# 🧬 Project CATEX-0 🧬 

By [Catex](https://paragraph.com/@catex) · 2025-04-25

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**EDIT:** This article reflects an early iteration of the CATEX-0 mechanics, originally designed for Polygon. Since then, the mechanics have evolved alongside our migration to Unichain.

👉 For the latest, updated details, please refer to the official docs.

### **A community campaign by Catex**

Before Catex became a MetaDEX — before the hooks, before the automated strategies, before veCATX — there was a prototype.

It was called **CATEX-0**.

A sealed experiment.

A simulation of protocol behavior.

500 feline-modeled units designed to test liquidity mechanics and early access logic.

The experiment was shelved.

The code archived.

The units… forgotten.

Until now.

### **🔓 What is Project CATEX-0?**

Project CATEX-0 is a **lore-driven NFT campaign** created by Catex to onboard engaged users from the **Polygon ecosystem** into our protocol — not through speculation, but through contribution.

This is more than a whitelist. It’s a **community activation layer** for our upcoming IDO.

Each **CATEX-0 NFT** serves three core purposes:

*   ✅ **Guaranteed whitelist access** to the Catex IDO
    
*   🎁 Access to a **$20,000+ veCATX airdrop pool**
    
*   🧬 A piece of protocol history — gamified through story
    

This is our way of rewarding early supporters who are here to help shape Catex from the start.

### **💰 Airdrop Mechanics**

We’ve allocated **over $20,000 in veCATX** exclusively for CATEX-0 NFT holders. This reward pool is split into two parts:

#### **1\. Base Airdrop — $5,000**

*   Every CATEX-0 NFT holder will receive a **base airdrop** post TGE.
    
*   The airdrop distributed **per wallet**, not per NFT.
    
*   This is distributed equally, regardless of IDO participation.
    

#### **2\. IDO Contributor Pool — $15,000**

*   NFT holders who **participate in the Catex IDO** will unlock **additional veCATX rewards**.
    
*   Rewards are distributed **proportionally based on IDO contribution**.
    
*   **Capped at $250 per contributor**
    

> The deeper your alignment, the greater your reward.

### **🪙 What is veCATX?**

**veCATX** is the governance and rewards token of Catex.

Following the ve(3,3) model, **100% of protocol trading fees and incentives** are directed to voters — rewarding active participation while decentralizing protocol mechanics.

This model works.

Our sibling DEX, **Lynex** on Linea, has already distributed **$10M+** to ve-voters at an average APR of ~100%.

### **🐾 Why We’re Doing This**

Project CATEX-0 is our way of bridging the Polygon community culture with a DeFi primitive that powers real value to holders.

This initiative is meant to:

*   Onboard high-signal, engaged Polygon users.
    
*   Increase meaningful participation in our IDO.
    
*   Reward early contributors through aligned incentives.
    
*   Tell a story. Make DeFi fun again.
    

No token swap required. No inflated hype. Just a gas-only FREE MINT that gets you in early.

### **🧪 Campaign Overview**

*   **NFT Name:** Project CATEX-0
    
*   **Supply:** 500 NFTs
    
*   **Mint Cost:** Free (gas only)
    
*   **Mint Platform:** TBA
    
*   **Whitelist Allocation:**
    
    *   Partnered Polygon Communities
        
    *   Lynex and Ocelex Communities
        
    *   Remaining supply (if any) via public FCFS
        

### **🗓️ Timeline Highlights**

*   **WL Distribution Begins:** Ongoing
    
*   **Mint Date:** Early May
    
*   **IDO Start:** Mid May
    
*   **TGE & Airdrop Distribution:** Mid-Late May
    

### **🗣 Know a Community That Should Join?**

If you’re part of a Polygon-native project or know an NFT or DeFi community that should be involved in **Project CATEX-0**, we want to hear from you!

👉 Let us know in our [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/Q46N9U7CQb)

We’re still opening up select whitelist spots to aligned communities — help us grow the most activated on-chain launch crew Polygon has ever seen.

**🔗 Join the Movement**

*   Website: [https://www.catex.fi](https://www.catex.fi)
    
*   App: [https://app.catex.fi](https://app.catex.fi)
    
*   Docs: [https://catex.gitbook.io/catex](https://catex.gitbook.io/catex)
    
*   Twitter: [https://x.com/Catex\_Fi](https://x.com/Catex_Fi)
    
*   Discord: [https://discord.com/invite/Q46N9U7CQb](https://discord.com/invite/Q46N9U7CQb)

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*Originally published on [Catex](https://paragraph.com/@catex/project-catex-0)*