VERALIDITY 🔥 Cardano Gift Cards Integration with Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source Payment Gateway: Redeem Your Gift Cards On 250K+ Storefronts 🚀

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Mitchell Robles, Jr

[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)

Veralidity will integrate Aiken-based smart contracts into Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source, creating a system for universally redeemable crypto-based gift cards across different storefronts.

[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.”

Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source:

We rely on the Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source platform for some of our functionality, and most importantly our integration capabilities. Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source provides a robust and scalable open-source eCommerce framework that powers our modules and allows seamless integration with other systems.

Our modules are developed specifically for Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source, utilizing its APIs, event observers, and architecture to extend and enhance the platform's capabilities. This dependency on Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source ensures that our software operates within the Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source ecosystem and leverages its built-in features, such as product management, order processing, customer management, and payment gateways.

Furthermore, Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source provides a secure and customizable environment, enabling Veralidity to deliver a tailored eCommerce experience to our users. By leveraging Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source extensibility, our modules can integrate smoothly with other Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source extensions, themes, and customizations, creating a comprehensive and integrated solution for eCommerce businesses.

Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source serves as a critical dependency for our software, providing the necessary foundation and infrastructure for Veralidity's modules to function effectively within the Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source eCommerce ecosystem.

[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

We're rolling out our software with a dual licensing strategy. It's a mix of open-source goodness and the secure bounds of a commercial license. Here's the deal: If you're in it for open-source purposes, go ahead and use our software under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This means you get to use, tweak, and pass it on for free, keeping the community spirit alive. But if you're looking to use our software for business, where you need to keep your modifications under wraps or sell your end product, our commercial license is what you need. This way, you can integrate our software into your proprietary projects without having to spill the beans on your code changes or share them under GPL terms. This two-pronged approach lets us keep the software open and accessible for community projects, while also giving us the avenue to make some revenue from commercial use.

You can view one of our Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source extensions which is an integral part of this proposal on GitHub. This extension is a work in progress and showcases part of our Proof-Of-Concept.

• https://github.com/veralidity/WalletBridge
• There is also a Cardano Payment Method used in the Proof-of-Concept demo which will be made available on GitHub at a later date. The payment methods functionality has been gutted a bit so that people testing out the functionality do not send any ADA, so it's for demonstration purposes only, but facilitates a successful transaction on the Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source's side of things.

You can also view our Proof-of-Concept demo by visiting the link below:

• https://catalyst.veralidity.com/aiken-gift-cards-proof-of-concept-demo

You can read about how Cardano based gift cards would work on Aiken's website:

• https://aiken-lang.org/example--gift-card

[METADATA] Horizons

E-commerce

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our solution leverages Aiken's smart contract capabilities to redefine the utility of gift cards within the Magento ecosystem. By integrating these contracts, we enable a novel approach where gift cards purchased on one Magento storefront can be redeemed universally across any participating store. This not only solves the limitation of store-specific redemption but also broadens the scope and flexibility for customers.

We chose Aiken for its robustness and compatibility with Cardano, ensuring secure and decentralized transactions. Our focus is on Magento stores, engaging both retailers and customers in a more versatile and blockchain-empowered shopping experience.

The impact of this integration will be demonstrated through increased transactional flexibility and customer satisfaction. Stores will benefit from a new, innovative revenue stream, and customers will enjoy the convenience and added value of their purchases.

This project is unique as it combines the flexibility of blockchain technology with the practicality of everyday shopping, bringing a new level of utility and interoperability to gift cards. It represents a significant step forward for Cardano, showcasing its potential in transforming conventional retail practices and making blockchain technology a part of everyday transactions.

You can read about how Cardano based gift cards would work on Aiken's website: https://aiken-lang.org/example--gift-card

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

Our project's impact on Cardano and the wider eCommerce sector will be profound. By integrating a Cardano-based universal gift card system into Magento, a platform powering over 250,000+ storefronts with a Gross Merchandise Value of $225 billion in 2021, we position Cardano at the forefront of eCommerce. This integration not only enhances the utility of Cardano within a significant market but also introduces a vast audience to Cardano’s ecosystem.

