.ada

Q4.2-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. If financial statements are provided by a Qualified Parent Entity (QPE), the CEO, President, CFO, and/or equivalent officer of the QPE must co-sign the certification document. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC4.2-1.1 - The applying entity and/or a QPE will fund the startup and long-term operation of all applied-for gTLD strings and (if applicable) currently operated gTLDs of a QPE. SC4.2-1.2 - The applying entity or QPE has at a minimum of US$50,000 plus 25% of the application base fee for each applied-for gTLD string in Cash and Cash Equivalents on the balance sheet of the provided financial statements, up to a maximum of US$300,000, designated to support the startup and operation of all of the applying entity’s applied-for gTLD strings. SC4.2-1.3 - The applying entity and/or its officers are bound by law in its jurisdiction to represent financial statements accurately and the applying entity is in good standing in that jurisdiction.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Q5.1-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC5.1-1.1 - The applying entity will appropriately protect confidentiality of data and prevent unauthorized access to data and services. SC5.1-1.2 - The applying entity will maintain a mature, appropriately funded and staffed security program, following a recognized, modern security framework based on risk management (such as the ISO27000 series, COBIT, HITRUST CSF, legally required security frameworks, or equivalent). The security program must be in place prior to delegation, and exist through at least the period of the registry agreement. SC5.1-1.3 - The applying entity is aware of and has designed its systems and business to comply with the relevant privacy and security regulations for all countries in which it operates.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Q5.2-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC5.2-1.1 - The applying entity will, no later than delegation of the Top Level Domain (TLD), establish a dedicated abuse point of contact responsible for addressing matters requiring expedited attention and providing a timely response to abuse complaints concerning any name registered in the TLD. SC5.2-1.2 - The applying entity will, no later than delegation of the TLD, establish, publish, and provide to ICANN the location of a mechanism for members of the public to submit reports of abuse in accordance with the current obligations of the Base RA and any Consensus Policies. SC5.2-1.3 - The applying entity has developed proposed measures for removal of orphan glue records for names removed from the zone when provided with evidence in written form that the glue is present in connection with malicious conduct (see Specification 6). SC5.2-1.4 - The applying entity has or will have at time of delegation, established policies for handling complaints regarding abuse. Such policies are to be maintained and posted publicly so that anyone can review the policies via the Internet and any other means deemed appropriate by the applying entity. The applying entity’s policies at a minimum should contain appropriate confirmation of the receipt of the abuse report, the process of review of the report, and actions that will be taken if the applying entity confirms the report is legitimate. SC5.2-1.5 - The applying entity understands that DNS Abuse is Phishing, Malware, Botnets, Pharming and Spam (when used to deliver other forms of DNS Abuse). The applying entity understands and is prepared to contribute to the mitigation or disruption of DNS Abuse in domains in the TLD zone. SC5.2-1.6 - The applying entity’s abuse response capabilities are resourced appropriately to ensure a timely and adequate investigation and response to reports of DNS Abuse. This includes capabilities to receive and evaluate evidence of DNS Abuse in reports, and to take action to stop or disrupt the DNS Abuse. SC5.2-1.7 - The applying entity is prepared to conduct periodic scans of its zone to identify if domains are being used to perpetrate DNS Abuse, and to maintain statistical reports of the scans, the findings, and actions taken.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Script of String

Latin

As per Section 3(d) of Specification 11 of the Base Registry Agreement, a registry operator of a “generic string” may not impose eligibility criteria for registering names in the TLD that limit registrations exclusively to a single person or entity and/or that person’s or entity’s “Affiliates” (as defined in Section 2.9(c) of the Registry Agreement). “Generic String” means a string consisting of a word or term that denominates or describes a general class of goods, services, groups, organizations or things, as opposed to distinguishing a specific brand of goods, services, groups, organizations or things from those of others. Confirm that the applied-for string is not a “generic string” in which the applying entity intends to limit registrations exclusively to a single person or entity.

true

How would you categorize your community?

