Fund13 - the votes are in!
Last updated a week ago
Current NFC solutions are hard to scan, require central master keys, easily copied, expensive for mass markets, lack native Cardano support, are bulky and inflexible, and aren’t machine washable
This is the total amount allocated to Cardano's NFC Solution to Counterfeit-Proof Commerce using Asymmetric Encryption. 1 out of 4 milestones are completed.
NB: Monthly reporting was deprecated from January 2024 and replaced fully by the Milestones Program framework. Learn more here
Develop an NFC which includes asymmetric cryptographic encryption so it can be used to sign messages or even transactions.
Yes we are relying on working with NFC chip manufacturers to enable cryptographic encryption - we will negotiate these bilaterally and use our budget to pay for samples. They would also need to add a process step to their chip manufacturing process to provide a trustworthy seed for generating the key pairs.
An npm package that will enable developers to easily integrate the chips in their product websites will be an outcome of this proposal. This library will be available as an open source project on GitHub.
We discovered a promising new chip that is tiny, flexible, machine washable, and can even be implanted under the skin. It is low-cost and can be integrated into almost any product. The chip supports RFID and has a longer range than current NFC tags.
In contrast, the Ethereum ecosystem's HaLo chip, which also offers asymmetric encryption, is expensive, not designed for mass production, relatively large, inflexible, not machine washable, and does not support Cardano's native encryption method.
We plan to implement code for this chip to support Cardano's asymmetric encryption method, incorporate it into a hardware design, and collaborate with the manufacturer to add a random seed area during production. This will enable the chips to sign messages when tapped with a phone, allowing us to verify potentially every product with a trust anchor on Cardano.
This technology opens up the entire market to combat counterfeits, as it can be used in various industries for nearly every product. This includes a lot of community products and brands with merchandise as well.
Fabian Bormann is part of the team and has a background in hardware programming, along with extensive knowledge of Cardano. He is active in the community with various projects and is a CIP author. Fabian was also involved in a project that used verified products on Cardano with NFT DNA 424 chips. The project includes a research component and an early abort mechanism in our milestones, in case, for example, the proof of concept with the chip programming fails.
Riz Pabani is a strategist with expertise in technology, project management, and strategic planning. With a rich background spanning financial services, blockchain, enterprise, and government sectors, he excels in driving operational excellence and integrating innovative technologies. His deep passion for the revolutionary impact of blockchain and artificial intelligence underscores his commitment to redefining business practices.
Sacha Windisch is an accomplished entrepreneur with over two decades of experience spanning management consulting, technology, Finance and blockchain. His career reflects a blend of strategic innovation and operational excellence. His expertise in leveraging technology for business transformation makes him an ideal figure to lead our initiatives in the Americas.
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Milestone Completion
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Milestone Completion
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Milestone Completion
Project Manager: Riz Pabani
Marketing Specialist: Sacha Windisch
Fullstack Developer: Fabian Bormann
Estimate Duration for Each Milestone
Allocate Resources to Each Milestone
Assuming equal monthly rates for simplicity:
Monthly Burn Rates for Each Milestone
Subtotal
Remaining budget for other expenses (e.g., hardware, software licenses, marketing expenses): 56,000 ADA
Total: 150,000 ADA
The verification process would require the product manufacturer to record a transaction on-chain, linking the chip's public key to a physical product. This could generate a significant transaction volume on Cardano, resulting in fees paid to the protocol and contributing to treasury building.
The project offers significant value to the Cardano ecosystem by:
Cost justification:
1/4
Project Documentation
Cost: ₳ 37,500
Delivery: Month 1 - Feb 2025
2/4
Sourcing chips from manufacturers with required specifications
Cost: ₳ 45,000
Delivery: Month 2 - Mar 2025
3/4
Proof of Concept Development
Cost: ₳ 45,000
Delivery: Month 3 - Apr 2025
4/4
Final Report and Video
Cost: ₳ 22,500
Delivery: Month 3 - Apr 2025