Straddl.io Expansion Proposal

Author(s): My Defi, GR (Cat Herder), Infinity Status: Proposed Related Discussions: https://forum.across.to/t/straddl-io-expansion-proposal/2037

Summary:

Straddl (https://straddl.io) is a next-generation bridging platform built entirely on Across Protocol, designed to offer users highly competitive bridging rates while leveraging the Across Intents Framework (ERC-7683) for an efficient bridge + swap experience. To enhance its utility and further leverage the power of intent-based transactions, Straddl proposes expanding its capabilities to provide deeper DeFi integrations.

Straddl currently allows users to perform some of the following actions:

Bridge ETH/WETH, USDC/USDC.e, USDT, WBTC and DAI on all routes supported by Across Protocol at discounted rates Bridge + swap to a wide variety of tokens on Optimism, Arbitrum, Polygon, zkSync Era, and Base Bridge + send gas for users who are bridging to a chain in which they do not yet have the necessary token for performing transactions (such as Polygon) Relay deposits sitting on the open market and available for anyone to fill This expansion will introduce features that allow users to:

Bridge + swap on Uniswap on Unichain, improving efficiency for users looking to move liquidity cross-chain, Bridge + swap on all other chains with high-liquidity DEXes (including Mainnet) Bridge + send gas on additional chains where ETH is not the native token (i.e. Aleph Zero) Bridge + deposit into Aave to streamline access to lending opportunities, Bridge + repay/pay down debt on Aave, enabling more seamless debt management, and much more! By integrating these features as well as several other UI improvements, Straddl aims to enhance the user experience, unlock new DeFi possibilities, and solidify its position as a premier intent-based bridging solution.

This benefits Across as a direct source of exclusive bridge volume in contrast with other system integrators that also service competing protocols.

Additionally, this proposal includes a request for funding to support development efforts, compensate contributors, and bootstrap user engagement campaigns on Intract and other similar platforms.

Motivation:

Across Protocol’s Intents Framework presents a unique opportunity to redefine bridging by incorporating advanced DeFi interactions. Currently, users must execute multiple transactions manually to bridge assets and interact with protocols like Aave or Uniswap, resulting in higher gas costs, longer transaction times, and added complexity.

Straddl’s expansion aims to address these inefficiencies by enabling users to bridge assets while simultaneously executing DeFi actions in a single, optimized transaction. This not only improves UX but also expands the utility of Across Protocol by demonstrating the power of ERC-7683-based intent execution in real-world DeFi applications.

Although Across has gained a significant share of volume through system integrators, a fully featured app that supports a broad set of intent-based actions offers direct benefits. This includes handling more complex orders, such as cross-chain swaps, and capturing volume not supported by the standard Across front-end application. Additionally, another bridge interface improves service availability in case services managed by Risk Labs are impacted.

Straddl.io has been a fully grassroots project from the start, built and maintained without any outside capital. Despite this, contributors have dedicated significant time and effort to making Straddl a leading intent-based bridging platform. One of our core contributors, Infinity, has put in extensive development work—which can only be described as relentless commitment—without receiving any compensation to date. This proposal seeks to fund the next phase of Straddl’s growth while also retroactively compensating Infinity for his invaluable contributions.

Additionally, Straddl is 100% aligned with Across Protocol—it does not integrate or rely on any other bridges. The project is solely focused on leveraging Across to create a seamless, intent-driven DeFi experience, reinforcing its role as a key builder in the Across ecosystem. Furthermore, all of Straddl’s contributors—GR, Infinity, and My Defi—are active community members who regularly provide development support within the Across Protocol Discord.

Notably, in 2023 and 2024, Across Protocol ran a “Community Integrations Bounty” program designed to encourage projects like Straddl. However, this initiative did not gain much traction, and the allocated token rewards were ultimately returned to the DAO. Given that Across had already set aside funds for community-driven integrations, we believe this signals that the community may be open to reallocating some of these unused funds to support Straddl’s continued development.

To ensure successful execution and adoption of these new features, this proposal also requests funding for engagement campaigns on platforms like Intract. These campaigns will drive awareness, increase usage, and reward early adopters who contribute to the platform’s growth.

Specification & Implementation:

This proposal seeks funding to support Straddl’s next phase of development, focusing on:

• Feature Upgrades – Expanding Straddl’s capabilities by integrating additional DeFi interactions using Across Protocol’s Intents Framework (ERC-7683). These enhancements will enable users to combine bridging with actions like depositing into lending protocols, repaying loans, or swapping assets in a single, optimized transaction.
• UI/UX Enhancements – Improving the front-end experience to make cross-chain interactions more intuitive, reduce friction, and increase adoption. This includes refining the user interface, streamlining transaction flows, and optimizing gas efficiency.
• Contributor Compensation – Ensuring that core contributors, including Infinity, are compensated for their past and ongoing work, enabling continued development and support.
• User Engagement & Growth – Allocating funds to run targeted campaigns on platforms like Intract, rewarding early adopters, and driving user adoption through strategic engagement initiatives.
• Backend & Infrastructure Improvements – Optimizing transaction batching and execution logic to ensure cost-efficiency, security, and seamless integration with Across Protocol.

By implementing these upgrades, Straddl will reinforce its role as a key builder within the Across Protocol ecosystem while demonstrating the power of intent-based bridging.

Revenue Distribution/Compensation:

Straddl is requesting 100,000 ACX tokens (~$27,000 at the current ACX price) for this funding and future development. The funds will be allocated as follows:

12,500 ACX (~$3,400 at the current ACX price) to be allocated for Intract campaign rewards (Intract rewards are provided as USDC) 12,500 ACX (~$3,400 at the current ACX price) to be distributed to Infinity for his contributions to date 75,000 ACX (~$20,200 at the current ACX price) to be allocated to the Straddl team (GR, Infinity, and My Defi) over the course of the next 12 months to complete all of the updates outlined in this proposal and cover the cost of associated expenses. These costs include: Two prior Intract campaigns Account servicing costs including (Discord, Email, Twitter etc) Infrastructure and hosting fees Gas faucet funds and contract deployments

Rationale:

This proposal requests funding to support both development efforts and ecosystem growth. The requested amount is based on:

1. Development & Compensation – Supporting ongoing technical upgrades while fairly compensating contributors, including retroactive compensation for Infinity, who has worked extensively without pay.
2. User Engagement & Adoption – Providing incentives for early adopters and contributors through Intract and other engagement platforms, ensuring a strong initial user base.
3. Sustainability – Enabling Straddl to continue iterating and improving, reinforcing its alignment with Across Protocol whilst showcasing the power and innovation possible with ERC-7683 intent execution.
4. Resilience – An alternative bridge service enhances the availability of the Across Protocol, ensuring that the primary service managed by Risk Labs is not a single point of failure.
5. Reallocation of Unused DAO Funds – Across Protocol previously allocated rewards for its Community Integrations Bounty, which were returned due to low participation. Given this precedent, we believe there is an opportunity to reallocate a portion of these unused funds to support Straddl’s expansion.

This funding will ensure that Straddl not only continues to operate but also grows into a cornerstone of the Across Protocol ecosystem.

To ensure transparency, the Straddl team will share quarterly progress updates in the Across Protocol Discord.

Voting:

Voting “Yes” will support this proposal; if a “Yes” vote passes, it will trigger an oSnap transaction from the Across treasury to the Straddl vault for a value of 100,000ACX. Voting “No” will be against this proposal; if a “No” vote passes, no transaction will be made.