1. Cover Page {1pg}This must include the name of the project, a succinct catchphrase to describe the nuance of the subject matter& date of issuance. Marketing & General purpose variants should ideally have some form of branding/logo provided. If it is an academic document, the visual presentation is all about formatting rather than branding, here it is commonplace to find an executive summary placed front & center.2. Content Index Page {1pg}A simple outline of the content structure broken down by Headline & page #. If this is not provided in a whitepaper, that is absolutely ok it is not a dealbreaker; however, the presence of it will all the further impress the audience.3. Interlude {1pg}Some form of content to foreshadow the information & set the tone of the document. This can be a “letter from the founder”, an “endorsement” by another industry leader, or something simpler such as a deeply specific “quote” from history.4. Introduction {1–2pg}A good introduction can typically be defined by its length. Here a project will introduce the subject matter/product of the document, succinctly discuss the current market state, briefly touch on the problem area, & interest the reader in learning more.5. Market / Subject matter background {2-3pg}Thorough research & market analysis is an absolute foundation for the quality of a whitepaper. This section should be supported with Data & include a good deal of external references.6. Problem Statement {1pg}As mentioned earlier in the document, a problem statement demands its own section & should follow the market research. If the market / subject matter background was well articulated the reader should deduce the problem & uncover the nuances of that problem here.7. Solution(s) & Competitive landscape {1–4pg}Another element that is deeply tied to research; existing solutions & their providers must be noted & explained. Competition must be addressed. Possible solutions must be outlined & proposed.8. Technical/Smart Contract Architecture {1–3pg}This is where the solution’s technical implementation elements are described. Frameworks/tech stacks / APIs or operational procedures (i.e. consensus mechanism throughput).9. Tokenomics {2–5pg}This section can be presented as a standalone document, composed of: a. – Issuance & Allocation — supply utilizationb. – Token Emission — supply release scheduled. – Token Utility — application/use of tokene.- Token Standard — technical specifications of a token (ERC-20, BEP-20, etc.)f.- Token Listings — planned & existingg.- Token Lockups — security for circulating supplyh.- Fund Distribution — how raised funds will be used10. Organizational Structure {1–2pg}An understanding of how the project/product will be developed & owned must be addressed. The legal implications of operating through a DAO, foundation, or VASP will highlight the intentions of the project founders & shine a light on the true “decentralization” of a proposed solution.11. Team {1pg}Standard practice in any industry; providing images, profile backgrounds, links & contact information for the members of the team is important to securing a proper professional image & stand out in the pseudonymous world of crypto.*12. Advisors {1pg}This is not always a necessity, but it is a definite nice-ity. Having credible people with strong reputations support your cause will always draw positive attention.13. Partnerships {1pg}Odds are that in order to have a project succeed it will need to be adopted by many people. Partnerships are the most effective bootstrapping mechanism in the community-building arsenal.*14. AuditingAudits are one of the most desirable things to look for in a whitepaper. If a project has completed an audit of its smart contract(s) that shows a high level of commitment to quality. More likely than not, a serious project that raises money has conducted some form of audit.15. Roadmap / Game Plan {1pg}Crucial. If a whitepaper does not have this, it is an inexcusable red flag. A roadmap should be provided, not necessarily to be perfectly followed but to have a strong sense of direction. It is ok for things to be completed in different cadences than what is written, but a fundamental rule is that at some point everything should be achieved (unless the project pivots).16. Conclusion {1–2pg}This is the final block of content that should be able to wrap up all of the key points discussed throughout the paper & express a proposition of what is ahead.17. References {1pg}Possibly the most underappreciated element of any whitepaper, References will give insight into the quality of research & due diligence conducted by the project. The fewer references there are, the less reliable the information in the document will be. Usually, references are placed as the last or 2nd-to-last section in a whitepaper.18. Resources & Links {1pg}One of the last pages in a whitepaper, the resources & links section will give the readers outlets to learn more about the project. Be sure to include links to the official website, blogs, social media channels, trading pools, on-chain smart contract explorers & whatever else may be relevant.
