Wolfram Blockchain Integration Framework - Enabling Simultaneous Access to Blockchain Ecosystems

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Jon Woodard

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

jwoodard@wolfram.com

Additional applicants

Steph Macurdy

Gabriela Guerra

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

8

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

Our framework will have read access to the Zcash, Dash and Litecoin blockchains. We will be connecting to the blockchains through services such as GetBlock.io.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

No

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

We will provide examples in an open source Wolfram Language notebook so that developers and users can quickly understand how the various blockchain integrations (Zcash, Dash, Litecoin and more to come) will be handled. The integration to these blockchains occurs within the Wolfram Technology stack that will remain as proprietary software.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

Dev Ecosystem Collaboration

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution is centered around the development of a comprehensive framework that enables blockchain exploration. Wolfram Blockchain Labs (WBL) is committed to advancing the science of blockchains, recognizing that making blockchain data accessible is crucial for researchers to derive valuable insights.

Wolfram Integration Framework: Video Presentation

To achieve this, we have already demonstrated full integration with Cardano and five other blockchains, providing seamless access to its blockchain data. Building upon this foundation, our next step is to integrate Zcash, Litecoin, and Dash into our framework. By doing so, we will enable convenient cross-chain exploration, allowing researchers to gain comprehensive insights across multiple blockchains.

Typically, this integration process involves significant development and maintenance resources, as we ensure reliable blockchain access through our own nodes, facilitating both read and write capabilities. However, in the scope of this project, our primary focus will be on establishing read-only integration. Also, we will demonstrate it’s usefulness with connection to Zcash, Litecoin, and Dash, while leveraging public node services. This approach not only reduces development overhead but also ensures quicker future integrations by establishing a standardized integration framework.

In addition to the technical implementation, we understand the importance of supporting the community. To empower researchers, we will provide detailed documentation on the blockchain functions within our framework. This documentation will serve as a guide, enabling users to understand and utilize the functions effectively in their research.

In summary, our proposed solution aims to develop a robust framework that enables cross-chain exploration. This project will integrate Zcash, Litecoin, and Dash into our existing integration framework. By establishing read-only access, providing detailed documentation, and offering open-source Wolfram Language examples, we strive to empower researchers and create a collaborative ecosystem for blockchain exploration.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

With our Blockchain Integration Framework together with our existing Cardano integration, we are expanding the tools available to developers and researchers. This framework enables developers to explore multiple blockchains and leverage their unique features, simultaneously. This broader compatibility and expanded functionality can entice developers who have experience or interest in the integrated blockchains to participate in the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

Integration and Compatibility: Measure the number of successful integrations of the framework with different blockchain networks. Monitor the compatibility of the framework with Zcash, Litecoin, Dash, and potentially other blockchains. 

Documentation and Resources: Evaluate the quality and usefulness of the documentation and resources provided for the framework. Receive feedback from users to ensure that the resources effectively support their needs.

Aspirational KPI: Each new blockchain integration to be completed within a week of submission.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

We will provide examples in an open source Wolfram Language Notebook so researchers can learn quickly how to use the framework for their own exploration.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Wolfram Blockchain Labs (WBL) is a subsidiary of the 36-year-old Wolfram Research that is exclusively licensed with high-performance blockchain technologies and specifically designed to extend ecosystem tools for application development for distributed ledger technologies (DLTs). WBL often uses additional expertise in specialized areas from both Wolfram Research and Wolfram Technical Consulting teams. The latter is an organization that has completed over three hundred consulting projects in the past decade.

Our capability to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability is grounded in several key factors:

• Track Record: Wolfram Blockchain Labs (WBL) has a proven track record in successfully completing substantial projects (Catalyst included), for which we have completed four projects already and have three more near completion. We've gone through the Milestone pilot in Fund 9 and the subsequent revision process, through two sets of proof-of-achievement processes and one of our projects was used as an example for good documentation (DADF - Fund 9). We understand the governance process and support the mission to improve and grow auditability of the Catalyst governance system.
• Experienced Team: Our team comprises professionals from diverse disciplines, including blockchain technology, finance and project management. Our multidisciplinary approach brings a comprehensive and holistic perspective to the project, ensuring that all aspects are addressed with a high level of expertise.
• Our team has successfully integrated Cardano and other 5 blockchains to Wolfram Language.
• All of four completed projects across Fund 8 and Fund 9 have occurred within budget.

This experience relays our ability to meet project objectives, timelines, and budgetary constraints and deliver results. We believe we have been good stewards of the Catalyst process and are well-suited to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Framework: Develop a user-friendly framework that simplifies the process of connecting and interacting with multiple blockchains, providing researchers and developers with a convenient and efficient means of conducting cross-chain exploration.

Integration: Successfully integrate Zcash, Litecoin, and Dash into Wolfram's existing Cardano integration framework, allowing researchers and developers to access and explore these blockchains seamlessly.

Analysis: Enable comparisons between multiple integrated blockchains, empowering researchers to draw valuable insights and make informed decisions.

