a live demo and video walkthrough for easy evaluation and community testing.

Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.

Success will be measured by: integrating at least 3 Cardano DEXs within 6 months; routing 500,000 ADA in cumulative trades within 3 months post-launch; achieving 500, unique wallet interactions; and reducing slippage by at least 10% versus single DEX trades, verified on-chain. Additional indicators include community adoption and open-source engagement through GitHub contributions and forks, ensuring transparency and long-term ecosystem value.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

We propose developing a DEX Aggregator on Cardano to address the issue of fragmented liquidity within the ecosystem. Currently, multiple DEXs on Cardano operate independently, making it difficult for users to find the best price for their trades.

Our solution will:

• Integrate multiple Cardano DEXs (such as Minswap, WingRiders, SundaeSwap, etc.) into a single platform.
• Provide smart order routing, using intelligent algorithms to ensure users get the best possible price while minimizing slippage.
• Offer a seamless user experience with a simple interface, wallet connectivity (Lace), and support for popular trading pairs.
• Ensure security and transparency by leveraging open-source Plutus smart contracts that will undergo third-party audits.
• Enable future scalability, including potential integration with cross-chain liquidity through bridges to attract additional liquidity from other ecosystems.

This solution directly addresses the lack of aggregated liquidity and non-competitive pricing, while also fostering the growth of DeFi on Cardano.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

The project will bring several positive impacts to the Cardano ecosystem:

• Improved trading efficiency: Users can easily find the best prices, reducing costs and slippage.
• Enhanced liquidity: By integrating multiple DEXs, we create a deeper liquidity pool and make Cardano more competitive.
• Accelerated DeFi adoption: A user-friendly platform will attract new participants, increase TVL (Total Value Locked), and boost on-chain activity.
• Innovation and openness: Our open-source approach and compatibility will allow developers to build on top of the aggregator, strengthening the ecosystem.
• Competitive edge against other ecosystems: Cardano will have a solution comparable to 1inch or Matcha, specifically tailored for its users.

[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?

We are a team shaped by years of experience across DeFi, blockchain architecture, and real-world product development. We began our journey with Cardano in early 2025, starting with a main track win at the Cardano Vietnam Hackathon.

Several members have spent nearly a decade in financial markets, building and optimizing trading systems. Others have worked across the Web3 landscape, developing everything from smart contracts to scalable backend systems and data layers. Our design philosophy is rooted in precision, transparency, and a commitment to building tools that serve real users.

Each of us brings a distinct perspective. Some focus deeply on market structure and execution. Others obsess over user flows, security models, and on-chain performance. We share a belief that great products are not just about innovation, but about solving problems with clarity and intention. That belief keeps us grounded as we ship features that users actually use, while remaining agile in an evolving ecosystem.

Rather than chasing trends, we focus on staying close to the pain points of traders and strategy builders. Our goal is to create infrastructure that outlasts cycles, and to enable smarter, safer, and more automated trading in DeFi. Dexonic is not a concept. It is a platform already in motion, backed by deep experience and built for what is next.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Research & Architecture Design

Milestone Outputs

A complete technical architecture document outlining system components, API interactions, and data flow. UX/UI wireframes will be created for the core screens, ensuring a user-friendly design. A detailed competitive analysis of existing Cardano DEX platforms will also be delivered to inform the best routing strategies.

• Comprehensive market analysis of existing Cardano DEXs and competitors (1inch, Matcha).
• Technical architecture for the DEX Aggregator (smart contracts, backend, routing algorithm).
• UX/UI wireframes for the platform.

Acceptance Criteria

Technical architecture document must clearly define all modules and integration points. Wireframes must include at least three core user journeys: swap, wallet connection, and transaction history. The research must be peer-reviewed and published for transparency before moving to development.

• Approved technical architecture document.
• Completed UX/UI wireframes.
• Documentation published on GitHub.

Evidence of Completion

GitHub repository containing the technical architecture document, UX/UI wireframes shared as image files or via Figma link, and a PDF market research report publicly accessible to the community.

• Architecture design file on GitHub.
• UI/UX design mockups shared publicly.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

8000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Smart Contract Development & Initial Integration

Milestone Outputs

Development of core Plutus smart contracts for DEX aggregation, including logic for order routing and slippage control. Integration with two Cardano DEXs (e.g., Minswap and WingRiders) to enable basic routing. Unit tests covering all core functions to ensure reliability before testnet deployment.

• Development of core Plutus smart contracts for trade aggregation.
• Integration with at least 2 Cardano DEXs (e.g., Minswap and WingRiders).
• Unit tests for smart contracts.

Acceptance Criteria

Smart contracts must be fully functional on the Cardano testnet and successfully execute swaps through both integrated DEXs. Unit test coverage must reach at least 80% for all key functions, and results should be publicly verifiable.

• Smart contracts deployed on the Cardano testnet.
• At least 2 DEXs have been successfully integrated for routing.

Evidence of Completion

Smart contract source code published in an open GitHub repository, along with automated test results and transaction hashes proving successful trades on Cardano testnet with integrated DEXs.

• Smart contract code and test reports on GitHub.
• Testnet transaction hashes for successful trades.

