Lucem V2: Enhanced Features, Simplicity, and Stability

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Lucem V2: Enhanced Features, Simplicity, and Stability

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

72000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

8

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Lucem Wallet lacks essential features like Keystone HW support, in-depth staking insights, beginner-friendly onboarding tools, and NFT management.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://github.com/Fuma419/lucem-wallet
,
• https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/lucem-wallet/mkbnofdoodemclcbcjpgpcdccjhaledi?hl=en-US
,
• https://www.hodlerstaking.kozow.com/en
,
• https://www.climateneutralcardano.kozow.com/

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

Yes

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

Cardano Node & Backend APIs – Continued integration with Blockfrost API (or Lucem's own hosted backend) for blockchain data. Keystone SDK – For hardware wallet integration. Cardano Serialization Library – For transaction building and signing. Open-Source UI Libraries – React/Tailwind for interface development. Testing Infrastructure – Automated and manual testing environments to ensure release quality.

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Lucem is currently open source under the Apache License 2.0 and will remain so while receiving Catalyst funding, plus at minimum one year.

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

Wallet

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Mention your open source license and describe your open source license rationale.

Lucem is currently open source under the Apache License 2.0 and will remain so while receiving Catalyst funding, plus at minimum one year.

Apache License 2.0 is a permissive open-source license allowing free use, modification, distribution, and sublicensing of software, with explicit patent grants from contributors. It requires preserving copyright notices, provides no warranties, and limits liability.

How do you make sure your source code is accessible to the public from project start, and people are informed?

Lucem was origianly funded in Fund 8, as an open source project. This was sucessfully deployed and has been and open source project since it's enception. The source code can be found here:

https://github.com/Fuma419/lucem-wallet

How will you provide high quality documentation?

All developer documents will be updated on the github repo README.md files.

All User facing documentation will be available on Lucem wallet homepage

https://www.hodlerstaking.com/lucem-wallet

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Lucem V2 will be a major upgrade to the existing Lucem Wallet, focusing on new feature integrations, user experience enhancements, and core performance improvements. This update will transform Lucem from a functional but basic Cardano wallet into a high-performance, feature-rich platform serving both beginner and advanced Cardano users.

Our plan is to design, develop, and release Lucem V2 in multiple phases to ensure stability and gather user feedback at each stage. This approach minimizes deployment risks and maintains backward compatibility while gradually introducing new features.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Keystone Hardware Wallet Support: Full integration with Keystone devices for secure offline signing of transactions, support for sending ADA/tokens, and governance voting directly via Keystone, with enhanced security workflows including transaction review on the device screen.
• Enhanced Delegation Support and Staking Insights: Comprehensive staking dashboard with live pool metrics, block production history, saturation warnings, and operator details; comparison tools for delegators to evaluate pool performance; notifications for staking rewards and alerts if the chosen pool’s performance drops.
• Cross-Chain Balance Viewing Mode: A new feature allowing users to view assets from Cardano and compatible sidechains (starting with Milkomeda C1) in one unified dashboard; seamless switching between networks without losing context or wallet session; scalable architecture to integrate more networks in the future.
• Guided Onboarding and Educational Tools: Step-by-step tutorials for new users on wallet setup, staking, and basic Cardano concepts; a simplified UI mode for beginners with reduced complexity and contextual help; integrated glossary and resources to educate users on blockchain terms and best practices.
• Integrated NFT Gallery: Built-in viewer for Cardano NFTs with IPFS support for fast loading, metadata display, and basic management features like transferring or listing on marketplaces.
• In-App Token Swapping: Integration with popular Cardano DEXs (starting with Minswap or SundaeSwap) for seamless token exchanges directly within the wallet, with fee estimation and transaction previews.
• Performance and Stability Improvements: Optimizing blockchain sync times with better caching and incremental updates; reduced transaction failure rates through improved fee estimation and retry logic; resilience to API outages by supporting multiple data providers.
• User Interface and UX Refinement: Modernized UI with improved accessibility and mobile-first design; contextual help overlays and guided setup for new users; streamlined transaction flow for faster, clearer operations.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Phase 1: Infrastructure and backend implementation, focusing on updated blockchain data handling, caching, Keystone SDK integration, and foundational educational tool frameworks.

Phase 2: Feature implementation, including delegation insights dashboard, cross-chain viewing mode, Keystone integration, guided onboarding tutorials, NFT gallery, and in-app token swapping.

