> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://city-protocol.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://city-protocol.gitbook.io/docs/introduction/welcome-to-city-protocol.md).

# Welcome to City Protocol

City Protocol is an open infrastructure for neofinance, powered by tokenization, vaults, and modular financial services.

Our vision is to empower global access to high-quality yield assets and full-stack neofinance services onchain.

Financial products are moving onto crypto rails, but the infrastructure for launching them is still fragmented. 

> Yield providers need tokenization, NAV reporting, investor controls, verification, and distribution.

> Vault operators need secure contracts, accounting, monitoring, governance, and redemption logic. 

> Consumer apps, exchanges, wallets, and protocols need Neofinance modules such as yield vaults, swaps, payments, cards, on/off-ramps, KYC/AML, and lending without integrating every provider one by one.

City Protocol brings these layers together into one stack:

* **Tokenization as a Service (TaaS)** turns yield sources into programmable, verifiable, distribution-ready onchain products.
* **Vault as a Service (VaaS)** provides the operating layer for secure deposits, NAV-driven accounting, strategy allocation, proof of deployment, and redemption.
* **Neofinance as a Service (NaaS)** lets platforms and developers embed neofinance functions such as vaults, yield, swaps, on/off-ramps, KYC/AML, payments, lending, and agentic payment flows.

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Tokenization as a Service</strong></mark></td><td>Prebuilt modules for institutional strategies</td><td><a href="/pages/OfnqggDRfPqx0o0tbxu6">/pages/OfnqggDRfPqx0o0tbxu6</a></td><td><a href="/files/xNkzHTJyZL8yrcdkWGda">/files/xNkzHTJyZL8yrcdkWGda</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Vault as a Service</strong></mark></td><td>Vault infrastructure for NAV-driven yield.</td><td><a href="/pages/lllz20CU0p0kAUzz692E">/pages/lllz20CU0p0kAUzz692E</a></td><td><a href="/files/r48TpiMWAAqU2CyvCdER">/files/r48TpiMWAAqU2CyvCdER</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Neofinance as a Service</strong></mark></td><td>Modular stack for all neo-finance services</td><td><a href="/pages/FSFYsj6uw421bmzFdhvx">/pages/FSFYsj6uw421bmzFdhvx</a></td><td><a href="/files/CvvBFrnBnWrAld8s60DW">/files/CvvBFrnBnWrAld8s60DW</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Attention as a Service</strong></mark></td><td>Engineering viral growth through UGC</td><td><a href="/pages/06wjLxjR6dzXkgMEvrdx">/pages/06wjLxjR6dzXkgMEvrdx</a></td><td><a href="/files/AGv8unfVRYQM3msz02Ln">/files/AGv8unfVRYQM3msz02Ln</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

The result is a one-stop infrastructure layer for yield asset tokenization and neofinance implementation. Asset managers can bring institutional strategies onchain. Curators can launch verified vaults with clear controls. Platforms can add financial products through APIs and SDKs. Users can access yield, swap, spend, and participate through simplified interfaces.

City Protocol is building the rails for the next phase of onchain finance: not only a place where users hold assets, but an infrastructure layer where high-quality yield products can be created, verified, distributed, and used globally.

***

### Why City Protocol

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Non-Custodial</strong></mark><br>Retain full control over assets through smart contracts with audited risk boundaries</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Institutional-Grade</strong></mark><br>Standardized smart contract framework with transparent reporting</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Fully Modular</strong></mark><br>Covers modules across Vault, Yield, Swap, Payment, Lending, and KYC/AML</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Easy Integration</strong></mark><br>Works with apps, Web3 projects, and trading platforms via unified SDK/API</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### How City Protocol Works

City Protocol works through four connected infrastructure layers: the Tokenization Layer, Vault Layer, Neofinance Layer, and Attention Layer.

Each layer solves a different part of the neofinance lifecycle.&#x20;

Together, they create a full path from yield supply to user access: yield sources are tokenized, tokenized products are operated through verified vaults, vaults and financial services are embedded into partner applications, and distribution is supported through measurable attention and participation.

<figure><img src="/files/HGxt6xBweN0qBmJ1Zn7H" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Neofinance Layer

The Neofinance Layer is powered by Neofinance as a Service (NaaS).

This layer exposes City Protocol's financial infrastructure through APIs and SDKs so partners can integrate neofinance features without rebuilding the full backend themselves.

