Number: CIP-TBD Title: Featured App Staking Author(s): W Eric Saraniecki Type: Tokenomics Status: Draft Created: 2026-01-21 License: CC0-1.0
Featured App Staking
Summary
This proposal introduces Featured App (FA) Staking as a requirement for achieving and maintaining Featured App status on the Canton Network.
To qualify as a Featured App, an application must:
Maintain good standing with the Foundation, and
Maintain a minimum amount of Canton Coin (CC) staked on its behalf.
If the required minimum lock is not maintained, the application immediately loses Featured App status.
Any CC holder may stake CC on behalf of an application.
Motivation
Featured App status conveys visibility, credibility, and access to network incentives. As the network matures, Featured Apps should demonstrate not only functional alignment but also durable economic commitment.
App staking:
Aligns incentives between app operators, users, and the network
Introduces objective, on-chain criteria alongside qualitative approval
Enables community participation in backing high-quality applications
Scales naturally as the ecosystem grows
Specification
1. Featured App Qualification Requirements
To be designated or remain a Featured App, an application must satisfy both of the following:
1.1 Foundation Good Standing
The Foundation retains discretion over Featured App designation based on qualitative criteria, including:
Alignment with network goals
Compliance with applicable policies
On-chain and off-chain behavior
1.2 Minimum CC Stake Requirement
A minimum amount of CC must be actively staked on behalf of the application.
Failure to satisfy either requirement results in loss of Featured App status.
2. Phased Implementation
To minimize operational risk and align with the SV Staking rollout, Featured App staking will be implemented in two phases, followed by ongoing parameter review.
Phase 1: Transitional Enforcement (Manual)
Activation
Goes into effect within 15 days of CIP approval
Staking Requirement
Minimum stake: 10 million CC per Featured App PartyId
Requirements
CC intended to count toward App staking must be moved to a segregated, auditable PartyId
The PartyId information must be shared with the Foundation
Any CC holder may sponsor an application by:
Registering the PartyId holding the CC, and
Registering the PartyId of the application being sponsored
Featured Status Determination
Featured App status will be manually managed by SVs
Apps are featured or unfeatured based on whether the required CC is present in the registered PartyId
Phase 2: On-Chain Locking (Automated App Staking)
Activation
Begins once the CC locking mechanism used for SV staking is deployed to MainNet
Staking Requirement
Minimum stake: 25 million CC per Featured App PartyId
Mechanism
Featured Apps must utilize the on-chain locking mechanism
Only actively locked CC counts toward Featured App eligibility
Any CC holder may lock CC on behalf of an application
Unlocking Rules
CC may be unlocked at any time
Unlocks take 365 days to become effective
Once an unlock is initiated and the locked balance falls below the required threshold, the app loses Featured status
3. Third-Party App Backing
Any CC holder may stake CC on behalf of an application
App operators are not required to supply the stake themselves
Multiple CC holders may collectively satisfy the staking requirement
This enables:
Community signaling around valuable applications
Decentralized support for ecosystem development
Capital-efficient participation for early-stage teams
4. Ongoing Parameter Review
The minimum CC stake required for Featured App status will be reviewed every 90 days
Reviews will be conducted by the Foundation’s Tokenomics Committee
Any changes will be:
Communicated in advance, and
Applied prospectively
This allows the network to adjust expectations as the ecosystem matures without frequent governance changes.
Backwards Compatibility
No historical rewards or prior app activity are modified
This proposal applies prospectively to Featured App designation
This CIP is licensed under CC0-1.0: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.
- 2025-01-21: Initial draft of the proposal