Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Budget - 275M ada Administered by Intersect

System1y ago1 post

245 DReps voted · 72 with a rationale · 3 changed their vote · 3 re-voted unchanged

Open a row to read the rationale.

Changed votes: 3 to yes, together voting with 65.7M ₳ of voting power.

  • Yes1.6M ₳Rationale

    My votes for the currently active budget governance actions are as follows:

    • ✅ YES on the 275M Intersect Budget
    • ✅ YES on the Amaru Node Development Budget
    • ❌ NO on the 7.5M Community Builders Budget

    The Intersect budget includes a broad set of proposals that are generally positive for the Cardano ecosystem. While I may have reservations about some individual proposals, approving the budget doesn't automatically release funds. I can re-evaluate specific items later when the associated treasury withdrawal actions are submitted on chain. I strongly recommend avoiding overly grouped treasury withdrawals, bundling too many proposals together can result in good initiatives being blocked due to a few contentious ones.

    As for the Amaru Node Development Budget, if it had been included in the recent Ekklesia vote, it likely would have passed, and I would have supported it then as well. That's why I will support it now too. For better clarity, I recommend including the requested budget amount in the governance action title next time.

    I would've preferred to vote on the Community Builders Budget after seeing the outcome of the Intersect budget. If that last one were to fail, I might have considered supporting the community one, but since it was submitted beforehand, that option is off the table now. More importantly, this budget doesn't include the proposals from founding entities and there are no separate gov actions for those. It doesn't make sense to fund only this subset of proposals in isolation imho. So for now I can only assume the Intersect one will pass, which renders this budget unnecessary. Additionally, this budget appoints Intersect as the administrator, yet includes the Starstream proposal, which will not use Intersect as an administrator. For these reasons, I cannot support the Community Builders Budget at this time.

    I'm aware that some of my reasons for voting NO on the community budget could also apply, to some extent, to the Amaru budget. However, the Amaru budget doesn't overlap with another Budget.

  • Yes1.5M ₳No rationale
  • Yes1.4M ₳No rationale
  • Yes1.4M ₳No rationale
  • Abstain1.4M ₳No rationale
  • Yes1.3M ₳Rationale

    YES Vote Rationale

    I support the Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Budget Info Action proposing an aggregate allocation of 275,269,340 ada administered by Intersect over 73 epochs. While the process was not without its imperfections, I believe it represents a good-faith effort toward participatory budgeting under constrained conditions. We should acknowledge these limitations while also recognizing the importance of continuity and collective progress.

    This proposal is constitutionally compliant and aligns with the current Net Change Limit (NCL), fulfilling both the procedural and fiduciary standards expected of on-chain governance.

    The 39 included proposals each surpassed the >50% support threshold and requested Intersect as their Administrator, adding further coherence and administrative accountability to the aggregate action. Although voting yes on this proposal, I'm looking forward to revisiting the 39 proposals as an extra layer in the treasury withdrawal actions following this one.

    The budget supports mission-critical areas across the ecosystem necessary to sustain Cardano’s roadmap, governance evolution, and broader ecosystem momentum. I also hope Intersect, as the Administrator, will implement appropriate safeguards to manage potential selling pressure from large Treasury disbursements, maintaining stability and confidence in the ecosystem.

    VOTE0013

  • Yes1.3M ₳No rationale
  • Yes1.2M ₳Rationale

    I am voting YES because this single, on-chain budget translates the broad DRep mandate expressed in Ekklesia—more than 70 % of active stake—into an executable plan that remains beneath the 300 M ADA Net Change Limit I already endorsed. By grouping the thirty-nine proposals that cleared the 50 % support threshold and explicitly asked Intersect to act as administrator, we avoid a patchwork of separate withdrawals, reduce deposits that smaller teams cannot afford, and give the community one clear point of oversight. Each project will still face its own due-diligence, milestone, and smart-contract escrow before funds leave the treasury, so low-quality work can be halted without jeopardising the rest. Approving the budget now keeps treasury outflows roughly in line with expected inflows, prevents decision-making gridlock, and lets builders focus on delivering the 2025 roadmap while DReps retain the right to scrutinise every withdrawal. For these reasons, and to maintain momentum under the constitutional process we helped create, I support the Intersect aggregate budget.

