[Proposal setup] Proposal title
Please provide your proposal title
Institutional Staking & Governance via Colossus Hub
[Proposal Summary] Budget Information
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
250000
[Proposal Summary] Time
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
4
[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement
What is the problem you want to solve?
Enables staking & governance from custodians like Ledger & DFNS. While Fireblocks lacks Cardano support, our integration prepares for secure, compliant institutional participation.
[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation
Supporting links
[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?
No
License and Additional Information
None
[Theme Selection] Theme
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Developer Tools
[Campaign Category] Category Questions
Describe your established collaborations.
Colossus Digital has partnered with major staking providers including P2P.org, Twinstake, and Stakin to enable institutional delegation to their validators via the Institutional Hub using Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise, and DFNS. We also collaborate with SSV, Avalanche, Obol, and Metapool to support staking and governance transactions from custody environments. On the custody side, we work closely with DFNS and Ledger Enterprise, and are in advanced discussions with Fireblocks, to support staking, governance, and smart contract interactions for institutional clients.
Describe funding commitments.
- In June 2025, Colossus Digital secured a €1 million seed investment in a bridge round. This was led by SBI Ven Capital, in partnership with Sygnum Bank and Azimut Group, and signals a high level of confidence in Colossus’s Institutional Hub platform
- The investment will be instrumental in scaling the Institutional Hub, accelerating custody-to-staking workflows, supporting validator integrations, and expanding Colossus Digital’s global institutional client base
Describe your key performance metrics.
- Colossus Digital’s Institutional Hub supports secure staking and governance across 20+ Proof‑of‑Stake blockchains, onboarding chains like Ethereum, Solana, TON, AVAX, ATOM, DOT, Harmony, NEAR, Celestia and more.
- Institutional-grade custody integration with DFNS, Ledger Enterprise, and in-progress Fireblocks enables delegation to validators—including partners like P2P.org, Twinstake, and Stakin.
- Security features include tools like Transaction Lens, multi-party crafting workflows, and Italian regulatory compliance (OAM PSV109).
[Your Project and Solution] Solution
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
How the Integration Addresses Cardano's Key Challenges
Problem 1: Lack of Custodian Integration for Staking
- Institutional clients must manually move assets between wallets and custodians, exposing them to security risks and operational inefficiencies.
- Solution: This integration eliminates manual transfers by enabling staking directly from custodian-controlled wallets through platforms like Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise, and DFNS, ensuring asset security during staking.
Problem 2: Complexity of Staking for Institutional Users
- The current staking process is cumbersome and prone to errors, discouraging participation from non-technical institutional users.
- Solution: Colossus Digital provides an intuitive interface and automated workflows, simplifying staking operations for institutional users.
Problem 3: Limited Institutional Staking Solutions
- The absence of integrated tools limits institutional adoption and innovation within Cardano’s ecosystem.
- Solution: The Institutional Hub delivers comprehensive staking solutions tailored to institutional requirements, offering flexibility, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
Problem 4: Lack of Institutional Governance and Delegated Voting Power
- Institutional clients have limited participation in governance due to a lack of infrastructure for managing staking-related voting rights.
- Solution: The integration enables institutional clients to retain governance and delegate vote power while staking assets through custodial platforms.
[Your Project and Solution] Impact
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
Key Benefits for the Cardano Ecosystem
Expanded Market Reach
- Unlock participation from institutional investors previously constrained by custody limitations.
- Facilitate engagement from financial institutions, investment firms, and other enterprises.
Increased Participation in the Network
- Lower barriers to entry for institutional clients, encouraging greater participation in staking and governance.
- Enhance network security and decentralisation through broader institutional engagement.
Boosted Ecosystem Growth and Value
- Accelerate token adoption by delivering compliant, secure, and user-friendly staking solutions.
- Strengthen Cardano’s position in institutional blockchain solutions, attracting more users to the platform.
Enhanced Security and Compliance
- Assets staked via the Institutional Hub will benefit from regulated custody solutions, ensuring compliance with global standards.
- Align with key regulations such as the Travel Rule, KYT, and MiCA, boosting user confidence and institutional trust.
User-Friendly Staking Services
- Simplify staking processes with intuitive interfaces and automated workflows designed to meet institutional needs.
