VDIC-Cardano: Verifiable IPFS Clusters for Cardano

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

VDIC-Cardano: Verifiable IPFS Clusters for Cardano

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

100000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

10

[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?

Bringing the data economy to Cardano requires a trustless mechanism to verify off-chain data.

Our specification defines peer-to-peer IPFS communication for trustless off-chain data retrieval.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://arxiv.org/html/2408.07023v1
,
• https://blog.ipfs.tech/verified-fetch/
,
• https://docs.ipfs.tech/concepts/bitswap/
,
• https://github.com/ipfs
,
• https://github.com/orbitdb/orbitdb#orbitdb

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

Yes

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

VDICs rely upon IPFS implementations, which is an open-source project that has wide adoption within the ecosystem. https://github.com/ipfs

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

MIT 2.0 to make clear exclusion of liability while embracing evolution of the specification and tools made.

The objective of this specification intends for users, as well as projects and developers, to empower themselves with verifiable tooling to access off-chain data. Therefore, allowing adaptations and the commercialization of spec implementations is allowed and highly encouraged. However, in doing so, these outputs are offered “as-is”, with no warranty or guarantee provided.

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Developer Tools

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

The objective of this specification intends for users, as well as projects and developers, to empower themselves with verifiable tooling to access off-chain data. Therefore, allowing adaptations and the commercialization of implementations of this spec is allowed and highly encouraged. However, in doing so, these outputs are offered “as-is”, with no warranty or guarantee is provided.

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

A repo with relevelant code and supporting documents will be provided in multiple points of access, including but not limited to:

• Public GitHub repo
• Repo will be redundantly provided via public IPFS gateway infrastructure

How will you provide high quality documentation?

Quality documentation is a key outcome, clear specifications for developers including infographics, topologies and mapping related technologies. Our software outputs will be released with sensible defaults and a simple setup guide for first time users to connect to a VDIC-Cardano cluster.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

We are creating a specification that defines how Verifiable Decentralized IPFS Clusters (VDIC) can be used to design off-chain trustless data architectures for decentralized applications.

By granting both users and providers the ability to directly interface with IPFS, every participant in data exchange is afforded the same capabilities, such as the generation and validation of CIDs, selection of peers and pinning services, file encryption, etc.

In developing https://arpradio.media , adaMoments.io and gamechanger.finance wallet it brought to light the need and opportunity for verified and incentivized data storage options that empower data-communities, creators and developers.

The need for flexible architecture that enables a competitive landscape for verifiable off-chain data providers is critical for the growing possibilities of decentralized applications.

How?

Direct peer-to-peer connections between IPFS nodes (client-side user node and server-side provider nodes) are the basis for this specification. From here the data-creators, node operators and application builders coordinate to build out their application-specific logic.

Key outcomes for the specification

• Enable content creators to run IPFS nodes with confidence.
• Configurations for peer to peer node topologies ensuring trustless communication between users and dApps.
• Establish example configurations demonstrating a working data union.

Our approach

• Collaborate with dApp developers of the Cardano ecosystem to understand needs for trustless off-chain data.
• Test early adopters to identify specification needs within real world use-cases for accessibility and future adoption.
• Data and research driven methodology to identify the technical capabilities and limits.
  • Clear documentation and resources open for the rationale of the configuration.
• Open lines of communication with the Cardano community for immediate feedback and discourse.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Extending the trustless ethos of blockchain onto referenced off-chain data is critical to empower users when making use of decentralized applications. The specification will accelerate Cardano’s blockchain ecosystem entry to a trustless data economy.

The impact of the specification is measured by enabling new applications that onboard real world dApps, users and infrastructure providers.

KPIs

• Demonstrating the use of variants of the specification on 3 Cardano dApps.
• We will make public documents available through our IPFS cluster network.
• Video walk through of the specification shared with the Cardano Community
• Showcase event, host a Cardano x space with dApp developers for a live Q&A session.

