Metis and Gitcoin have just wrapped up their first community funding round, kicking off an exciting effort to grow the Metis ecosystem. With 3,000 METIS available, the goals were clear:

• Engage the community in choosing what matters through Quadratic Funding (QF).
• Support projects that build on what's already working, rather than just competing with it.
• Foster growth by finding ideas that have staying power and room to expand.
• Bring in users and create a welcoming environment for everyone building on Metis.

We focused on projects that sparked excitement, had solid plans, and aligned with Metis' community values. Thanks to Gitcoin's Grant Stack, it was easy for projects to get involved and for the community to have a say.

Funding Breakdown & Participation

• Total Matching Pool: 3,000 METIS (worth $39.42 each)
• Amount Raised by the Community: $37,743.97 (31.92% of the pool value)
• Number of Projects: 34
• Unique Donors: 883
• Matching Cap: 10%
• Minimum Donation: $1.00

Donor Contributions:

• Median Donation: $4.45
• Average Donation: $17.95

The incredible participation from 883 donors across 34 projects shows the Metis community's dedication. Not only did they fund promising initiatives, but they also helped highlight what's important to the community.

Fair and Secure Funding with Sybil Resistance

Ensuring a fair distribution of funds while preventing manipulation was a top priority. To tackle this, the Metis funding round used:

• Enhanced Connection-Oriented Cluster-Matching (COCM): This method goes beyond standard quadratic funding by measuring how connected groups of supporters are based on shared social signals. Projects with backing from more independent donors received greater emphasis, promoting broad support.
• Wallet Analysis & Filtering: Since the Metis network doesn't yet have a Passport system, extra steps were taken
  • Data from participating wallets was analyzed using the Metis Block Explorer and API.
  • Wallets were reviewed based on their age and transaction history to spot suspicious activity.

This dual approach ensured that the funds were distributed fairly, reflecting real community support while reducing the risk of Sybil attacks.

Why Sybil Resistance Matters

One of the key elements of this funding round was the use of strong Sybil resistance measures. A visual representation (below) helps illustrate how support was distributed among projects and identify any manipulative behavior. Here’s how to read it:

• Nodes and Connections: Light green nodes are individual donors, and dark green nodes are projects. The lines between them represent donations.
• Centrality and Diversity: Projects closer to the center have received donations from wallets that also supported other projects, indicating broad community backing.
• Periphery Projects: Projects on the outer edges may have more niche or focused support.
• Suspicious Patterns: Large clusters of light green nodes connecting to a single project, especially isolated ones, may signal potential Sybil attacks or coordinated voting.

By analyzing this graph, we can:

• Identify projects with true, diverse support.
• Spot potential manipulation or coordinated voting.
• Understand the overall health and interconnectivity of the ecosystem.

The COCM algorithm uses these insights to adjust funding allocations, making sure that projects with broad, genuine support are prioritized. Here’s what we saw after filtering:

• Several projects experienced significant changes in matching funds.
• Some high-ranked projects saw big reductions after filtering.
• A few projects were even completely removed from funding.

This approach successfully highlighted and supported projects with real community backing, ensuring that Metis ecosystem resources are directed to the most promising and well-supported initiatives.

Community Engagement & Ecosystem Growth

The participation and financial commitment from the Metis community were outstanding, surpassing typical community funding rounds in blockchain.

Matching Fund Contributions:

While most rounds see matching fund contributions around 15-20% of the total pool, Metis shattered expectations:

• Total Matching Pool: 3,000 METIS
• Amount Raised by the Community: 957.48 METIS
• Percentage of Matching Pool Raised: 31.92%

This remarkable participation—nearly double the average—shows just how engaged and confident the Metis community is in the network's future.

What This Means for Ecosystem Growth:

This higher-than-usual participation brings several benefits to the Metis ecosystem:

• Community Trust: It signals strong confidence in the network and its potential.
• Quality Projects: Above-average donations show that the community sees high value in the projects being funded.
• Momentum: Increased backing will accelerate the development and deployment of these projects, pushing the ecosystem forward faster.
• Talent Attraction: With such strong engagement, Metis is likely to draw even more developers and innovators to the platform.

The diversity of funded projects—from DeFi protocols and infrastructure tools to education and community-building initiatives—paints a picture of a well-rounded ecosystem poised for sustainable growth. By supporting a variety of projects, the Metis community is laying the foundation for a thriving, versatile blockchain ecosystem.

Wrapping Up

This funding round did more than allocate resources—it demonstrated the strength and commitment of the Metis community. From DeFi to education, the range of funded projects reflects a shared vision for the ecosystem’s future. With nearly double the usual participation rate and broad community involvement, the message is clear: the Metis community is ready to drive ecosystem growth and support projects that align with its values. As these projects come to life, they’ll showcase the power of grassroots efforts in shaping the future of Metis.