CIP-??? NFT Examples
CIP-??? introduces a robust framework for enriching Cardano’s on-chain governance data while preserving efficient ledger usage. It defines three NFT types—DRep Credential, Ballot Note, and Endorsement—under CIP‑68, bridging minimal CIP‑1694 structures with optional off-chain anchors (CIP‑119 and CIP‑108). By leveraging CIP‑100’s anchor approach, CIP-??? ensures large text, images, or references remain off-chain, preserving Cardano’s performance.
1. CIP-??? DRep Credential
A DRep Credential NFT is minted by a Delegated Representative to provide a verified on-chain “profile” referencing CIP‑119 data. By storing key fields—like roles, focus areas, and inline CIP‑119 “motivations” or “objectives”—these NFTs give **delegators** a clear view of a dRep’s qualifications, fostering transparency and discoverability.
In this example, you’ll see how Alpine self-reports his DeFi background, mission statement, and CIP‑119 references to off-chain achievements. CIP-??? ensures the on-chain portion remains succinct, while CIP‑68 versioning supports future updates if the dRep refines his credential.
Ultimately, **DRep Credentials** help delegators confidently choose the representatives that align with their goals, driving better governance outcomes and encouraging a robust **human sensor network** within Cardano’s ecosystem.
CIP-??? DRep Credential
DRep: b2f00dfed474adb7bf3f15dd93a6a1ccaa29ab14cd5b785aedc41ef5
Title: DeFi Innovator & Community Liaison
Name (Alias): Alpine
Mission
Promote decentralized governance and DeFi on Cardano.
CIP‑119 Inline Data
givenName: Derrick Oatway
Payment Address: addr1qxy4...example
Objectives: Advance DeFi solutions on Cardano.
Motivations: Empowering community-driven governance.
Qualifications: Red Seal Carpenter/Programmer
References
Personal Website (Link): https://malamalabs.com
Twitter (Identity): https://twitter.com/AlpineOracle
Roles
Focus Areas
Sectors
Social
Twitter: @AlpineOracle
Discord: _alpine
Website
Additional CIP-??? Info:
Some extra CIP-119 data or textual references we want to include off-chain.
CIP-??? Ballot Note
DRep: b2f00dfed474adb7bf3f15dd93a6a1ccaa29ab14cd5b785aedc41ef5
Proposal: abc123+1
Title: Funding Catalyst Round 10
Desc: Provide funds for community proposals
Vote Choice: No
Rationale: I believe we need more details before approving funding.
Timestamp: 2026-05-10T15:30
2. CIP-??? Ballot Note
A Ballot Note NFT records a dRep’s **vote choice** and **rationale** for proposals. By leveraging CIP‑1694’s proposalIdand CIP‑108 anchors (for large supporting docs), CIP-??? ensures the chain only holds essential data—like Yes, No, orAbstain—plus a concise explanation.
In this mock example, we see Alpine voting “No” on a funding proposal, referencing CIP‑108 off-chain details if needed. A timestamplogs the moment she published his stance, while CIP‑68 ensures the **datum** remains consistent over time.
By storing **Ballot Notes** on-chain, CIP-??? promotes accountability and enables analytics tools to map how dReps vote across a range of governance actions, giving delegators deeper insights into a dRep’s decision-making process.
3. CIP-??? Endorsement
An Endorsement NFT is a third-party minted token that “endorses” a specific dRep ID, referencing the endorser’s stake key and optional identity proofs or comments. This fosters a decentralized “social proof” layer—community members can freely burn or transfer these tokens, verifying their support for a dRep without a central authority.
Here, “Bob” endorses Alpines’s governance approach, referencing his stake key to show verifiable support. CIP‑68 ensures the NFT is easily parsed by explorers, letting governance dashboards build trust graphs and visualize each dRep’s endorsements across the ecosystem. We should work as a community to find acceptible ways for proof of identity in this context as it evolves.
CIP-??? Endorsement
DRep: b2f00dfed474adb7bf3f15dd93a6a1ccaa29ab14cd5b785aedc41ef5
Endorser StakeKey: stake1u3k3xmend0rs3rkeyxxxxxxx
Identity Proof: Twitter: @bobBuilder
Comment: I trust this dRep’s experience in governance!
Timestamp: 2026-07-21T14:00
Building a Transparent Governance Ecosystem
CIP-??? builds upon CIP‑1694’s minimal rules for dReps, CIP‑68’s flexible NFT datum architecture, and CIP‑119/CIP‑108 anchors for off-chain expansions. By defining three specialized NFT types, the standard brings deeper context and discoverability to on-chain governance: who represents you, how they vote, and who vouches for them.
As Cardano’s Voltaire era matures, a robust set of **human sensor networks**—DRep Credentials, Ballot Notes, Endorsements—will facilitate a more open, data-rich decision-making process for delegators, DReps, and the entire community. By bridging on-chain minimal logic with off-chain anchors, CIP-??? ensures a sustainable, verifiable, and user-friendly governance framework for the future.