  • No1.2M ₳No rationale
  • No1.2M ₳Rationale

    I voted NO to Intersect’s approach to coordinating and funding these projects, there are many initiatives lacking sufficient support for treasury withdrawal approval. Many proposals are more suitable for other means of funding. Also the proposed total funding exceeds a prudent target of 200 million ADA, as outlined in my prior governance action rationales. I woulld like to see a comprehensive review of the emergent budget process to develop a streamlined, efficient method that better supports Cardano’s treasury withdrawal proactices.

  • Yes1.2M ₳Rationale

    I vote YES on this proposal for the following reasons, while also setting clear expectations for any future Treasury Withdrawals:

    1. Strong community signaling
      All 39 proposals in this budget surpassed the 50% support threshold from participating DReps on the Ekklesia platform, with over 3.8 billion ADA cast (~70% of active staking). This ensures legitimacy and transparency in the decision-making process.

    2. Aligned with the Cardano 2025 Vision & Roadmap
      This budget includes critical components such as core infrastructure (IOG, TWEAG, OSC), governance infrastructure (Intersect, Catalyst), scalability (zkFold, Midgard), and ecosystem tools (Lucid, Blockfrost). All are in line with the strategic direction approved by the community.

    3. Transparent fund management via smart contracts
      Intersect will manage fund disbursement using decentralized smart contracts and multisig oversight, with auditability, milestone-based releases, and refund mechanisms. This increases transparency, reduces risk, and improves fund efficiency.

    4. Complies with the 2025 Net Change Limit (NCL)
      The total budget (275M ₳) remains within the approved 2025 NCL of 350M ₳, allowing room for flexibility while maintaining financial discipline.

    ⚠️ Conditions before approving any Treasury Withdrawals
    I do not commit to voting YES on Treasury Withdrawals by default. I expect:

    Withdrawals in manageable and reasonable chunks – Proposals bundling too many components into one large request will be rejected.

    Committee-level evaluations – Each proposal should be reviewed for milestones, KPIs, and feasibility by relevant committees, with results made public (even if negative).

    Clear segmentation of large proposals – Proposals covering multiple initiatives should be broken down and subject to DRep voting (off-chain voting is acceptable) before withdrawal actions.

    • These conditions ensure better governance, prevent wasteful spending, and hold proposers accountable.

    This is the first major budget under the Constitutional governance model. If implemented with proper oversight, it can strike a healthy balance between strategic investment and financial discipline.


    Japanese Translation

    私はこの提案に賛成票を投じます。ただし、今後のトレジャリー引き出しについては、以下の条件を明確にします:

    1)コミュニティの強い支持に基づいている
    この予算に含まれる39の提案すべてが、Ekklesia プラットフォームにおいて参加した DRep の50%以上の支持(投票総額38億ADA以上、ステークの約70%)を獲得しています。これは正当性と透明性を担保します。

    2)Cardano 2025のビジョンとロードマップに合致
    IOG、TWEAG、OSCなどの基盤開発、IntersectとCatalystによるガバナンス、zkFoldやMidgardのスケーラビリティ強化、LucidやBlockfrostなどのツール支援が含まれており、戦略的方向性と一致しています。

    3)スマートコントラクトによる透明な資金管理
    Intersectがマルチシグとスマートコントラクトを活用し、段階的な支出・監査・未使用ADAの返却を可能にする管理体制を整備します。これにより、リスク軽減と透明性が確保されます。

    4)2025年の支出上限(NCL)を遵守
    合計予算275M ₳は、承認済みのNCL 350M ₳の範囲内であり、財政規律を保ちながら柔軟性を確保します。

    ⚠️ 今後の引き出しに対する条件
    今後のトレジャリー引き出しに対して、自動的に賛成することはありません。以下の点を重視します:

