This proposal introduces a fully open-source, transparent framework for the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) on the Cardano blockchain, beginning with a compliant cattle feedlot investment model that offers an estimated 30% annual return. Designed to deliver real value back to the Cardano ecosystem, the platform establishes a regenerative model that supports financial accountability, legal compliance, and long-term scalability.

The project will tokenize fractional ownership in a cattle feedlot using Aiken smart contracts and NMKR token issuance. A secure, intuitive web portal will enable investors to onboard, manage their holdings, view asset performance, and receive automated, on-chain returns. The platform will start with two asset types: Time-Locked Investment Tokens and Real Asset-Backed Tokens, with plans to expand into other agricultural asset classes after the initial rollout.

Funded by a 550,000 ADA Treasury grant, the proposal includes a value-return mechanism that begins after a two-year runway. 25% of the total grant will be returned to the Treasury each year over the following three years, ensuring a full 100% return. However, in a novel governance-first approach, Cardano DReps will be empowered to vote on whether profits are returned or reinvested into further development—such as launching new token types or expanding into additional regions.

All deliverables will be released under an open-source license, including smart contracts, governance documentation, legal frameworks, and policy structures for asset-backed investment. This creates a globally replicable foundation for decentralized tokenization that complies with legal, financial, and operational standards.

The 18-month roadmap is divided into six structured milestones, beginning with legal and technical architecture, followed by full-stack platform development, testnet and mainnet deployment, token issuance, performance tracking, and public reporting.

By aligning with Cardano’s principles of decentralization, transparency, and sustainability, this project not only returns value to the community and Treasury but also establishes Cardano as a global leader in real-world asset tokenization.

Cardano’s Treasury actively funds innovation through Catalyst and Intersect, but few projects offer a mechanism to return financial value back to the ecosystem. This creates a long-term sustainability challenge, as funded initiatives typically focus on open-source contributions or ecosystem growth without a pathway to replenish the Treasury.

At the same time, the infrastructure needed to support real-world asset (RWA) tokenization on Cardano remains limited. Despite the high potential of tokenizing tangible assets like agriculture, there is no dedicated, fully compliant platform that enables RWA tokenization at scale—nor one that links Treasury investment to measurable returns.

This proposal requests 550,000 ADA from the Cardano Treasury to design, develop, and launch a dedicated tokenization platform for real-world assets. The platform will enable users to tokenize legally compliant, asset-backed projects on-chain using Cardano-native tools and smart contracts. To ensure financial sustainability, this initiative will return 25% of the grant to the Treasury in each of the first two years, followed by 25% annually over the next three years, totaling a 100% return of the 550,000 ADA grant. Additionally, transaction fees generated by platform usage will create an ongoing revenue stream that benefits the Cardano ecosystem.

Without infrastructure that both enables RWA tokenization and gives back to the Treasury, Cardano risks missing a crucial opportunity to build sustainable economic systems. This proposal introduces a regenerative model—powered by real-world utility—that returns value, supports adoption, and strengthens Cardano’s financial future.

This proposal delivers a fully open-source tokenization platform that positions Cardano as a leader in real-world asset (RWA) innovation. By creating a secure, compliant, and extensible framework for issuing programmable assets, the platform lays the foundation for sustainable economic models that benefit both local industries and the broader Cardano ecosystem.

Key Benefits Include: 1. Sustainable Treasury Returns with Governance Flexibility From the initial 550,000 ADA Treasury grant, the platform will begin returning funds after a two-year runway, followed by 25% annual repayments over the next three years. However, Cardano DReps will be empowered to vote on how these profits are allocated—either to: • Return the funds to the Treasury, or • Reinvest into further platform development and deployment 2. Launch of Foundational Programmable Assets The platform will initially support two critical programmable asset types: • Time-Locked Investment Tokens: Restrict early transfers or resales, providing investor protection and regulatory alignment • Real Asset-Backed Tokens: Represent tangible assets such as livestock or farmland, backed by verifiable documentation 3. Future Asset Expansion Through Reinvestment If the community chooses reinvestment, the platform will expand to support: • Revenue-Sharing Tokens: Distribute profits or yields automatically to token holders • Fractional Ownership Tokens: Enable shared ownership of high-value assets to increase access and liquidity 4. Comprehensive Open-Source Contribution Beyond smart contracts and technical components, the platform will release all supporting infrastructure to the community under an open-source license, including: • Legal frameworks for asset tokenization and compliance • Insurance policy structures for asset-backed risk mitigation • Operational playbooks, documentation, and governance templates This ensures that any region, DAO, or entity can replicate or adapt the model for their own local context. 5. Ecosystem Growth & On-Chain Utility Built entirely on Cardano, the platform will generate transaction volume and fees, fostering native economic activity while proving Cardano’s real-world viability in finance, agriculture, and asset digitization.

