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Overview

Performance fees reward curators for generating returns above a baseline (hurdle rate). This guide explains how they work and how to claim them.

Fee Structure

Management Fee

Charged continuously on AUM:
Annual management fee: 1%

Daily accrual: 1% / 365 = 0.00274%

On $1,000,000 AUM:
  Daily: $27.40
  Monthly: ~$833
  Annual: $10,000

Performance Fee

Charged on profits above hurdle:
Performance fee: 20%
Hurdle rate: 5%

Vault returns 12% annually on $1,000,000:
  Gross profit: $120,000
  Above hurdle: $120,000 - $50,000 = $70,000
  Performance fee: $70,000 × 20% = $14,000

High-Water Mark

Performance fees only apply to new highs:
Quarter 1:
  Starting NAV: $1.00
  Ending NAV: $1.10
  Profit: 10%
  Performance fee charged: Yes (above hurdle)

Quarter 2:
  Starting NAV: $1.10
  Ending NAV: $1.05
  Profit: -4.5%
  Performance fee: No (NAV dropped)

Quarter 3:
  Starting NAV: $1.05
  Ending NAV: $1.12
  Profit: 6.7% from Q2, but only 1.8% from ATH
  Performance fee: Only on $1.10 → $1.12 gain

Fee Calculation

Full Example

Vault: $1,000,000 AUM
Management fee: 1%
Performance fee: 20% above 5% hurdle
Period: 1 year
Performance: 12%

Step 1: Management Fee
  $1,000,000 × 1% = $10,000

Step 2: Gross Performance
  Starting: $1,000,000
  Before fees: $1,120,000 (12% return)
  After management: $1,110,000

Step 3: Hurdle Calculation
  Hurdle (5%): $50,000
  Excess return: $110,000 - $50,000 = $60,000

Step 4: Performance Fee
  $60,000 × 20% = $12,000

Step 5: Total Fees
  Management: $10,000
  Performance: $12,000
  Total: $22,000

Step 6: Net to Depositors
  $1,120,000 - $22,000 = $1,098,000
  Net return: 9.8%

Claiming Fees

Management Fees

Claimable anytime:
1

Access Curator Dashboard

Go to your vault management page
2

View Accrued Fees

See management fees accrued since last claim
3

Claim

Click “Claim Management Fees”
4

Receive

Fees sent to your wallet (same asset as vault)

Performance Fees

Claimable at high-water mark:
1

Check High-Water Mark

Verify vault NAV is at or above previous high
2

View Claimable Amount

See performance fees available
3

Claim

Click “Claim Performance Fees”
4

High-Water Mark Updates

New high-water mark set at current NAV

Fee Timing

Fee TypeAccrualClaiming
ManagementContinuousAnytime
PerformanceAt new NAV highWhen at/above high-water mark

Tax Considerations

Curator fees are likely taxable income. Track all claims for tax reporting.
Export available:
  • Fee claim history
  • Per-period breakdown
  • Tax lot information

Best Practices

Claim Regularly

Don’t let fees accumulate excessively

Track Performance

Know where you stand vs high-water mark

Communicate Fees

Be transparent with depositors about fee structure

Plan for Taxes

Set aside portion for tax obligations

Fee Comparison

Your FeesMarket RangeCompetitive?
1% mgmt0.5-2%Average
20% perf10-20%High end
5% hurdle0-8%Average

FAQs

Fee increases require 30-day notice and governance approval. Decreases are immediate.
No performance fee until NAV exceeds previous high-water mark.
Management fees: Monthly or quarterly. Performance fees: When available at new highs.
Fees are paid in the vault’s base asset (e.g., USDC).