    段階的かつ合理的な引き出し:巨大で内容の多い一括請求には反対します。

    専門委員会によるレビュー:各提案について、マイルストーン・KPI・実現可能性を委員会が審査し、その結果を公開すること(否定的な結果も含む)。

    大型提案の分割と事前投票:複数内容を含む提案は分割し、DRepによる事前投票(オフチェーン可)を行うこと。

    ※これらの条件は、より良いガバナンスを促し、無駄な支出を防ぎ、提案者の説明責任を強化します。

    この提案は、Cardanoの憲法ガバナンス体制下での初の本格的な予算策定です。適切な監視と共に実行されれば、戦略的投資と財政規律のバランスが保たれるでしょう。


    Vietnamese Translation

    Tôi bỏ phiếu YES cho đề xuất này vì:

    1. Dựa trên tín hiệu mạnh mẽ từ cộng đồng
      Cả 39 đề xuất trong ngân sách này đều vượt ngưỡng 50% ủng hộ từ các DRep trên Ekklesia, với hơn 3.8 tỷ ADA tham gia (~70% tổng staking đang hoạt động). Điều này thể hiện tính minh bạch và đồng thuận rộng rãi.

    2. Phù hợp với tầm nhìn & lộ trình năm 2025
      Các hạng mục ngân sách tập trung vào: phát triển hạ tầng cốt lõi (IOG, TWEAG, OSC), mở rộng khả năng quản trị (Intersect, Catalyst), giải pháp mở rộng quy mô (Midgard, zkFold), và công cụ hỗ trợ hệ sinh thái (Lucid, Blockfrost). Tất cả đều phù hợp với chiến lược đã được cộng đồng thông qua.

    3. Quản lý quỹ minh bạch qua hợp đồng thông minh
      Intersect sẽ quản lý rút quỹ theo từng mốc bằng multisig và hợp đồng thông minh, với cơ chế kiểm toán, tạm ngưng và hoàn trả nếu cần – tăng tính minh bạch và giảm rủi ro.

    4. Ngân sách nằm trong giới hạn chi tiêu NCL 2025
      Tổng chi là 275M ₳, vẫn trong giới hạn NCL đã phê duyệt (350M ₳), đảm bảo có dư địa cho các khoản chi tiếp theo mà vẫn duy trì kỷ luật tài chính.

    ⚠️ Tuy nhiên, tôi đặt ra các điều kiện rõ ràng trước khi rút ADA từ kho bạc:
    Tôi không cam kết bỏ phiếu YES mặc định cho các hành động rút quỹ. Tôi kỳ vọng:

    Rút quỹ theo từng đợt nhỏ, rõ ràng.

    Mỗi đề xuất cần có đánh giá chuyên môn công khai về KPI, mốc tiến độ, và tính khả thi.

    Đề xuất lớn phải được chia nhỏ hợp lý và bỏ phiếu DRep trước khi rút quỹ.

    • Đây là bước đi đầu tiên của Cardano dưới mô hình ngân sách theo hiến pháp. Nếu triển khai đúng, nó sẽ giúp cân bằng giữa đầu tư chiến lược và trách nhiệm tài chính bền vững.
  • Yes1.2M ₳Rationale

    After thorough consideration of Interests Budget Info Action for the Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem, I cast my vote in favor of this proposal. While I initially advocated for a Net Change Limit preserving maximal treasury reserves, I find the withdrawal of 275,269,340 ADA to be a measured compromise. This allocation—distributed across 39 rigorously vetted initiatives spanning core development, governance, marketing, and innovation—reflects the collective will of our community, as demonstrated by the participation of over 3.8B ADA in stake-weighted signaling. My endorsement stems from profound appreciation for the contributors behind these proposals. Their dedication to advancing Cardano's infrastructure (e.g., Optimistic Rollups, ZK Bridges, decentralized funding models) and ecosystem tools (from PyCardano to hardware wallet maintenance) exemplifies the ingenuity that sustains our blockchain. The multi-sig oversight framework and milestone-based disbursements further ensure responsible treasury stewardship. This budget embodies the maturation of Cardano's governance: community-driven, constitutionally aligned, and strategically focused on delivering the 2025 roadmap. I commend Intersect for facilitating this transparent process and trust in their administration of these funds.

