CHARLI3 x GeroWallet: ADA/CNT Subscription service, automated scheduled payment mechanism and subscription setup platform.

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Damon Zwarich

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

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

4

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will create a self-service platform (built into a wallet) for companies to set up subscription mechanisms for their customers to schedule automated payments using ADA or CNTs.

[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.”

This is a Co-Proposal with the GeroWallet team. Charli3 will handle the contract payment mechanisms and GeroWallet is building the self-service front-end and in-wallet UI/UX. These components will be linked to create a full-service product.

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

No

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Part of the project will be open-source. The autopayment contract mechanism will be open.

[METADATA] Horizons

Payments

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Context of the problem

Most Cardano protocols (particularly b2b ones) have customers pay via credit card or if payment is accepted via ADA, customers must sign transactions and manually send payments. In the web2 SaaS world, automatic payments are the lifeblood of accounts payable. There is currently no way for web3 businesses to provide a way for customers to scheduled automatic crypto payments from their wallet.

This project proposes a solution to this problem.

Detailed Solution:

1. Marketplace Integration within the Wallet

• Wallet Marketplace Section:
• The wallet will feature a dedicated "Marketplace" or "Services" section where users can discover and browse various subscription services offered by different providers.
• This marketplace enhances discoverability and provides a centralized location for users to find services that interest them.

2. Service Provider Listings

• Displaying Service Providers:
• Service providers will be listed within the marketplace, each with their own profiles showcasing:
• Service Name and Logo
• Description of Services
• Subscription Options
• Pricing and Payment Terms
• User Ratings and Reviews (optional)
• User Interaction:
• Users can click on a service provider to view more details about their offerings and subscription plans.

3. Viewing Subscription Options

• Modal Display of Subscription Options:
• Upon selecting a service provider, a modal or dedicated page will present the available subscription options.
• Each option will include details such as:
• Subscription Tier or Plan
• Features Included
• Cost per Billing Cycle
• Billing Frequency (e.g., monthly, yearly)
• Free Trials or Promotions (if any)

4. Initiating the Subscription

• Prompting for Transaction Signing:
• When the user selects a subscription option, they will be prompted to authorize the subscription by signing a transaction.
• This transaction sets up the automated subscription contract to start on a specified date (e.g., immediately or a future date).
• Clear Communication:
• The wallet will provide a clear summary of the subscription terms before the user signs:
• Service Details
• Payment Amount and Frequency
• Start Date and Next Payment Date
• Cancellation Policy

5. Funding the Smart Contract

• Top-Up Requirement:
• The smart contract handling the subscription payments will need to be funded to accommodate future payments.
• The wallet will inform the user that it needs "reserve" funds for the subscription.
• User Approval and Adjustment:
• The wallet will ask the user to approve the amount to be reserved.
• Users will have the ability to adjust this amount based on their preferences:
• Reserve for One Payment Cycle: Minimum required.
• Reserve for Multiple Cycles: Option to fund several months in advance.
• Seamless Fund Transfer:
• The process of transferring funds to the smart contract should be integrated smoothly, requiring minimal steps from the user.

6. Wallet Balance Representation

• Including Reserved Funds in Portfolio:
• The wallet will display the total balance, including funds reserved in the smart contract.
• Balance Breakdown:
• Available Balance: Funds available for general use.
• Reserved for Subscriptions: Funds allocated to active subscriptions.
• User Understanding:
• Visual cues and clear labeling will help users understand that while some funds are reserved, they remain under their control.

7. Subscription Management

• User Control:
• We hope (but do not promise) to find a way that the user will have full control over their subscriptions within the wallet, with options to:
• Cancel Subscription: Terminate the subscription at any time.
• Pause Subscription: Temporarily halt payments (if supported by the service provider).
• Modify Reserved Amount: Adjust the amount of funds allocated to the subscription.
• Ease of Access:
• A dedicated "My Subscriptions" section will allow users to manage all active subscriptions in one place.

8. Withdrawing Reserved Funds

• Flexible Fund Access:
• Users can request to withdraw funds from the smart contract at any point (or do it themselves if we can give them personal operations).
• The wallet will provide a straightforward process to reclaim reserved funds, reflecting the updated balance immediately.
• Transparency:
• Any impact on the subscription service (e.g., insufficient funds for the next payment) will be communicated clearly.

Additional Considerations

Notifications and Alerts

• Payment Reminders:
• Notify users ahead of upcoming payments, especially if reserved funds are insufficient.
• Transaction Confirmations:
• Send confirmations after each payment or top-up transaction.
• Low Balance Alerts:
• Alert users when their main wallet balance is low, potentially affecting automated top-ups.

Security and Transparency

• Secure Transactions:
• Ensure all transactions, including fund reservations and withdrawals, are securely signed and processed.
• Clear Communication:
• Provide detailed transaction receipts and maintain transparency about fees and charges.

User Experience (UX) Focus

• Simplify Processes:
• Minimize the number of steps required to set up and manage subscriptions.
• Intuitive Design:
• Use familiar UI elements and straightforward language to guide users.
• Abstract Complexity:
• Hide the technical aspects of interacting with smart contracts, presenting a seamless experience.