Milestone 1: Technical Architecture & Documentation • Design of full-stack architecture for RWA tokenization, including smart contracts, web infrastructure, and oracle/data flows • Definition of tokenomics, dividend distribution logic, and decentralized governance mechanisms • Developer documentation outlining smart contract functionality, token issuance flow, and portal integration points

Definition of Done: Publicly available, peer-reviewed technical documentation published to GitHub and approved for contract development.

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Milestone 2: Legal Framework & Regulatory Compliance • Drafting of ownership agreements, cooperative legal structures, and liability protection mechanisms • Regulatory review with legal advisors; compliance mapping with Paraguayan cooperative law and asset investment regulations • Preliminary insurance consultation and integration planning

Definition of Done: Legal framework is finalized, jurisdictionally compliant, peer-reviewed, and publicly released as open-source templates.

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Milestone 3: Tokenization & Smart Contract Prototypes • Development of Aiken smart contracts for minting, ownership management, and automated dividend payout logic • Asset valuation finalized and token supply model designed • Functional testing and deployment to Cardano testnet with performance benchmarks

Definition of Done: All smart contracts successfully tested on testnet and prepared for third-party audit and mainnet deployment.

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Milestone 4: Web Portal MVP & NMKR Integration • MVP investor portal featuring wallet login, token dashboards, dividend tracking, and investor onboarding • Full NMKR API integration for KYC/AML verification and secure token issuance • UI/UX testing on testnet with stakeholder feedback collection

Definition of Done: Users can complete a full simulated investment cycle on testnet, with working portal and backend processes validated.

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Milestone 5: Token Minting & Mainnet Launch • Deployment of smart contracts and investor portal to Cardano mainnet • Initial investor onboarding and token minting • Public launch of APY model, risk disclosures, and investor dashboard

Definition of Done: Token circulates on mainnet, investors onboarded, and smart contracts executing real dividend payments.

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Milestone 6: Treasury Return, Final Report & Expansion Strategy • Return of 25% of total budget (137,500 ADA) to the Cardano Treasury • Final public report detailing investor activity, platform usage, financial flows, and token economics • Community governance process initiated to determine whether to return or reinvest profits • Expansion roadmap outlined to scale tokenization model to new asset classes (e.g., real estate, water rights, carbon credits)

Definition of Done: ADA returned to the Treasury, report published, and roadmap for further asset expansion delivered.

Team Budget Allocation (400,000 ADA) • Jose Velazquez (Project Lead): 36,390.30 ADA • David Tacuri (Lead Developer): 36,411.14 ADA • Javier Acosta (Technical Advisor): 36,411.14 ADA • Nestor Rodriguez (Legal Advisor): 36,258.31 ADA • Fernando Yánez (Full-Stack Engineer): 36,386.33 ADA • Roberto Cerrud (Technical Auditor): 36,258.31 ADA • Frontend Developer: 36,386.33 ADA • Community Growth Lead: 36,390.30 ADA • Marketing & Communications: 36,386.33 ADA • Marketing Specialist: 36,386.33 ADA • Legal Research Assistant: 36,335.15 ADA

Infrastructure Budget (100,000 ADA) • Software Licenses (Atlassian, GitHub Pro, Design Tools): 25,000 ADA • Cloud Services (AWS, GCP, VMs): 25,000 ADA • Security & Penetration Testing: 12,500 ADA • Blockchain API Services (Blockfrost, Koios, Maestro): 12,500 ADA • Legal & Regulatory Filings: 12,500 ADA • Accounting & Financial Compliance Tools: 6,250 ADA • Community Hosting / Platforms (Discourse, Luma): 6,250 ADA

Contingency (5%): 27,500 ADA Intersect Audit Fee (5%): 27,500 ADA

Total Budget: 550,000 ADA

The project will be executed over an 18-month period, divided into six clearly defined milestones, with each milestone lasting three months. This structured timeline ensures continuous progress across legal, technical, and operational workstreams, while maintaining transparency, quality, and governance alignment at every stage.

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Core Team

A multidisciplinary team will lead the initiative, combining experience in blockchain, legal compliance, full-stack development, and real-world asset (RWA) deployment: • Jose Velazquez – Project Lead & Governance Coordinator Leads overall strategy, governance integration, and milestone delivery. Brings extensive experience in Cardano’s treasury systems, Catalyst funding, and tokenization frameworks. • David Tacuri – Lead Developer & Smart Contract Engineer Oversees the development of Aiken smart contracts and backend systems. Coordinates technical audits, NMKR integration, and secure token logic deployment. • Nestor Rodriguez – Legal Advisor Handles cooperative formation, legal framework design, and compliance with Paraguayan RWA laws. Supports insurance and liability structuring. • Roberto Cerrud – Technical Auditor & Blockchain Consultant Reviews smart contract code, supports backend scalability, and ensures compliance with Cardano best practices. Has over 18 years of experience in development and blockchain security. • Fernando Yánez – Full-Stack Engineer Responsible for building the investor portal and backend infrastructure. Ensures smooth web3 user experience and token dashboard integration. • Javier Acosta – Blockchain Expert & Technical Advisor Guides platform architecture and long-term scalability. Supports Cardano-native analytics, data indexing, and protocol alignment.

