Arbitrum Research and Development Collective V2 - Extension

Proposals
1

Arbitrum Research and Development Collective V2 - Extension

TL;DR

This proposal seeks approval for the extension of the Arbitrum Research & Development Collective [V2] for an additional 6-month term through a Snapshot proposal, utilising the remaining 50% of funds originally approved by the DAO in the ARDC V2 proposal. The initial 6-month term concludes on July 12, 2025. If approved, this extension would activate the second phase of funding as outlined in the original ARDC V2 framework, bringing the total duration to one (1) year.

  • Current Status: ARDC V2 is nearing the end of its initial 6-month term
  • Extension Period: Six (6) additional months
  • Funding: Release of the remaining 50% of funds approved in the ARDC V2 proposal
  • Supervisory Council: Continuation of current members (Juanrah - communications; Entropy - operations)
  • Working Members: Decision to be taken by the DAO as to whether to retain the current members or hold new elections.

Background

The Arbitrum Research & Development Collective [V2] was approved by the ArbitrumDAO with a structured funding mechanism designed to provide accountability and community oversight. As outlined in the original proposal:

“In the immediate, only 50% of the budget voted in favour by the DAO will be used with the remaining 50% subject to utilisation via Snapshot vote as explained in the extension mechanics.”

The original ARDC V2 framework established a two-phase approach:

  • Phase 1: Initial 6-month term with 50% of approved funding (ending July 12, 2025)
  • Phase 2: Optional 6-month extension, requiring Snapshot approval to release the remaining 50% of funds

This proposal is designed to activate Phase 2 without requiring a new proposal cycle, allowing continuity in research and development efforts without disruption.

Current Elected Members Composition

  1. Supervisory Council

    • Entropy → Assumed all operational responsibilities following Tamara’s departure. Entropy is not receiving compensation under ARDC V2.
    • Juanrah → Initially elected alongside Frisson to oversee communications. After Frisson’s departure, Juanrah assumed full responsibility (ref. ARDC Communication Thread - #26 by Entropy). Juanrah is receiving a monthly compensation of 8,750 ARB, which is 1,250 ARB less per month than the previous combined compensation of both council members.

    Per the ARDC V2 proposal, Supervisory Council elections will not be repeated to minimise voter fatigue, as their election was conducted through a single Snapshot vote.

  2. Current Working Members

    • Research → DeFi Llama Research and Castle Capital
    • Risk → Nethermind
    • Security → OpenZeppelin

The DAO may choose to retain the existing working members for faster continuation, or alternatively, trigger a re-election as per the framework established in the original ARDC V2 proposal. If a re-election is pursued, it will be coordinated by Entropy, the Supervisory Council member responsible for operations.

Extension Framework

Term Duration

  • Tentative Start Date: July 13, 2025, i.e. day after the current term ends (Note: subject to delay if elections for new working members are held)
  • Tentative End Date: January 12, 2026 (6 months following the start of the second phase)
  • Total ARDC V2 Duration: 12 months (aligned with the original ARDC V2 plan)

Funding Structure

This extension would release the remaining ~ 50% of funds approved in the original ARDC V2 approval. The only modifications to the original proposal relate to (i) MSS responsibilities being transferred to the Arbitrum Foundation, (ii) the Supervisory Council’s compensation, whereby Entropy has waived compensation and Juanrah is receiving 8,750 ARB/month, representing a monthly cost saving compared to the previous structure.

If the DAO votes to extend the ARDC V2, this will result in the ARDC operating with a combined budget consisting of:

  1. Any remaining unspent funds from the initial 6-month term per vertical, plus
  2. Newly approved funds for the extension period, which have already been transferred to the MSS (now AF) and will become available for use following budget allocation by the Supervisory Council.

These additional funds for the second 6-month term are as follows:

  • Security → 330,000 USDC
  • Research → 330,000 USDC
  • Risk → 205,000 USDC
  • Supervisory Council → 52,500 ARB (to cover payment to Juanrah for the 6-month term)

As stated in the original ARDC V2 proposal, this combined budget per vertical represents maximum caps, not guaranteed disbursements. They define the upper limits of what may be spent in each vertical, with actual disbursement contingent on necessity and approval.

If the DAO chooses not to extend the ARDC after the completion of this initial term, then the AF will return the remaining USDC + ARB to the Treasury. There will be no subsequent OTC to buy back ARB with the USDC.

Voting Options

This extension proposal outlines the following options for the ArbitrumDAO to consider, with the decision to be made through a weighted voting mechanism:

Option A: Extend ARDC V2 with current working members → Approve the 6-month extension using the current Supervisory Council and working members, releasing the remaining 50% of funds.

Option B: Extend ARDC V2 with a re-election for working members → Approve the 6-month extension using the current Supervisory Council, but hold new elections for Research, Risk and Security members, releasing the remaining 50% of funds.

Option C: Do Not Extend ARDC V2 → Conclude the initiative at the end of the initial 6-month term, with AF returning all unused funds to the Treasury

Option D: Abstain

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