Implementation Steps

1. Develop the Marketplace Interface

• Design and Integrate:
• Create the marketplace section within the wallet for service providers to list their services.
• Implement search and filtering options for ease of navigation.

1. Smart Contract Development

• Standardized Contract:
• Develop a smart contract template that handles subscription logic, fund reservations, and payments.
• Internal audit
• an internal audit and barrage of tests will be done to ensure security.

1. Wallet-Smart Contract Interaction

• Transaction Handling:
• Implement functions for initiating subscriptions, reserving funds, processing payments, and handling cancellations or withdrawals.
• State Synchronization:
• Ensure the wallet accurately reflects the state of the smart contract (e.g., reserved funds, payment schedules).

1. User Interface Design

• Balance Display:
• Show both available and reserved balances clearly.
• Subscription Management:
• Provide intuitive controls for managing subscriptions and funds.

1. Service Provider Onboarding

• APIs and Tools:
• Develop APIs or interfaces for service providers to list services and integrate with the smart contract.
• Verification Process:
• Implement a verification system for service providers to enhance trust.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

• User Perception of Fund Accessibility
• Challenge:
• Users might be concerned about funds being locked or inaccessible.
• Solution:
• Clearly communicate that reserved funds are still under their control (if we can give them that control) and can be withdrawn at any time upon request.
• Design the wallet to make accessing and managing these funds easy.
• Complexity of Smart Contract Interactions
• Challenge:
• Users may find the concept of smart contracts confusing.
• Solution:
• Abstract the technical details within the wallet.
• Use familiar terminology and interfaces.
• Synchronization and Real-Time Updates
• Challenge:
• Keeping the wallet's display in sync with the smart contract's state.
• Solution:
• Implement real-time or regular synchronization mechanisms.
• 
  
• Use reliable APIs or direct node connections.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

There has been a high level of demand for a subscription service on Cardano for a few years. Allowing businesses to create an automated system for their customers to subscribe to their services and for those customers to have a clean UI/UX to interact with will bolster the economy of each platform.

This self-service product also makes secondary use of Charli3's automated node payment methods, building on already-built products and increasing the open-source library of Cardano contracts.

These businesses also will not have to struggle to create their own front end for a subscription service, cutting down 100s of thousands of dollars worth of potential spending around custom front-end management.

Impact:

measure by

• Company integrations
• Unique contracts created (amount of users)
• $$ used per platform (economy generation)
• increased automated txn volume

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

the Charli3 and GeroWallet teams have been producing products on Cardano since 2021 with a high success rate of adoption and community trust.

Financial trust:

• both teams had incredibly small raises over 3 years ago and have stretched that to still survive today.
• CHARLI3 has won many catalyst rounds and successfully deployed those funds to create the promised products and subsidize oracle use to the community.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Detailed Planning

A: Milestone Outputs

• Project Initiation:
• Kickoff meeting with all stakeholders
• Defined project scope, goals, and objectives
• Formation of the project team with assigned roles and responsibilities
• Detailed Design and Specifications:
• Comprehensive functional requirements document
• Technical specifications for wallet enhancements and smart contract integration
• UI/UX design mockups and wireframes for the wallet interface
• User journey maps outlining the subscription flow within the wallet

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Project Initiation:
• Agreement on project scope and objectives by all stakeholders
• Project team members understand their roles and responsibilities
• Detailed Design:
• Functional requirements approved by stakeholders
• Technical specifications reviewed and validated by the development team
• UI/UX designs align with user expectations and project goals
• User journeys cover all key scenarios, including edge cases

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Approved functional requirements and technical specifications documents
• UI/UX design files (mockups and wireframes)
• User journey documentation

Milestone 2: Marketplace Development and Service Provider Onboarding

A: Milestone Outputs

• Backend Development:
• Implementation of backend services for the wallet marketplace
• APIs for service providers to register and manage their listings
• Secure and scalable database for marketplace data
• Frontend Development:
• Integration of the "Marketplace" section within the wallet interface
• Responsive design for various devices
• Accessibility features implemented according to best practices
• Service Provider Integration:
• Tools and documentation for service providers to list their services
• Verification system for authenticating and approving service providers

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Backend:
• Backend services operate as per technical specifications
• APIs are functional, secure, and meet performance benchmarks
• Database is optimized and secure
• Frontend:
• Users can navigate the marketplace, view service providers, and subscription options
• Frontend interactions with the backend are smooth and error-free
• UI matches approved designs and is user-friendly
• Compliance with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1)
• Service Provider Integration:
• Service providers can successfully register and manage their listings
• Verification process ensures only trusted providers are listed

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Source code repositories for backend and frontend with documentation
• API documentation and usage guidelines for service providers
• 
  