- Increase participation in governance and staking activities across the ecosystem.
Joint Go-to-Market Strategy
- Collaborate on a targeted Go-to-Market (GTM) plan with Colossus Digital to channel institutional capital into Cardano, driving sustainable growth.
Expected Outcomes
Enhanced Ecosystem Participation: The integration will enable more institutional investors to stake and engage with Cardano, strengthening the network's security and value.
Simplified Operations: Automated tools will remove the complexity of staking for institutional users, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Sustainable Growth: The streamlined staking solution will drive token adoption and attract and promote long-term ecosystem viability.
[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?
Colossus Digital has a proven track record of delivering secure, production-grade integrations for institutional clients across 20+ PoS blockchains. Our Institutional Hub is already live and used by exchanges, custodians, and validator operators including P2P.org, Twinstake, Stakin, DFNS, and Ledger Enterprise, with Fireblocks integration underway. These relationships demonstrate our ability to execute complex blockchain transactions with a high degree of reliability, compliance, and security.
Our team has deep experience across engineering, blockchain security, and custody workflows. We follow strict internal processes for infrastructure deployment, multi-party signing, audit logging, and access control. Our deployments meet institutional requirements, and our integrations are test ad gainst real-world usage by regulated clients.
We apply a rigid project tracking, version control, staged releases (testnet → mainnet), and documentation at every phase. We’ve also built tooling for pre-signature transaction digest validation and governance delegation, ensuring trust throughout the transaction lifecycle.
[Milestones] Project Milestones
Milestone Title
Analysis and Initial Assessment
Milestone Outputs
Duration: 3–4 Weeks
- Design and Analysis: Architect the integration and analyse accessible APIs for generating, signing, and broadcasting validation transactions.
- Environment Setup: Evaluate system requirements and prepare the environment for the Institutional Hub.
- Initial Assessment: Conduct a thorough evaluation of Cardano’s API and infrastructure, identifying gaps and defining integration strategies.
- Integration Requirements: Determine the precise technical and operational prerequisites for seamless integration of Cardano into the Institutional Hub.
Acceptance Criteria
Integration Architecture Document
- A clear technical design outlining how Cardano will be integrated into the Institutional Hub, including data flows and interaction points.
API Capability Assessment Report
- Detailed documentation assessing available Cardano APIs (e.g. for transaction creation, signing, broadcasting, governance, and delegation), noting limitations or custom requirements.
Environment Readiness
- A working technical environment (development or test setup) that mimics the future production conditions, including dependency configurations, testnet access, and infrastructure provisioning.
Gap Analysis
- Identification of any missing functionality or API constraints from Cardano’s side and strategies to resolve or work around them.
Integration Requirements Specification
- A formal written list of technical and operational requirements that must be implemented in the next phases of the project.
Evidence of Completion
Technical Design Document (PDF or Markdown)
- Architecture diagrams
- Component breakdown
- Custody integration flow
API & Infrastructure Assessment Report
- Review of Cardano node software, CLI, GraphQL/RPC endpoints.
- Summary of supported and unsupported functionality
Environment Setup Summary
- Screenshots or logs showing setup of Cardano testnet nodes
Gap Analysis & Risk Register
- List of limitations or challenges with current Cardano tooling
- Mitigation plan and next steps
Requirements Specification
- Document outlining expected functionality (e.g. stake delegation, governance, validator lookup)
- Custody integration notes (e.g. Fireblocks/DFNS interface requirements)
- Timeline estimates for next phases
Delivery Month
1
Cost
27536
Milestone Title
Development and Integration
Milestone Outputs
- Development: Implement signing transaction mechanisms in collaboration with custodian platforms such as Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise, and DFNS, ensuring reliability and security.
- Integration: Develop and test the integration of custodian-signed transactions within the Institutional Hub.
- Customisation for Cardano: Tailor the Staking Hub UI to incorporate Cardano-specific functionality, including an integration panel for Cardano-related operations.
- Testnet Deployment: Deploy the Institutional Hub on Cardano’s testnet environment to replicate real-world conditions and validate functionality.
Acceptance Criteria
Custodian Signing Integration Implemented
- Transaction signing must be functional and tested using at least one supported custodian (e.g. Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise, or DFNS).
