A. Delegation Address:
We are a participant in the NEAR x HZN Incubation Programme and plan to use our NEAR grant allocation to participate in ecosystem governance. We will set up a delegation address once we receive the grant.
B. Forum Username:
Nevermined . io
C. Twitter Username:
nevermined_io
D. Website:
nevermined . io // nevermined.app
E. Target Voting Participation:
100%. We will stake $250k in NEAR with intention to be active on all governance matters.
F. History of Interactions with NEAR Protocol:
As part of the NEAR x HZN Incubation Programme we have been closely associated with the NEAR ecosystem for some time now, and as one of the emerging crypto x AI protocols in the ecosystem we are very keen to help steer the NEAR Protocol in the right direction.
Additionally, Nevermined will be one of the largest participants in the Meta Pool ecosystem by staking a $35k position of mpDAO and participating activity in that protocol’s governance.
G. History of Governance Participation (in NEAR or other ecosystems):
The Nevermined team has been active in the blockchain space since its inception. The Nevermined co-founders were part of the founding team of Ocean Protocol.
Among others, team members have operated a Celo node since launch, and been active in the DAO governance of VitaDAO, Morpho, Olas, Stargate, EigenLayer, and Blur.
H. Top 3 Priorities for the NEAR Ecosystem:
- Nevermined is deploying its smart contracts on NEAR so AI Agent devs building natively on the chain can leverage the Nevermined AI Agent payments library.
- Help to promote NEAR as the go-to chain for crypto x AI and attract the best developer talent at this intersection to the ecosystem.
- Fostering sustainable on-chain activity by supporting developer adoption and enabling real-world use cases in AI-driven agentic automation.
I. Reasoning for any past votes in the NEAR Ecosystem:
N/A
J. Conflicts of Interest:
N/A
K. Answer Hypothetical Delegate Scenario:
Several key pieces of information should be gathered from proposers. For the DeFi incentives, it is essential to understand which protocols and users will be targeted. Clarity on the incentive structure is necessary, including how rewards will be distributed, the mechanisms for allocation, and whether these incentives will attract sustainable user engagement or short-term speculative farming. An analysis should also be provided assessing the potential for mercenary capital that might exit once rewards dry up. Historical data on similar incentive programs in other ecosystems would be ideal, alongside projections for TVL growth, trading volumes, and overall impact on protocol activity. Additionally, the proposers should present a well-structured plan for transitioning from incentives to organic growth.
For the marketing subcommittee proposal, the first area to examine is the experience and track record of the individuals in question. Their background in ecosystem growth, developer outreach, and previous success in similar roles are major considerations. Ideally a budget breakdown is provided detailing how funds will be allocated across channels, developer support, events, and grants etc. The strategy should specify KPIs and expected growth in developer participation and dApp deployment.
For the Protocol-Owned Liquidity the proposers should outline the initial capital requirements and the specific protocols where LP programmes will be rolled out. Proposals should explain how POL initiatives will enhance liquidity depth and create a more robust trading environment for the ecosystem. An expected return on investment should be provided along with analysis of inefficient capital deployment. Additionally, the governance structure for managing these liquidity positions must be clearly defined, how decisions will be made regarding allocation, and what safeguards will be in place.
For the DeFi incentives initiative, the primary metrics include TVL growth, transaction volumes, and user retention rates after incentives taper off. The effectiveness of incentives can also be measured by the protocol revenue generated relative to the amount distributed in rewards, ensuring that incentives contribute to sustainable growth rather than temporary boosts.
For the marketing subcommittee, success should be measured by the number of new developers onboarded, the number of active protocols launched on NEAR, and the impact on community engagement. Growth in developer participation should translate into a higher number of deployed projects.
When assessing the POL initiative, the depth of liquidity in key trading pairs, the reduction in slippage, and the overall impact on DeFi trading volume are key metrics.
In terms of final decision-making and voting, support for each proposal would be contingent on its potential for long-term impact and sustainability. The DeFi incentives program would only be supported if it presents a clear mechanism for preventing excessive short-term farming while ensuring that liquidity remains within the ecosystem after incentives phase out. The marketing subcommittee proposal would require a well-defined roadmap. The POL initiative would be prioritized if it demonstrates a clear path to improving liquidity depth without excessive risk. Ultimately, the decision would be based on the overall contribution of each initiative to NEAR’s onchain activity.
L. What is your motivation for becoming a NEAR delegate?
We’re motivated to become a NEAR delegate to help drive growth and user adoption within the NEAR ecosystem. NEAR’s focus on promoting itself as the crypto x AI chain makes it a strong contender for the next wave of Web3 AI applications, and we want to ensure governance decisions prioritize long-term value over short-term incentives.
M. Anticipated delegation support, including any relevant self-delegation.
We will start by self-delegating $250k worth of NEAR and look to attract further delegated voting power as we build reputation for governance participation.
Self-Assessment Criteria
Score (10/10).
A. Experience (2/2)
Founders of Ocean Protocol. Currently building Nevermined Protocol. Decades of experience spanning web2 and web3, smart contract development, protocol development, AI, machine learning and big data.
B. Diversity of Perspective (2/2)
Coming from the AI x Web3 payments space, Tradfi, big data, machine learning, the team brings a broad and unique lens on how decentralized infrastructure can support existing economies and the emerging intersection of crypto x AI. Effective governance requires input from builders and end-users alike and must ensure policies foster sustainable growth rather than short-term speculation. We will advocate for governance models that prioritize long-term ecosystem health, interoperability, and real-world adoption,
C. Alignment with NEAR Ecosystem (2/2)
100% alignment, Nevermined will be actively deploying on NEAR and a participant of the NEAR x HZN Incubation Programme.
D. Governance Engagement (2/2)
The delegate has a strong track record of participating in the governance of other ecosystems.
E. Conflicts of Interest (X/2)
N/A
Delegate Code of Conduct
We have reviewed and agree to the NEAR Delegate Code of Conduct.