[MIP-32] 2025–2026 Individual Contributors Budget Proposal

I. Introduction

This proposal presents Maia DAO’s budgeting strategy for the 2025–2026 period, built to align with our long-term objectives while reflecting current market dynamics. Our focus remains on operational resilience, ecosystem growth, and strategic asset stewardship.

Taking this into account we are adjusting our approach to ensure sustainable operations and preserve the long-term value of our ecosystem tokens. We will lean on non-ecosystem token treasury assets, specifically sfrxETH and ETH, rather than relying solely on the distribution of MAIA during a period of relatively subdued liquidity. This will enable the DAO to reserve them for future use—whether for operational expenses or growth initiatives.

This proposal is based on a comprehensive analysis of current treasury assets, by reallocating spending and minimizing the circulation of volatile ecosystem assets, we aim to maintain a sound financial position until liquidity conditions improve.

It is important to note that development and infrastructure-related operational costs are not included in this proposal. There is a separate plan to appoint a third-party entity to manage these responsibilities, which will require its own distinct proposal for review and approval.

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II. Current Market and Treasury Context

Market Conditions

As of mid-2025, Ethereum is trading above $3,500, having recovered significantly from prior lows but still below previous all-time highs. Broader DeFi activity has been growing, though liquidity across many ecosystem tokens—including those in the Maia ecosystem—remains limited.

Both HERMES and MAIA have shown early signs of improving liquidity and engagement, supported by the rollout of the Meta-Bridge update, and the upcoming Maia Boosted Strategies. While price and volume remain well below historical highs, these developments may suggest a gradual recovery is underway.

By shifting toward a more conservative treasury strategy that prioritizes stability, ecosystem tokens will be preserved for future use, particularly when market conditions are more favorable and these assets can be leveraged more effectively for ecosystem growth or strategic bonding.

This updated approach reflects our commitment to preserving runway, safeguarding treasury integrity, and maintaining operational agility amid evolving market conditions.

Treasury Overview

At present, the DAO treasury holds the following assets:

• ETH – A relatively stable blue-chip asset.
• sfrxETH – A yield-bearing ETH derivative offering productive capital while maintaining ETH exposure.
• Ecosystem tokens – Including MAIA.
• Stablecoins – Limited reserves, intended to be preserved for short-term liquidity needs.

Current Treasury Holdings:

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III. Strategic Use of Treasury Assets

Ecosystem Token Preservation

To prevent draining the ecosystem token runway, we will not be increasing ecosystem token streams and will maintain the same spending rate as proposed last year, without adjusting these allocations based on current market value.

Preserving these tokens ensures they can later be leveraged for:

• Strategic bonding programs
• Liquidity provisioning (LPs)
• Treasury diversification
• Ecosystem growth initiatives

This long-term strategy reflects a commitment to protecting token holder value and maximizing future opportunity.

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IV. Departmental Budgeting and Runway

Allocation Framework

The following departments will receive treasury allocations to support their ongoing operations, aligned with strategic priorities:

• Marketing Department
• Business Development Department
• Community & Governance Department
• Contigency Fund

You can read more about our structure here. Non-ecosystem token assets allocated to departments must be converted to USDC before being placed into year-long LlamaPay streams.

Department-Level Annual Stream Allocations

Contributor-Level Stream Breakdown

LlamaPay Stream Management

To ensure smooth and transparent disbursement of funds:

• Streams will be established via LlamaPay in USDC and MAIA.
• All unused funds in these tokens will remain in DAO-controlled multisigs until needed.

This approach provides departments with predictable, diversified funding while preserving treasury health and maximizing operational flexibility.

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V. Budget and Allocation

All budget values outlined in this plan represent maximum departmental limits for expenditure in USDC and MAIA. Any proposed increases will require another governance proposal.

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VI. Governance Considerations

A robust governance framework remains at the center of this proposal. Governance token holders will continue to shape treasury strategy and budgetary decisions.

Governance Framework Components

• Proposal System: Budget changes and exceptional expenditures must be submitted as formal proposals
• Token Holder Voting: Governance token holders retain final authority

This model ensures that decisions remain accountable, traceable, and reflective of community consensus.

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VII. Community Engagement and Support

Engagement Strategies

We will continue to host:

• Bi-weekly Spaces Ecosystem News
• Bi-weekly Discord Community Building
• Public community polls
• Telegram and Discord Support.

These channels ensure two-way communication between contributors and the broader community.

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VIII. Next Steps and Decision-Making Process

Commonwealth Discussion

This proposal will be posted to the governance forum (Commonwealth) for discussion, questions, and revisions. All community members are encouraged to provide input.

Snapshot Vote

Following the discussion period (minimum 7 days), the finalized proposal will move to Snapshot for a formal vote by governance token holders.

Implementation

If approved, Maia DAO will:

• Allocate sfrxETH and ETH to fund USDC streaming via LlamaPay
• Fund departmental multisigs and initiate ecosystem token LlamaPay streams

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IX. Conclusion

This 2025–2026 budget proposal is a critical step in preserving our financial strength, ensuring uninterrupted operations, and preparing Maia DAO to grow aggressively when market conditions improve. By funding operations with non-native assets and limiting the circulation of ecosystem tokens, we protect long-term value for token holders and provide a stable platform for sustainable growth.

We thank our community for its continued support, commitment, and governance engagement. Together, we will navigate this market cycle and emerge with stronger treasury management, increased transparency, and a renewed focus on building a resilient DeFi ecosystem.