Last updated 5 months ago
Cardano lacks a native, institutional-grade crypto index product that can serve as a simple, secure, and regulated gateway to diversified on-chain exposure.
Launch a Cardano-native CTI token — a fully collateralized, rules-based index product — with a light, replicable architecture enabling both institutional and retail access through DEX and API channels
This is the total amount allocated to The First Cardano-Native CTI (Crypto Traded Index) Token.
Please provide your proposal title
The First Cardano-Native CTI (Crypto Traded Index) Token
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
85000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
6
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Cardano lacks a native, institutional-grade crypto index product that can serve as a simple, secure, and regulated gateway to diversified on-chain exposure.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
Yes
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
Requires Cardano on-chain capabilities (Plutus, native assets, DEX liquidity), oracle or price feed mechanism for NAV tracking, and potential partnership with MLabs or similar for smart contract deployment and audit.
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
Apache 2.0 License - CTI architecture, smart contract components, and index methodology will be open source, enabling other teams to create similar financial products on Cardano.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.
DeFi
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).
This proposal creates the first institutional-grade Crypto Traded Index (CTI) token native to Cardano, providing fully collateralized, rules-based exposure to diversified crypto assets. Unlike existing index products on other chains, this CTI combines institutional compliance with Cardano's native asset capabilities and DEX integration.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
The MVP will showcase complete CTI lifecycle from token deployment to DEX integration. Institutional and retail users can access diversified crypto exposure through a single Cardano-native token with transparent collateralization and automated rebalancing capabilities.ps.
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
Primary success is delivering live CTI token with audited smart contracts, working DEX/API distribution, and public token explorer. Future metrics include ₳250K+ TVL within 3 months, 3+ institutional partners onboarded, 1,000+ wallet holders, and active arbitrage mechanisms maintaining NAV accuracy.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Problem
Cardano's DeFi ecosystem lacks institutional-grade financial products that can serve as gateways for traditional finance participants seeking diversified crypto exposure. Current options require users to manually manage multiple assets or rely on centralized platforms lacking transparency and regulatory compliance.
Institutional investors and wealth management clients need simple, secure access to diversified crypto exposure without operational complexity of multi-asset management. The absence of native index products on Cardano limits institutional adoption and prevents the ecosystem from capturing traditional finance migration to on-chain solutions.
Retail users similarly struggle with portfolio diversification and rebalancing complexity, while lacking access to institutional-quality financial products that provide transparent, rules-based exposure to crypto markets.
Solution
The Cardano-Native CTI Token provides the first institutional-grade index product built specifically for Cardano's ecosystem, offering fully collateralized, rules-based exposure to diversified crypto assets through a single native token.
Fully collateralized architecture ensures every CTI token is backed by underlying assets held in transparent smart contracts, providing institutional-level security and compliance. Rules-based methodology enables backtestable, systematic rebalancing according to predefined criteria including track record, liquidity, and decentralization metrics.
DEX and API integration provides multiple distribution channels, allowing institutions to access CTI through programmatic interfaces while retail users can trade through familiar DEX platforms. The light, replicable architecture enables expansion to additional index strategies and multi-chain implementations.
Community participation mechanisms design incentives for rebalancing participation and arbitrage activities, creating sustainable economic models while maintaining decentralized governance over index methodology evolution.
Unique Approach
This solution uniquely combines institutional-grade financial product design with Cardano's native asset capabilities, creating transparent, collateralized index exposure. The rules-based methodology and community governance provide both institutional compliance and decentralized innovation.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
Value to Community
This CTI token demonstrates Cardano's capability for sophisticated financial products while attracting institutional capital and traditional finance participants to the ecosystem. The product provides both retail and institutional users with transparent, diversified crypto exposure through familiar financial instrument structures.
The implementation showcases Cardano's advantages for financial product development while creating sustainable transaction volume through minting, redeeming, and rebalancing activities. Each institutional adoption validates Cardano's readiness for traditional finance integration.
Measuring Impact
Primary Success Metrics: Live CTI token deployment with audited smart contracts, working DEX/API distribution endpoint, and public token explorer with transparent reporting.
Adoption Metrics: Total Value Locked (TVL) reaching ₳250K+ within 3 months, institutional or platform partnerships (target: 3+), wallet holder growth (target: 1,000+), and active arbitrage mechanisms maintaining NAV accuracy within 2% of underlying assets.
Ecosystem Growth: Transaction volume through CTI operations, institutional inquiries and onboarding, community participation in governance and rebalancing activities, and foundation establishment for additional financial products.
Community Engagement: Community proposals for rebalancing criteria, arbitrage participant program adoption, and planning validation for Phase 2 expansion including ETP wrapper or multi-chain capabilities.
All metrics tracked through blockchain analytics, institutional reporting, and community governance with regular public transparency reports.
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?
Existing Infrastructure
This project builds upon Cardano's proven native asset capabilities and growing DeFi ecosystem including DEX platforms and oracle infrastructure. The team's extensive traditional finance experience provides institutional knowledge for compliant financial product design.
The combination of hedge fund portfolio management, Bloomberg infrastructure expertise, and Goldman Sachs sales experience ensures both technical implementation capability and institutional market access for successful CTI adoption.
Technical Validation
Core concepts validated through existing index fund structures and Cardano's demonstrated native asset functionality. The collateralized approach leverages proven smart contract patterns while adding novel institutional-grade features for transparency and compliance.
