Last updated 4 months ago
Cardano DeFi is fragmented across many platforms and lacks user incentives, making it hard for users to navigate, reducing activity, and limiting the ecosystem’s growth.
A single hub that aggregates all Cardano DeFi platforms, simplifies access, and gamifies usage with XP rewards to increase on-chain activity.
Please provide your proposal title
Nexus - The Cardano everthing app
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
200000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
9
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Cardano DeFi is fragmented across many platforms and lacks user incentives, making it hard for users to navigate, reducing activity, and limiting the ecosystem’s growth.
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
no dependencies
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
Please provide details on the intellectual property (IP) status of your project outputs, including whether they will be released as open source or retained under another licence.
not aplicable
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 launched in the market (whether by you or others).
Nexus introduces a unified, gamified DeFi hub for Cardano, something that does not exist in the ecosystem today. While Cardano offers diverse DeFi protocols (DEXes, lending platforms, perps, launchpads), users currently navigate them through separate interfaces, each with its own learning curve and UX patterns. This fragmentation limits activity, reduces user retention, and increases friction for newcomers.
Nexus is innovative because it centralizes access to multiple Cardano DeFi platforms into one coherent interface, creating a streamlined experience similar to what successful hubs on other chains (e.g., Abstract Portal, ZetaHub, DefiLlama Aggregators) have already proven to be extremely valuable. No solution on Cardano currently provides this level of aggregation.
In addition to unification, Nexus introduces gamification through XP points, progress levels, medals, and optional NFT badges that reward actual on-chain interactions, unlike typical “quest platforms.” Nexus rewards organic DeFi usage. This means the incentives directly support Cardano’s network activity, dApp liquidity flow, and fee generation.
The platform also innovates by integrating:
-A multi-dApp activity dashboard
-A consistent transaction experience across all integrated protocols
-An XP engine based on verifiable API interactions
-A user progression system that encourages deeper exploration of the ecosystem
By combining aggregation + gamification, Nexus does not simply replicate existing tools, it transforms how users discover, interact with, and remain engaged within Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem. This approach increases transaction volume, reduces user friction, and provides a scalable framework for ecosystem growth.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
The Phase 1 MVP will demonstrate the core functionality of Nexus as a unified DeFi access layer. The MVP will include:
1. Unified Interface
A live web application that allows users to connect their Cardano wallets and seamlessly navigate integrated DeFi protocols through a single UI.
2. Three Integrated Protocols (Phase 1)
The MVP will include:
One DEX (e.g., Minswap)
One lending/borrowing protocol (e.g., Liqwid)
One perp or launchpad (e.g., Strike)
This demonstrates the platform’s cross-dApp aggregation model.
3. XP Engine
Users earn XP for completing real on-chain actions such as:
-Swaps
-Lending/borrowing
-Opening/closing perp positions
-Participating in a launch
XP is stored off-chain, tied to the user’s wallet address.
4. User Dashboard
A clean dashboard showing:
-Connected wallet
-XP balance
-Activity history
-DeFi actions performed across protocols
5. Gamified UX Foundations
-Levels
-Medals
-Simple weekly/overall activity leaderboard
6. Testnet Deployment
The MVP will be accessible:
-On the Cardano testnet for public testing
-Through a dedicated public link (e.g., nexus.farmroll.io or nexus-testnet.io)
With open access for anyone with a Cardano wallet
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
The success of Nexus can be measured through clear, verifiable, and realistic metrics aligned with Cardano’s ecosystem growth goals:
1. User Adoption Metrics
-5,000+ testnet users interacting with at least one DeFi action
-1,500+ mainnet beta users within the first 90 days
-New-wallet onboarding rate measured through XP progression
2. On-Chain Activity Metrics
Across integrated protocols:
-Increase in transaction count initiated through Nexus
-Growth in swap volume, lending actions, or perp interactions
-Number of unique active wallets interacting through Nexus
These metrics are publicly verifiable on-chain.