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Strategic Hires (Milestone-Based)

To optimize efficiency, key roles will be added at critical phases: • Frontend Developer (Milestones 3–5): Assists with the investor dashboard, UI testing, and frontend logic. • Legal Research Assistant (Milestones 1–2): Supports legal drafting, jurisdictional research, and documentation. • Community Growth & Engagement Lead (Milestone 6): Leads investor onboarding, outreach, and Cardano ecosystem promotion.

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Tokenized Asset Partner: Cattle Feedlot

The project’s first tokenized asset will be a Paraguay-based cattle feedlot, with historically documented 30% annual returns. This live, revenue-generating asset will be fractionalized via token issuance, with investor rights governed through Aiken smart contracts and legal agreements. The feedlot’s operations will serve as the foundation for smart contract logic, dividend flows, and investor reporting.

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Future Tokenization Partners

The project is already in conversation with additional agricultural and environmental partners, such as crop producers, dairy co-ops, and conservation landholders. These opportunities will inform the long-term roadmap and allow DReps and the Cardano community to help shape future expansion.

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External Dependencies • NMKR: Provides minting, metadata management, wallet connection, and KYC/AML compliance. • Insurance Provider: Offers asset-backed risk protection (e.g., livestock mortality), integrated into the legal and smart contract model. • Smart Contract Auditor: A third-party security firm will validate contracts prior to mainnet launch.

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This team and timeline structure ensures the project is delivered on schedule, with each three-month milestone producing clearly defined outputs. By grounding the platform in legal and operational realism, the team will launch a fully functional, open-source tokenization platform that delivers value to both Cardano and the broader real-world asset economy.

Jose Velazquez – Project Lead & Governance Advisor LinkedIn: Jose Velazquez Role: Jose is responsible for overall project management, coordinating between the legal, technical, and business teams to ensure the timely delivery of project milestones. His experience in community governance and blockchain gives him the skills needed to oversee the regulatory and compliance aspects of the project. Experience: • Fund 7, Fund 8, and Fund 12 Catalyst Proposer • Member of the Intersect Budget Committee • Candidate for the Intersect MBO Steering Committee and Intersect Civics Committee • Co-host of the Ecuador Constitutional Workshop and Paraguay Constitutional Workshop, and host of Bolivia Constitutional Workshop • Owner of a cattle feedlot in Paraguay • Elected Delegate for the Argentine Constitutional Convention David Tacuri – Lead Developer & Smart Contract Engineer LinkedIn: David Tacuri Role: David leads the technical development of the project, including the smart contract coding using Aiken and the development of the web portal integrated with NMKR. He will also manage technical audits and ensure secure token issuance. Experience: • Fund 7, Fund 11, and Fund 12 Catalyst Proposer • Experienced in smart contract development with Aiken and web portal development • Co-host of the Bolivia Constitutional Workshop and host of the Ecuador Constitutional Workshop • Candidate for the Intersect Membership & Community Committee and Civics Committee • Elected Delegate for the Argentine Constitutional Convention

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Nestor Rodriguez – Legal Advisor Role: Nestor is the legal expert responsible for ensuring that the tokenization process complies with Paraguayan law. He will also oversee the drafting and approval of all legal documentation, ensuring that all stakeholders are protected. Credentials: http://csj.im/1BPZD Experience: • Legally registered lawyer in Paraguay with deep expertise in local regulations • Well-connected within Paraguay, which will be essential for ensuring smooth regulatory approvals and legal structuring of the feedlot and tokenization framework

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Roberto Cerrud – Blockchain Developer & Technical Consultant LinkedIn: Roberto Cerrud Role: Roberto will provide blockchain and technical consulting support for smart contract audits and ensure the overall quality of the system’s security and efficiency. Experience: • Plutus Pioneer and Atala Pioneer Program graduate with 18+ years of experience as a developer • Deep expertise in Haskell, blockchain technology, and DevOps • Teaches Haskell and Plutus cohorts in Emurgo Academy, bringing an educational perspective to the project

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Fernando Yánez – Web Developer & Full Stack Engineer LinkedIn: Fernando Yánez Role: Fernando will assist in the development of the web portal and will manage the user experience and backend infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration with NMKR for token minting. Experience: • Extensive background in software engineering and electoral processes in Ecuador • Knowledgeable in various programming languages and blockchain technology, ensuring a secure and scalable platform

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Javier Acosta – Blockchain Expert & Technical Advisor Role: Javier brings deep blockchain expertise and advanced technical knowledge in UTxO-based systems and Cardano analytics. He will advise on platform architecture, smart contract optimization, and data-layer integrations throughout the tokenization framework.