End-to-End Transaction Flow Working
- A complete signing → verification → broadcast flow must be demonstrated within the Institutional Hub using the Cardano testnet.
Cardano UI Components Added
- Cardano-specific staking functions (e.g. address management, delegation selection, status tracking) must be visible and usable within the Institutional Hub interface.
Testnet Environment Live
- The Institutional Hub must be deployed to a Cardano testnet environment with integration endpoints, supporting full transaction cycles.
Evidence of Completion
Codebase Updates / Commit History
- Git logs showing new modules for Cardano signing and transaction logic
- Commits related to Fireblocks/DFNS/Ledger integration
- Documentation of SDK or API use (Fireblocks REST, Ledger MPC, etc.)
Functional UI Components
Screenshots or screen recordings of:
- Cardano wallet connection
- Staking dashboard
- Validator selection
- Transaction history tracking
Test Transactions Executed on Cardano Testnet
- TX hashes of delegation or staking actions performed via the Institutional Hub
- Logs showing signed and broadcast transactions via custody platforms
Testnet Deployment Access or Documentation
- Public or shared URLs to the deployed Institutional Hub (testnet version)
Integration Validation Report
- Checklist confirming signing flows work with Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise, and DFNS
- Screenshots/logs from successful test cycles
- Summary of failure cases and implemented handling
Delivery Month
2
Cost
151456
Milestone Title
Node Setup
Milestone Outputs
- Infrastructure Setup: Configure and deploy Cardano’s nodes for both testnet and mainnet environments.
- Security Audits: Plan and execute comprehensive security audits to identify and resolve vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with institutional-grade standards.
Acceptance Criteria
Testnet and Mainnet Node Infrastructure Deployed
- Fully configured Cardano nodes must be deployed and operational for both testnet and mainnet environments.
- Nodes must be accessible to the Institutional Hub backend for reading chain state and broadcasting transactions.
Monitoring and Logging Implemented
- Nodes must be integrated with a monitoring stack to ensure uptime and performance visibility.
- Logs must be centralized and stored securely for auditability.
Security Configuration Completed
- Nodes must be firewalled, with role-based access controls (RBAC) in place.
- Use of TLS, secure SSH keys, and other hardening practices must be applied.
Node Sync Verification
- Nodes must be fully synced with the blockchain (both testnet and mainnet) and able to return valid responses to RPC/API queries.
Evidence of Completion
Deployment Report
- Document detailing node setup: cloud provider (if applicable), OS, version of Cardano node, configs, and startup process.
- Screenshots or logs showing synced node status for both testnet and mainnet.
Access Control & Security Summary
- Summary of firewall rules, IP allowlists, SSH hardening steps.
- Role-based access documentation for devops/infra users.
Monitoring Dashboard Screenshots
- Dashboard showing CPU, memory, block height, peer count, etc.
- Evidence that alerts are configured (e.g. email/slack notifications for downtime).
Security Audit Report
- Document or presentation outlining security checks performed, vulnerabilities (if any) found, and mitigation steps taken.
Node Health Test Logs
- Output from CLI/API commands confirming node is:
- Synced
Delivery Month
3
Cost
27536
Milestone Title
Documentation and Guide
Milestone Outputs
- Technical Documentation: Create detailed infrastructure documentation, including architectural diagrams and integration processes.
- **User Guide: **Develop a user-friendly guide and video tutorials for institutional clients and developers to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
Acceptance Criteria
Technical Documentation Completed
- Includes infrastructure setup, deployment steps, system architecture, API references, node operations, and integration flow with Cardano.
- Clearly explains how Cardano integrates into the Institutional Hub (backend and frontend).
- Covers security practices and compliance measures.
Architectural Diagrams Delivered
- Visual diagrams showing key components: custody layer, validator connection, transaction flow, node infrastructure, and client-facing modules.
User Guide for Institutional Clients and Developers
- Plain-language step-by-step instructions for common user journeys:
- Staking ADA from custody
- Delegating to a validator
- Participating in governance
- Reviewing staking performance
Video Tutorials Produced
- At least 1–2 short video walkthroughs (2–5 min each), explaining:
- How to onboard as a client
- How to stake ADA and interact with Cardano via the Hub
Documents Shared Internally and Publicly (as needed)
- Documents stored and accessible for the project team, funders, and clients.