The Ada/Cardano Community is a global community of identifiable individuals and entities united by their participation in the Cardano blockchain protocol and its native digital asset “ada”. This community is technology and innovation-focused, organized around the governance, development, commercialization, and use of ada and Cardano.

The Ada/Cardano Community, through specific voting mechanisms on the Cardano blockchain, has defined itself according to these terms in the Cardano Constitution, published on https://cardano.org/constitution/:

“Cardano Community. The collective group of all individuals and organizations that, in embracing the shared principles and objectives set forth in the Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Constitution, own ada, develop, build on, support, maintain, contribute to, and use the Cardano Blockchain.”

The total number of unique addresses in the Cardano ecosystem exceeded 5,700,000 in December 2025. This figure has grown over several years since Cardano's launch in 2017 and shown continual activity over the years via numerous metrics.

Community members are represented by and include several organisations, including the Cardano Foundation (see Questions 135 and 136), which is one of the founding entities of Cardano and the trademark holder for “Cardano” and “ada”. Certain member-based organizations, such as Intersect and PRAGMA, provide structured administration and committee-based collaboration for technical, governance, and development activities (see Questions 139 and 146).

In addition to on-chain participation, the Ada/Cardano Community operates through structured off-chain governance and coordination mechanisms, including associate members, paid individual members, and enterprise participants collaborating across governance, technical, and community-focused committees.

What is the applying entity's connection to the community?

The Cardano Foundation is an independent, Swiss-based not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the development of new technologies, specifically the Cardano blockchain and its native digital asset “ada”. The Cardano Foundation is one of the founding entities of Cardano and is a prominent member of the ecosystem - organizing key events, maintaining and developing Cardano technology, and providing a point for community interaction via various forums.

The Cardano Foundation is the trademark holder for the “ada” and “Cardano” trademarks and wordmarks. For the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) report showing the Cardano Foundation’s registration of the “ada” trademark, see the attached corresponding documentation.

For the “Cardano trademark”, see the attached corresponding documentation.

To understand how the Cardano Foundation serves its community, it is helpful to look at its three core operational pillars: Technology, Adoption, and Governance.

1. Technology

The Cardano Foundation works to ensure the Cardano blockchain remains secure, stable, and resilient. The Cardano Foundation monitors the blockchain’s health at a system-wide level.

The Cardano Foundation supports the development of critical open-source tools. These are shared technical resources that benefit the Ada/Cardano Community, however they are resource-intensive and require stewardship of the Cardano Foundation. The Cardano Foundation also supports the integration of external services to enhance the Cardano blockchain’s reliability and functionality.

2. Adoption

The Cardano Foundation drives ada and Cardano adoption through structured programs and partnerships. The Cardano Foundation works with large enterprises and international organizations, such as to pilot applications and key software development.

The Cardano Foundation also operates a venture program that provides investment and advisory support to early-stage organizations and community members building on the Cardano network.

Through certified programs, the Cardano Foundation provides structured education and certification to learners wanting to improve their knowledge of Cardano. This supports workforce development and professional standards, supporting the Ada/Cardano Community.

The Cardano Foundation engages with policymakers and participates in public consultations to support regulatory clarity in matters relevant to the Cardano blockchain and ada digital asset.

3. Governance

The Cardano Foundation participates in governance directly on the Cardano blockchain as a member of the Ada/Cardano Community. It seeks to foster robust governance practices and serves in several roles throughout community committees.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

How is the community organized? Are there one or multiple organizations ("organizing body") that represent or administer the community?

The Ada/Cardano Community is organized through a multi-stakeholder governance framework. Rather than relying on a single entity, the community is administered and represented by multiple organizing bodies.

1. The Cardano Foundation

The Cardano Foundation, an independent Swiss non-profit, is one of the founding entities of Cardano, and acts as a distinct body focused on the promotion and development of new technologies, specifically the Cardano blockchain, and accordingly on the external representation and legal protection of the Cardano and Ada brand.

The Cardano Foundation administers certain intellectual property (such as the "Ada" and “Cardano” trademarks) and key GitHub repositories, overseeing certain standards, working to ensure that the community's identity is protected.