The success of this project will be measured through adoption rates among Magento stores, the volume of transactions processed through these gift cards, and the influx of new users to the Cardano ecosystem. We plan to publish comprehensive reports on these metrics, share success stories from participating merchants and customers, and actively engage with the Cardano community to demonstrate real-world applications of Cardano’s blockchain technology.

By bridging Cardano with a major eCommerce platform, we anticipate a significant increase in liquidity and utility for ₳ ADA, ultimately reinforcing Cardano’s position as a leading blockchain solution in retail and beyond. This project will serve as a model for future blockchain integrations in various sectors, showcasing the practical and transformative potential of Cardano.

[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?

Veralidity's capability to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability stems from our extensive experience and proven track record in both the technical and legal aspects of the project.

Mitchell Robles Jr's expertise in Magento Open Source and Cardano, highlighted by his role as the sole technical reviewer for Packt Publishing's Magento 2 Developer's Guide, underscores our proficiency in blockchain integration within the eCommerce ecosystem. Veralidity's successful partnerships with Adobe, Mehen, and Charli3, along with the development of 16 custom modules/extensions seamlessly integrating Cardano into Adobe Commerce and Magento 2 Open Source, demonstrate our ability to deliver tangible results.

Checking the Tech, Double-Checking the Approach:

As for making sure this whole thing works, our plan is to keep testing and adapting. We'll start small, get feedback, tweak things, and scale up. Think of it as continuous improvement – we're not just launching and hoping for the best. We're tweaking, refining, and making sure every step is solid.

Trust? We’ve Got it in Spades:

Managing funds? We plan on hiring number-crunching accountant who'll oversee the budget, make sure we’re sticking to it, and keep everything transparent. No smoke and mirrors here – just honesty and accountability.

Bottom Line:

You’re not just investing in a project; you’re backing a team that’s got the technical experience to make it happen. We're here to make Cardano shine not only in the Magento world but in all of eCommerce, and we've got the skills and the plan to do just that.

You can view one of our Adobe Commerce Magento extensions which is an integral part of this proposal on GitHub. This extension is a work in progress and showcase part of our Proof-Of-Concept.

• https://github.com/veralidity/WalletBridge
• There is also a Cardano Payment Method used in the Proof-of-Concept demo which will be made available on GitHub at a later date.

You can also view our Proof-of-Concept demo by visiting the link below:

• https://catalyst.veralidity.com/aiken-gift-cards-proof-of-concept-demo

You can read about how Cardano based gift cards would work on Aiken's website:

• https://aiken-lang.org/example--gift-card

You can watch some videos about some of the integrations that Veralidity has completed which seamlessly integrate Cardano with Adobe Commerce and Magento 2 Open Source, as well as an interview with Mitchell Robles Jr on Dapp Centrals YoutTube channel.

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

Project Kickoff & Initial Framework:

• Output: Setting up the foundational framework for our Aiken Gift Card functionality that encompasses multiple custom Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source extensions.

• Acceptance Criteria: We will establish a new public code repository with code migrated from our proof-of-concept repositories with initial framework documented, and we'll have documentation on how to set up a development environment for the community. This repository will encompass multiple Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source extensions that will be the foundation for accomplishing our end result of our proposal. We will submit GitHub links and a quick screencast demo video highlighting a quick walkthrough of the code repositories.

Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source Universal Gift Card Extension:

• Output: Development of Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source extensions that are the bare-bones foundation for creating and redeeming custom gift cards.

• Acceptance Criteria: Create a demonstrable Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source extension that facilitates the basics of creating and redeeming a custom gift card product type. A screencast demo video will be submitted for proof of completion which showcases this functionality. This milestone will not connect to Cardano, but will instead highlight and demonstrate the UI/UX interface and showcase creating and redeeming a custom gift card product type.

Aiken Gift Cards:

• Output: Development of Aiken Gift Cards on Cardano testnet

• Acceptance Criteria: Create and redeem an Aiken gift card on the Cardano testnet and submit a screencast demo video which shows this functionality and the transaction itself.

Refining our Universal Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source Gift Card Extension:

• Output: Refining the functionality within our existing proof-of-concept extensions and tying them into our Universal Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source Gift Card extension.

