Open-sourcing VESPR | ⚡ VESPR Turbo

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

VESPR Team

[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)

6

[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 open-source VESPR Wallet, enabling community collaboration, transparency, and innovation to boost trust, accelerate development, and drive adoption of Cardano's decentralized ecosystem.

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

No

[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.”

No dependencies

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

Yes

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

The VESPR wallet application consists of four SDKs and the main app project. The licenses for these components will be as follows:

• Cardano Types SDK (MIT License): This SDK includes all the necessary code to interpret and decode Cardano-specific transactions, addresses, and other related data structures.
• Cardano Flutter SDK (MIT License): This SDK handles the generation of Cardano HID wallets, transaction signing, and computing the transaction’s input/output to track changes in user funds.
• Cardano Ledger Interop SDK (MIT License): This SDK maps transactions from the Cardano Types SDK into a format compatible with Ledger hardware wallets, enabling secure transaction signing. The output works with an existing open-source Ledger Cardano SDK.
• Keystone Wallet Interop SDK (MIT License): This SDK maps transactions from the Cardano Types SDK into a format compatible with Keystone hardware wallets, enabling secure transaction signing.
• VESPR Application (Mobile and Extension) (Personal Use License): This is the core Flutter-based application, which will be available for personal use, excluding the server code.

This licensing approach ensures the SDKs are open for community collaboration, while the VESPR application can be fully audited for security, providing transparency and trust. The non-commercial license for the VESPR application also safeguards against the market being flooded with VESPR clones that could potentially harm users.

[METADATA] Horizons

Wallet

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is to open-source the VESPR Wallet Application, including three key SDKs, while keeping the application code under a non-commercial license. This approach ensures transparency, fosters community collaboration, and builds trust while preventing unauthorized clones that could exploit users.

Key Components of the Solution:

• Cardano Types SDK (MIT License): Enables understanding and decoding Cardano-specific transactions, addresses, and related data structures.
• Cardano Flutter SDK (MIT License): Provides functionality for generating Cardano HID wallets, signing transactions, and computing transaction inputs/outputs to track user funds.
• Cardano Ledger Interop SDK (MIT License): Maps Cardano transactions to a format compatible with Ledger hardware wallets for secure signing.
• Keystone Wallet Interop SDK (MIT License): Maps Cardano transactions into a format compatible with Keystone hardware wallets, enabling secure signing.
• VESPR Wallet Application Code (Non-Commercial Personal Use License): The mobile and extension code of the VESPR Wallet Application will be open-sourced under this license. This allows full security audits for transparency and trust while protecting against unauthorized clones that could mislead or harm users.

Open-sourcing the SDKs encourages community-driven innovation, providing developers with essential tools to expand on VESPR’s technology. Meanwhile, the non-commercial license for the application code protects user trust and ensures the original app’s integrity. This balanced solution promotes Cardano ecosystem growth while maintaining security for users.

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

The open-sourcing of the VESPR Wallet Application will significantly benefit the wider Cardano community by encouraging collaboration, increasing transparency, and reinforcing trust in one of the most integral wallets within the ecosystem. As VESPR is already widely associated with Cardano, this move will strengthen its role in fostering innovation and expanding Cardano's reach.

Key Positive Impacts:

1. Fostering Innovation and Collaboration: Open-sourcing the SDKs will empower developers across the Cardano ecosystem to actively contribute to VESPR's development. This will lead to faster feature enhancements, new integrations, and innovative tools that can improve the user experience and expand VESPR’s functionality.
2. Enhancing Trust and Security: By making the application code available for audit, we provide the community with the opportunity to review, verify, and contribute to VESPR’s security. This openness builds greater trust in the wallet and Cardano as a whole, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and decentralized development.
3. Strengthening the Cardano Ecosystem: VESPR’s open-source SDKs will make it easier for developers to create Cardano-compatible tools and services, boosting integration with other wallets, dApps, and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. This will enhance the Cardano ecosystem’s utility and accessibility.

With VESPR already playing a vital role in the Cardano ecosystem, open-sourcing it will allow the community to actively shape its future, driving broader adoption, security, and innovation within the blockchain’s decentralized framework. This will reinforce VESPR’s standing as a cornerstone wallet, enhancing the overall strength and adaptability of Cardano’s ecosystem.

[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?

We are fully capable of delivering the open-sourcing of the VESPR Wallet Application since we have complete ownership and control over the code. As the developers of one of Cardano’s most popular wallets, we have extensive experience in managing complex projects, including successful delivery of Catalyst-funded projects like the Ledger Flutter SDK integration.

This project is highly feasible as it involves simply restructuring existing code for open-source release, with no major new development required. Our team will ensure transparency and community collaboration, using clear licensing to protect against malicious clones while allowing full community contribution and audits.

Our proven expertise and ownership of the VESPR Wallet Application ensure we can deliver this project efficiently, with high trust and accountability.

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

Open-source Cardano Types SDK

• Milestone outputs: Publish the Cardano Types SDK under the MIT License.
• Acceptance criteria: The SDK is publicly available on GitHub.
• Evidence of milestone completion: GitHub repository link with open access.