The Cardano Foundation represents the community's interest in promoting the adoption, education, and long-term sustainability of Cardano, functioning as one aspect of the ecosystem's public presence.

2. On-Chain Governance Bodies

The Ada/Cardano Community is further organized through on-chain governance roles, which formalize the community's ability to self-administer directly via the Cardano blockchain. This enables the community to vote on certain proposals, such as technical updates to the Cardano blockchain and treasury withdrawals. There is a defined limit of governance actions and they do not include day-to-day operation of the TLD, which will remain with the Cardano Foundation as the applicant and Registry Operator.

There were more than 1,000 Delegated Representatives, a governance role, registered on Cardano at the beginning of 2026.

3. Member-Based Organizations:

Intersect

Intersect serves as a hub for the Ada/Cardano Community. It is a Member-Based Organization (MBO) tasked with coordinating technical development and governance continuity of the Cardano ecosystem. Intersect administers civic infrastructure for participating community members, including the organization of committees and working groups.

Intersect has a formal membership structure for participating members, with over 5,000 members as at the end of 2025. The Cardano Foundation is itself a member of Intersect with various positions.

PRAGMA

PRAGMA is a member-based, not-for-profit Open Source Association for blockchain software projects. It aims to foster an alternative open-source ecosystem for Cardano and beyond. PRAGMA had five members at the end of 2025 with a number of additional Ada/Cardano Community members represented in its maintainer committees.

Does the community have defined membership requirements, such as registration, licensing, or use of specific communication? Or, do community members self-identify as part of the community?

Anyone who owns ada or develops the Cardano blockchain is considered part of the Ada/Cardano Community.

The Ada/Cardano Community, through specific voting mechanisms on the Cardano blockchain, has defined itself according to these terms in the Cardano Constitution, published on https://cardano.org/constitution/:

“Cardano Community. The collective group of all individuals and organizations that, in embracing the shared principles and objectives set forth in the Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Constitution, own ada, develop, build on, support, maintain, contribute to, and use the Cardano Blockchain.”

The identity of the Ada/Cardano Community is intrinsically intertwined with the digital asset ada, as is seen in the Cardano Constitution which is calibrated, throughout, towards the holders of ada as members of the Community.

Where is the community located?

This community is located worldwide. Its reach is evidenced by on-chain activity, wallet addresses, 5,359 Intersect members over 125+ countries in 2025, plus over 3,000 attendees at recent events in the US, Germany, India, Brazil, Argentina, and Kenya.

What is the estimated size of the community? This should take into account any regions listed in Question 138.

The community includes over 5.7M unique wallet addresses as of December 2025, 5,359 Intersect members globally, and over 1,000 registered DReps (participating globally), supported by over 3,000 global event attendees at recent events.

What portion of the community do any organizing bodies represent or administer to?

The Cardano Foundation represents the entire community by developing and promoting of ada and protecting the ada/Cardano brand. It represents 3.22% voting power on Cardano (03.2026) Intersect represents 5,359 members and PRAGMA 5 members by end 2025.

Do the organizing bodies demonstrate active and consistent efforts to engage and connect with the identified community and its members?

Yes, please see the below corresponding documentation containing the answer to this question and supporting links.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

What is the role of the applying entity in the engagement efforts listed in Question 141?

Please see the below corresponding documentation containing the answer to this question and supporting links.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Are community members aware of the identified community and each other?

Yes, please see the below corresponding documentation containing the answer to this question and supporting links.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Are community members aware of the applying entity and its intention to apply for a community gTLD?

Yes, the Cardano Foundation launched a public vote (“an Info Action”) prior to preparing this application to gauge community support. The community has long been aware of the Cardano Foundation as a founding entity of the Cardano ecosystem to which ada is the native digital asset.

An Info Action is an on-chain governance action that allows submitters to seek community support, and community members can in turn engage with the submitter and one another on the topic before casting a verified vote.

