Index Methodology
Version 3.1, August 2026
A sector-stratified framework for measuring the digital asset market. This methodology explains how assets qualify for inclusion, how weights are assigned within tier constraints, and how the index is calculated and maintained.
1. Index Overview
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Index Name | Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index |
| Index Type | Sector stratified, market-cap weighted within defined tier allocation constraints |
| Number of Constituents | 36 |
| Base Date | February 20, 2026 |
| Base Value | 1,000.00 |
| Calculation Frequency | Real time (continuous) |
| Rebalance Frequency | Quarterly |
| Oracle Infrastructure | Chainlink (pricing + Proof of Reserves) |
| Backing Model | Designed for 1:1 asset backed implementation |
| Governance | CTX token; onchain DAO |
| Index Calculation Agent | Cryptex Finance LLC |
2. Index Objective
The Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index exists to do what no index in digital assets has done properly: capture a broad representation of the digital asset market cap in a single, transparent, rules based measure.
The index provides broad, diversified representation across five thematic sectors of the digital asset ecosystem, balancing the dominance of major networks with meaningful exposure to infrastructure, applications, community driven assets, and emerging projects.
The Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index is designed to serve as:
3. Constituent Eligibility
Inclusion in the Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index is governed by strict, rules based criteria. No exceptions. No discretionary overrides. An asset qualifies or it doesn't.
Trailing 90-day volume-weighted average market capitalization of at least $250 million, calculated using free float circulating supply.
Trailing 30-day average daily trading volume of at least $10 million across eligible venues. Volume is measured across both centralized and decentralized exchanges meeting the index's venue quality standards.
Listed and actively traded on a minimum of three exchanges meeting the index's venue quality standards. At least one listing must be on a venue with a Chainlink price feed available. The asset must also be listed on Coinbase for real-time pricing in the index terminal.
An active Chainlink price feed is a hard requirement. No Chainlink coverage, no inclusion, regardless of market capitalization or liquidity. The index's pricing integrity and Proof of Reserves infrastructure depends on Chainlink data feeds. This is non-negotiable.
The asset must be a native token or conform to a widely adopted standard (ERC20, SPL, etc.) on a public, permissionless blockchain. Smart contracts (if applicable) must have been deployed for a minimum of 6 months.
Any asset whose calculated weight would fall below 0.15% of total index weight at the time of rebalancing is ineligible for inclusion. Positions below this threshold are too small to be meaningfully replicated and add operational complexity without proportionate market representation.
The following categories are excluded regardless of market capitalization or liquidity:
The methodology committee retains limited discretion in three areas only: sector assignment, edge cases near eligibility thresholds, and extraordinary circumstances such as smart contract exploits or sudden regulatory actions. The committee has zero discretion over the weighting methodology, rebalancing schedule, or concentration caps. These parameters are governed by the rules in this document and may only be modified through CTX governance.
4. Sector Classification
The digital asset ecosystem is not a monolith. It has structure. The Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index reflects that structure through five thematic sectors:
Sector assignments are determined by the methodology committee based on each asset's primary function, market positioning, and ecosystem role. Assignments are reviewed quarterly during the standard rebalancing process. An asset may be reassigned if its primary function has materially changed since the last review.
All sector assignment decisions and rationale are published alongside each quarterly rebalancing report. Full transparency. No black boxes.
5. Weighting Methodology
The Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index employs a sector-stratified, market-cap weighted within defined tier allocation constraints methodology. Constituent weights within each tier reflect each asset's free-float market capitalization relative to the total eligible market capitalization of that tier's constituents, subject to concentration caps at both the tier and global level. The methodology is designed to balance three competing objectives: market representation, diversification, and replicability. If you can't explain it clearly, you shouldn't be running an index.
