Cexplorer.io is a high-performance, feature-rich blockchain explorer designed specifically for the Cardano ecosystem. It offers deep on-chain insights, real-time data access, and powerful tools for developers, stake pool operators, and users. With over 50,000 monthly users and millions of processed data requests, Cexplorer.io has become a trusted resource in the Cardano community.

This proposal seeks funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of the platform through infrastructure maintenance and continuous improvement. It includes two key areas:

BAU/Maintenance – Covering costs for server infrastructure, backend/frontend development, and bug fixes to ensure stability, uptime, and security.

Enhancements & New Features – Expanding the team with additional developers and a UI designer to deliver a better user experience, improved performance, and new developer-oriented features.

Our mission is to provide a scalable, developer-friendly explorer that empowers the Cardano community with transparent, accessible, and actionable data. By supporting this proposal, Intersect and the broader community invest in critical infrastructure that enhances transparency, encourages innovation, and reduces friction for anyone building on or interacting with Cardano.

The Cardano ecosystem lacks a powerful, developer-friendly explorer with advanced features, real-time insights, and flexible tools for building on-chain apps. Cexplorer.io aims to fill this gap by providing deep data access, improved UX, and ongoing enhancements to support the growing needs of users and developers.

Cexplorer.io serves over 50,000 monthly users and processes millions of data requests, providing real-time, in-depth insights into Cardano’s blockchain. It supports developers, SPOs, researchers, and everyday users with tools for exploring transactions, addresses, tokens, and stake pools. By improving transparency and accessibility, it reduces friction in dApp development, stake pool monitoring, and ecosystem analysis. The return on investment is a proven, high-traffic platform that continuously evolves to meet the growing demands of the Cardano community.

This proposal is focused on two parallel tracks: maintaining the stability of the current platform (BAU) and delivering meaningful enhancements. The deliverables and target outcomes for this tranche include:

1. BAU / Maintenance

• Continuous uptime of core services (>99.9% availability)
• Timely updates aligned with Cardano protocol changes (e.g., new eras, hard forks)
• Bug fixes, security patches, and performance optimizations
• Scalable infrastructure management (servers, DB, APIs)

Definition of Done: Ongoing, stable operation of Cexplorer.io with no major service interruptions, tracked monthly.

2. Enhancements / New Features

• Deployment of 2–3 major feature updates (e.g., improved address/token views, expanded smart contract data, UX/UI refinements)
• Integration of a UI/UX designer to improve usability and visual clarity
• API enhancements and better developer-facing tooling

Definition of Done: Public release of new features on the live platform, with changelogs and announcements, within the funding period.

Milestone 1 (Month 1–3): Platform maintenance, protocol update support, infrastructure stability improvements, and setup of usage reporting tools. Funding: $50,000 USD / 66,667 ADA

Milestone 2 (Month 4–6): Implementation of advanced address and token views, performance optimizations, and first phase of API improvements. Funding: $50,000 USD / 66,667 ADA

Milestone 3 (Month 7–12): Delivery of developer-focused tools, expanded stake pool and reward insights, and backend scalability upgrades. Funding: $50,000 USD / 66,667 ADA

Milestone 4 (Month 13–18): Final rollout of new features, publication of changelogs and documentation, and setup for long-term maintenance. Funding: $50,000 USD / 66,666 ADA

Team Size:

• 2 Backend Developers (1st full time, 2nd full/part-time)
• 1 Frontend Developer
• 1 UI/UX Designer (part-time)
• 1 DevOps / Infrastructure Support (part-time)
• 1 Project Coordinator (part-time)

Duration: 12 to 18 months – covering both ongoing maintenance and delivery of new features as outlined.

Cexplorer.io (formerly Adapools) has been live since 2020, serving over 50,000 monthly users and handling millions of data requests each month.

• The team has strong experience in backend systems, frontend development, API design, and DevOps, specifically tailored to Cardano’s architecture (e.g., DB-Sync, Cardano Node, CIPs).
• Proven ability to maintain high availability, fast performance, and implement continuous improvements based on real user feedback.
• The team is fully equipped to ensure long-term support, stability, and delivery of new features in a rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Cexplorer.io is already live and actively maintained by an experienced team of backend, frontend, and infrastructure developers. This proposal includes funding for ongoing maintenance, including server infrastructure, performance monitoring, bug fixes, and updates aligned with Cardano protocol changes.

The platform will continue to be supported by the same team, with a focus on long-term sustainability. Future updates will be driven by community needs, ecosystem growth, and emerging standards (e.g., new CIPs). Usage metrics, user feedback, and ecosystem developments will guide our roadmap to ensure Cexplorer remains a reliable and evolving resource.

This proposal has no major external dependencies and can begin immediately upon funding. However, the following ongoing inputs are essential for continued success:

• Access to reliable Cardano node and DB-Sync services

• Timely updates from the Cardano core and tooling ecosystem (e.g., new protocol versions, CIP implementations)

• Stable API access to third-party services (e.g., market data for token pricing)

All technical and operational dependencies are already managed internally by the Cexplorer.io team.