Round 21 (Jan 7 - Feb 7) Grants / Bounties / Retrospective Awards Results

Grants / Bounties
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The GMC has concluded discussions and scoring for the Round 21 (January 7 - February 7) Grants/Bounties/RA Award Round.

This post also begins the fourteen-day clock during which, according to RPIP-15, “[a]nyone MAY file an RPIP disputing a grant, bounty, or retrospective award within two weeks of the announcement of recipients. Such an RPIP SHALL be subject to a snapshot vote.” Any awards not subject to such a challenge will become official on March 6, 2025 at 23:59 UTC.

General Updates

Cyfrin DeFi Course
The rETH DeFi course is slated for release in the second week of March. The GMC is planning to incentivize activity with Solidity exam vouchers for newcomers and current community members.

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Primev
The GMC recently met with Primev and are discussing options for adding a module to Rocket Pool to increase node operator yield through an opt-in solution.

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Token Motion Design Subscription
Token Motion has already started working designing materials for the Rocket Pool DAO.

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GMC Member Compensation System
The GMC approved a weighted compensation system for members. Starting in March, GMC members will be compensated based on the following metrics:

  • Message Count (25%)
  • Decisions Submitted (50%)
  • Meeting Attendance (15%)
  • Signed Transactions (10%)

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rETH Incubator
Grant has started reaching out to some of the relevant parties that came out of the rETH Incubator. But we still require more help from the community for the other ideas here - rETH Incubator Bounty Status Board - Google Sheets

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Annual Report
An annual report for 2024 is under development and should be published to the community in the upcoming weeks. You can view 2023’s report here - rocketpool-gmc/reports/gmc-report-2024.pdf at main · rocketpoolgmc/rocketpool-gmc · GitHub.

Current GMC Roster
  • Ken
  • Waq
  • Dr Doofus
  • Destroyaaa
  • Steely
  • Kevster.eth
  • sckuzzle
  • LenofTawa
  • ramana
Application Breakdown
  • Total Grant Applications: 6
  • Total Bounty Applications: 0
  • Total Retro Applications: 2
  • Total Applications Transferred From Last Round: 0
  • Total Amount Grants Requested: $6,034,549
  • Total Amount Retros Requested: $2,261
  • Total Amount Grants / Bounties / Retros Requested: $6,036,810
  • Total Amount Incoming Funds This Period: $30,000
  • Total Amount Reserves: $355,000

USD values calculated at the time GMC began deliberating on applications.

Awards, Average Overall Scores
Number Applicant Title Decision Amount (USD) Avg Score
RA212501 Dr Doofus RP Organization & Outreach Approve $1,061.00 4.33
RA212502 haloooloolo RPIP-64 Initialization & POAP Approve $1,200.00 4.5
GA212503 FOMO Factor ETH Denver Side Event Approve $3,500.00 3.67
GA212506 Cyfrin Exam Vouchers Approve $4,950.00 N/A
GA212505 trooper Smart Node V2 Exit Arbitrage Add-on Defer with Future Consideration $5,500.00 4.67
GA212502 ETHSeer Validator Integration Decline $8,000.00 2
GA212504 Primev rETH Support for MEV-Commit Decline $3,000,000.00 1.33
GA212501 Victus Capital Investment Proposal Decline $3,000,000.00 1
Detailed Award Results

Name: RP Organization & Outreach
Proposer: Dr Doofus
Type: Retro
Subcommittee: All
Link to Application: Round 21 - GMC Call for Retrospective Applications - Deadline is February 7 - #2 by drdoofus
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $1,061
Awarded Funding: $1,061
Score: 4.33
Comments: The GMC approves funding for the Rocket Pool Organization & Outreach proposal, recognizing its significant contributions to community growth.

  • Acknowledging Impact:
    This funding fairly compensates Dr. D for his leadership in launching and sustaining key initiatives, including STAR and other outreach efforts.

  • Ensuring Fair Compensation:
    There was substantial voluntary work involved, making this a well-deserved retro. The proposal offers strong value for the effort contributed.

  • Supporting Community-Driven Efforts:
    By funding this work, the GMC reinforces its commitment to recognizing impactful contributions that help strengthen Rocket Pool’s ecosystem.

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Name: RPIP-64 Initialization & POAP
Proposer: haloooloolo
Type: Retro
Subcommittee: Research
Link to Application: Round 21 - GMC Call for Retrospective Applications - Deadline is February 7 - #3 by haloooloolo
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $1,200
Awarded Funding: $1,200
Score: 4.5
Comments: The GMC approves funding for haloooloolo’s RPIP-64 Initialization & POAP application, recognizing its successful execution and value to Rocket Pool governance.

  • Proven Impact:
    This campaign was effective in supporting the protocol’s governance and engagement, demonstrating clear benefits to the community.

  • Strong Value Proposition:
    The cost is reasonable for the impact delivered, making it a worthwhile investment in the continued functioning of Rocket Pool’s governance processes.

  • Commitment to Governance Support:
    The GMC remains committed to funding essential governance work that strengthens the protocol and community participation.

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Name: ETH Denver Side Event
Proposer: FOMO Factor
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: Marketing
Link to Application: Round 21 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is February 7 - #4 by mrcoastofkorea
Decision: 3.67
Requested Funding: $3,500
Awarded Funding: $3,500
Score: 3.67
Comments: The GMC approves funding for FOMO Factor’s ETH Denver Side Event application, recognizing its potential to drive Rocket Pool engagement and discussions at the conference.