Each sector receives an aggregate allocation based on its share of total index weight. Tier 1 is subject to a fixed cap. Tiers 4 and 5 are subject to a combined cap. Tiers 2 and 3 float freely within the residual. Sector allocations for floating tiers are recalculated quarterly:
Formula
W(Sk, t) = [Σ MCap(ai, t) for ai ∈ Sk] / [Σj=2,3 Σ MCap(ai, t) for ai ∈ Sj] × (1 − 0.517 − W(T4+T5))Within each tier, constituent assets are weighted by their free-float market capitalization relative to the total market capitalization of all constituents in that tier:
Formula
w(ai) = MCap(ai) / Σ MCap(aj) for aj ∈ Sk ∀ ai ∈ SkSubject to the concentration caps defined in Section 5.4. When a cap binds, the excess weight is redistributed pro rata among uncapped constituents within the same tier.
One exception applies:
Tier 5 (Innovation & Emerging Assets): CTX, the governance token of the Cryptex protocol, is included in Tier 5 at a fixed weight of 2.0% of total index weight. CTX does not meet the standard eligibility criteria applied to other constituents. This self-inclusion is a deliberate design decision, disclosed transparently as an issuer reserve weight. All other Tier 5 constituents are market-cap weighted from the remaining Tier 5 allocation after the CTX fixed weight is subtracted.
The following concentration caps apply and are binding at each rebalancing event. These caps are enforced in the following priority order: global asset cap first, then intra-tier cap, then minimum weight floor.
No single constituent may exceed 30% of total index weight, regardless of tier. If an asset's calculated weight exceeds 30%, the excess is redistributed pro rata among remaining constituents within the same tier.
No single constituent may exceed 50% of its tier's total allocation. If an asset's calculated weight within its tier exceeds 50% of the tier budget, the excess is redistributed pro rata among remaining constituents within that tier.
The aggregate allocation of Tier 1 (Major Layer Networks) is capped at 51.7% of total index weight.
The combined allocation of Tier 4 and Tier 5 is capped at 15% of total index weight. Within this combined envelope, the relative allocation between Tier 4 and Tier 5 is determined by aggregate market capitalization, subject to the constraint that the Tier 5 budget must be at least 4.0%.
Any constituent whose calculated weight falls below 0.15% of total index weight is removed from the index at the next rebalancing event. Its weight is redistributed pro rata among remaining constituents within the same tier.
At each rebalancing event, concentration caps are applied iteratively:
| Tier | Sector | Alloc. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major Layer Networks | 51.7% |
| 2 | L1 + L2 Infrastructure | 23.3% |
| 3 | DeFi Applications | 10.0% |
| 4 | Memes & Community Assets | 11.0% |
| 5 | Innovation & Emerging | 4.0% |
| Total | 100.0% |
5.7 Full Constituent List
| # | Asset | Ticker | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitcoin | BTC | 25.83 |
| 2 | Ethereum | ETH | 13.55 |
| 3 | BNB | BNB | 5.14 |
| 4 | XRP | XRP | 4.36 |
| 5 | Solana | SOL | 2.80 |
| # | Asset | Ticker | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Cardano | ADA | 5.16 |
| 7 | Toncoin | TON | 3.63 |
| 8 | Chainlink | LINK | 3.15 |
| 9 | Litecoin | LTC | 2.21 |
| 10 | Avalanche | AVAX | 2.13 |
| 11 | Zcash | ZEC | 1.85 |
| 12 | Sui | SUI | 1.72 |
| 13 | Polkadot | DOT | 1.25 |
| 14 | NEAR Protocol | NEAR | 0.86 |
| 15 | Ondo Finance | ONDO | 0.53 |
| 16 | Polygon | POL | 0.52 |
| 17 | Aptos | APT | 0.27 |
| # | Asset | Ticker | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Hyperliquid | HYPE | 5.01 |
| 19 | Uniswap | UNI | 1.74 |
| 20 | Aave | AAVE | 1.24 |
| 21 | Render | RENDER | 0.60 |
| 22 | Filecoin | FIL | 0.43 |
| 23 | Fetch.ai | FET | 0.33 |
| 24 | Curve | CRV | 0.24 |
| 25 | Injective | INJ | 0.22 |
| 26 | The Graph | GRT | 0.21 |
| # | Asset | Ticker | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Dogecoin | DOGE | 5.51 |
| 28 | Shiba Inu | SHIB | 3.22 |
| 29 | Pepe | PEPE | 1.34 |
| 30 | Bonk | BONK | 0.53 |
| 31 | Pudgy Penguins | PENGU | 0.42 |
| # | Asset | Ticker | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Cryptex Finance | CTX | 2.00 |
| 33 | World Liberty Financial | WLFI | 0.92 |
| 34 | Sky (formerly Maker) | SKY | 0.60 |
| 35 | Cosmos Hub | ATOM | 0.25 |
| 36 | Pump | PUMP | 0.23 |
6. Index Calculation
The index value is calculated continuously using Chainlink price feeds for each constituent. Between rebalancing events, the index value at time t is computed as:
Formula
V(t) = V(tr) · Σi=1..N w(ai, tr) · π(ai, t) / π(ai, tr)Where V(tr) is the index value at the most recent rebalance, w(ai, tr) is the weight of constituent ai at that rebalance, π(ai, t) is the current Chainlink price feed, and π(ai, tr) is the price at the rebalance date. N is the number of active constituents (36 under normal conditions; fewer if a constituent is temporarily excluded due to oracle circuit breaker activation).
