Automated auction completion options

This document describes options for automatically completing CCA auctions.

Who this is for: Protocol engineers implementing auction automation.

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The problem

Smart contracts are passive and can only run when:

1. Someone sends a transaction to them
2. Another contract calls them
3. An external system triggers them

Contracts cannot wake themselves up, execute on a schedule, or trigger based on time alone. This is by design for security and cost reasons.

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Solution 1: Chainlink Automation (recommended for production)

Decentralized network of keeper nodes that monitors your contract and automatically calls functions when conditions are met.

Implementation

import "@chainlink/contracts/src/v0.8/automation/AutomationCompatible.sol";

contract CCALaunchStrategy is AutomationCompatibleInterface {
    
    function checkUpkeep(bytes calldata)
        external
        view
        override
        returns (bool upkeepNeeded, bytes memory)
    {
        if (currentAuction == address(0)) {
            return (false, "");
        }
        
        IContinuousClearingAuction auction = IContinuousClearingAuction(currentAuction);
        bool isGraduated = auction.isGraduated();
        bool hasEnded = block.number > auction.endBlock();
        
        upkeepNeeded = hasEnded && !isGraduated;
    }
    
    function performUpkeep(bytes calldata) external override {
        if (currentAuction == address(0)) revert NoActiveAuction();
        
        IContinuousClearingAuction auction = IContinuousClearingAuction(currentAuction);
        if (!auction.isGraduated()) revert AuctionNotGraduated();
        
        this.sweepCurrency();
    }
}

Setup

1. Go to https://automation.chain.link
2. Connect wallet
3. Click "Register new Upkeep"
4. Select "Custom logic"
5. Enter your CCALaunchStrategy address
6. Fund with LINK tokens

Configuration

• Check interval: Every hour
• Gas limit: 500,000
• Funding: ~5 LINK

Trade-offs

Pros	Cons
Fully decentralized	Costs LINK tokens (~$20-50 setup)
Highly reliable	Requires contract modification
No server maintenance
Industry standard

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Solution 2: Gelato Network

Similar to Chainlink but from a different provider. Also decentralized automation, slightly cheaper.

Trade-offs

Pros	Cons
Decentralized	Less proven than Chainlink
Cheaper than Chainlink	Requires contract modification
Easy to use

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Solution 3: Incentivized permissionless

Make completion profitable for anyone to call.

Implementation

function sweepCurrency() external nonReentrant {
    if (currentAuction == address(0)) revert NoActiveAuction();
    
    IContinuousClearingAuction auction = IContinuousClearingAuction(currentAuction);
    
    (, uint256 endBlock,,) = auction.auctionParameters();
    if (block.number < endBlock) revert AuctionStillActive();
    
    uint256 raised = auction.currencyRaised();
    auction.sweepCurrency();
    
    // Incentive: Give 0.1% of raised ETH to caller
    uint256 incentive = raised / 1000;
    if (incentive > 0 && msg.sender != owner()) {
        payable(msg.sender).transfer(incentive);
    }
    
    graduatedAuction = currentAuction;
    isGraduated = true;
    
    emit AuctionGraduated(currentAuction, raised, 0);
    emit FundsSwept(currentAuction, raised);
}

Example economics

For $10,000 raised:

• Incentive: $10 (0.1%)
• Anyone can call after auction ends
• Caller gets $10 for ~$1 gas
• Profitable = guaranteed execution

Trade-offs

Pros	Cons
Simple modification	Costs 0.1% of raised ETH
No ongoing costs	Requires redeployment
Decentralized	Still needs someone to notice
Market-driven reliability

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Solution 4: Keeper bot

Run your own bot to monitor and complete auctions.

Implementation

import { ethers } from 'ethers'

const provider = new ethers.JsonRpcProvider(process.env.BASE_RPC)
const wallet = new ethers.Wallet(process.env.KEEPER_KEY, provider)

const ccaStrategy = new ethers.Contract(
  strategyAddress,
  ['function getAuctionStatus() view returns (address, bool, bool, uint256, uint256)',
   'function sweepCurrency() external'],
  wallet
)

async function checkAndComplete() {
  const [auction, isActive, isGraduated] = await ccaStrategy.getAuctionStatus()
  
  if (!isActive && !isGraduated && auction !== ethers.ZeroAddress) {
    const tx = await ccaStrategy.sweepCurrency()
    await tx.wait()
  }
}

// Check every hour
setInterval(checkAndComplete, 60 * 60 * 1000)

Trade-offs

Pros	Cons
No contract changes needed	Centralized
Works with current deployment	Requires private key management
Free hosting available	Needs gas funds
Full control

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Comparison

Solution	Cost	Decentralized	Requires redeploy	Setup time	Reliability
Chainlink Automation	~$50 LINK	Yes	Yes	4 hours	High
Gelato Network	~$30	Yes	Yes	3 hours	High
Incentivized	0.1% raised	Yes	Yes	2 hours	High
Keeper Bot	$0 hosting	No	No	1 hour	Medium

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Recommendations

For immediate launch

1. Deploy keeper bot (1 hour setup)
2. Set calendar reminders as backup
3. Works with current deployment

For production

1. Add incentive mechanism to contract
2. Redeploy CCALaunchStrategy
3. Completion is guaranteed (someone will claim the incentive)

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References

• Full automation
• Quick start