Track Record
The team's combined experience includes hedge fund portfolio management, structured product development, Bloomberg financial infrastructure, Goldman Sachs institutional sales, and private banking digital asset integration. This expertise ensures both technical capability and market access for successful CTI implementation.
Milestone Title
CTI Architecture & Token Logic Design
Milestone Outputs
Comprehensive CTI architecture documentation, token logic specs, index methodology (rules & backtests), and smart contract design covering mint/redeem flows, collateral management and arbitrage mechanisms.
Acceptance Criteria
Complete technical architecture defining CTI token structure and operations. Index methodology with rules-based rebalancing criteria and backtesting framework. Smart contract specifications for collateralization and arbitrage mechanisms.
Evidence of Completion
Published CTI whitepaper with technical architecture and methodology. Smart contract design documentation. Index logic engine specifications with backtesting capabilities
Delivery Month
2
Cost
20000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
Smart Contract Development & Testing
Milestone Outputs
Deployed CTI smart contracts on Cardano testnet with mint/redeem functionality, collateral management, and automated rebalancing logic, followed by comprehensive security testing, tuning, and optimization.
Acceptance Criteria
Functional smart contracts for CTI token creation/redemption and collateral management, with automated rebalancing logic implemented and tested, plus full security review and performance optimization completepleted.
Evidence of Completion
Testnet deployment with functional minting/redeeming demonstrations. Testing reports and optimization documentation. Smart contract audit preparation materials.
Delivery Month
4
Cost
35000
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
Mainnet Deployment & DEX Integration
Milestone Outputs
CTI token deployed on Cardano mainnet with audited smart contracts. DEX integration for trading capabilities and API endpoints for institutional access. Public token explorer and transparency reportin
Acceptance Criteria
Live CTI token on mainnet with completed security audit. Functional DEX integration enabling trading and liquidity provision. API endpoints operational for institutional access. Public token explorer showing real-time CTI data.
Evidence of Completion
Mainnet deployment confirmation with audit report. DEX integration demonstration and API documentation. Live token explorer with transparency metrics and real-time data.
Delivery Month
5
Cost
30000
Progress
90 %
Milestone Title
Public Launch & Institutional Onboardin
Milestone Outputs
Public CTI token launch with marketing materials and community participation mechanisms. Institutional partner onboarding and community governance framework activation. Launch demonstration and ecosystem promotion.
Acceptance Criteria
Public CTI launch with complete marketing kit and community documentation. At least one institutional partner onboarded with active participation. Community governance mechanisms operational for methodology evolution.
Evidence of Completion
Public launch announcement with marketing materials and partner confirmations. Community participation evidence and governance framework documentation. Launch demonstration
Delivery Month
6
Cost
15000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Estimate Duration for Each Milestone
Allocate Resources to Each Milestone
Institutional financial product development rates:
Monthly Burn Rates for Each Milestone
Financial Product Development & Infrastructure:
Total: ₳13,390
Total: 85,000 ADA
Institutional financial product rates reflect specialized expertise in structured products, regulatory compliance, and traditional finance integration required for credible CTI development.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
This ₳85,000 investment creates Cardano's first institutional-grade financial product while demonstrating the ecosystem's capability for sophisticated traditional finance applications. The CTI token provides both retail and institutional users with transparent, diversified crypto exposure through familiar financial instrument structures.
The team's combined traditional finance expertise from hedge funds, Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, and private banking ensures institutional credibility while technical implementation leverages Cardano's native asset advantages. The product creates sustainable transaction volume through minting, redeeming, and rebalancing activities.
The investment establishes Cardano as a credible platform for institutional financial products while creating reusable architecture for additional index strategies and structured products, positioning the ecosystem for traditional finance adoption and institutional capital inflow.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Lionel Rebibo - CEO & Project Lead: Ex-hedge fund portfolio manager with extensive experience in structured products, compliance, and digital asset integration. Drives overall strategy, token logic development, and Cardano ecosystem alignment.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lionel-rebibo-67710554/
Laurent Barocas - Chief Client Officer: 20+ years at Bloomberg with expertise in client-facing financial infrastructure. Manages B2B relationships with private banks, platforms, and exchanges for institutional CTI adoption.
Alexander Jansen - Global Head of Sales: Former Goldman Sachs and BNP executive with experience building global sales pipelines for financial instruments. Leads API partnerships and advisor channel activation for CTI distribution.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurentbarocas/
Ryan Shea – Technical Advisor
Blockchain engineer with deep expertise in token architecture, DeFi, and smart contract design. Former CTO in digital asset infrastructure, with experience launching products across multiple Layer 1s. Supports the CTI token’s technical design and on-chain deployment.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjshea1/
Peter Stamas – Strategic Advisor
Seasoned fintech operator with 20+ years in trading, banking, and digital asset strategy. Former COO and advisor to startups and institutional platforms. Supports go-to-market strategy, institutional positioning, and ecosystem partnerships for the CTI token.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternstamas/
Sacha Windisch - Ecosystem Advisor & Catalyst Liaison: Strategic blockchain advisor with proven Catalyst success. Coordinates project delivery, documentation, and community communications.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachawindisch/
Riz Pabani - Advisor & Business Development: Former corporate strategist with platform development expertise. Provides strategic guidance and business development support for CTI ecosystem integration.