Phase 3: Performance testing and UX enhancements, including optimization of sync speed, transaction handling, error recovery, extensive manual and automated testing on desktop and mobile, and UI refinement based on user feedback.

Phase 4: Release and documentation, including publishing open documentation, releasing the final version on desktop and mobile, and community announcements with adoption metrics collection.

This solution is unique in combining hardware security, advanced staking tools, and novice-friendly education in a single wallet, benefiting new users by lowering entry barriers and experienced users with powerful features, ultimately driving Cardano adoption.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Lucem V2 will significantly enhance the Cardano ecosystem by improving user experience, increasing hardware wallet support, expanding delegation capabilities, adding NFT management and token swapping, and making the wallet more accessible to novices through guided onboarding. By adding Keystone compatibility, enhanced delegation tools, cross-chain viewing, educational resources, NFT gallery, in-app swaps, and stability improvements, we make staking, trading, and wallet use easier, safer, and more engaging for all users.

The project will have these impacts:

• Increased wallet security with Keystone hardware wallet integration.
• Improved staking engagement through enhanced delegation information and recommendations.
• Greater accessibility for novices via guided tutorials and simplified modes, reducing the learning curve.
• Seamless cross-chain asset management and token swapping to encourage broader ecosystem participation.
• Enhanced NFT handling to support the growing Cardano NFT community.
• Stronger overall wallet stability and performance.

We will measure impact through:

• Quantitative metrics: Number of downloads, active users, staking participation rates, user retention, and feedback scores pre- and post-update.
• Qualitative metrics: User surveys, community feedback, and adoption of new features like onboarding tutorials.

Outputs will be shared via open-source repositories, community forums, Cardano social channels, and progress reports to ensure transparency and encourage community involvement. Success will bring value by attracting and retaining more users, fostering decentralized staking, and promoting Cardano education, aligning with Catalyst’s mission to grow adoption.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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 Background:

• Lead Software Engineer: Extensive experience in backend, frontend, and blockchain development, with prior work on Lucem wallet (https://github.com/Fuma419/lucem-wallet and https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/lucem-wallet/mkbnofdoodemclcbcjpgpcdccjhaledi?hl=en-US) and other Hodler web3 developments like Hodler Staking (https://www.hodlerstaking.kozow.com/en) and Climate Neutral Cardano (https://www.climateneutralcardano.kozow.com/).
• Design Director: 10+ years in UX/UI design, with a portfolio of premium blockchain and app projects.
• Proven track record in delivering wallet functionality, staking tools, and user education features.
• Strong understanding of Cardano’s APIs, Blockfrost integration, and hardware wallet protocols.

Technical Feasibility:

1. Keystone support will use open protocols and be tested against Cardano CIP standards.
2. Enhanced delegation will leverage Cardano node APIs for real-time metrics.
3. Cross-chain viewing will integrate multiple blockchain APIs with a unified interface.
4. Guided onboarding will be built using interactive UI components and educational content modules.
5. NFT gallery will use on-chain metadata and IPFS for display and management.
6. Token swapping will integrate with DEX APIs for secure, in-wallet trades.
7. All features will undergo rigorous QA, security audits, and compatibility testing across platforms.

Project Dependencies:

• Keystone SDK and testing hardware.
• Reliable Cardano node and API services like Blockfrost.
• Open-source libraries for UI and serialization.

Risk Mitigation:

• Incremental rollouts for stability.
• Automated testing to detect issues early.
• Multiple API providers for redundancy.

Why This Team Can Deliver:

• Prior successful delivery of Lucem wallet.
• Expertise in blockchain UX and integrations.
• Commitment to open communication and community updates.

Validation: Feasibility will be validated through phased prototypes, user testing, and milestone reviews, ensuring trustworthy fund management via detailed reporting.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Core Infrastructure and Backend Implementation

Milestone Outputs

This milestone delivers the foundational updates to blockchain data handling, including advanced caching mechanisms to reduce load times and improve efficiency; full Keystone SDK integration for secure hardware wallet communication, enabling offline signing and verification; and the development of foundational frameworks for educational tools, such as modular components for tutorials and help systems. These outputs form the backbone of Lucem V2, ensuring robust performance and security from the start, with scalable architecture to support future expansions and integrations across the wallet's features.

Acceptance Criteria

• The backend must be fully refactored for improved performance and stability, demonstrated by benchmarks showing at least 30% faster data retrieval and no crashes under load testing; Keystone SDK integration requires successful basic communication tests, including device pairing, transaction signing simulations, and error handling scenarios; Initial educational tool frameworks must be operational and pass unit tests for core functions like tutorial rendering and user progress tracking, with documentation confirming compatibility across desktop and mobile environments. All criteria will be verified through automated scripts and manual reviews.