- Sensitive material protected via secure access controls.
Evidence of Completion
Technical Documentation Pack
- Custody provider interaction
- API/SDK examples
System Architecture Diagrams
- PDF or embedded diagrams showing:
- Data flow from UI → custody → Cardano nodes
Institutional User Guide (PDF/Online)
- Visual, clear guide for:
- Setting up access
- Connecting to Fireblocks/DFNS/Ledger
- Delegating stake to a validator
Video Walkthroughs
- Links to hosted tutorials (e.g. Loom, YouTube , Notion, or shared drive)
- Scripts/transcripts if required
Documentation Index; Delivery Record
- Index of all documentation with dates and version control
Delivery Month
3
Cost
13768
Milestone Title
Marketing and Outreach
Milestone Outputs
- Strategic Marketing Plan: Design and execute a marketing campaign targeting institutional clients, highlighting the benefits of Cardano’s integration.
- Educational Materials: Create informational resources such as case studies, explainer videos, and brochures to promote adoption and engagement.
Acceptance Criteria
Strategic Marketing Plan Developed and Approved
- A clear marketing strategy tailored to institutional clients, exchanges, and custodians.
- Includes channels (email, LinkedIn, industry blogs), messaging, timeline, and key goals.
- Outlines how Cardano’s integration will be positioned to highlight yield, flexibility, and governance.
Targeted Campaign Executed
- At least one outbound campaign (e.g. newsletter, webinar, LinkedIn posts) launched.
- Campaign messaging tailored to institutional benefits of Cardano staking through the Colossus Hub.
Educational and Promotional Materials Created
- Brochures, one-pagers, or explainer decks that outline the integration and benefits.
- Case studies demonstrating use cases or early results (real or hypothetical).
- At least one short explainer video created (1–3 mins), focused on Cardano functionality.
Engagement and Outreach to Key Stakeholders
- Direct outreach to existing or potential clients via email or private presentations.
- Scheduled webinars, demo sessions, or partner discussions to promote adoption.
Evidence of Completion
Marketing Plan Document
- Covers: campaign objectives, audience segments, channels, messages, content plan, KPIs.
Campaign Execution Logs or Screenshots
- Screenshots or links to launched LinkedIn posts, newsletters, or email outreach.
Marketing Collateral Pack
- Explainer brochure or one-pager
- Client-focused slide deck
- Visual flow or infographic
- Download links or final files
Explainer Video(s)
- Hosted video (YouTube, Vimeo, or internal) showing how Cardano staking works for institutions via the Hub.
Outreach Logs / Meeting Notes
- Summary of outreach meetings, demo sessions, or webinars held
Delivery Month
4
Cost
275536
Milestone Title
Mainnet Deployment
Milestone Outputs
- Mainnet Deployment: Launch the integrated solution on Cardano’s mainnet, making it accessible to institutional clients.
- Post-Deployment Verification: Conduct rigorous post-launch checks to ensure the integration meets performance and security benchmarks.
- User Communication: Announce the launch to users and provide detailed instructions for accessing and utilising the integrated features.
- Post-Launch Support: Plan and schedule the development of additional features and integrations based on user feedback and evolving requirements.
Acceptance Criteria
Mainnet Integration Successfully Deployed
- The Institutional Hub must be live with Cardano support enabled on mainnet.
- Custody-integrated transaction signing (e.g. via Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise, DFNS) must work end-to-end on mainnet ADA accounts.
- All critical Cardano-specific functions (e.g. staking and delegation) are functional.
Post-Deployment Testing Completed
- Metrics such as transaction success, response time, and custody flow validation recorded.
Launch Communication Delivered to Clients and Partners
- Clear announcements sent to institutional clients, validators, and custody partners.
- Includes access details, usage instructions, and any changes from testnet to mainnet.
User Documentation and Access Guide Finalised
- Updated guide tailored for live usage on Cardano mainnet.
- Covers all functionality, including delegation to validators.
Post-Launch Feedback and Support Plan Defined
- Roadmap items planned based on early usage and requests (e.g. additional features, new custody integrations).
Evidence of Completion
Deployment Confirmation Logs
- Console logs or screen captures showing successful launch of Cardano features to production (mainnet).