  • Strategic Presence:
    With Rocket Pool not having a booth at ETH Denver, this event provides an opportunity for valuable networking and visibility within the Ethereum community.

  • Team Support & Urgency:
    A member of the core Rocket Pool team has fronted half of the payment to secure the venue due to time constraints. The GMC will reimburse them for their deposit, ensuring the event moves forward as planned.

  • Balancing Risk & Opportunity:
    While event outcomes are never guaranteed, clear goals have been set for success, and team endorsement signals confidence in its value. The GMC believes this is a reasonable investment in Rocket Pool’s presence at ETH Denver.

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Name: Exam Vouchers
Proposer: Cyfrin
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: Marketing
Link to Application: Round 21 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is February 7 - #4 by mrcoastofkorea
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $4,950
Awarded Funding: $4,950
Comments: The GMC approves funding for Cyfrin’s Exam Voucher application, agreeing to fund 50 vouchers at a reduced rate to support both external marketing and internal community engagement.

  • Balanced Approach:
    Following discussions, the GMC determined that 50 vouchers—rather than 100—would be sufficient, ensuring cost-effectiveness while still providing meaningful impact.

  • Strategic Distribution:
    Half of the vouchers will be used for Cyfrin’s marketing promotion, helping to expand Rocket Pool’s reach, while the other half will be allocated for internal promotion within the Rocket Pool DAO and community.

  • Encouraging Participation:
    This initiative offers an opportunity for community members to gain valuable certifications, reinforcing Rocket Pool’s commitment to education and engagement in the Ethereum space.

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Name: Smart Node V2 Exit Arbitrage Add-on
Proposer: trooper
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: Dev
Link to Application: Round 21 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is February 7 - #6 by trooper
Decision: Defer with Future Consideration
Requested Funding: $5,500
Score: 4.67
Comments: The GMC defers funding for Trooper’s Smart Node V2 Exit Arbitrage Add-on, with plans to revisit the proposal once Smart Node V2 is released.

  • Recognizing Value:
    This tool has proven useful in helping NOs earn extra ETH and supporting the rETH peg. Integrating it into the Smart Node would increase adoption among those hesitant to use it previously.

  • Timing Considerations:
    Since Smart Node V2 is not yet available, it makes sense to wait and implement the add-on once the new version is released. This will also allow for a better assessment of feasibility and integration requirements.

  • Future Review:
    When V2 is closer to launch, the GMC will revisit the proposal, including reviewing the cost and technical details with Patches.

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Name: Validator Integration
Proposer: ETHSeer
Type:
Subcommittee: Dev
Link to Application: Round 21 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is February 7 - #3 by Migalabs
Decision: Decline
Requested Funding: $8,000
Score: 2
Comments: The GMC declines funding for the Validator Integration proposal by ETHSeer, as it does not demonstrate sufficient uniqueness or value beyond existing services.

  • Lack of New Offerings:
    The proposal does not present substantial improvements from its previous application, and most of its features are already available through other platforms.

  • Unclear Differentiation:
    While the correctness scores for RP validators may be a unique aspect, the overall offering does not justify the requested $8,000 funding. A clearer demonstration of unique value is needed.

  • Future Considerations:
    If ETHSeer can provide concrete examples of how their service offers distinct benefits to the Rocket Pool ecosystem, the GMC may reconsider in a future round.

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Name: rETH Support for MEV-Commit
Proposer: Primev
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: Dev
Link to Application: Round 21 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is February 7 - #5 by slw
Decision: Decline
Requested Funding: $3,000,000
Score: 1.33
Comments: The GMC declines funding for Primev’s rETH Support for MEV-Commit in its current form due to cost concerns and uncertainties around its viability.

  • Financial Constraints:
    With a lack of available funds and a high price tag, this proposal is not feasible at this time.

  • Unclear Business Model:
    The approach requires onboarding all block builders to be valuable for NOs, and key details—such as slashing conditions—remain unclear. The requirement for the DAO to pay bonds raises further concerns.

  • Exploring Alternatives:
    The GMC recently met with Primev and are discussing options for adding a module to Rocket Pool to increase node operator yield through an opt-in solution.

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Name: Investment Proposal
Proposer: Victus Capital
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: Research
Link to Application: Round 21 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is February 7 - #2 by Codes
Decision: Decline
Requested Funding: $3,000,000
Score: 1
Comments: The GMC declines funding for Victus Capital’s Investment Proposal, as it lacks specificity and alignment with Rocket Pool’s needs.

  • Lack of Relevance:
    The proposal appears to be a generic investment pitch rather than a tailored offering for Rocket Pool. Key components—such as financial backing, market-making, and exchange connections—are not priorities for the protocol.

  • Unclear Value Proposition:
    The application does not provide concrete details on how Victus Capital would drive user acquisition specifically for Rocket Pool, making it difficult to justify funding.

  • Budget Constraints:
    The requested cost exceeds available funds, and the proposal was not assessed in depth due to its lack of clear fit.

Bounties That Need Definitions

GMC is requesting support writing a definition for the following bounties:

Member Participation

All members participated in the decision process.

Final Voting Stages

There were no amendments declared during this period, and no members chose to reject the final vote slate.

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To learn more about the decision-making process or to engage with the committee, join the GMC server here.

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