  • Yes1.2M ₳No rationale
  • Yes1.2M ₳Rationale

    As a dREp I voted YES on the 275M ADA Budget administered by Intersect. My vote does not mean that I agree with funding all of the proposals contained herein. Voting YES is an acknowledgement of due process and a signal to support furthering Cardano Governance and budgeting for 2025. Each proposal contained herein will have a Treasury Withdrawal Governance Action submitted separately: each with a 67% approval threshold, and I will vote YES to the ones I agree with. If proposals for Withdrawal should be clumped together in a way that I deem unacceptable I will vote NO on those that are.

  • No1.1M ₳No rationale
  • Yes1.1M ₳No rationale
  • No1.1M ₳Rationale

    The proposal to allocate a 275 million ADA budget in one consolidated on-chain action raises fundamental concerns that strike at the heart of Cardano’s long-term monetary and governance strategy. While the ambition to fund critical technical development is understandable, the conflation of essential projects with discretionary or even questionable expenditures undermines the clarity and discipline required for sustainable treasury management.

    Cardano’s fixed supply and disinflationary emission schedule are not mere marketing points—they are pillars of our network’s integrity and competitive advantage. Unlike traditional fiscal budgeting, treasury disbursements on Cardano must be approached as a form of monetary policy intervention, with profound implications for inflation and token value. The analogy to Bitcoin’s sub-1% inflation rate is instructive: protocols that fail to maintain stringent control over supply risk market devaluation and loss of confidence. Cardano’s current sub-2% inflation is already a delicate balance; introducing large, loosely vetted expenditures threatens to destabilize this equilibrium.

    The governance process itself reveals critical weaknesses. Bundling diverse proposals into a single, massive budget obscures granular scrutiny and forces DReps into an all-or-nothing vote. This approach disenfranchises the community’s ability to engage meaningfully and erodes trust in the decision-making framework. Proper governance demands transparency, segmented voting, and rigorous application of spam filters to prevent dilution of focus and resources on non-essential initiatives.

    Moreover, the absence of a clearly defined spending ceiling prior to proposal consideration inverts responsible budgeting principles. We must first establish how much the treasury can sustainably allocate without compromising network health, then apply stringent selectivity to proposals based on strategic alignment and demonstrable impact. The fear that the Network Control Limit (NCL) is being treated as a target rather than a constraint is not hypothetical—it is manifesting in real-time and must be addressed with urgency.

    From my extensive experience navigating complex, technology-driven ecosystems, I assert that unchecked treasury spending is the single greatest existential risk Cardano faces today. We must recalibrate our governance approach to prioritize cautious, business-minded stewardship of resources, ensuring that every ADA spent advances Cardano’s foundational vision of a decentralized, scalable, and scientifically grounded blockchain.

    I stand firmly against this haphazard spending trajectory and call upon our community and fellow DReps to adopt a more disciplined, transparent, and strategic framework for treasury governance. Our protocol’s future stability depends on it.

  • Yes1.1M ₳No rationale
  • Yes969.9K ₳No rationale
  • No966.3K ₳No rationale
  • No951.2K ₳No rationale
  • Yes929.9K ₳No rationale
  • Yes927.7K ₳No rationale
  • Yes920.9K ₳No rationale
  • Yes884.5K ₳No rationale
  • No870.3K ₳No rationale
  • Yes829.9K ₳Rationale

    We are voting YES to Intersect's budget proposal. It provides resources to keep working on some of the highest priorities to keep moving Cardano's ecosystem forward. Some level of consultation was done and supported by an offchain temprature check with dreps.

  • Yes796.1K ₳Rationale

    The community signaled support for the projects that comprise this budget. While I am not in favor of some of them, and I find the scope of the budget excessive, I'm not convinced that we should get bogged down here and insist on a more granular collection of budget definitions. I will NOT, however, approve of any Treasury withdrawal at this scale and scope.

