StableLab - Delegate Proposal

A. Delegation Address

stablelabgov.near

B. Forum Username:

StableLab

C. Twitter Username

@StableLab

D. Website (optional)
E. Target Voting Participation

100% participation in governance decisions, except for where there is a clear conflict of interest.

F. History of Interactions with NEAR Protocol

StableLab has interacted with NEAR as an Enterprise Node Operator through the MetaPool Stake Wars program. We are eager to bring our governance expertise to help refine and scale NEAR’s House of Stake governance model.

G. History of Governance Participation (in NEAR or other ecosystems)

StableLab is the leading provider of governance solutions for decentralized protocols, currently contributing to over 25 DAOs. We specialize in governance framework and mechanism design, incentive structuring and administration, treasury allocation, professional delegation, and governance data analysis. Some of our past and current governance contributions include:

  • Arbitrum: Administering the Arbitrum STIP and LTIPP, large-scale incentive programs to increase usage and liquidity on the Arbitrum blockchain.
  • Aave: Establishing delegate incentive structures to encourage active participation.
  • Compound: Creating the Governance Support Working Group (GSWG) to improve governance efficiency.
  • Lido: Shaping the onchain delegation model through research with Tally.
  • Livepeer: Developed the systems and processes to support the sustainable allocation of Livepeer’s onchain treasury.
  • Optimism: Participating as an active delegate and supporting progressive decentralization.
  • Uniswap: Stewarding various delegate initiatives.

A full list of our contributions, past and present, can be seen below:

H. Top 3 Priorities for the NEAR Ecosystem:
  1. Delegate Accountability and Participation: Promote and exemplify high-quality governance by maintaining a 100% participation record, publishing detailed voting rationales, engaging in research-backed discussions, and leading initiatives to boost community engagement and accountability.
  2. Ecosystem Growth: Drive NEAR’s leadership at the intersection of AI and Web3 by supporting incentive campaigns that empower builders and community members, highlight NEAR’s technological innovations, and accelerate adoption.
  3. Transparent and Efficient Treasury Allocation: Advocate for data-driven treasury management to ensure funds are allocated effectively and prioritise projects that deliver long-term, sustainable growth for the ecosystem.
I. Reasoning for any past votes in the NEAR Ecosystem:

N/A (StableLab has not previously voted in NEAR governance but will ensure full transparency in future voting decisions by maintaining a rationale thread of the forum.)

J. Conflicts of Interest:

StableLab provides governance services to multiple DAOs ecosystem-wide. A full list of our partners and ongoing engagements is shared above (G). We will proactively disclose any conflicts and recuse ourselves from votes where necessary.

K. Answer Hypothetical Delegate Scenario:

1. Additional information needed to make an informed decision

A. DeFi Incentives Proposal:

  • Metrics from previous incentive programs (e.g., TVL growth, user retention, protocol revenue).
  • How the incentives will be phased out or adjusted over time to avoid dependency and curb mercenary behaviour.
  • Specific goals for TVL, user acquisition, and protocol revenue.
  • Risk Assessment: Potential risks, such as short-term mercenary capital or negative impacts on tokenomics.

B. Marketing Subcommittee Proposal:

  • Detailed allocation of funds for marketing activities.
  • Clear KPIs (e.g., developer acquisition, user engagement, cost per conversion).
  • Specific demographics or regions the campaign will focus on.
  • Timeline, deliverables, team qualifications.
  • Term limits to avoid entrenchment.

C. Protocol-Owned Liquidity (POL) Proposal:

  • Expected ROI and impact on liquidity depth.
  • Strategies to mitigate risks such as impermanent loss or market volatility.
  • How the POL will be managed and adjusted over time.
  • How the POL supports NEAR’s growth objectives.