Documentation and Examples: Provide detailed documentation and examples that guide users in utilizing the blockchain functions within the framework effectively. Offer open-source Wolfram Language examples and other resources to support researchers and developers in their exploration and experimentation.

Research Advancement: Facilitate academic research and advancements in blockchain science by providing researchers with tools and examples to study, analyze, and experiment with integrated blockchains.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

1. Prototype Definition Notebook for writing a connection (2 months)
2. Create a Definition Notebook with UI elements to define node connections and requests
3. Create a new Wolfram Language symbol to manage requests for the Blockchain framework
4. Test the Definition Notebook
5. Test local and cloud deployment
6. Documentation site for connections supported by the Blockchain framework (1 month)
7. Documentation site design
8. Documentation site development and testing
9. Deploy internal beta version
10. Integration between Blockchain Framework and Wolfram Language (Blockchain paclet) (2 months)
11. New symbols from the Blockchain Framework must be supported by the Blockchain paclet
12. Blockchain paclet testing
13. Blockchain paclet deployment
14. Publish Blockchain Framework (2 months)
15. Finalize visual design for icons and banners of the Definition Notebook
16. Finalize visual design for Blockchain Framework symbols (ResourceBlockchain)
17. Finalize Documentation UX web interface
18. Finalize workflows implementations
19. Quality assurance tests
20. Deploy Blockchain Framework
21. Blockchain Integrations (1 month)
22. Zcash Integration
23. Dash Integration
24. Litecoin Integration
25. Documentation update

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

1. Prototype Definition Notebook for writing a connection
2. Deliverable: Notebook where users can input the information required to make the node connections.
3. Output: Prototype Definition Notebook
4. Outcome: This Prototype Notebook will serve as the basis for the documentation site structure creation.
5. Documentation site for connections supported by the Blockchain framework
6. Deliverable: Basic documentation site
7. Output: Basic function documentation.
8. Outcome: Wolfram internal teams will have early access to the Wolfram Blockchain Framework documentation so they can analyze workflows and content.
9. Integration between Blockchain Framework and Wolfram Language (Blockchain paclet)
10. Deliverable: The Blockchain paclet integration will allow users to access the integrated blockchains.
11. Output: Improved Definition Notebook
12. Outcome: Users will be able to use the blockchain functions with blochains added with the integration framework
13. Publish Blockchain Framework
14. Deliverable: Optimized documentation site
15. Output: Complete function documentation with examples.
16. Outcome: Developers and Researchers will be able to browse smoothly through the documentation and find examples on how to access and analyze data in Wolfram Language.
17. Blockchain Integrations
18. Deliverable: Integration with Zcash, Dash and Litecoin through our integration framework
19. Output: Blockchain integrations
20. Outcome: Developers and Researchers will be able to access Zcash, Dash and Litecoin trough Wolfram Language(with rate limits)

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

1. Prototype Definition Notebook for writing a connection - ₳180,000
2. Create a Definition Notebook with UI elements to define node connections and requests
3. Create a new Wolfram Language symbol to manage requests for the Blockchain framework
4. Test the Definition Notebook
5. Test local and cloud deployment
6. Documentation site for connections supported by the Blockchain framework - ₳40,900
7. Documentation site design
8. Documentation site development and testing
9. Deploy internal beta version
10. Integration between Blockchain Framework and Wolfram Language (Blockchain paclet) - ₳163,600
11. New symbols from the Blockchain Framework must be supported by the Blockchain paclet
12. Blockchain paclet testing
13. Blockchain paclet deployment
14. Publish Blockchain Framework - ₳98,200
15. Finalize visual design for icons and banners of the Definition Notebook
16. Finalize visual design for Blockchain Framework symbols (ResourceBlockchain)
17. Finalize Documentation UX web interface
18. Finalize workflows implementations
19. Quality assurance tests
20. Deploy Blockchain Framework
21. Blockchain Integrations - ₳98,200
22. Zcash Integration
23. Dash Integration
24. Litecoin Integration
25. Documentation update

Total: ₳580,900

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

By leveraging Wolfram's established reputation for providing powerful tools to mathematicians, physicists, and researchers, we have the opportunity to onboard a network of influential users into the world of blockchains. With our ChainScience Conference and extensive outreach efforts, we are actively bridging the gap between theory and practical application in the realm of blockchains.

Through this project, we offer researchers and developers an easy to use solution to connect blockchains to the Wolfram Language. This integration enables comprehensive analysis of on-chain data.

Moreover, this project serves as a pathway to unlock even greater research opportunities and advanced analytics in the realm of cross-chain exploration. By centralizing and simplifying the study and exploration of blockchains within one convenient platform, we enable researchers and developers to uncover valuable insights and drive innovation throughout the UTXO based ecosystem.

Overall, the cost of this project represents a strategic investment in expanding the UTXO based ecosystem’s capabilities, attracting users, and fostering cross-chain research opportunities. This project leverages Wolfram's existing technology stack, expertise, and extensive user network to drive advancements in the science of blockchains.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept