OrionPay: URL-encoded payments layer SDK for B2C and D2C usecases on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Amaan Khan

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Raihan Khan

[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 are developing "Stripe of Cardano" that simplifies integrating Cardano payments by encoding transaction requests within URLs, enabling seamless and secure payments.

[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 project will be open source under MIT License. This will allow anyone to do whatever they wish with the original code, as long as the original copyright and license notice is included either in the distributed source code or software.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG Goals

8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

SDG Subgoals

17.19 - By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries

9.1 - Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

9.b - Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Orion Pay SDK aims to standardize and simplify the process of integrating Cardano blockchain payments into various digital platforms. By using JavaScript, it provides a versatile and accessible approach for developers to incorporate blockchain-based transactions without needing to manage complex blockchain interactions directly.

Core Components:

1. Payment URL Generation: The heart of Orion Pay is its ability to generate standardized URLs based on the Cardano Web+ URI scheme. This allows wallets and other services to interpret payment requests uniformly.
2. Secure Asset Transfer: The SDK supports transferring ADA and any native Cardano token (CNT). It handles the intricacies of asset identification and transaction construction to ensure that payments are processed correctly across different tokens and wallets.
3. QR Code and NFC Support: For physical commerce scenarios or when sharing links isn’t practical, Orion Pay can encode payment information into QR codes or NFC tags, broadening the usability in various user contexts.
4. Transaction Validation: Before finalizing a transaction, Orion Pay verifies its confirmation on the blockchain, ensuring the integrity and success of each payment. This step is crucial to prevent fraud and ensure that goods and services are exchanged only after secure payment.
5. Wallet Registration and Interaction: The SDK helps facilitate how mobile and web wallets handle payment requests, ensuring a seamless user experience when initiating and completing payments through different interfaces.

Detailed Workflow:

• Initialization: The developer sets up Orion Pay with basic network parameters to determine whether they are working against the mainnet or testnet.

• Payment Request Creation: When a payment is needed, Orion Pay generates a URI that encapsulates all the necessary payment details:

Here’s what happens under the hood:

• Define the Base URL: Start with web+cardano://send? to comply with the Cardano URI scheme.
• Compose Query Parameters: Include all relevant details such as amount, address, asset, and optional label and message.

• User Interaction: The user can initiate payment through:
• Direct Link: Click a "Pay Now" button that directs them to their wallet with the pre-filled transaction.
• QR Code: Scan a QR code that embeds the payment URL.
• NFC Tag: Tap an NFC tag that broadcasts the payment URL to a mobile device.

• Transaction Handling:
• Mobile and Web Wallets: These should be configured to recognize the web+cardano scheme and parse the incoming URL to prepopulate the transaction form.
• Transaction Submission: The user reviews and submits the transaction through their wallet interface.
• Confirmation Check: Orion Pay checks the blockchain to confirm the transaction before the application finalizes the sale or access permissions.

Implications on the Larger Cardano Ecosystem:

Orion Pay significantly boosts the interoperability within the Cardano ecosystem by:

1. Standardizing Payment Protocols: By using a uniform URL scheme, Orion Pay ensures that various wallets and services can seamlessly interact with each other. This standardization is critical for fostering a cohesive ecosystem where users and developers can transact without worrying about compatibility issues.
2. Encouraging Adoption: Simplifying the payment process encourages more developers and businesses to integrate Cardano payments into their offerings, thereby increasing the blockchain's utility and visibility.
3. Supporting Decentralized Commerce: By enabling direct, peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries, Orion Pay aligns perfectly with the decentralized nature of blockchain:
4. Lower Costs and Barriers: Eliminating the middleman reduces transaction fees and lowers the barrier for small businesses and individual developers to implement blockchain-based payments.
5. Trustless Transactions: By leveraging the blockchain's inherent security and Orion Pay’s confirmation checks, users can trust in the integrity of each transaction without relying on external validators.

Fostering Developer Innovation:

Orion Pay provides a toolkit that can be the foundation for diverse applications:

1. Microtransactions: Its ability to handle small amounts efficiently opens up possibilities for micro-payment services, pay-per-use models, and more.
2. Subscription Models: With standardized recurring payment requests, developers can more easily implement decentralized subscription services.
3. Global Access: Removing geographical restrictions on payments enables global business models that are inclusive and accessible to users worldwide.

Enhancing User Experience

1. Frictionless Payments: The ease of use, from QR codes to NFC tags, means that even users unfamiliar with blockchain can make payments without a steep learning curve.
2. Mobile Optimization: The focus on mobile wallet integration ensures that users can transact on-the-go, aligning with modern usage patterns.