Delivery Month

3

Cost

15000

Progress

40 %

Milestone Title

Frontend Development & Wallet Integration

Milestone Outputs

A responsive web application featuring the aggregator dashboard, swap functionality, and price comparison. Wallet integration for Lace wallet, allowing users to connect accounts and perform testnet transactions. A public demo enabling real-time simulations for community feedback.

• Web application with a user interface for trade aggregation.
• Wallet integrations (Lace).
• Testnet demo with real user interactions.

Acceptance Criteria

The UI must allow smooth wallet connection, display aggregated pricing from multiple DEXs, and execute test trades without errors. The demo should demonstrate an end-to-end transaction flow in a testnet environment with video evidence for community review.

• Functional UI allowing users to connect wallets and simulate trades.
• Demo video showcasing DEX aggregation on testnet.

Evidence of Completion

Live testnet demo accessible to the community, accompanied by a recorded video showcasing features. Frontend source code and integration documentation uploaded to GitHub for public verification and developer reference.

• Public testnet demo available.
• Frontend code on GitHub.

Delivery Month

5

Cost

12000

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Final Testing, Deployment & Documentation

Milestone Outputs

Extensive QA testing including functional, security, and performance evaluations. Full deployment on Cardano mainnet with all planned DEX integrations active. Creation of an open-access user guide and developer documentation to encourage adoption and community contribution.

• Full QA testing (functional, security, performance).
• Deployment on Cardano mainnet.
• User guide and developer documentation.

Acceptance Criteria

The platform must operate without critical bugs on Cardano mainnet, handling real swaps successfully. Documentation must cover installation, usage, and developer guidelines. Code must be fully open-sourced and audited before final release.

• Mainnet DEX Aggregator live and operational.
• Public documentation and open-source code available.

Evidence of Completion

Mainnet contract addresses and live aggregator platform URL published publicly. GitHub repository with final code, audit report, and complete documentation available to the Cardano community.

• Mainnet contract addresses and application link.
• Documentation published.

Delivery Month

6

Cost

15000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Total Budget: 50,000 ADA

The budget is allocated across research, development, testing, deployment, and project management. Below is the detailed breakdown:

1. Research & Architecture Design – 8,000 ADA

• Market analysis and competitive benchmarking: 2,000 ADA
• Technical architecture design: 3,000 ADA
• UX/UI wireframes and user flows: 3,000 ADA

This phase ensures a strong foundation by defining system structure and user experience before development starts.

1. Smart Contract Development & Integration – 15,000 ADA

• Core Plutus smart contracts for aggregation logic: 8,000 ADA
• Integration with two major Cardano DEXs: 5,000 ADA
• Unit testing and basic security checks: 2,000 ADA

This phase delivers the functional backend needed to aggregate liquidity and execute trades securely.

1. Frontend Development & Wallet Integration – 12,000 ADA

• Web application development with responsive UI: 6,000 ADA
• Wallet integration (Nami, Eternl): 3,000 ADA
• Testnet demo and community feedback implementation: 3,000 ADA

This ensures a seamless and intuitive user experience for real trading scenarios.

1. Final Testing, Audit & Mainnet Deployment – 15,000 ADA

• Comprehensive QA testing (functional, security, performance): 4,000 ADA
• External security audit for smart contracts: 6,000 ADA
• Mainnet deployment and infrastructure setup: 3,000 ADA
• Documentation and community release preparation: 2,000 ADA

This ensures the platform is secure, reliable, and fully documented before public launch.

Resource Allocation Summary

• Developers (Smart Contract & Frontend): ~50% of total budget
• UI/UX & Design: ~10% of total budget
• Testing & Security Audit: ~20% of total budget
• Project Management & Overheads: ~10% of total budget
• Community Engagement & Documentation: ~10% of total budget

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

The proposed budget of 50,000 ADA delivers a high-impact solution that addresses a critical gap in the Cardano DeFi ecosystem: fragmented liquidity and suboptimal trade execution. By creating a DEX Aggregator, we enable users to access the best prices across multiple decentralized exchanges, significantly improving the efficiency and competitiveness of Cardano compared to other ecosystems like Ethereum or Solana.

This cost represents excellent value for the community because:

• Maximizes liquidity usage: Our platform aggregates multiple DEXs, reducing price slippage and making Cardano DeFi more attractive for traders.
• Catalyzes ecosystem growth: By simplifying the trading process and providing better rates, we encourage more users to stay within Cardano rather than moving to other chains.
• Open-source contribution: All code, architecture, and documentation will be publicly available, enabling other developers to build on our work and foster innovation.
• Security-first approach: A significant portion of the budget is allocated to audits and testing to ensure user funds remain safe, protecting the ecosystem’s reputation.
• Long-term impact: Unlike short-term campaigns, this solution remains relevant as more DEXs and liquidity pools launch on Cardano, creating a scalable and sustainable tool.

Compared to building a DEX from scratch, which could cost 3-4 times more, a DEX Aggregator delivers greater efficiency at a fraction of the cost while creating immediate utility for all existing DEXs on Cardano. The investment ensures that every ADA spent brings measurable benefits: increased trading volume, improved user experience, and a stronger competitive position for Cardano DeFi.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes