1. Introduction

Purpose and Scope

This methodology provides a consistent framework for constructing, maintaining, and governing the indices offered by iTokens. These indices are designed to simplify cryptocurrency investing by offering diversified exposure to specific markets, ecosystems, or themes.

It applies exclusively to index creation and management, covering various types such as thematic and ecosystem-specific indices (e.g., Layer 2 technologies like Starknet). The methodology ensures that iTokens indices remain accurate, adaptable to the evolving crypto landscape, and accessible to both DeFi-native users and traditional finance participants.

Guiding Principles

The iTokens methodology is built on three core principles to ensure that its indices remain robust, transparent, and valuable to users:

• Transparency

  • The methodology and construction rules are clearly defined and publicly accessible, allowing investors and stakeholders to understand how each index is created and maintained. This commitment to openness fosters trust and accountability.

• Replicability

  • Indices are designed with replicability in mind, enabling users to accurately track or replicate index performance. This ensures that the indices can serve as reliable benchmarks and investment tools.

• Representativeness

  • Each index reflects the market, sector, or theme it aims to measure. By using objective selection criteria and reliable data sources, the indices ensure accurate representation.

These guiding principles underpin all aspects of index creation and management, ensuring that iTokens indices meet the highest standards of reliability and usability for both crypto-native and traditional finance audiences.

Target Audience

The iTokens methodology is designed for a wide range of users within the financial and cryptocurrency sectors:

• DeFi Enthusiasts

  • Crypto-native individuals and organizations interested in reliable benchmarks and analytical tools to better understand specific markets, ecosystems, or themes in the digital asset space.

• Traditional Finance Professionals

  • Investors and asset managers seeking insights into digital asset markets through indices constructed with professional standards and familiar methodologies.

This broad target audience ensures that iTokens indices serve as valuable resources for understanding and analyzing the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

Objectives

The iTokens methodology is designed to construct indices that adhere to and fulfill the following objectives:

• Benchmarking

  • Create indices that serve as reliable benchmarks, enabling the evaluation of performance across specific markets, ecosystems, or themes within the cryptocurrency space.

• Diversification

  • Facilitate indices that represent diversified segments of the cryptocurrency market, allowing users to gain insights into broader or thematic asset pools without focusing on individual tokens.

• Thematic Insights

  • Develop indices that reflect key trends, sectors, or ecosystems (e.g., Layer 2 technologies like Starknet), providing valuable insights into niche or emerging areas within the market.

• Professional Standards

  • Construct indices that adhere to high professional standards, ensuring they are relevant, transparent, and valuable to both DeFi-native users and traditional finance professionals.