• Demonstrations or walkthroughs of the marketplace interface within the wallet

Milestone 3: Smart Contract Integration and Transaction Processing

A: Milestone Outputs

• Smart Contract Integration:
• Integration of the existing subscription smart contract into the wallet application
• Implementation of transaction signing and fund reservation processes within the wallet
• Development of functions for initiating subscriptions and managing funds
• Error Handling and User Feedback:
• Robust error handling mechanisms for transaction failures or network issues
• User-friendly feedback messages and prompts within the wallet interface
• Security Enhancements:
• Secure transaction processes ensuring the protection of private keys
• Encryption of sensitive data within the wallet

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Users can seamlessly initiate subscriptions, reserve funds, and interact with the smart contract
• Transactions are correctly signed and processed on the Cardano testnet/mainnet
• The system handles errors gracefully and provides informative feedback to users
• Security measures meet industry standards and protect user data and funds

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Live demonstrations of subscription initiation and management within the wallet
• Code repositories showing integration code and documentation
• 
  
• Security test reports verifying the protection of private keys and data encryption

Milestone 4: User Interface Refinement and Feature Enhancement

A: Milestone Outputs

• Subscription Management Interface:
• Implementation of features allowing users to cancel, pause, and adjust subscriptions (if we can add it in)
• Integration of notifications and alerts for payments, low balances, and other events
• UI/UX Improvements:
• Enhancements to the wallet interface based on initial user feedback
• Visual cues for reserved funds and subscription statuses
• Simplification of processes to minimize user steps
• User Control Features:
• Options for users to withdraw reserved funds at any time (If we can add it in) self-service. Or request to the platform
• Clear display of wallet balances, including reserved and available funds

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Users can manage their subscriptions with relative ease
• Notifications are timely, relevant, and enhance user engagement
• UI/UX aligns with best practices and significantly improves user satisfaction
• Users understand their control over reserved funds and can access them as needed

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Interface walkthroughs demonstrating subscription management features

A: Milestone Outputs

• Security Testing:
• Comprehensive internal security audits of the wallet application
• Penetration testing conducted by external security experts
• Implementation of necessary fixes or enhancements based on test results
• Beta Testing and Feedback Integration:
• Release of a beta version to a select group of users
• Collection and analysis of user feedback on functionality and performance
• Final adjustments made based on beta testing insights
• Official Launch and Post-Launch Support:
• Deployment of the wallet with subscription features to all users
• Monitoring systems activated to track performance and user engagement
• Customer support channels established and operational

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Security tests confirm that user data and funds are well-protected; no critical vulnerabilities remain
• All high-priority issues from beta testing are resolved
• Successful deployment of the wallet without major issues
• System performance meets or exceeds defined benchmarks
• Support team effectively handles user inquiries and issues

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Beta testing feedback reports and issue resolution logs
• Confirmation of successful wallet deployment and launch announcement
• Monitoring reports showing system stability and user adoption metrics

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Charli3 senior smart contract development team, scrum leader, and BD team

Gerowallet full stack and UI/UX developers

Gero dev's linkedin's:

Lead Developer & Blockchain Developer

David Edri - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edridudi/

Over a decade of experience in full stack development

Project Manager & UX Designer

Adam Cazes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-cazes-25241939/

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

detailed estimates

ADA at current values at time of proposal $0.35 USD

Project time: 18 weeks

Charli3 smart contract developers: 1 dev full time in Canada, $105USD/hr

Charli3 Business development: 1 business development manager in Canada, half part time $45/hr

Gerowallet Senior Full Stack dev: 1 full time dev in Isreal, $85/hr

Gerowallet UI/UX designer: 1 full time dev, insreal, $50/hr

Scrum leader: 1 leader, part time, $120/hr

With some leeway discount for doing Catalyst work, we estimate the total cost around 309,000ADA

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Detailed Planning - $11250 (32,142 ADA)

Allocation:

Smart contract developer: $3150

Scrum Leader: $1800

Full Stack Developer: $3150

UX/UI Designer: $3150

BD: free

Milestone 2: Marketplace Development and Service Provider Onboarding - $27,600 (78,857 ADA)

Allocation:

Smart Contract Developer: $12600

Scrum Leader: $600

Full Stack Developer: $10,500

UX/UI Designer: $2100

BD: $1800

Milestone 3: Smart Contract Integration and Transaction Processing - $27,900 (79,714 ADA)

Allocation:

Smart Contract Developer: $16800

Scrum Leader: $600

Full Stack Developer: $8750

UX/UI Designer: $1750

BD: $0

Milestone 4: User Interface Refinement and Feature Enhancement - $17,100 (48,857 ADA)

Allocation:

Smart Contract Developer: $6300

Scrum Leader: $600

Full Stack Developer: $4200

UX/UI Designer: $4200

BD: $1800

Final Milestone: Security Testing, Beta Testing, and Official Launch - $24,300 (69,428 ADA)

Allocation:

Smart Contract Developer: $6300

Scrum Leader: $600

Full Stack Developer: $6800

UX/UI Designer: $8000

BD: $2600

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

The cost assumption is based on the typical salaries of the employees from the companies and added values of average wages for those professions within crypto and Cardano environments, with discounts for working on Catalyst focused products.

measure by

• Company integrations
• Unique contracts created (amount of users)
• $$ used per platform (economy generation)
• increased automated txn volume