Open-source Cardano Flutter SDK

• Milestone outputs: Publish the Cardano Flutter SDK under the MIT License.
• Acceptance criteria: The SDK is publicly available on GitHub.
• Evidence of milestone completion: GitHub repository link with open access.

Open-source Cardano Ledger Interop SDK

• Milestone outputs: Publish the Cardano Ledger Interop SDK under the MIT License.
• Acceptance criteria: The SDK is available on GitHub.
• Evidence of milestone completion: GitHub repository link with open access.

Open-source Keystone Wallet Interop SDK

• Milestone outputs: Publish the Keystone Wallet Interop SDK under the MIT License.
• Acceptance criteria: The SDK is available on GitHub.
• Evidence of milestone completion: GitHub repository link with open access.

Open-source VESPR Wallet Application Code

• Milestone outputs: Publish the VESPR Wallet Application (excluding server code) under a non-commercial personal use license.
• Acceptance criteria: The application code is available on GitHub with a personal use license.
• Evidence of milestone completion: GitHub repository link and public announcement confirming its release.

 Final Catalyst Closeout Report and Video

• Milestone outputs: Submit the final Catalyst closeout report and create a project summary video.
• Acceptance criteria: The closeout report and video are submitted to the Catalyst platform.
• Evidence of milestone completion: Submission confirmation from Catalyst and public access to the video and report.

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

Alex Dochioiu | CEO & Senior Software Architect

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandru-dochioiu

Alex, founder and senior software architect of VESPR Wallet, has over 10 years of experience developing safety-critical mobile applications for major financial institutions, including American Express and Virgin Money. His extensive background ensures that VESPR adheres to industry best practices and maintains the highest technical standards. Alex brings a wealth of knowledge in handling complex, mission-critical systems, ensuring smooth execution of the technical aspects of the project.

In addition to leading VESPR, Alex is a member of Cardano's Product Committee and the Cardano Blockchain Infrastructure Alliance, where he contributes to shaping the long-term vision and strategy for the Cardano blockchain. His involvement in the committee allows him to align VESPR’s development with the broader goals of the Cardano ecosystem, ensuring that both the project and the platform evolve in tandem.

Vlad Stan | Engineering Manager and Senior Software Engineer

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanvladut/

Vlad oversees the entire software development process, managing the project's lifecycle, coordinating resource allocation, and ensuring rigorous quality assurance. With a strong focus on performance and quality, he ensures that systems scale smoothly under heavy traffic, delivering reliable, high-quality user experiences while driving innovation in the engineering process.

He is a seasoned engineer and people leader with over 10 years of experience, known for effectively guiding high-performing teams on large-scale projects for high profile companies, such as Adobe. He led cross-functional teams across multiple geographies, delivering impactful projects to millions of users.

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

Milestone 1: 110k ADA

Software Development Maintenance Over Time: 100k ADA

Admin and Project Management: 10k ADA

Milestone 2: 110k ADA

Software Development Maintenance Over Time: 100k ADA

Admin and Project Management: 10k ADA

Milestone 3: 60k ADA

Software Development Maintenance Over Time: 50k ADA

Admin and Project Management: 10k ADA

Milestone 4: 40k ADA

Software Development Maintenance Over Time: 30k ADA

Admin and Project Management: 10k ADA

Milestone 5: 140k ADA

Software Development Maintenance Over Time: 100k ADA

Legal Cost: 20k ADA

Admin and Project Management: 20k ADA

Milestone 6: 40k ADA

Admin and Project Management: 40k ADA

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

The cost of this project offers excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering high-quality, open-source solutions that foster future innovation and community engagement. Here's why the investment is well justified:

1. Open-Source Benefits: By making the VESPR Wallet Application and its SDKs open-source, we enable developers to collaborate, innovate, and build on top of existing technology. This supports a more decentralized and robust ecosystem, benefitting the entire community.
2. Long-Term Maintenance: A substantial portion of the budget is allocated to maintaining and evolving the SDKs and application over time. This ensures that the project remains secure and up-to-date, providing a long-term contribution to the Cardano ecosystem with sustainable support.
3. Security and Legal Safeguards: The inclusion of legal protections and structured project management ensures that the open-source code is secure, preventing unauthorized clones that could exploit users. This preserves the integrity of the VESPR brand and enhances trust within the community.
4. High Return on Investment: Considering VESPR’s role as one of the most popular wallets in the Cardano ecosystem, the return on investment is significant. Open-sourcing and maintaining the SDKs provide a foundation for developers to create new tools, saving future development costs and driving wider Cardano adoption.
5. Fostering Growth and Innovation: The open-source nature of the project encourages contributions from developers and businesses, leading to more tools and integrations that enhance the user experience. This collaboration will further strengthen the Cardano ecosystem and support its long-term growth.

Overall, the project’s cost represents a solid investment, offering transparency, innovation, and security, which will benefit developers, businesses, and users across the Cardano ecosystem.