The Cardano Foundation’s Info Action received approximately 75% support from Delegated Representatives for its goal of applying to become the registry operator for this top-level domain. The Info Action and results can be found here: https://adastat.net/governances/a36eafaea085b77f97cceacf07fe9450f8c6b47fec3af94da8f7d158a1fc972200

The voting results of the Info Action have been copied to the attached corresponding documentation for ease of reference.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Was there an established presence of the identified community prior to the opening of the application submission period?

Yes

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Are individuals and groups outside of the identified community aware of the existence of the identified community?

Yes, please see the below corresponding documentation containing the answer to this question and supporting links.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Are the pursuits of the identified community enduring and sustainable?

Yes, please see the below corresponding documentation containing the answer to this question and supporting links.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Does the string match the name of the identified community?

Yes, the “ada” string matches the ticker symbol (used on all major platforms) and native digital asset for the Cardano blockchain and the community of its users. Ada is a trademark held by the Cardano Foundation, and is recognized globally as signifying both the Ada/Cardano Community, and the ada digital asset around which it is centered.

As indicated in previous questions, “Ada” and “Cardano” are synonymous and the Community is well known, of a significant size, and has grown over the years. To join this community, use of Ada is central to community membership (see Question 137). Any new or prospective community member searching “Cardano” or “Ada” online will see both terms used to describe this community, and purchasing ada on any major platform will show “ada” as the symbol and name for the digital asset, while also acting as a short name in referencing the Cardano blockchain.

Will the general public instinctively think of the community when thinking of the applied-for string?

Yes, the general public will instinctively think of the Ada/Cardano Community when thinking of the applied-for string (ada). As both the formal name and ticker symbol of Cardano’s native digital asset, as well as a short name when referencing Cardano, the public instinctively recognizes Ada in a similar manner to TSLA, AAPL, META, and GOOG for the organizations they represent, as well as proponents of those brands.

Like most 3-letter terms, “ada” could potentially have a different meaning to different people around the world (eg Ada is a popular women’s name in Germany). However, as a highly ranked global blockchain (source: https://coinmarketcap.com/chain-ranking/) with over 5.7 million international users, the Ada/Cardano Community is the only international organization with global recognition by the terms “ada” and/or “Cardano”.

Are you proposing to include one or more Community Registration Policies in the Registry Agreement (RA) that are unique to the applying entity's applied-for community gTLD?

Yes

Please state a specific Community Registration Policy with respect to registration eligibility for community members.

Registry Operator shall adhere to the following eligibility criteria with respect to registration for community members:

Eligibility is limited to individuals and entities that are members of the Ada/Cardano Community (the Community) that meet community recognized standards or have a strong Ada- and/or Cardano-brand affiliation:

1. Individuals and entities that are holders of the native digital asset of the Cardano Blockchain (ada) or that otherwise originate transactions on the Cardano Blockchain or promote the Cardano Blockchain that affirm or can provide proof on request of: - Proof of control of a wallet holding ada - Proof of intent to join the Ada/Cardano Community as an ada holder within 90 days of registration; - Other proof of ada ownership (e.g. via a centralized exchange) - Proof of originating transactions on the Cardano Blockchain (ada) - Proof of material promotional efforts for the Cardano Blockchain (ada)

2. Individuals and entities that affirm, or can provide proof on request, of operation of a project that utilises the Cardano Blockchain or ada as a token.

Registry Operator shall allow trademark holders, including those who are not necessarily Ada/Cardano Community members, to register their trademarks during Sunrise, General Availability, and/or any other period as published on its website or launch plans, as part of its efforts to promote a safe and reputable namespace.

Registry Operator shall develop and implement a registration eligibility policy and publish this policy on its website no later than the date on which the TLD is delegated in the DNS.

Registry Operator shall reserve the right to review the registration policy from time to time, and may publish the results of such review on its website.

State a specific Community Registration Policy with respect to name selection criteria or rules for the applied-for string.

Registry Operator shall impose that eligible registrants shall be able to register domain names that do not deceive internet users, or cause material detriment to the Ada/Cardano Community.