This return-based formulation ensures the index tracks weighted performance regardless of nominal price levels. Equivalently:
Formula
V(t) = Σi=1..N qi · π(ai, t) / DWhere qi is the number of units of asset ai held per unit of the index (determined at each rebalance), and D is the index divisor.
The divisor D is adjusted at each rebalancing event to ensure index value continuity. At rebalance time tr:
Formula
qinew = wnew(ai) · V(tr) / π(ai, tr)The divisor is recalculated:
Formula
Dnew = Σi=1..N qinew · π(ai, tr) / V(tr)This ensures the index value immediately before and after rebalancing is identical. No gap. No discontinuity.
The index calculation agent is responsible for continuous computation of the real time index value and execution of divisor adjustments at each rebalancing event. Index values are computed deterministically from the rules in this methodology and Chainlink price feeds to ensure objectivity and accuracy.
Index Calculation Agent: Cryptex Finance LLC
The Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index base value is 1,000.00, set as of the base date of February 20, 2026.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Base value | 1,000.00 |
| Base date | February 20, 2026 |
7. Oracle Infrastructure
All constituent prices are sourced from Chainlink's decentralized oracle network. Chainlink aggregates spot prices from multiple centralized and decentralized exchanges through independent node operators, delivering manipulation-resistant pricing that no single-exchange feed can match.
Formula
π(ai, t) = ChainlinkFeed(ai, t)For the index terminal and real-time display, constituent prices are sourced from the Coinbase API using each asset's Coinbase product ID (e.g., BTC-USD, ETH-USD). All 36 constituents are verified to be listed and actively traded on Coinbase. Market capitalization is calculated as Coinbase spot price multiplied by circulating supply.
The Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index is designed to support 1:1 asset backed implementations. Chainlink Proof of Reserves provides independent, automated, continuous verification that assets held in custody match the total supply of outstanding tokens in any index linked product.
8. Rebalancing
The index rebalances quarterly on the first business day of each calendar quarter (January, April, July, October). Each event follows six steps:
No constituent's weight may change by more than 2 percentage points per rebalancing cycle. If the required change exceeds this cap, the adjustment is spread across multiple cycles. No exploitable patterns. No front-running opportunities.
An off-cycle rebalance may be triggered when:
Extraordinary rebalances follow the same methodology on an accelerated 48-hour timeline. All extraordinary rebalances must be ratified by CTX governance through the emergency proposal procedure.
9. Constituent Changes
New constituents may be added at a scheduled quarterly rebalance if: all eligibility criteria in Section 3 are met, the asset has met the minimum market capitalization threshold for at least 90 consecutive days, a Chainlink price feed is available and operational for at least 30 days, the asset is listed on Coinbase, and the methodology committee has assigned a sector classification. The asset's projected weight must exceed the 0.15% minimum weight floor.