3. Engagement Metrics
-Total XP earned across all users
-Daily/weekly active users
-Number of completed “activity milestones” per user
-User retention curve (7-day, 30-day retention)
4. Protocol Integration Metrics
-3 fully integrated protocols in Phase 1
-Stable API connectivity and transaction routing
-Response times and system uptime (target: 99%)
5. Ecosystem Impact Metrics
-Increased visibility and usage of integrated Cardano dApps
-Positive feedback from partner platforms (measured via interviews or usage data)
-Increased Cardano network fees as a result of more on-chain actions
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Nexus is a unified DeFi hub designed to solve Cardano’s fragmented user experience by bringing multiple decentralized applications together into a single, consistent interface. Instead of navigating separate DEXes, lending platforms, perpetual exchanges, and launchpads, each with its own design, learning curve, and interaction model—users will be able to access them all from one platform. This reduces friction, increases discoverability, and creates a streamlined entry point into the Cardano ecosystem.
At the core of Nexus is an integration layer that connects directly to partner protocols through their public APIs. This enables users to perform real on-chain actions such as swaps, lending, borrowing, and opening leveraged positions without ever leaving the platform. Each interaction is still fully non-custodial and wallet-signed, preserving the decentralized nature of Cardano while improving usability.
Nexus enhances engagement through a gamified progression system. Users earn XP for completing verified actions across integrated DeFi platforms. These XP points contribute to a user level, unlock medals, and appear on leaderboards that reflect overall ecosystem participation. This type of gamification encourages exploration of Cardano’s DeFi landscape and increases recurring usage, without relying on monetary incentives or rewards.
Nexus also provides users with a unified activity dashboard. This gives a consolidated view of DeFi actions taken across different protocols, XP gained, and progress within the ecosystem. By bringing protocol interactions into a single interface, the platform makes Cardano DeFi more accessible to newcomers while offering experienced users a faster and more efficient workflow.
Overall, Nexus solves the problem of fragmentation by creating a single, user-friendly hub that simplifies access to Cardano’s decentralized applications, introduces a gamified incentive layer to increase engagement, and strengthens overall ecosystem activity by encouraging users to interact more frequently and across more protocols.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
Nexus delivers significant positive impact to the wider Cardano community by solving one of the ecosystem’s biggest limitations: fragmented DeFi access. Today, users must move between multiple interfaces with different designs and learning curves, which suppresses exploration, reduces activity, and limits protocol adoption. By unifying these experiences into one coherent hub, Nexus makes Cardano DeFi easier to use, easier to discover, and far more engaging.
This improvement in usability directly translates into measurable network-level growth. Based on projections from our foundational research, a unified DeFi access point combined with a gamified engagement layer can increase Cardano’s daily transactions into the 88,000–320,000 range, depending on user adoption levels. This surge in activity also increases annual fee revenue, with potential ecosystem-wide gains reaching up to 39.8 million ADA per year in the most optimistic model. These numbers highlight the scale of impact possible when friction is reduced and users are encouraged to interact more frequently across multiple protocols.
Nexus amplifies this effect through a non-monetary XP progression system that rewards real DeFi activity. As users perform swaps, lend and borrow assets, or interact with perpetuals and launchpads, they earn XP tied to on-chain actions. This creates a positive feedback loop where users naturally explore more of the ecosystem, boosting protocol volume and expanding their own knowledge of Cardano’s DeFi landscape. Because XP is non-financial and not tied to payouts, this system remains compliant with Catalyst rules while still effectively increasing engagement.
Partner protocols also benefit significantly. By being integrated into Nexus, DeFi platforms gain exposure to a larger and more diverse user base, which increases liquidity flow, boosts trading and lending volume, and strengthens the network effect around Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem.
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?
Our team has already delivered large-scale products in the Cardano ecosystem through Farmroll, proving our ability to build reliable, user-facing blockchain applications. We have experienced full-stack and Cardano-native developers, established UX designers, and existing relationships with ecosystem partners, giving us the capability and accountability needed to deliver Nexus. Our infrastructure, development workflows, and prior integrations demonstrate that we can execute complex features such as wallet connections, API-based protocol integrations, and gamified user systems.