Conclusion

Orion Pay is not just a tool but a step towards a more interconnected and user-friendly Cardano ecosystem. By lowering the technical barriers and ensuring a high level of security and interoperability, Orion Pay helps pave the way for the next wave of blockchain applications and services.

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

Value to the Cardano Community

Orion Pay is designed to significantly enhance the Cardano ecosystem by providing a user-friendly and developer-oriented solution for integrating blockchain payments. Here are the key areas where Orion Pay will bring value:

1. Enhanced Ecosystem Interoperability: By standardizing payment protocols, Orion Pay ensures seamless interactions among various wallets and services, allowing users and developers to transact smoothly without compatibility concerns.
2. Promotion of Decentralized Commerce: Orion Pay supports peer-to-peer transactions, helping reduce transaction fees and lower barriers for entry, which broadens the adoption and utility of Cardano.
3. Developer Empowerment: Orion Pay enables developers to create a wide array of applications, fostering innovation and the development of new services that leverage Cardano's infrastructure.
4. Global Inclusivity: By removing geographical payment barriers, Orion Pay enables global business models, making the ecosystem more vibrant and diverse.
5. User Experience Improvement: With a focus on making payments easy through QR codes and NFC tags, and optimizing for mobile use, Orion Pay meets modern user needs and behaviors.

Measuring the Impact

To quantify and assess the impact of Orion Pay on the Cardano community, the following metrics and methods will be used:

1. Adoption Rate: Measure the number of businesses and applications integrating Orion Pay through SDK downloads and active integrations.
2. Transaction Volume: Track the volume of transactions processed through Orion Pay to indicate successful adoption.
3. User Surveys and Feedback: Collect feedback from users and developers to gauge satisfaction and identify improvement areas.
4. Community Engagement: Monitor discussions and contributions in forums and social media to signal growing interest and engagement.
5. Innovation Index: Assess the variety and novelty of applications developed using Orion Pay, including case studies of unique uses.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

To ensure that the benefits of Orion Pay are widely recognized, the following strategies will be employed:

1. Documentation and Resources: Provide guides, tutorials, and documentation to assist developers in integrating Orion Pay, available on platforms like GitHub and the project’s website.
2. Community Presentations and Workshops: Engage with the Cardano community through webinars, workshops, and conferences to demonstrate Orion Pay's capabilities.
3. Collaborations and Partnerships: Work with other projects within the Cardano ecosystem to explore collaborative opportunities and share success stories.
4. Open Source Development: Encourage community contributions to the Orion Pay codebase for continuous improvement and feature expansion.

By focusing on these strategies, Orion Pay aims to foster a more inclusive, innovative, and user-friendly environment, driving collective growth and success within the Cardano community.

[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?

Team Expertise and Background

Raihan Khan and Amaan Khan bring over 7 years of combined experience in product development, specializing in Full Stack Development, Cardano, and cybersecurity. Raihan, as the tech lead at PinkSurfing, has a strong foundation in JavaScript, React, Node.js, and MongoDB, while Amaan's expertise lies in web3, blockchain, AI, and the MERN stack.

Project Delivery and Fund Management

• Structured Development Process: Our approach involves rigorous planning, development, testing, and deployment phases with clear milestones and deliverables.

• Open Communication: We commit to maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders through regular updates via social media, project reports, and community forums.

• Financial Oversight: Implementing detailed budgeting, regular audits, and transparent reporting ensures proper fund management and accountability.

• Validation and Testing: Prototypes will be deployed in controlled environments for validation, with feedback used iteratively to improve the concept.

• Community Engagement and Feedback: Continuous engagement with the Cardano community ensures alignment with user needs and expectations through beta testing and feedback collection.

Conclusion

With over 7 years of combined experience in product development and a robust project management approach, our team is highly capable of successfully conceptualizing ReStake Protocol with trust and accountability, contributing significantly to the growth of the Cardano community.

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

Milestone 1: Design Architecture

A: Milestone Outputs

• Comprehensive system architecture design for Orion Pay SDK.
• Detailed technical specifications including system components, data flow diagrams, and integration points.
• Scalability and reliability guidelines.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Complete architectural blueprint and specifications that cover all core components of Orion Pay: Payment URL Generation, Secure Asset Transfer, QR Code and NFC Support, Transaction Validation, and Interaction.
• Documentation of scalability expectations and reliability measures.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Published architectural blueprint and technical specification documents.