Constituents are removed at a scheduled quarterly rebalance if: the asset no longer meets market capitalization or liquidity thresholds (having fallen below for 30+ of the preceding 90 days), the asset's Chainlink price feed has been discontinued, the asset's weight falls below the 0.15% minimum weight floor at two consecutive quarterly reviews, or the asset triggers any exclusion criterion in Section 3.2. Also via extraordinary rebalancing per Section 8.3.
When a constituent is added or removed, the transition is implemented over the standard five business day window. The index divisor is adjusted to ensure value continuity.
10. Governance
The following may be modified through CTX governance:
The following are fixed. Period.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Quorum | 400,000 CTX |
| Standard Proposal | 7-day voting period, 48-hour timelock |
| Emergency Proposal | 48-hour voting period, 12-hour timelock |
| Emergency Expiry | 72 hours unless ratified by standard proposal |
11. Risk Factors
12. Revision History
| Version | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1Latest | Aug 2026 | Base value set to 1,000.00; base date of February 20, 2026 confirmed in Section 6.4; Index Calculation Agent updated to Cryptex Finance LLC; document effective date updated to August 2026. |
| 3.0 | Mar 2026 | Constituent quality and concentration controls updated:
|
| 2.1 | Mar 2026 | Sector model and weighting refinements:
|
| 2.0 | Feb 2026 | Index methodology restructure; sector model and governance refinements |
| 1.2 | Feb 2026 | Calculation, pricing, and service provider additions |
| 1.1 | Feb 2026 | Settlement cycle, custody, and structural updates |
| 1.0 | Feb 2026 | Initial methodology publication |
13. Disclosures
This methodology document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities, digital assets, or financial instruments. This document describes the design and rules of the Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index and may be updated from time to time.
Self-inclusion. CTX is included as a constituent outside standard eligibility criteria at a fixed 2.0% weight of total index weight. This is a deliberate, disclosed design decision classified as an issuer reserve weight.
Fee beneficiary. Cryptex Finance is the beneficiary of protocol fees generated by index-related activity.
Methodology control. While core parameters are non-governable, the methodology committee retains discretion over sector assignment and edge-case eligibility. Committee members may hold CTX or related tokens.
BNB inclusion. BNB is the native token of a centralized exchange (Binance). Its inclusion in v3.0 represents a departure from the v2.1 exclusion of centralized exchange tokens. This change was made because BNB's market capitalization, liquidity, and broad exchange availability make its exclusion a larger credibility risk than its inclusion. The methodology committee determined that BNB meets all other eligibility criteria and is available on Coinbase for independent pricing.
The Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index is provided on an "as-is" basis. Cryptex Finance makes no representation or warranty regarding accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
There is no guarantee of continued operation of the index, the Cryptex protocol, or CTX governance. In the event that Cryptex Finance ceases operations or governance becomes non-functional, the protocol's smart contracts will continue to operate according to their deployed logic, but no further methodology updates, constituent reviews, or rebalancing adjustments will occur.
The index depends on Chainlink oracle infrastructure for pricing and reserve verification. Cryptex Finance does not control or guarantee the availability, accuracy, or continued operation of Chainlink feeds or Proof of Reserves attestations. The index terminal depends on Coinbase API for real-time pricing data.
This methodology may be amended from time to time. Changes to governable parameters follow the CTX governance process in Section 10. Changes to the methodology document itself are subject to a minimum 30-day notice period prior to implementation. All changes and effective dates are published through official Cryptex Finance channels. Prior versions remain publicly accessible.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Cryptex Finance, its contributors, and CTX governance participants shall not be liable for any losses, damages, or claims arising from the use of, reliance on, or inability to use the Cryptex Digital Market Cap Index, its methodology, or related infrastructure.
Prospective users and allocators are strongly encouraged to conduct independent evaluation of the index, its methodology, its risks, and its suitability for their objectives. This includes consultation with qualified legal, tax, and financial advisors as appropriate.
Audit reports are available on the Cryptex Finance website.
Cryptex Finance
The Index Standard for Digital Assets