Comprehensive testing & validation framework for DeFi trading strategies
The DeFi Strategy Standard (DSS) is the first comprehensive, open-source framework specifically designed for validating DeFi trading strategies and vault implementations across their entire lifecycle.
DSS combines:
- Proven Methodology: Based on production implementation with 525+ tests and >95% coverage
- VaultBricks MAS Integration: Works seamlessly with Multi-Asset Standard for complete vault validation
- 2025 Best Practices: Property-based testing, mutation testing, invariant verification, and formal methods
The Problem: The DeFi industry lacks standardized testing practices. Most protocols launch with:
| Common Practice | Risk |
|---|---|
| "Audit coming soon" | Unverified code handling user funds |
| 40-60% test coverage | Critical paths untested |
| No fuzzing | Edge cases undiscovered |
| No backtesting | Strategy performance unknown |
| No operational procedures | Incident response undefined |
The Solution: DSS provides a complete framework that standardizes:
- What to test — Specific categories and requirements (DSS-1 through DSS-16)
- How much to test — Quantitative coverage metrics per certification level
- How to validate — Economic and market condition testing (Part B)
- How to operate — Deployment and monitoring standards (Part C)
- How to govern — Upgrade and documentation requirements (Part D)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 16 Categories | Comprehensive coverage across 4 lifecycle parts |
| 3 Certification Levels | Bronze, Silver, Gold with quantitative thresholds |
| Quantitative Metrics | Coverage %, fuzz iterations, mutation scores |
| Tool Integration | Ready-to-use with Hardhat, Foundry, fast-check, Gambit |
| Production Validated | Based on real 525+ test implementation |
| Integration | Works with VaultBricks MAS for complete validation |
| Open Source | MIT License, free to use and extend |
# Clone the DSS repository
git clone https://github.com/VaultBricks/DSS.git
# Run the test suite
npm test
# Generate coverage report
npm run coverageDSS organizes testing requirements into 4 Parts and 16 Categories:
- DSS-1: Core Strategy Logic
- DSS-2: Integration & Cross-Component Behavior
- DSS-3: Invariants & Safety Properties
- DSS-4: Fuzzing & Property-Based Testing
- DSS-5: Gas & Performance Testing
- DSS-6: Security Testing & Static Analysis
- DSS-7: Mutation Testing
- DSS-8: Formal Verification
DSS complements the VaultBricks Multi-Asset Standard (MAS):
| Standard | Focus | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| MAS | Architecture | Multi-asset vault structure |
| DSS | Validation | Strategy testing & security |
Example workflow:
- Build vault following MAS architecture
- Validate strategy using DSS framework
- Achieve dual certification (MAS + DSS)
See Integration Guide for details.
Target: Early-stage protocols, testnet deployments, MVPs
- DSS-1 through DSS-6 at Bronze thresholds
- Basic documentation (DSS-16)
- Line Coverage: ≥80%
- Branch Coverage: ≥70%
Target: Mainnet deployments, protocols with <$10M TVL
- All Bronze requirements
- DSS-7 (Mutation Testing) at Silver threshold
- DSS-9 through DSS-14 (Economic & Operational)
- Line Coverage: ≥90%
- Branch Coverage: ≥85%
- External audit completed
Target: Critical infrastructure, protocols with >$10M TVL
- All Silver requirements
- DSS-8 (Formal Verification) for critical paths
- DSS-15 (Governance Security)
- Line Coverage: ≥95%
- Branch Coverage: ≥90%
- Multiple external audits
- Active bug bounty program
Use these checklists to track your progress:
VaultBricks is DSS-certified and serves as the reference implementation:
- ✅ DSS Gold Certified
- 📊 525+ tests across all DSS categories
- 🎯 >95% coverage (line & branch)
- 🔒 Zero high-severity findings
Note: VaultBricks is a private implementation. See REFERENCE-IMPLEMENTATION.md for detailed metrics and structure.
- Full Specification - Complete DSS framework documentation (see specification/ directory)
- Part A: Code Quality - DSS-1 through DSS-8
- Part B: Economic Validation - DSS-9 through DSS-11
- Part C: Operational Security - DSS-12 through DSS-14
- Part D: Governance & Compliance - DSS-15, DSS-16
- Certification Matrix - Complete requirements table by level
- Certification Process - How to get certified
- Implementation Guidelines - Practical implementation guide
- Integration with MAS - How DSS works with MAS
- Migration Guide - DSTS → DSS migration guide
- FAQ - Frequently asked questions
- Code Examples - Complete code examples and configurations
DSS is an open-source standard that welcomes contributions from the community.
- Report Issues — Found a gap in the standard? Open an issue.
- Suggest Improvements — Have ideas for new categories? Submit a proposal.
- Add Examples — Contribute code examples for different frameworks.
- Translate — Help translate DSS into other languages.
See Contributing Guide for details.
MIT License - see LICENSE file.
See CHANGELOG.md for version history and planned features.
DSS was developed with input from:
- VaultBricks Team — Reference implementation and real-world testing
- VaultBricks Team — Multi-Asset Standard (MAS) and ecosystem support
- Trail of Bits — Security testing best practices
- Certora — Formal verification guidance
- OpenZeppelin — Smart contract security patterns
- The DeFi Community — Feedback and contributions
Built with ❤️ for the DeFi community