Functional Verification Report
- Document outlining post-deployment test results:
- Custody signing
- Staking performance
- Node sync
- Governance functionality
Launch Announcement(s)
- Screenshots or links to:
- Client communication (email, newsletter)
- Public announcements (LinkedIn, Twitter, blog post)
Updated User Access Guide
- Final version of onboarding guide for institutional clients (PDF or hosted site)
- Screenshots of updated UI reflecting Cardano mainnet features
Post-Launch Roadmap Document
- Plan for ongoing improvements:
- Bug fixes or UX enhancements
Feedback Collection Mechanism
- Form, email alias, or support contact established for user feedback
- Feedback summary or tracker document created
Delivery Month
4
Cost
13768
[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Work Package 1
- Analysis and Initial Assessment - $20,000
Work Package 2
- Development and Integration - $110,000
Work Package 3
Work Package 4
- Documentation and Guide - $10,000
Work Package 5
- Marketing and Outreach - $20,000
Work Package 6
- Mainnet Deployment- $20,000
Total - $200,000
[Final Pitch] Value for Money
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
We are requesting a $200,000 grant to integrate Cardano into the Colossus Institutional Hub. This cost delivers strong value to the Cardano ecosystem by helping solve key problems institutions face when trying to participate in staking and governance.
Why This Matters
Many institutional clients, including banks, asset managers, and exchanges, currently cannot stake their ADA because the assets are held in custody with platforms like Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise, or DFNS. Moving those assets out to stake manually:
- Is risky
- Violates internal compliance policies
- Is not scalable or secure
This project allows institutions to stake directly from custody, without moving funds or breaking compliance, while also gaining tools to participate in on-chain governance.
Case Study: Custodians Blocking Staking
- Fireblocks, the leading institutional custody provider, has 1,800+ institutional clients. Currently, none of them can stake ADA.
- Ledger Enterprise and other regulated custodians also do not support Cardano staking.
As a result, millions of ADA are sitting idle, generating no rewards and offering no support to the Cardano network.
This project unlocks that capital, bringing ADA into active use, securing the network and increasing adoption.
What Cardano Gains
This project provides many long-term benefits to Cardano:
- Brings in Institutional Capital: Institutions will now be able to stake ADA directly, helping secure the network and earn rewards.
- Supports Decentralisation: Institutions can delegate to multiple validators, spreading stake more evenly.
- Improves Governance: Institutions can now vote and participate in proposals without complex setups.
- Increases Adoption: Makes it easier and safer for large organisations to adopt Cardano and grow its user base.
- Regulatory Compliance: All activity remains inside trusted custody systems, meeting regulatory needs.
This is about opening the doors for institutional clients and users who have the capital but need better infrastructure to engage with Cardano.
Built on Proven Infrastructure
Colossus already supports staking on more than 20 other blockchains and is used by several custody and validator partners. Some of our existing collaborations include:
- Validators: P2P.org, Twinstake, Stakin
- Custodians: Ledger Enterprise, DFNS (with Fireblocks in advanced talks)
- Networks: Avalanche, SSV, Obol, and more
We’re not starting from scratch as the platform is live and trusted. This funding will simply extend that platform to include full Cardano support.
Institutions Already Using It
We already have institutional clients and exchanges using the Colossus Institutional Hub to earn staking rewards from assets that were previously locked and not earning yield. Once Cardano is integrated, they can do the same with ADA, bringing more stake into the ecosystem and increasing network security.
It also helps reduce reliance on “walled garden” systems that lock users into one validator. With our approach, institutions can stake to any validator, helping grow the broader Cardano staking community.
Long-Term Benefits
In addition to what’s built during this grant, we’ll continue expanding the Hub with:
- More staking and governance features
- Deeper reporting and analytics
We also plan to work closely with the Cardano community on awareness, client onboarding, and ongoing support.
In Summary
This $200,000 investment delivers:
- Secure, compliant staking and governance for institutions
- Access to any validator
- A trusted platform that removes technical and compliance roadblocks
- A way for Cardano to tap into real institutional capital, now and in the future
It’s a t project that opens the door for more adoption, more staking, and deeper engagement with Cardano.
[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation
Terms and Conditions:
Yes