Experience: The lead proposer for this initiative brings substantial expertise in blockchain technology and on-chain analytics, particularly within the Cardano ecosystem:

Technical Background: • Over 8 years of experience in software development with a focus on blockchain technologies • Specialized expertise in UTxO-based blockchains, specifically Cardano protocol mechanics and DeFi • Proven track record developing analytics solutions for complex data • Experience building data processing pipelines for blockchain transaction analysis

Ecosystem Involvement: • Active contributor to the Cardano developer community • Deep understanding of the Catalyst funding process and ecosystem dynamics • Commitment to open-source development and ecosystem transparency

The proposer’s experience analyzing on-chain data patterns and building monitoring systems provides the necessary foundation for developing the proposed Catalyst audit tool. Having encountered and solved many of the technical challenges this project will face—from processing large blockchain datasets to identifying meaningful patterns in transaction flows—the proposer is well-positioned to lead this initiative.

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Recruitment Plans

If the project scales to include other agricultural assets and additional development requirements, we will recruit additional team members with the following skills: • Frontend Developer: To expand the user interface of the web portal for additional token offerings • Marketing Specialist: To manage outreach, user engagement, and community building within the Cardano ecosystem and beyond • Blockchain Auditor: To ensure thorough smart contract auditing for any additional features or expansions

All the individuals mentioned above have already been engaged for this project, and they have confirmed their willingness and capacity to support its completion. Communication with the team happens through direct channels, ensuring smooth coordination.

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Key Strengths of the Team

Trust and Experience: The team includes experienced Catalyst proposers with funded projects across multiple rounds (Fund 7, 8, 11, 12) and extensive governance involvement, proving their commitment and ability to deliver.

Blockchain Expertise: Strong blockchain development and smart contract capabilities ensure that the tokenization process will be secure, scalable, and efficient.

Legal and Regulatory Knowledge: The team’s in-depth understanding of Paraguayan law, led by Nestor Rodriguez, guarantees compliance with local regulations, building trust and security for investors.

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This team has the required expertise and resources to deliver the project successfully, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and compliance.

This project is designed to become fully self-sustaining after initial development, leveraging real-world revenue, open-source infrastructure, and Cardano-native governance to support long-term platform growth and ecosystem value creation.

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1. Real-World Profit Generation & Self-Funding

The tokenized cattle feedlot is projected to deliver approximately 30% annual returns, which will be distributed to token holders via Aiken smart contracts. A dedicated portion of these profits will be reinvested into platform maintenance, audits, and technical improvements—ensuring operational sustainability without further reliance on grants or external subsidies.

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2. Treasury Return Structure & Community Governance

This proposal introduces a transparent and phased value-return model for the Cardano Treasury. From the 550,000 ADA grant, the project will: • Return 25% of the total grant at the end of Year 2 • Return an additional 25% per year in Years 3, 4, and 5 This ensures a full 100% repayment of the original funding over a four-year period.

However, each annual return is governed by Cardano DReps, who will vote on whether to: • Proceed with the scheduled Treasury repayment, or • Reinvest profits into expanding tokenization to new agricultural assets or regions

This gives the Cardano community full participatory control over financial flow, enabling flexibility between ROI and reinvestment for future growth.

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3. On-Chain Volume as a Revenue Multiplier

The platform’s operations—minting, transfers, dividend payouts—generate on-chain transactions that support Cardano network activity and Treasury health through transaction fees. This real-world activity reinforces Cardano’s economic layer and showcases productive asset utility.

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4. Ecosystem Expansion & Cross-Chain Appeal

By offering legally protected, yield-generating, and asset-backed tokens, the platform is well-positioned to attract investors from other chains and traditional markets. As the model is proven, expansion to other agricultural sectors and jurisdictions will follow, extending Cardano’s RWA leadership.

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5. VC-Ready Structuring for Future Growth

Following MVP success, the platform will be structured to accommodate venture capital investment, including optional equity structuring and SAFEs—funding future scaling without compromising decentralization or DRep control.

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6. Open-Source Infrastructure & Community Replication

All smart contracts, legal templates, insurance policy structures, and technical documentation will be released as open source. This ensures global replicability and encourages developer contributions, DAO-led enhancements, and localized deployments in new regions.

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Conclusion By combining on-chain activity, real-world revenue, flexible governance, and open infrastructure, this project delivers direct economic returns to Cardano while building a foundation for global RWA tokenization.