Registry Operator shall not allow Registrants to register any domain names that i) deceive internet users, or cause material detriment to the Ada/Cardano Community or ii) are:

1. Registered according to inaccurate information; 2. Used to facilitate, participate in or further illegal activities; 3. Violate the intellectual property rights of others; 4. Registered in bad faith to create confusion within the Ada/Cardano Community and Internet users; 5. Used against the interests of the Cardano ecosystem; 6. Used to damage, disable, impair, or otherwise attack ada sites or the networks connected to ada sites;

Registry Operator shall develop and implement a name selection rule and publish it on its website no later than the date on which the TLD is delegated in the DNS.

Registry Operator shall reserve the right to review the name selection rule from time to time, and may publish the results of such review on its website.

State a specific Community Registration Policy with respect to an additional commitment besides registration eligibility for community members and naming selection criteria or rules for the applied-for string.

Registry Operator shall work with the Community prior to launch to reserve a list of community-priority names, and develop a policy for allocating these names to existing Community members. Community-priority reserved names will be allocated to Community members for a defined term, with periodic reviews conducted by the Registry against their use plans.

The Registry Operator shall reserve a list of names useful to the Ada/Cardano Community (such as industry sectors, and nouns with economical or technological significance) for allocation at a future time and in a manner determined by the Registry Operator, in consultation with the Community.

The Registry Operator shall, for a period of at least 7 days prior to General Availability, hold one or more Limited Registration Periods with eligibility restricted to qualified Community members, and qualifications clearly defined prior to launch and published on its website.

Registry Operator shall develop and implement a Community Registration policy and publish this policy on its website no later than the date on which the TLD is delegated in the DNS.

Registry Operator shall reserve the right to review the community registry policy from time to time, and may publish the results of such review on its website.

The sponsoring registrar of any ada domain registration shall validate customer email addresses or any other contact information it collects.

Explain the rationale for any limitations to the Community Registration Policy proposed by the applying entity in Questions 151-153.

The limitations proposed in the Community Registration Policy (Questions 151–153) are designed to ensure that the top-level domain serves as trusted, authentic namespaces for the Cardano ecosystem and serving the Ada/Cardano Community. These restrictions are necessary to prevent abusive registrations, protect the reputation of the Cardano blockchain and its native asset ada, and ensure that registrants have a connection to the community or otherwise that their participation will further the community’s principles.

Explain how the proposed Community Registration Policies of the applying entity meets the Registry Commitments Evaluation criteria 4 and 5?

The proposed policies are designed to ensure the integrity, security, and specific community purpose of the TLDs while adhering to ICANN’s Bylaws and technical requirements.

Criterion 4: No Duplication or Contradiction of Existing Requirements

Criterion 4 states that any Registry Voluntary Commitment (RVC) "should not duplicate or be contrary to requirements under applicable law, ICANN agreements, or ICANN Consensus Policies or Temporary Policies".

The Cardano Foundation’s proposed Community Registration Policies are distinct from existing obligations and do not violate established laws or policies.

The proposed eligibility requirement—specifically, that registrants must be bona fide members of the Ada/Cardano Community (e.g., holding Ada or having a history of transaction activity)—is unique to the applied-for gTLD.

There is no existing applicable law, ICANN agreement, or Consensus Policy that requires, or prohibits, a domain registrant to participate in a specific blockchain ecosystem. Therefore, these policies introduce new, specific safeguards relevant only to ada and do not repeat or contradict existing laws or policies.

While ICANN generally promotes openness, the Applicant Guidebook explicitly permits and requires Community gTLD applicants to establish registration policies that restrict eligibility to the delineated community. Consequently, restricting registration to verified Ada/Cardano Community members is consistent with the New gTLD Program requirements for Community applications and does not contradict ICANN’s standard openness policies in this specific context.

Criterion 5: Compatibility with ICANN bylaws

The Community Registration Policies are strictly focused on eligibility and technical security, avoiding any regulation of content that would conflict with ICANN's Bylaws.

