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Everything you need to understand the SBFF framework — archetypes, financing structures, and regime detection. Browse topics or ask a custom question.

Ft = F(I, St, Mt)
Ft = Footprint at time t I = Identity (stable) St = State (dynamic) Mt = Modifiers (events)
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⬡ Framework
What is SBFF?
The Structural-Behavioral Footprint Framework (SBFF) is a unified analytical framework for understanding how assets actually behave in markets — not just what they are worth. Developed by Ali Reza Javadi (ARJ), SBFF bridges fundamental analysis, behavioral finance, and quantitative methods by decomposing every asset into three primitives: Identity (I), State (S), and Footprint (F), expressed as: Ft = F(I, St, Mt). Traditional analysis asks "What is the fair value?" SBFF asks "How does this asset behave, and why?"
The SBFF Footprint Formula: Ft = F(I, St, Mt)
The core SBFF equation describes how asset behavior is generated:

Ft = F(I, St, Mt)

Where:
Ft = Footprint at time t (observable behavior: price action, volatility, correlations)
I = Identity (stable structural features — does not change with price)
St = State at time t (dynamic conditions — changes continuously)
Mt = Modifiers at time t (external shocks and events)

The formula implies that the same asset (same Identity) can exhibit radically different behavior (different Footprint) when State or Modifiers change. This explains why fundamental analysis alone is insufficient — an asset's Identity only sets the envelope of possible behaviors; State and Modifiers determine which behavior is active.
The Three Primitives: I, S, F
Identity (I) — Stable structural features that don't change with price: supply chain design, business model, market structure, protocol architecture. Identity sets the envelope of possible behaviors.

State (S) — Time-varying dynamic conditions: inventory levels, sentiment, policy environment, capital flows, positioning. State determines which behavior within the identity envelope is currently active.

Footprint (F) — Observable behavioral signature: the combined output of Identity and State. Ft = F(I, St, Mt). This is what you actually see in price action, volatility patterns, and correlation behavior.
SBFF Modifiers: The Mt Factor
Modifiers (Mt) are forces that reshape State and change Footprint. They include:

Supply shocks: mine closures, sanctions, weather events, export restrictions
Demand shifts: technology substitution, regulatory change, EV adoption
Logistics disruptions: port congestion, shipping lane closures, transit route changes
Policy changes: interest rate decisions, capacity policies, export tariffs
Geopolitical events: wars, elections, trade agreements, sanctions

Not all modifiers affect all assets equally. A sanctions modifier applied to LME Aluminium has a very different impact than the same modifier applied to Bitcoin. Understanding how Identity filters Modifiers is a key SBFF skill.
◈ The 8 Behavioral Archetypes
NFA
Negative-Feedback Anchored
Stable Dividend Guardian
LTV 60–75%
Detailed analysis available in the Asset Scanner. LTV range: 60–75%.
PFD
Positive-Feedback Dominant
Momentum Celebrity
LTV 40–60%
Detailed analysis available in the Asset Scanner. LTV range: 40–60%.
EDVC
Event-Driven Volatility Cluster
Event Junkie
LTV 45–65%
Detailed analysis available in the Asset Scanner. LTV range: 45–65%.
SCR
Sentiment-Correlated Regime
Narrative Addict
LTV 50–65%
Detailed analysis available in the Asset Scanner. LTV range: 50–65%.
ICA
Income-Carry Anchored
Yield Workhorse
LTV 55–70%
Detailed analysis available in the Asset Scanner. LTV range: 55–70%.
RSA
Regime-Switching Adaptive
Regime Chameleon
LTV 55–75%
Detailed analysis available in the Asset Scanner. LTV range: 55–75%.
PCD
Positioning-Convexity Dominant
Crowded Hedge
LTV 35–55%
Detailed analysis available in the Asset Scanner. LTV range: 35–55%.
LFD
Liquidity-Fragility Dominant
Illiquid Wildcard
LTV 30–50%
Detailed analysis available in the Asset Scanner. LTV range: 30–50%.
🏦 Financing Structures
📋 LTV Structures by SBFF Archetype
SBFF prescribes LTV ranges calibrated to behavioral risk, not just credit metrics:

NFA: 60-75% — Low behavioral risk, stable collateral, 12-18 month tenor.
PFD: 40-60% — High volatility, daily MTM mandatory, 3-6 month tenor.
EDVC: 45-65% — Reduce to 35% within 14 days of major catalyst.
SCR: 50-65% — VIX-linked automatic adjustment; if VIX > 30, reduce to 40%.
ICA: 55-70% — Income stream verification required, up to 24 months.
RSA: 55-75% — Monthly regime classification review required.
PCD: 35-55% — Daily positioning check mandatory, 30-90 day tenor only.
LFD: 30-50% — Daily bid-ask spread monitoring, liquidation plan required.
🔒 Covenant Framework in SBFF Financing
SBFF-derived financing structures use behavioral covenants, not just financial ratios:

MTM Trigger: Mark-to-market at archetype-appropriate frequency (daily for PFD/PCD; monthly for NFA/ICA). Facility suspended if MTM exceeds trigger threshold.

Behavioral Classification Covenant: If SBFF classification changes (e.g., NFA → EDVC due to event catalyst), LTV automatically adjusts to the new archetype's range within 5 business days.

Volatility Trigger: If 30-day realized volatility exceeds archetype baseline by 50%, facility is reviewed. PFD: trigger at vol > 40%; NFA: trigger at vol > 25%.

VIX Macro Trigger: For SCR assets, VIX > 30 triggers automatic LTV reduction to 40%.

Event Calendar Covenant: For EDVC assets, LTV reduces automatically 14 days before known binary catalyst (OPEC, earnings, election) and restores 5 days post-event if no adverse behavioral shift.
🏗 SBFF for Infrastructure Contracts
SBFF extends beyond traded assets to infrastructure contracts:

EPC/EPCF Contracts → EDVC: Calm during execution, volatile at milestones (financial close, mechanical completion, PAC, FAC). Financing is milestone-linked with performance bond requirements.

BOT Concessions → ICA: Income-carry from regulated tariff streams over 20-30 year concession period. Long-term financing appropriate. Revenue account control essential.

PPP Agreements → NFA: Availability payments from sovereign create quasi-bond income stream. Near-sovereign collateral quality, LTV 60-75%.

Infrastructure contract financing should reflect the behavioral archetype of the underlying project — not just credit metrics.
⟳ Market Regimes
SBFF Regime Detection Framework
A market regime is a persistent macro environment that defines dominant behavioral drivers. Key regime indicators:

VIX: < 18 = risk-on | 18-25 = transitional | > 25 = risk-off | > 40 = crisis
DXY Trend: USD strength changes EM and commodity behavior significantly
Credit Spreads: IG and HY widening signals regime deterioration
Global PMI Composite: > 52 = expansion | 48-52 = neutral | < 48 = contraction
Yield Curve Slope: Signals growth expectations and recession probability

The SBFF Regime Score (0-100) aggregates these into a behavioral pressure indicator. Scores above 70 = favorable; below 30 = stressed.
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