Gov Action

[Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) is an open-source project implementing a new fully interoperable block-producing node for Cardano. It aims to improve the network's overall accessibility and robustness without compromising its safety and security. This treasury withdrawal of ₳1.5M follows a previously submitted and now approved [budget proposal](https://explorer.cardano.org/tx/bd488931f792651fefa9c6fda185a2c6cec83245b51d994e33090ce36e29cc26). It is split across five script addresses each covering a scope of a work (ledger, consensus, mercenaries and marketing) and a contingency reserve.

## Who we are [Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) is a multi-entity effort that currently sits under [PRAGMA](https://pragma.io): a member-based, not-for-profit association for open-source blockchain software projects. Five members with equal power currently drive PRAGMA's strategy and operations: Blink Labs, Cardano Foundation, dcSpark, Sundae Labs, and TxPipe. Each of them has a proven track record of building on Cardano and supporting our ecosystem. [Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru/graphs/contributors) itself is managed by an appointed maintainer committee in charge of different scopes. Each member of the maintainer committee is responsible for a scope of work and has oversight of its delivery, which includes managing the associated budget. The current maintainer committee comprises of: - [Matthias Benkort](https://github.com/ktorz) responsible for the **ledger & overall architecture** with a budget of 1.5 FTEs (**`₳300,000`**) until end of 2025. Managing treasury at: [`stake17xnev6rc25xwz8kg4qae8lq6dcg964z00py5gqgxd387pncv8fq8g`](https://cardanoscan.io/stakeKey/stake17xnev6rc25xwz8kg4qae8lq6dcg964z00py5gqgxd387pncv8fq8g) - [Arnaud Bailly](https://github.com/abailly) responsible for the **consensus and simulation testing**, with a budget of 1.5 FTEs (**`₳300,000`**) until end of 2025. Managing treasury at: [`stake17xd74ehu0l4d5mx0sfz4fd0r5jvw4v2jqkkfyjxrlwvnkhccrqj9l`](https://cardanoscan.io/stakeKey/stake17xd74ehu0l4d5mx0sfz4fd0r5jvw4v2jqkkfyjxrlwvnkhccrqj9l) - [Pi Lanningham](https://github.com/Quantumplation) responsible for the **ad hoc work and middleware integrations** (a.k.a mercenaries) with a budget of 2.5 FTEs (**`₳500,000`**) until end of 2025. Managing treasury at: [`stake17xrh74lqhhxgzelfsn0wq5kcm4e5dmluprlcpg5mq30p5yqhgk7k8`](https://cardanoscan.io/stakeKey/stake17xrh74lqhhxgzelfsn0wq5kcm4e5dmluprlcpg5mq30p5yqhgk7k8) - [Damien Czapla](https://github.com/Dam-CZ) responsible for the **project management, public relations & marketing** with a budget of 0.5 FTE (**`₳100,000`**) until end of 2025. Managing treasury at: [`stake17xrqac8khkprtpp2jz90mpkujjwye8dt6a9sjewrvjudx9ggg4u5y`](https://cardanoscan.io/stakeKey/stake17xrqac8khkprtpp2jz90mpkujjwye8dt6a9sjewrvjudx9ggg4u5y) - [Santiago Carmuega](https://github.com/scarmuega) responsible for the **p2p networking**. Santiago oversees **no part of the treasury budget** whatsoever related to Amaru in 2025. The networking's funding has been fully secured through other mechanisms. Additionally, Arnaud, Matthias, Pi and Damien are collectively responsible for the _contingency_ scope with a budget of **`₳300,000`** until the end of 2025, corresponding to 25% of the sum of all other budgets as outlined in the [budget proposal](https://ipfs.io/ipfs/bafkreibqma7t2k4rcywvx5afukahhi3dp2so2ugh7t4ljuawhanvk7sr34). The contingency treasury's stake address is: [`stake178jztxzwynajcp4dva5gy9udmmnwg7ueffvf4c7hpjqhc7gtj5nzz`](https://cardanoscan.io/stakeKey/stake178jztxzwynajcp4dva5gy9udmmnwg7ueffvf4c7hpjqhc7gtj5nzz) --- In total, we request **`₳1,500,000`** (1.5M ADA). --- > **NOTES** > > 1. Efforts are estimated in FTE (Full-Time Employee) valued at $200K / ₳400K per annum. > > 2. As outlined in the initial budget proposal, the withdrawal requests only account for resources that aren't currently covered by other means (e.g. sponsorship, employee payroll, Catalyst, ...). In particular, every scope owner highlighted above is fully covered **outside** of this withdrawal. ## Building an alternative node [Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) provides an alternative perspective and solution for both stake pool operators and developers, prioritizing a modular approach, a seamless user experience, and low hardware requirements. Additionally, the project is primarily implemented in Rust, which is well-suited for high assurance, thereby attracting new contributors to the core maintenance of the ecosystem. For more details, please refer to the [budget proposal](https://ipfs.io/ipfs/bafybeicyqwjcg4x52l4ml5ocjlqnproqdjgfbguxdge4saxxvu2hidzvpq) which already covers in great length the project, its goals, its deliverables and its methodology ## Why request funds from Cardano's treasury ### Decentralized core infrastructure Block-producing nodes (a.k.a. stake pools) and relays are at the heart of Cardano's infrastructure. Together, they constitute and support the Cardano network. [Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) aims at offering an alternative piece to this core infrastructure, thus becoming part of this core infrastructure. We firmly believe that decentralizing the core infrastructure—without disrupting its operational resilience—is a necessary step toward a more robust and secure network. Additionally, supporting the blockchain base layer should be a shared responsibility. Stakepool operators already share the burden of operating the network, and it is time to share the responsibility for its development and technical evolution. [Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) makes a significant leap in sharing this responsibility, not only by incrementally delivering a capable block-producing node for the network but also by paving the way for those who come after through documentation, conformance tests and engineering specifications. By its very nature, [Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) is a project that aligns with Cardano's vision. As a core infrastructure component, it is also challenging and undesirable to articulate a business model around the project without compromising its essence. We believe that because of these reasons, [Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) qualifies for treasury withdrawals. ### Open source & neutrality The project is, of course, open source. We have linked [the code repository](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) throughout this document and referred to it also in the original budget proposal. As outlined in the budget proposal, not only is the code public, but the project's progress, evolutions, and decisions are also publicly available. The team strives to remain accessible through public forums and regular touchpoints open to all. The core team comprises individuals from various entities and backgrounds. And, while not obvious, this is a situation very dear to us. To preserve Amaru's neutrality and openness, we must ensure that core contributors are not tied to a single actor. Cardano's treasury offers a perfect solution to this problem as it virtually represents a source of funding that is _"everyone and no one at the same time"_. Receiving funding from the Cardano treasury makes the [Amaru](https://github.com/pragma-org/amaru) team accountable towards the Cardano community. It turns the Cardano community into our ultimate stakeholder, which is both good and desirable for a project of this nature.