Nexus is technically feasible because it builds on a simple, modular architecture: API integrations with non-custodial, wallet-signed transactions. We will validate progress through staged internal testing, followed by a public Cardano testnet deployment to ensure stability, correctness, and real usage feedback. This approach provides clear, verifiable proof that the solution works before mainnet deployment and ensures high trust and accountability throughout delivery.
Milestone Title
Foundational Architecture & UX Design
Milestone Outputs
-Complete system architecture for Nexus (modules, integration layer, XP engine).
-UX/UI wireframes for all Phase 1 pages (dashboard, protocol pages, XP system).
-API integration framework prepared for DEX, lending, and perp/launchpad protocols.
-Technical documentation for wallet flows, signing logic, and API interactions.
Acceptance Criteria
-Architecture document reviewed and approved internally.
-Full UX/UI wireframes delivered and validated against user flow requirements.
-Integration framework tested with mock data for all three protocol types.
-Technical documentation complete and ready for development handoff.
Evidence of Completion
-PDF architecture document.
-Figma link with completed wireframes.
-GitHub repository showing integration framework code.
-Technical documentation files delivered in project repository.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
30000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
Core Platform Development (Backend + XP Engine)
Milestone Outputs
-Functional backend for Nexus (user system, activity tracking, XP logic).
-XP engine implemented with configurable rules per protocol action.
-Unified dashboard backend for user activity and progression.
-API connection handlers for DEX, lending, and perp/launchpad protocols.
Acceptance Criteria
-Backend services deployed and passing internal QA tests.
-XP system logs, awards, and stores XP correctly based on activity triggers.
-User dashboard data populates accurately across all integration types.
-API handlers successfully retrieve live or testnet data from partner protocols.
Evidence of Completion
-GitHub commits showing backend services, endpoints, and XP logic.
-Internal QA test reports.
-API test logs demonstrating successful data pulls.
-Short demo video of backend interactions and XP flow.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
50000
Progress
40 %
Milestone Title
Frontend Development & Platform Assembly
Milestone Outputs
-Fully developed frontend matching approved wireframes.
-Integrated wallet connection (Nami, Eternl, Lace, Yoroi, etc.).
-Protocol pages for DEX, lending, and perp/launchpad operational with backend data.
-User XP, medals, and levels displayed dynamically in the interface.
Acceptance Criteria
-All core pages functional on staging environment.
-Wallets connect and sign transactions successfully.
-XP and user progress visible and updated in real time.
-UI tested for responsiveness and basic performance.
Evidence of Completion
-Staging deployment accessible to Catalyst reviewers.
-GitHub commits for all frontend modules.
-Screenshots or screen recordings of full user flow.
-QA test results for wallet connection and UX flow.
Delivery Month
5
Cost
60000
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
DeFi Protocol Integrations (3 Platforms)
Milestone Outputs
-Live API integrations for three partner protocols (DEX + lending + perp/launchpad).
-Full user transaction flow connected to testnet (swap/lend/borrow/trade actions).
-XP rewards mapped and validated for each protocol interaction.
-Integration stress-tested for edge cases and transaction errors.
Acceptance Criteria
-Successful on-chain actions executed on testnet through Nexus UI.
-All integrations consistently return accuracy of data, positions, and balances.
-XP rewards triggered correctly for each type of testnet interaction.
-Partner projects confirm integration correctness.
Evidence of Completion
-Testnet transaction logs.
-Confirmation from partner protocols.
-Demo videos showing user flows for all 3 integrations.
-GitHub updates showing integration code.
Delivery Month
7
Cost
40000
Progress
80 %
Milestone Title
Public Testnet Launch & Audit Preparation
Milestone Outputs
-Public testnet release of Nexus with full access for community testers.
-Bug fixes, performance improvements, and UI refinements based on community feedback.
-Full documentation: user guides, changelogs, test instructions.
-Preparation of audit-ready technical package for next development phase.
Acceptance Criteria
-Platform publicly accessible on Cardano testnet.
-No critical or high-severity bugs remaining.
-Documentation delivered and reviewed internally.
-Community test feedback collected and resolved properly.
Evidence of Completion
-Public testnet link.
-QA reports and bug resolution logs.
-Documentation repository (PDF + online docs).