Aiken Universal Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source Gift Cards Extension:

• Acceptance Criteria: Successful deployment of a MVP in a controlled development environment and documentation of identified issues. It’s test time, making sure the gears are turning smoothly. We will create a screencast demo video which showcases the creation of a gift card within Magento 2 Open Source's administration control panel and the associated Cardano transaction on-chain.

Security & Code Audits

• Output: Perform security & code audits for our Aiken smart contracts.

• Acceptance Criteria: Provide a detailed security report and submit it as a PDF document.

Pre-Launch Preparation:

• Output: Feedback incorporation, Final adjustments pre-launch, marketing materials, and documentation.

• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of all pre-launch checklists, marketing content, and user guides. It’s all about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.

Project Completion Report and Video:

• Output: Comprehensive project report and a video demonstration.

• Acceptance Criteria: Detailed report outlining the project journey, challenges, solutions, and a video showcasing the final product. The grand finale, laying out our journey and showcasing what we’ve built.

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

Mitchell Robles, Jr.

• Roles: Veralidity Founder/CTO
• He was the sole technical reviewer for Packt Publishings Magento 2 Developers Guide book published in 2015. You can find a bio about Mitchell in the book on a dedicated page next to a bio about the author.
• Mitchell does not use social media except for the Veralidity Twitter account: https://twitter.com/veralidity
• https://twitter.com/dapp_central/status/1753064373353107671
• You can watch an interview with Mitchell done by Farid of Dapp Central.

Matthew Olsen - (currently employed as a Software Engineer at Microsoft)

• Roles: Full stack developer, systems engineer, Haskell development
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-olsen-1180a833

Jose Maldonado

• Roles: Front-development, Dev-Ops
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/josejmaldonado

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

Development Costs (₳150,000):

• Straight-up Coding: This chunk's for the tech wizards coding this magic. We’re talking salaries and any software they need.
• Hiring blockchain and Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source developers for smart contract creation and Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source integration – because world-class code doesn’t write itself.

Testing & Quality Assurance (₳15,000):

• Comprehensive testing across Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source storefronts to ensure compatibility and security.

Security and Code Audit (₳50,000):

• Hiring professionals for code review and security auditing, particularly for blockchain integration aspects.

Project Management (₳15,000):

• Coordination, timeline tracking, and team collaboration.

Marketing and Community Engagement (₳5,000):

• Promotional activities for awareness within Adobe Commerce & Magento 2 Open Source and Cardano communities.

Documentation and Reporting (₳10,000):

• Detailed user documentation and regular progress reporting.

Contingency Fund (₳15,000):

• Reserved for unforeseen expenses.

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

The proposed budget for integrating Aiken Gift Card functionality with Magento represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem. Here's why:

Development Expertise:

The budget reflects market rates for skilled blockchain and Magento developers. By investing in top talent, we ensure a high-quality, secure product that enhances Cardano's utility in the eCommerce domain.

Extensive Reach of Magento:

With over 250,000+ Magento stores, the potential exposure and adoption of Cardano through this integration are substantial. The Gross Merchandise Value of Magento in 2021 was $225 billion, indicating the scale at which Cardano can be introduced and utilized.

Security Assurance:

The security and code audit budget ensures the reliability of the smart contracts, a critical aspect for user trust and adoption. This enhances Cardano's reputation for secure and robust blockchain solutions.

Marketing and Community Engagement:

The allocated budget for marketing and community engagement is designed to maximize visibility and user on-boarding, directly contributing to an increased user base and liquidity for ₳ ADA.

Future Growth and Scalability:

This project is not just a one-time development; it's an investment in Cardano's future in eCommerce. It opens up avenues for further innovations and integrations, continuously adding value.

Cost-Effectiveness:

The budget has been carefully planned to be cost-effective, ensuring that every ₳ ADA spent contributes to tangible outcomes and widespread adoption within the Magento ecosystem.

In Conclusion:

What we're building here isn’t just another piece of software. It’s a bridge between Cardano and the daily lives of countless online shoppers and sellers. It’s about long-term gains, reputation, and setting a new standard in eCommerce. Every ₳ ADA spent is an investment in Cardano's future, and we’re all about making sure it pays off.