2. Key metrics to evaluate

A. DeFi Incentives Proposal:

  • TVL Growth
  • User Retention
  • Protocol Revenue
  • Cost Efficiency

B. Marketing Subcommittee Proposal:

  • Developer Acquisition
  • Developer Retention Rate
  • User Engagement
  • Cost Per Conversion
  • Brand Awareness

C. Protocol-Owned Liquidity Proposal:

  • Liquidity Depth
  • Capital Efficiency (ROI Generated)
  • Risk Exposure
  • Ecosystem Impact

3. How StableLab Would Support and Vote

A. DeFi Incentives Proposal:

  • Support if: The proposal demonstrates a clear plan for sustainable growth, aligns with NEAR’s current narratives and long-term goals and provides a strong ROI.
  • Vote: Yes, with the condition that the incentives are phased out gradually to avoid dependency and that progress is regularly monitored and reported.

B. Marketing Subcommittee Proposal:

  • Support if: The proposal outlines a measurable strategy with a realistic budget, is aligned with NEAR’s target audience, sets clear growth objectives, and will be stewarded by a competent group with diverse expertise.
  • Vote: Yes, provided that the subcommittee is held accountable through regular reporting and performance reviews.

C. Protocol-Owned Liquidity Proposal:

  • Support if: The proposal has a strong risk management framework, aligns with NEAR’s goals, and provides a clear path to long-term sustainability.
  • Vote: Yes, with the condition that the POL position is actively managed and adjusted based on market conditions and ecosystem needs.
L. What is your motivation for becoming a NEAR delegate?

NEAR is at a pivotal moment in its technological evolution and is uniquely positioned to lead at the intersection of AI and Web3. We believe our expertise in designing and implementing governance frameworks and incentive programs can meaningfully contribute to unlocking NEAR’s full potential.

We are deeply committed to increasing governance efficiency, inspiring high-quality participation, and ensuring responsible treasury management, all of which are critical to driving NEAR’s sustained growth.

M. Anticipated delegation support (if applicable):

StableLab has a strong track record of attracting delegation support from major stakeholders in the ecosystem. While we do not have existing delegation commitments for NEAR, we eagerly anticipate engagement from NEAR ecosystem participants, validators, and core builders who value our data-driven and transparent governance approach if accepted as a NEAR Endorsed Delegate.

Self-Assessment Criteria

A. Experience (2/2)

StableLab is a leading governance firm that is actively involved in over 25 protocols and has expertise in protocol growth, treasury management, and governance design. We have successfully implemented governance frameworks, designed novel governance mechanisms, produced governance wikis, designed incentive programs, and established accountability systems across top DeFi ecosystems. This makes us well-equipped to contribute to NEAR’s governance evolution.

B. Diversity of Perspective (2/2)

The StableLab team brings multidisciplinary expertise across Research, TradFi, Product, Engineering, and Venture Capital, which equips us with a holistic understanding of decentralized governance and enables us to approach challenges with both technical rigour and strategic foresight. Our cross-chain experience from working with DAOs on Ethereum, Optimism, Arbitrum, Solana, and more also provides a unique vantage point to identify opportunities and adapt best practices for NEAR

C. Alignment with NEAR Ecosystem (2/2)

The StableLab team includes longtime contributors to NEAR who are deeply familiar with the ecosystem’s successes and challenges, and we are committed to enhancing its governance processes for long-term growth and efficiency.

D. Governance Engagement (2/2)

StableLab has been a top delegate in MakerDAO, Uniswap, Arbitrum, Aave, Compound, Optimism, and more, with a proven track record of active governance participation. We have designed frameworks for delegate incentives, proposal review processes, and accountability mechanisms, making us well-prepared to engage meaningfully in NEAR governance.

E. Conflicts of Interest (1/2)

StableLab provides governance services to multiple DeFi protocols but maintains strict transparency and disclosure policies. We will publicly disclose potential conflicts of interest and recuse ourselves from votes where necessary to ensure integrity in governance decisions.

Delegate Code of Conduct

We have read and agree to the NEAR Delegate Code of Conduct.

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