#### **How it works**

1. A partner application selects the modules it wants to integrate.
2. NaaS exposes the relevant product data, eligibility logic, transaction flows, and service integrations.
3. The partner can embed yield vaults, tokenized products, swaps, ramps, payments, cards, lending, borrowing, rewards, or agentic payment flows.
4. Users interact through the partner's interface or a City Protocol-powered frontend.
5. The underlying City Protocol stack handles vault state, product data, eligibility checks, redemption status, and related financial modules.

The key idea is modular integration. A wallet, exchange, fintech app, Web3 product, or developer can add neofinance functionality through one infrastructure stack instead of stitching together many separate vendors and protocols.

#### **Six Core Modules:**

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Yield</strong></mark><br>Automated return generation via Gauntlet, Steakhouse, Superstate, and more</td><td><a href="/pages/ExITOYoOHJs2tCsrj0ob">/pages/ExITOYoOHJs2tCsrj0ob</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Swap</strong></mark><br>Best-execution routing via PancakeSwap, Aerodrome, Uniswap, Li.Fi</td><td><a href="/pages/j06MoLWaGrfR68XSVyTF">/pages/j06MoLWaGrfR68XSVyTF</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Payment</strong></mark><br>Fiat and crypto rails via Gnosis Pay, Zerohash, StraitsX, and AI-native OpenClaw integration</td><td><a href="/pages/DgGZcBo7b5iu1ZPqYNIh">/pages/DgGZcBo7b5iu1ZPqYNIh</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>On/Off Ramp</strong></mark><br>Global fiat gateways via Moonpay, Ramp, Mercuryo, Metacomp</td><td><a href="/pages/K28smAlnxBY9H1rL0esh">/pages/K28smAlnxBY9H1rL0esh</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Lending/Borrowing</strong></mark> Deep liquidity via AAVE, Compound, Morpho, Maple</td><td><a href="/pages/zSyklSuaAala26g2kZhU">/pages/zSyklSuaAala26g2kZhU</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>KYC/AML</strong></mark><br>Compliance via Persona, Veriff, Onfido, Comply Advantage</td><td><a href="/pages/M9aOjWKC17fenARKPmHQ">/pages/M9aOjWKC17fenARKPmHQ</a></td></tr></tbody></table>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Tokenization Layer

The Tokenization Layer is powered by Tokenization as a Service (TaaS).

This layer helps yield providers, asset originators, and strategy managers turn yield sources into tokenized, verifiable, distribution-ready onchain products. It is designed for products such as RWA-backed lending, private credit, tokenized treasuries, market-neutral strategies, DeFi yield products, and managed-account strategies.

#### How it works

1. A yield provider brings an asset, strategy, fund, account, or deal flow.
2. City Protocol helps define what the tokenized product represents.
3. TaaS configures investor eligibility, subscription rules, redemption rules, product metadata, and supported networks.
4. NAV monitoring, oracle publication, attestations, proof records, and reporting logic are connected.
5. The product becomes ready for distribution through City Protocol, partner platforms, APIs, SDKs, or supported networks.

The key idea is that tokenization is not only token issuance. A tokenized yield product must also be understandable, permissioned where necessary, correctly valued, verifiable, and operable throughout its lifecycle.

{% content-ref url="/pages/OfnqggDRfPqx0o0tbxu6" %}
[Tokenization As A Service](/docs/tokenization-as-a-service/what-is-taas.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Vault Layer

The Vault Layer is powered by Vault as a Service (VaaS).

This layer provides standardized infrastructure for launching and operating verified yield vaults. It controls how capital enters a vault, how capital can be allocated, how NAV is updated, how risk limits are enforced, and how users redeem.

#### How it works

1. A vault creator or curator defines the vault mandate.
2. VaaS deploys or configures the vault according to accepted assets, capacity, fees, strategy rules, liquidity terms, and investor eligibility.
3. Users deposit through a City Protocol-powered frontend, partner frontend, or API integration.
4. The vault security layer checks permissions, limits, approved allocation rules, and product status.
5. Strategy managers can allocate capital only to whitelisted strategies and approved venues.
6. NAV updates, proof-of-deployment records, strategy debt, fees, withdrawals, and permission changes are monitored and indexed.
7. Users redeem through liquid or epoch-based redemption flows depending on the vault design.

The key idea is creator-bound execution: the vault creator defines the mandate, while strategy managers execute only within approved boundaries. This keeps vault operations more controlled, transparent, and auditable.

{% content-ref url="/pages/lllz20CU0p0kAUzz692E" %}
[Vault as a service](/docs/vault-as-a-service/what-is-vaas.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Attention Layer: Engineer Virality

The Attention Layer is powered by Attention as a Service (AaaS).