  • YesRevoted792.3K ₳Rationale

    I voted YES because this proposal presents a well-structured approach to coordinating and funding key projects that support the Cardano ecosystem. We need this development and support of key Cardano projects within the ecosystem. It brings together 39 initiatives focused on development, governance, marketing, infrastructure, and innovation, all aligning with Cardano’s 2025 roadmap.

    This is not a direct request for funds but a signal to recognise the combined budget so that future Treasury Withdrawals for each project can be submitted and approved individually. That ensures proper review and accountability for each step.

    As the proposed administrator, Intersect will utilise smart contracts and multisig wallets whenever possible to manage the release of funds. There are built-in checks like due diligence, milestone tracking, and the ability to pause payments if terms aren’t met. All of this helps ensure the responsible use of treasury funds.

    I understand there are concerns regarding grouping so many project budget requests into one single Governance Action, but at this point in the Governance journey, I don't believe we will be able to constantly call upon DRep's time and energy to analyse proposals over and over again.

    Approving this proposal shows that Cardano is ready to move forward with on-chain budgeting in a transparent and decentralised way. It’s an important step in making governance real and in funding the work needed to keep the ecosystem growing and evolving.

    Earlier votes

    Yes1y agoSuperseded

    No1y agoSuperseded

  • No765.6K ₳No rationale
  • No760.2K ₳No rationale
  • Yes742.6K ₳No rationale
  • Yes663.8K ₳Rationale

    We, the Dutch Drep, vote "Yes" on this proposal. The context in which this proposal finds itself is an important determinant of this decision.

    Primary Supporting Arguments

    Contextual Necessity: The proposal is situated within a context that demands progress. The current stage of development and the needs of the ecosystem make it important to move forward with the budgetary process. Productive community builders find themselves lacking funds.

    Need for Budgetary Progress: It is widely recognized that advancing the budgetary process is essential. Delays or stagnation would hinder the growth and effectiveness of the Cardano ecosystem.

    Strong Community Participation: There has been substantial participation from the active voting stake. This high level of engagement demonstrates broad community interest and legitimacy in the decision-making process.

    Primary Concerns

    Script Witnesses Not Included: The off-chain voting process did not include script witnesses, which impacts a measure of the true will of the community (the Dutch Drep was not able to participate in the Ekklesia vote).

    Administrator Role Lacks Context: The administrator role, as currently defined, does not have sufficient context or clarity, which could lead to challenges in effective oversight and governance.

    Risk of Aggregating with 'low-impact' Projects: By aggregating proposals, there is a risk of including projects that may fall under fraud, waste, or abuse. Although not directly visible, such a "poison pill" effect is a serious concern, as it could undermine the integrity of the funding process.

    Recommendation

    Include Script witnesses capability for off-chain voting.

    Improve the administrator oversight transparency including how milestones shall be assessed and by which persons, teams, committees, or subcontractors.

    The risk of low-impact proposals bundled with effective proposals is significant, and may require additional time, effort and loss of funds from the teams involved. Collaboration and transparency can help mitigate this issue, teams are encouraged to assess with prudent risk management with whom they submit proposals and verify with experts before entering into such bundled constructs.

    Conclusion

    On balance, the need for progress and the strong community participation outweigh the identified risks. We are voting "Yes" on this proposal, with the expectation that the community and administrators will work together to resolve outstanding concerns.