Evidence of Completion

• Evidence includes a public Git repository with a tagged branch containing the new backend code, complete with commit history and documentation; a demonstration video (at least 5 minutes) showcasing backend improvements through before-and-after performance metrics, Keystone test integration with real device interactions, and basic functionality of educational frameworks; additionally, provide test logs, benchmark reports, and a summary PDF outlining the changes and their impacts.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

19680

Milestone Title

Feature Development and Integration

Milestone Outputs

• This phase implements the delegation insights dashboard with real-time metrics display, interactive charts, and alert systems; cross-chain viewing mode enabling seamless asset visibility across networks like Milkomeda C1 with unified UI; full Keystone support for end-to-end transactions and voting; guided onboarding tutorials including step-by-step guides, simplified UI modes, and contextual help; NFT gallery with IPFS loading and management tools; and in-app token swapping via DEX integrations like Minswap, complete with previews and fee calculations. These features enhance user engagement and wallet utility.

Acceptance Criteria

• Staking dashboard must be fully functional with real-time metrics updating every 30 seconds, accurate data from Cardano APIs, and user-configurable alerts; Cross-chain mode requires seamless network switching without data loss, supporting at least two chains initially; Keystone must fully support transaction signing, voting, and error-free integration in test scenarios; Onboarding tutorials and simplified UI must be complete, user-tested with at least 80% satisfaction in feedback surveys, and include accessibility features; NFT gallery and token swapping must pass integration tests with no security vulnerabilities.

Evidence of Completion

• Provide an updated Git repository with feature branches merged into main, including code reviews and merge commits; video demonstrations (totaling 10+ minutes) of each new feature in action, such as dashboard interactions, chain switching, Keystone transactions, onboarding flows, NFT viewing, and a sample token swap; user testing reports with at least 20 participants, including feedback scores, bug lists, and resolutions; additionally, include API integration logs and security audit summaries.

Delivery Month

4

Cost

19680

Progress

70 %

Milestone Title

Final Testing, Optimization, and Release

Milestone Outputs

Comprehensive end-to-end testing covering all features, performance optimizations to achieve sub-5-second sync times and reduced failure rates; UX refinements based on beta feedback for intuitive navigation; full documentation including user guides, API references, and developer notes; and the public release of Lucem V2 on desktop and mobile platforms, with automated update mechanisms and initial marketing materials to drive adoption. This milestone ensures a polished, reliable product ready for users.

Acceptance Criteria

All features must pass a suite of automated and manual tests with 100% coverage for critical paths and no critical issues remaining; Performance metrics must demonstrate improvements such as faster sync times (measured against benchmarks) and enhanced stability under various network conditions; Documentation must be complete, accessible online, and verified for accuracy; The wallet release must be successfully deployed on major platforms, with compatibility confirmed for at least three OS versions and positive initial user feedback.

Evidence of Completion

Submit detailed test reports, bug tracking logs, and resolution histories; release notes documenting all changes, optimizations, and refinements; public repository tags for the final version; announcement posts on community forums with download links; and initial adoption metrics from the first week of release, such as download counts and user reviews.

Delivery Month

8

Cost

26240

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Feature Development (Keystone, Delegation, Cross-chain, Onboarding, NFT Gallery, Token Swapping): Hours: 260, Rate: 160, Subtotal: 41,600 ADA

Stability & Performance Improvements: Hours: 80, Rate: 160, Subtotal: 12,800 ADA

UI/UX Enhancements: Hours: 40, Rate: 160, Subtotal: 6,400 ADA

Testing & QA: Hours: 60, Rate: 160, Subtotal: 9,600 ADA

Documentation & Release: Hours: 10, Rate: 160, Subtotal: 1,600 ADA

Total: Hours: 450, Subtotal: 72,000 ADA

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

The requested 72,000 ADA represents excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem by funding critical enhancements to one of the few open-source wallets in development. It will attract new users and improve retention. Costs are based on standard freelance rates in the blockchain industry (160 ADA/hour, equivalent to competitive wages). This investment will yield long-term benefits like increased adoption through novice-friendly tools, enhanced security, and better staking participation, with all outputs open-sourced for community use. Comparable projects have shown high ROI in user growth, justifying the budget.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes