Please describe your proposed solution.
The Digital Asses Disclosure Framework (DADF) is a solution to decentralize a traditional business function; accessing capital markets. This requires buy-in from several key players, but the technology is available now and is what this proposal enables.
DADF II: Video Presentation
After the successful completion of phase 1 of DADF, this second phase of our proposed roadmap is the following:
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DADF II aims to create a framework for the ultimate, successful deployment of digital equity tokens on the Cardano blockchain for small/medium sized businesses in a regulatory compliant manner that has the support of regulators, digital exchanges, companies, lawyers, accountants and investors.
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The solution includes Wolfram Language technology and Cardano blockchain to allow submissions of financial documents from businesses on chain and enabling regulators to monitor/search/retrieve these required disclosures with tools and techniques that make regulatory compliance far more efficient and accessible.
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Part 1 of DADF completed the backend functionality, Part 2 of DADF completes the front end functionality.
DADF II is being aimed as a globally licensed framework to digital asset exchanges, in accordance with regulations, to support the vast majority of corporations that are smaller than those that typically raise capital on the traditional markets (NYSE, NASDAQ or TSX). This would strongly encourage digital exchanges to become Cardano-blockchain compliant.
- Digital equity tokens can allow small and medium-sized businesses to access capital effectively; however, current implementations have not succeeded. This is a result of fragmented platform of policies, weak regulatory support and a poor disclosure framework desired by regulators and investors. We are proposing the second part of our innovative technology and policy framework that can transform how companies access capital and how investors can have access to these companies.
The CEO of the framework, Shaun Cumby, has extensive experience between securities-based prospectus offerings and a strong understanding of blockchain technology. Shaun has used and requires the Wolfram technology stack for this solution and will focus on the needs of regulators, exchanges, companies and investors. Wolfram Blockchain Labs will facilitate the technological aspects of this second part proposal, as we have already demonstrated capabilities for completion in the first part.
- Shaun has met with digital and traditional exchanges, law firms, accounting firms and regulators in both the US and Canada. A large law firm in Canada has committed to the project, and we are in discussions with a Big Four accounting firm. These partners will focus on the policy aspects of the DADF that need to be regulatory compliant while also creating the electronic forms for companies to stay in continuous compliance in a timely and cost-effective manner. The goal is to onboard a solution with the Toronto Stock Exchange as a partner first.
This solution is a token-based implementation of disclosure documents and prospectus, which create immutable public records of disclosures and off-chain storage of document details. We will create tools to assist regulators in market auditing and continuous disclosure monitoring. This is a new and unique use case for corporate business NFTs, which has the ability to onboard traditional entities into the Cardano ecosystem.
We have completed part 1 of DADF which took 4 months to complete and within budget, which was approved and officially closed out in May 2023. We aim for the same 4 month timeline in part 2 in for this proposal in Fund 10.
How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?
Our proposed solution, the Digital Asset Disclosure Framework (DADF), directly addresses the challenge of "Products and Integrations" by introducing a novel approach to accessing the capital markets and fostering regulatory compliance on the Cardano blockchain.
- Businesses submit financial documents which are minted on-chain
- Accounting and law firms, regulators, and investors search/retrieve these documents to do due diligence
- Wolfram technology facilitates the front-end and back-end solution of the framework for convenience and ease of use
- The intention is that by the end of this submission and review cycle, a business will reach regulatory compliance in a cost effective and transparent process.
- This cost efficiency and transparency are the key's to getting regulatory adoption, which can happen across global jurisdictions.
- Ultimately, businesses can then launch digital equity tokens and access liquid capital markets in a way they've never could before.
By enabling the deployment of digital equity tokens through our auditing and disclosure framework, we offer a high-impact use case that brings several benefits to the Cardano ecosystem.
The disclosure of financial reporting, particularly on a continuous basis, has been a challenge for regulators, companies and investors in the digital-asset space. DADF seeks to address the parties' concerns with a framework that is completely digital and electronic. The flexibility and immutability of the Cardano blockchain combined with the technology of the Wolfram Language will allow us to create something with profound impact and reach a global audience. Below are several ways we address the challenge:
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Expanded Use Cases: The DADF unlocks new possibilities for businesses, investors, regulators, accounting firms, and law firms to engage with the Cardano blockchain. It provides a platform for businesses to tokenize their assets and raise capital while ensuring compliance, transparency, and equitable outcomes.
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Increased Adoption: By offering a regulatory-compliant path for businesses to access the capital markets, our solution encourages more entities to choose the Cardano blockchain as their preferred platform for tokenization. This increased adoption enhances the overall activity and engagement within the Cardano ecosystem.
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Feedback and Innovation: The implementation of the DADF fosters a feedback loop between businesses, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders. As they interact with the framework, valuable insights and suggestions for improvement will emerge, driving further innovation in the ecosystem. This iterative process will contribute to the development of even more impactful products and integrations.
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Thriving Ecosystem: The DADF contributes to the creation of a thriving ecosystem within Cardano by attracting a diverse range of participants. As businesses tokenize their assets and investors engage with these offerings, the ecosystem becomes more dynamic, attracting developers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders who see the potential for building complementary products and integrations.
In summary, our proposed solution, the Digital Asset Disclosure Framework, directly addresses the challenge by providing a regulatory-compliant pathway for businesses to access the capital markets on the Cardano blockchain. As a product and application, DADF not only expands the use cases of NFTs for Cardano but also drives adoption, encourages feedback and innovation, and contributes to the development of a thriving ecosystem of products and integrations. It is also a vision supported by investors.
How do you intend to measure the success of your project?
There are two ways to measure success of this project: short-term and long-term success. To be direct, in this proposal we will focus on the short-term measurements of success, while keeping the long-term measurements in mind.
In the short term, an integration test of the working submission functionality combined with the search and retrieval functionality is the best way to measure success. We will provide evidence that, through a user interface, a generic document submitted through the web form is minted on-chain (Cardano) and can then be retrieved from the data base afterward. This process represents what the actual users workflow would be.
Technical demonstrations of the completion of the project will be recorded as a video and shared in the close out report. Shaun Cumby will share the results of simulation testing with potential equity partners; like the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), law and accounting firms, and investors.
The long term ideal measure of success for this project is to establish a partnership with the Toronto Stock Exchange, where they would apply DADF to their digital asset trading platform in a way that combines accounting and legal frameworks. Upon establishing partnership with TSX, a test of 10 small businesses would pilot the DADF, likely over a 9-12 month period.
Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?
We will share the outputs and results of the project in the following ways:
- Technical demos of system functionality (recorded video)
- Simulation testing (documenting user roles)
- General demos with key stakeholders (report from meetings)
Shaun Cumby is building partnerships and collaborative relationships with exchanges, regulatory entities, accounting firms, and law firms. These relationships allow us to work closely with stakeholders to address their specific requirements, ensure regulatory compliance, and incorporate their feedback into the framework. The results of the demonstrations will be key to these groups.