Milestone 2: Development

A: Milestone Outputs

• Basic Implementation of Orion Pay SDK according to the design architecture.
• Codebase for generating payment URLs, handling asset transfers, supporting QR/NFC, and ensuring transaction validation.
• Integration capabilities for mobile and web wallets.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Orion Pay SDK functionalities implemented as per the technical specifications.
• Code review and approval from the development team.
• Internal documentation for developers on using the SDK.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Source code pushed to the version control system (e.g., GitHub).
• Developer documentation and usage guides.

Milestone 3: Testing

A: Milestone Outputs

• Comprehensive test suite including unit tests, integration tests, and system tests.
• Performance testing results and optimization reports.
• Usability testing reports and user experience improvements.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• All tests (unit, integration, system) pass with at least 95% coverage.
• Performance metrics meeting predefined benchmarks.
• Positive feedback from usability testing; all identified UX issues addressed.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Test reports detailing coverage and results.
• Usability test findings and documentation of UX enhancements.

Milestone 4: Launch and Final Report Closure

A: Milestone Outputs

• Official full implementation of Orion Pay SDK.
• Final project report including a summary of development, testing outcomes, user feedback, and future roadmap.
• Marketing and educational materials for broader community engagement.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Orion Pay SDK available for download and integration by developers.
• Successful presentation to stakeholders and community members.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Download links and release notes for fully implemented Orion Pay SDK.
• Published final project report.
• Recorded presentation for the launch event.

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

Amaan Khan is a full-stack developer, Opshin developer, and cybersecurity enthusiast with four years of professional experience. He has worked on numerous innovative projects across web3, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the MERN stack. Amaan has successfully completed a variety of freelancing projects, delivering exceptional solutions to his clients. In addition to his development work, he runs a graphic design company, where he collaborates with his team to provide creative and impactful solutions.

Furthermore, Amaan is passionate about cybersecurity and shares his knowledge through a dedicated channel. On this platform, he creates informative content covering topics such as blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity, helping to spread awareness and educate people about these critical areas. His diverse skills and commitment to both technology and education make him a valuable contributor to the tech community.

https://twitter.com/amaan_sec

https://www.instagram.com/amaan_sec/

https://www.instagram.com/amaan.designlab/

https://amaancoderx.github.io/portfolio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaan-khan-20292823a/

Raihan Khan, a Full Stack and Blockchain Developer with a comprehensive 3+ years of background in developing scalable and efficient web applications. He is currently a tech lead at https://pinksurfing.com/. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Rajshahi University, He have deep expertise in a range of technologies including JavaScript, React, Node.js, and MongoDB. His approach combines a keen understanding of user experience with robust backend logic to create seamless digital solutions that drive business success.

https://www.instagram.com/theraihhan/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raihan-khan-07a1aa21b/

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

Milestone 1: Research (25,000 ADA)

• Project Manager: 5,000 ADA
• Protocol Architecture: 9,000 ADA
• Lead Developer: 8,000 ADA
• Technical Writers: 3,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Design (20,000 ADA)

• Project Manager: 5,000 ADA
• Protocol Architecture: 8,000 ADA
• Lead Developer: 5,000 ADA
• Technical Writers: 2,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Testing (25,000 ADA)

• Project Manager: 3,000 ADA
• Backend Developers (2): 10,000 ADA
• QA Engineers: 10,000 ADA
• Technical Writers: 2,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Development and Launch (25,000 ADA)

• Project Manager: 5,000 ADA
• Backend Developers (2): 10,000 ADA
• Deployment Specialist: 5,000 ADA
• Marketing Manager: 5,000 ADA

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

The cost of the project, set at 95,000 ADA, represents significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem, taking into account the following factors:

Expertise in Cardano: The project necessitates skilled professionals with specialized knowledge of the Cardano blockchain & ecosystem.

These skills are in high demand and command premium rates. The budgeted costs are aligned with industry standards for such expertise.

• Efficient Resource Allocation: The proposed costs for conceptualizing this idea on the Cardano blockchain are carefully evaluated to ensure efficient resource allocation. By leveraging existing infrastructure and expertise within the Cardano community, the project minimizes unnecessary expenditures while maximizing the impact of the investment.

• Feasibility Assessment: The costs are determined based on a thorough feasibility assessment, taking into account factors such as development complexity, regulatory considerations, and market dynamics. This rigorous evaluation process minimizes the risk of budget overruns and ensures that the project remains financially viable throughout its lifecycle.

• Value Proposition: The costs of the proposal are justified by the potential value it brings to the Cardano ecosystem. The project has the potential to unlock new opportunities for growth and development, ultimately delivering significant long-term value for stakeholders.

In summary, the costs associated with the proposal are justified by the efficient allocation of resources, community-driven development approach, thorough feasibility assessment, and the value proposition for the Cardano ecosystem.