After the Drift proposal DIP-9 is passed, how to ensure the Labs operate for 18 months?

[Coin World] The Drift Foundation has thrown out the DIP-9 proposal at the governance forum, and the problem this proposal aims to solve is very practical - how to allow Drift Labs to continue developing and iterating with peace of mind.

In essence, here's the situation: $1.5 million will be allocated from the monthly agreement fees to Drift Labs to support necessary expenses such as engineering, infrastructure, subscriptions, and gas fees. Sounds like a small amount? But there’s one detail—if the vote passes, $9 million will be sent as a lump sum to cover the costs for the first half of 2026. After that, it will be settled monthly, and this rhythm will continue for 18 months.

Why dare to do this? Because the Drift ecosystem can currently sustain it. The protocol has accumulated fees totaling 42 million USD, which indicates that the ecosystem is indeed operational. With this fee distribution framework, the development team doesn't have to worry about funds all the time and can focus their energy on product development and ecosystem expansion.

The voting is scheduled to start on December 24, 2025, and if approved, the initial period will be two years. This proposal actually reflects a question that many DeFi protocols are contemplating - how to establish a sustainable financing mechanism within a decentralized framework, ensuring both the autonomy of the ecosystem and the uninterrupted development.