The policies restrict who can register a domain (eligibility), not what they can say on their website. By basing registration on objective criteria like Ada ownership or project validation, the Cardano Foundation ensures the namespace serves the community without becoming a content moderator. This distinction is crucial for meeting Criterion 5, as it respects the Bylaws' limitation on content regulation.

Provisions that prevent the use of domains for abuse or attacks on the Cardano network align directly with ICANN's mission to ensure the security and stability of the DNS. These are technical safeguards, not content restrictions, and are therefore fully compatible with the Bylaws.

The policies are administered in a neutral, transparent manner, ensuring that the Registry Operator does not exercise arbitrary discretion that could be viewed as unfair or discriminatory under the Bylaws.

From where does the applying entity have the support to run the applied-for string on behalf of the identified community?

The Cardano Foundation has secured support via the Cardano blockchain's native governance system. Through an “Info Action” (a formal on-chain polling mechanism), Delegated Representatives (“DReps”) representing approximately 75% of voting ada ratified the Cardano Foundation’s goal to operate this global top-level domain.

The Ada/Cardano Community engages in governance directly using the Cardano blockchain to vote on technological advancements, public community goals and objectives, and a series of other topics. Anyone holding the ada digital asset has the ability to register to vote as a DRep, and voting weight is proportional to the amount of ada they hold. Ada Community members can also delegate to another DRep to vote on their behalf. In this instance, DReps voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Cardano Foundation’s goal to operate this global top-level domain.

The complete on-chain record of all votes is available for full verification here: https://adastat.net/governances/a36eafaea085b77f97cceacf07fe9450f8c6b47fec3af94da8f7d158a1fc972200

Additionally, Cardano Foundation has received the following endorsement letters from Ada/Cardano Community Members or supporting institutions, these are attached as supporting documentation to this question.

- Intersect - the Member-Based Organization (MBO) that serves as off-chain hub for the community - utxo AG - a leading multi-blockchain and AI infrastructure provider, primarily building on Cardano - Emurgo: a co-founding entity of the Cardano blockchain that drives the commercial adoption of blockchain technology and asset tokenization. - Pragma - a member-based, not-for-profit Open Source Association for blockchain software projects. - Crypto Valley Association - a leading independent association, dedicated to building the world’s largest ecosystem for blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies.

These letters are attached as corresponding documentation to this question. An endorsement letter from Grant Thornton Switzerland - a leading Swiss audit, tax, and advisory firm and the registered auditor of the Cardano Foundation - is included in Question Set 20 given the page limit of this question.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

Is there any opposition to the applying entity, application, or applied-for string that the applying entity is aware of? If yes, please explain.

None.

The Cardano Foundation is one of the founding entities of Cardano, the registered trademark owner of the Ada trademark, and received overwhelming public voting support by the Cardano/Ada Community, and therefore is the solely qualified entity to operate the ada string.

Cardano uses a stake based, active voting model. This means that it counts ada holders who do not vote as a “no” vote by default, however this is not active opposition. Any active “No” votes received were limited and represent less than 3.5% of all votes, which we consider statistically insignificant. Many of the “no” votes cast appeared to object on the basis of using community funds to pay for the application (and not the TLD itself), but we have further clarified that funding would come independently from the Cardano Foundation. Since the vote there has been no opposition to the Cardano Foundation’s application that we are aware of.

If the applying entity wishes to provide any additional information or supporting materials that the applying entity believes may be of interest to the public or relevant to the application, please include them here.

Please see the attached document for a further letter of endorsement.

Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.

By submitting this Application, the applying entity confirms that it is submitting this Application with a good faith (“bona fide”) intent to operate the gTLD for which it has applied, and that the applying entity has read and understands the provisions of Section 5.2.3.1 Prohibited Communications and Activities of the Applicant Guidebook regarding the New gTLD Program rules prohibiting certain communications and activities to prevent parties from privately resolving string contention among themselves.

true

By submitting this Application, the applying entity confirms that it has read and understands the provisions of Section 5.2.3.1 Prohibited Communications and Activities of the Applicant Guidebook regarding the New gTLD Program rules prohibiting certain communications and activities to prevent parties from privately resolving string contention among themselves.

true