  • Yes636.4K ₳No rationale
  • Yes604.7K ₳Rationale

    I am voting yes on the Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Budget - 275M ada Administered by Intersect. While I do not support each individual proposal encapsulated, I do understand the absolute urgency in moving the process forward and getting funds administered. The total amount requested (275 million ADA) is within the range set forth by the supported Net Change Limit Info Action. The proposals included in this budget were approved by the majority of voting power of DReps who participated in the Ekklesia off chain polling process. The funds are needed to continue important work which should not be delayed given this critical period in Cardano's development. The budget brings together 39 initiatives focused on development, infrastructure, and marketing, which all align with Cardano’s 2025 roadmap. Furthermore, this is not a direct request for funds but a recognition that the combined budget is approved so that future Treasury Withdrawals for each 39 project can be submitted and approved individually. In summary, the Intersect budget includes a broad set of proposals that are generally approved by the Cardano ecosystem, and while I may have reservations about some individual proposals, approving the budget doesn't automatically release funds, because DReps can re-evaluate specific items when the associated treasury withdrawal actions are submitted on chain. It is essential to not delay treasury expenditures any further.

  • No582.9K ₳Rationale

    SIDAN Lab is voting NO on governance action “Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Budget - 275M ada Administered by Intersect”

    • Too large and bundled

    39 proposals combined in one GA limits DRep discretion. We support some, not all.

    • Sets risky precedent

    Approving this signals that we’re comfortable with large, bundled budgets before proving the effectiveness of constitutional governance. DReps may have supported it to avoid blocking the budgeting process, rather than out of genuine support for a high spending limit.

    We acknowledge the efforts Intersect has made and recognize its role within the ecosystem. However, based on past performance, there remain areas where execution has not fully aligned with community expectations. While we believe Intersect is continuing to grow in capacity and experience, we have reservations about its current readiness to administer a budget of this size and complexity effectively.

  • No579.1K ₳No rationale
  • YesChanged573.2K ₳Rationale

    I vote Yes because this Info Action promotes transparency, accountability, and better governance. Splitting the treasury request into 39 separate governance actions allows voters to assess each item on its own merit.

    This modular approach ensures:

    Informed decision-making by the community

    Avoidance of bundled approval of unrelated or less-supported items

    Simplified auditing and tracking of treasury spending

    Improved alignment between community values and funding outcomes

    Cardano governance should move toward more granular and democratic practices like this. I fully support this direction.

    Earlier votes

    No1y agoSuperseded

  • Yes559.7K ₳No rationale
  • No550.1K ₳No rationale
  • Abstain503.6K ₳Rationale

    I’m abstaining on this one.
    Not because I think the proposal is bad, I actually don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. The community clearly signaled support for these projects, and I respect that. If people voted to fund them, then yes, let them go ahead. That part makes sense to me.
    But here’s the thing. I’ve been pretty consistent about wanting treasury spending to stay closer to 200 million ADA. If you twist my arm, maybe 250 million...but this budget takes us to 275 million, and that just feels like too much. Even if I think the proposal itself is technically fine, voting yes would contradict everything I’ve already said about staying within limits.
    Also, each of these proposals will still go through treasury withdrawal. Nothing gets funded automatically. They’ll be scrutinized one by one, so I don’t see this Info Action as make-or-break. It’s more procedural than anything.
    So while I support the spirit of this and I’m not voting no, I’m also not going to vote yes just to stay in line. I’d rather abstain and be honest about where I stand.

  • Yes501.3K ₳No rationale
  • Yes479.2K ₳No rationale
  • Yes478.5K ₳Rationale

    I voted YES on the Budget Info Action because it is a procedural step to advance the budgeting process under the Constitution, it does not itself allocate funds. Actual funding will require Treasury Withdrawal proposals, passing a high 67% threshold. That provides enough protection against unvetted spending.

  • Yes466.2K ₳No rationale
  • Yes435.9K ₳No rationale
  • Yes433.2K ₳No rationale
  • Yes393.6K ₳No rationale
  • No388.8K ₳No rationale
  • No379.5K ₳Rationale

    I'm voting No on the Intersect budget because it includes a lot of proposals that I don't want to be funded. I don't think that they are worth our ADA and greenlighting that budget that combines a lot of different proposals could (and I fear will) be seen as a precedence that they then also have the 'right' to get those ADA in later treasury withdrawals. Large omnibus budgets were a phenomenally bad idea and the 'budget committee' was not open to change paths at all. Moreover, I believe that Intersect is not a competent budget administrator and should not be chosen for that role at all.