-Community testing feedback summary.
Delivery Month
9
Cost
20000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
The total funding request for this proposal is ₳200,000, allocated across five milestones. Each milestone reflects a clearly scoped portion of the development process with defined outputs, acceptance criteria, and deliverables. The cost distribution ensures efficient use of funds, realistic pacing, and full delivery of a working testnet MVP.
Cost Breakdown by Milestone
Milestone 1 – Architecture & UX Design
₳30,000
(System architecture, integration framework, complete UX/UI wireframes, technical documentation)
Milestone 2 – Core Backend Development
₳50,000
(Backend services, XP engine, activity tracking, integration handlers)
Milestone 3 – Frontend Development
₳60,000
(Full UI implementation, wallet connections, user dashboard, XP visual components)
Milestone 4 – Protocol Integrations
₳40,000
(DEX, lending, and perp/launchpad integrations, testnet-ready transaction flows)
Milestone 5 – Public Testnet Launch
₳20,000
(Public release, bug fixes, documentation, audit preparation)
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
The requested ₳200,000 delivers a full working testnet MVP of Nexus, a platform designed to significantly increase usage across Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem. For this cost, the project produces a unified interface, three live protocol integrations, a full XP-based engagement system, and a public testnet launch — all built by an experienced team with a proven delivery track record. This represents strong value because Catalyst is funding the creation of foundational infrastructure rather than temporary incentives or marketing.
The projected network impact further strengthens the value proposition. Based on our research, a unified DeFi hub with gamified engagement can increase daily Cardano transactions into the 88,000–320,000 range, driving substantial growth in on-chain activity. This correlates with an estimated potential increase of up to 39.8 million ADA in annual fee generation ecosystem-wide in optimistic models. For Catalyst, funding a project with such strong multiplier effects ensures that each ADA invested contributes to long-term network utility.
The budget is lean, tied directly to engineering, design, testing, and integrations, with no unnecessary overhead or non-development expenses. All funds go toward building functional infrastructure that will continue to drive adoption long after the project is delivered. Given the projected ecosystem growth, the technical scope, and the lasting utility of the platform, Nexus offers one of the strongest value-for-money profiles within this funding category.
I confirm that evidence of prior research, whitepaper, design, or proof-of-concept is provided.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal includes ecosystem research and uses the findings to either (a) justify its uniqueness over existing solutions or (b) demonstrate the value of its novel approach.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal demonstrates technical capability via verifiable in-house talent or a confirmed development partner (GitHub, LinkedIn, portfolio, etc.)
Yes
I confirm that the proposer and all team members are in good standing with prior Catalyst projects.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal clearly defines the problem and the value of the on-chain utility.
Yes
I confirm that the primary goal of the proposal is a working prototype deployed on at least a Cardano testnet.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal outlines a credible and clear technical plan and architecture.
Yes
I confirm that the budget and timeline (≤ 12 months) are realistic for the proposed work.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal includes a community engagement and feedback plan to amplify prototype adoption with the Cardano ecosystem.
Yes
I confirm that the budget is for future development only; excludes retroactive funding, incentives, giveaways, re-granting, or sub-treasuries.
Yes
I Agree
Yes
The Nexus project will be delivered by the core Farmroll team, a group with a proven track record of building production-ready Cardano applications. Our team includes full-stack developers, Cardano-native engineers, product designers, and system architects who have already shipped large-scale, user-facing blockchain products within the ecosystem.
Farmroll’s developers bring hands-on experience with wallet integrations (CIP-30), API-based protocol connections, scaling backend systems for thousands of users, and designing gamified user experiences. Our design and product leads have delivered polished, intuitive interfaces that make complex blockchain interactions accessible to everyday users.
In addition to the Farmroll team, the project will be supported by experienced and well-known contributors from the Cardano ecosystem, including individuals with prior collaboration experience with the Cardano Foundation. Their involvement provides valuable technical guidance, network expertise, and ecosystem alignment, ensuring that Nexus is built to meet real Cardano needs and adheres to best practices.
Together, this combined group brings the capability, credibility, and ecosystem understanding required to deliver Nexus successfully and responsibly.