MIP15: Activate the Protocol Fees Flow to the Marinade Foundation and Grant 100M MNDE to Marinade Labs for Operations

Governance
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Summary

This proposal asks the DAO to activate the flow of protocol fees into the Marinade Foundation and to allocate 100M MNDE from the DAO treasury to Marinade Labs for operations over the next 12 to 18 months.

Beginning in September, all protocol revenues — including fees, buybacks, and burns — will accrue directly to the DAO treasury. This change strengthens DAO sustainability, enhances MNDE economics, and increases governance power.

At the same time, the Marinade team will no longer receive protocol revenue directly. This proposal ensures the team has operational funding while the new fee model takes effect, with the expectation that the DAO treasury will naturally replenish through ongoing fee flows and buybacks.

Background

Previously, protocol revenues flowed into the team wallet to cover expenses. With MIP-11 and MIP-13, the structure shifts:

  • 50% of performance fees go to MNDE buybacks into the DAO treasury
  • Remaining fees and burns further strengthen MNDE value
  • The DAO treasury becomes the single source of protocol revenue

This is a major positive shift: buybacks and burns increase MNDE scarcity, and DAO-controlled revenues enhance governance legitimacy. But this also creates a gap — the team must now be funded directly by the DAO.

Proposal

  • Amount: 100M MNDE from the DAO treasury
  • Duration: 12 to 18 months of operational runway
  • Use of Funds:
    • Core contributor compensation
    • Product development and audits
    • Marketing, partnerships, and ecosystem growth
    • Community programs and governance operations
  • Accountability:
    • Quarterly reporting to the DAO on spending, milestones, and treasury inflows from fees and buybacks
    • Any unused MNDE at the end of the period is returned to the DAO treasury

UPDATED
Based on community feedback, this proposal now includes a 1-year cliff on the 100M MNDE allocation.

This ensures:

  • No sudden increase in circulating supply
  • No immediate sell pressure
  • Time for the DAO treasury to start replenishing through fees and buybacks before any tokens unlock

The cliff provides assurance for MNDE holders while still giving Marinade Labs the operational runway needed to continue building under the new DAO-funded model.

Rationale

  • Ecosystem positive: All protocol revenues now strengthen MNDE and the DAO treasury, creating long-term sustainability.
  • Self-funding: The treasury will be replenished over time through fee flows and buybacks, making this ask sustainable.
  • Aligned incentives: DAO oversight of operations ensures accountability while the team focuses on growth and security.
  • Proven track record: Past MNDE allocations (e.g. MIP-12 migrate campaign) delivered measurable TVL and ecosystem growth.

Conclusion

This proposal activates the next stage in Marinade’s evolution: fees and buybacks flow into the DAO treasury, and the DAO in turn funds the team that drives growth and innovation.

Approving this proposal secures operations for the next 12 to 18 months while ensuring sustainability, transparency, and alignment with the DAO’s long-term interests.

Delegates are encouraged to vote YES to maintain momentum and strengthen the MNDE ecosystem.

4 Likes
2

As a long term holder, this proposal concerns me. The proposal would potentially unleash 100 million MNDE sell pressure over 12-18 months. This undermines the other proposal for the buyback and burn.

There needs to be further details including;

  1. Delineating how the 100 million would be split across the 4 specific nominated areas
  2. Will the monthly reports outline how much MNDE has been spent on each domain? So we can know how much was spent on salaries and other “operations”.
  3. How will this 100 million increase MNDE price and/or delegated SOL to marinade
  4. Targets that marinade team is aiming for with the 100 million MNDE

I really love marinade but would like too see more clarity and accountability as outlined above.

1 Like
3

Thanks for raising this, it’s a very valid concern. To make it clear that the 100M MNDE grant will not create sudden sell pressure, I will edit the proposal to include a 1-year cliff before tokens are released.

This way the community and the market can be assured there’s no immediate selling, while still giving the team the 12–18 months of runway needed as all protocol revenue shifts fully into the DAO.

5

Thank you I re- read the proposal and your response
I must admit I made a mistake and now fully support the proposal

6

Very little concern here. directing all revenue into the treasury is 1 leg of 4 of the most bullish paths a project could do.

  1. is burning a large unused portion. 40-50% of tokens and letting the 50% of buy backs fuel the treasury.

  2. is having the 100 M funding over the next 12-18 months. This gives some runway and lets the buy backs cook to fill the treasury.

  3. ASR. The above all are a net positive for value and having an engaged community will drive interest.