Adatag - A Universal NFT based Username Service on the Cardano Blockchain

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

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

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

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

Adatag is a fully decentralized, open-source username service on Cardano, enabling users to mint unique, NFT-based usernames securely and transparently, utilizing IntegriTree to ensure data integrity.

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

[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?

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

The Adatag project is fully open-source under the MIT and other Licenses. All code, including smart contracts, frontend, and backend components, will be publicly accessible on GitHub throughout the project's lifecycle. We believe in transparency, collaboration, and community engagement to enhance and improve the project.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is a decentralized application (dApp) on the Cardano blockchain that enables dynamic minting of unique non-fungible tokens (NFTs) using the same policy ID, without requiring any centralized entities or keys. 

This is achieved through the use of IntegriTree, a transparent and immutable data structure that ensures the integrity of the minted NFTs.

Our solution addresses the need for a decentralized and censorship-resistant method for managing online identities. By minting unique usernames as NFTs, we provide users with a secure and trustless way to manage their digital identities.

What sets our solution apart is its focus on dynamic minting of NFTs with the same policy ID, without the need for any centralized entities or third-party involvement. To our knowledge, @Adatag is the first dApp on the Cardano blockchain to enable this functionality, and we believe that it has the potential to open new opportunities in the NFT ecosystem.

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

Our project will bring significant value to the wider Cardano community by providing a decentralized username service that enhances user privacy, security, and control over their digital identities. This solution aligns with Cardano's mission of promoting decentralization and empowering individuals.

[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?

As an individual developer and with an MVP featuring a local demo, my commitment lies in delivering this project with utmost trust and accountability. Despite being a solo developer, I prioritize transparency and integrity throughout the development journey.

To validate the feasibility of my approach, I employ stringent testing methods and seek feedback from the community. The local demo allows me to simulate real-world scenarios and identify potential issues early on. Additionally, engaging with the community enables me to refine my approach based on real-world user experiences.

By leveraging these validation methods, I ensure that my MVP meets user needs while upholding trust and accountability. As I move towards full deployment, my aim remains steadfast: delivering a decentralized username service that empowers users and fosters trust within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Project Setup and Planning

• Define project scope, objectives, and requirements.
• Set up development environment and tools.
• Establish project timeline and milestones.
• Develop initial project plan and documentation.
• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of project setup documentation, including project plan and timeline.

Smart Contract Development and Testing

• Develop smart contracts for username minting, and time-lock deposit management.
• Conduct thorough testing and validation of smart contracts.
• Integrate smart contracts with a private Cardano blockchain for testing.
• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of smart contract development, successful testing.

Frontend and Backend Development

• Develop user interface for username minting and management.
• Implement backend functionalities for user authentication, transaction processing, and data management.
• Conduct integration testing of frontend and backend components.
• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of frontend and backend development, successful integration testing, and deployment to test environment.

User Acceptance Testing and Feedback

• Invite users to participate in beta testing of the platform on the Preview network.
• Gather feedback and insights from beta testers on usability, functionality, and user experience.
• Iterate on platform based on user feedback and address any identified issues or bugs.
• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of beta testing phase, incorporation of user feedback, and finalisation of platform features.

Production Deployment and Launch

• Prepare platform for production deployments (Preprod first and then Mainnet).
• Conduct final testing and quality assurance checks.
• Deploy platform to production environment.
• Launch platform to public users.
• Acceptance Criteria: Successful production deployment, launch of platform to public users, and verification of platform stability and performance.

Project Close-out and Reporting

• Prepare project close-out report documenting project achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Submit project close-out report to the Cardano community for review.
• Acceptance Criteria: Submission of project close-out report, completion of project handover activities, and formal project closure.

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

Pal Dorogi - Project Lead

https://linkedin.com/in/paldorogi

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

Frontend and Backend Development

• Cost: 80,000 ADA
• Description: Allocate funds for frontend and backend development, including designing user interfaces on tools like Figma, implementing on-chain Plutus scripts, off-chain code, and integrating with the Cardano blockchain.

CI/CD Tools and Services

• Cost: 5,000 ADA
• Description: Allocate funds for using Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment tools and services to automate the development process, ensuring code quality and efficient deployment.

Hardware and Infrastructure

• Cost: 5,000 ADA
• Description: Provision hardware and infrastructure resources required for development, testing, and deployment of the platform, including cloud hosting services and development hardware.

Contingency Fund

• Cost: 10,000 ADA
• Description: Allocate funds for unforeseen expenses or changes in project scope that may arise during the course of the project.

Total Budget: 100,000 ADA

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

The project's cost, as outlined in the budget request, offers excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem in multiple ways:

1. Ensuring Quality: The budget allocation enables the hiring of skilled developers, acquiring necessary tools and resources, and conducting comprehensive testing to guarantee a high-quality product.
2. Industry-Standard Rates: The costs are based on customary freelance rates within the industry, keeping them competitive with similar blockchain projects and ensuring a reasonable investment.
3. Sustainable Influence: The project's outcomes will create a lasting, positive impact on the Cardano ecosystem by providing users with a valuable service for managing NFT-based usernames, promoting platform growth and adoption.
4. Engaging the Community: A part of the budget is set aside for marketing, publicity, and community engagement initiatives, which will help the project gain momentum and receive valuable feedback from the Cardano community.

In conclusion, the project's cost, as requested in the budget, is thoughtfully calculated and constitutes a wise investment in producing high-quality results that will benefit the Cardano ecosystem in the long run.