This layer supports distribution, discovery, user participation, and ecosystem growth. It helps products launched through City Protocol reach users more efficiently by making attention measurable and incentive-driven.

#### How it works

1. A project or partner launches a campaign with a target asset, product, vault, or ecosystem narrative.
2. Users and creators produce content, distribute narratives, and participate in campaign tasks.
3. Viral City and the Mindshare Layer track contribution, visibility, engagement, and impact.
4. Leaderboards make project-level and creator-level traction visible.
5. Rewards can be distributed based on measurable contributions.

The key idea is that financial products need distribution as well as infrastructure. AaaS gives City Protocol and its partners a built-in GTM layer for vault launches, tokenized yield products, ecosystem campaigns, and user education.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>AIUGC Layer</strong></mark></p><p>AI-powered user-generated content that lowers the barrier to user-driven growth</p></td><td><a href="/pages/lkUwilxFv10VQkf69CD6">/pages/lkUwilxFv10VQkf69CD6</a></td></tr><tr><td><p><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Mindshare Arena</strong></mark></p><p>Information market tracking project mindshare via heatmaps and leaderboards</p></td><td><a href="/pages/h3YPDd2Sk0loyLw6CG9M">/pages/h3YPDd2Sk0loyLw6CG9M</a></td></tr><tr><td><p><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Reward Hub</strong></mark></p><p>UGC incentive platform where users follow, post, and engage to earn token bonuses</p></td><td><a href="/pages/C49l248uBDoXbbwvkToo">/pages/C49l248uBDoXbbwvkToo</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Developer Access & Integration

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Unified SDK**</mark>\
The `@cityprotocol/core` package provides a TypeScript SDK that wraps complex multi-step transactions into simple asynchronous functions.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Portfolio Client**</mark>\
Access indexed vault data, user transactions, and historical TVL snapshots through the `CityPortfolioClient` subgraph interface.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Chain Abstraction**</mark>\
Users deposit from any supported EVM network and receive vault shares, while strategy execution occurs on the optimal chain.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

### Core Features

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Modular Architecture</strong></mark><br>Developers pick and choose specific modules, from a simple swap interface to a complex yield-bearing vault with KYC gating.</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Attention-Capital Flywheel</strong></mark><br>The only neofinance platform that connects mindshare measurement directly to on-chain capital deployment.</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Institutional-Grade Security</strong></mark><br>Independent third-party NAV valuation, MPC/multisig approvals, separation of duties, and immutable on-chain reporting.</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Chain Abstraction</strong></mark><br>Unified user experience across L1 and L2 environments without fragmenting liquidity.</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>AI-Native Payments</strong></mark><br>Integration with OpenClaw enables x402 standard payments, AI sub-accounts, and agent-driven commerce for the $5T projected AI-mediated transaction market.</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Transparent Fee Structure</strong></mark><br>All fees encoded directly in smart contracts and visible prior to deposit — eliminating information asymmetry.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Integration Benefits

#### **Revenue Impact**

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Passive Income</strong></mark><br>Consistent yield generated through management fees, performance fees, and entry/exit fees, distributed automatically as shares at each settlement.</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>User Growth</strong></mark><br>Higher retention through Viral City's engineered virality and the Reward Module's UGC incentives that convert passive holders into active contributors.</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:$primary;"><strong>Competitive Edge</strong></mark><br>Market leadership through a complete neofinance stack that would otherwise require individual connections to yield, swap, payment, vault, fiat ramps, lending, and KYC/AML.</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Technical Advantages**

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Performance**</mark>\
Asynchronous request-then-settle workflow ensures consistent pricing and reduces operational complexity at scale.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Scalability**</mark>\
Built in Solidity, deployed on Base and all EVM-compatible chains with native cross-chain messaging.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Security**</mark>\
Separation of duties between Vault Admin, Curator, Valuation Provider, and Whitelist Manager roles, reinforced by independent audits.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Zero Custody Risk**</mark>\
City Protocol never takes custody of user funds. Assets are held exclusively in audited smart contracts with explicit risk parameters.

***

### Ready to Get Started?

<mark style="color:$primary;">**SDK Documentation**</mark>\
Explore the `@cityprotocol/core` reference covering vault creation, deposits, cooldowns, and portfolio queries.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Quick Integration**</mark>\
Install via `bun add @cityprotocol/core viem` and instantiate a `CityClient` to start interacting with vaults.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Developer Support**</mark>\
Join the developer community and get direct support from the City Protocol team.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Ecosystem Access**</mark>\
Plug into mature integration partners across six core verticals, from AAVE and Uniswap to Moonpay and Persona, through a single interface.