[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?

Gabriel Talamantes - The Psyence Lab

• Chief Architect of ARPradio
  • Author of CIP-60v3
  • GameChanger wallet integrations (gc-connect)
• Demonstrable use of multisignature contracts: - Credential managed voting (Cardano Governance) - Multisignature-managed treasuries

Max van Rossem - AmsterdamNode B.V.

• Product lead for Moments decentralized social media built on Cardano leveraging IPFS storage options for data backups.
• Shaping technology partnerships and stakeholder management agreements across data jurisdictions.
• Co-creator of the Multisig-ROM approach and the Cardano constitutional consortium proposal.
• AmsterdamNode team includes senior backend engineers and frontend specialists to support as needed.

Advisory contributions

Maarten Menheere - M2 Tech

• Dandelion node engineer, governance operator and chief educator for GameChanger based multisignature account management leveraging Unimatrix.

Adriano Fiorenza - GameChanger.Finance

• Architect of GameChanger wallet, GC-script
• Dandelion node + Unimatrix trustless communication channels and node collaboration

The delivery team has demonstrably used multisigs and treasury management experience that contribute to our feasibility as well as being long-standing and recognized Cardano Community members.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

M1 Client-side Environment

Milestone Outputs

Create a browser-based IPFS client that enables users to interact with applications leveraging native IPFS technology and features. Trustless communication relies upon the user's ability to establish a point-of-truth.

Acceptance Criteria

The completed client should provide the following feature-set to be deemed complete:

1. Local datastore/archive management
2. File encryption (pre upload)
3. Selective Pinning (is file publicly accessible?)
4. Selective Peering (who are you connecting to?)

Evidence of Completion

Results will be made public via Github repo and other file delivery platforms, including redundant providing via IPFS public gateways.

• Completed Client code will published at https://github.com/arpradio/vdic-cardano/tree/main/Client

Delivery Month

2

Cost

15000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

M2 Deploy Cluster

Milestone Outputs

Create a distributed, decentralized, yet still secure newtork of IPFS nodes for dApps to utilize in thier back-ends. The resulting cluster should allow dApps to modify the cluster to their specific use-cases, without compromising the ability for trustless communication between external peers.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Acquire basic hardware
2. Deploy Cluster
   1. Serve via a public gate-way for external verification
   2. Test and publish topology configs for use cases
3. Document and structure results of topologies based on hardware and configurations.

Evidence of Completion

Results will be made public via Github repo and other file delivery platforms, including redundant providing via IPFS public gateways.

• Cluster gateway made public
• Topology configs published at https://github.com/arpradio/vdic-cardano/tree/main/Cluster

Delivery Month

5

Cost

20000

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

M3 Draft Specification

Milestone Outputs

Provide a specification draft that describes a topology for users and providers to maintain trustless data retrieval of data referenced within the blockchain ledger. Every participant should maintain the same level of validation capabilities throught the data chain.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Community spec workshops
   1. Input gathering to set requirements
   2. Publicly process and release information
   3. Open Source Committee input
   4. Community open workshop
2. Draft specification
   1. Iteration approval
   2. Submission of documentation to Cardano official channels and Committees

Evidence of Completion

Results will be made public via Github repo and other file delivery platforms, including redundant providing via IPFS public gateways.

• Host Public Events
  • Garner awareness of upcoming workshops
  • Provide evidence/workshop outputs publicly
• Specification draft listed at https://github.com/arpradio/vdic-cardano/
  • Provide avenue for community input
    • Publish community feedback
• Submission of applicable docs to official channels:
  • Open Source Committee
  • CIP draft (where applicable)

Delivery Month

8

Cost

50000

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

M4 Implementations

Milestone Outputs

Construct educational resources and onboarding materials to enable adoption of the specification. Provide real-world implementation examples of specification use-cases. Work with projects to obtain adoption of 2 projects within the Cardano Ecosystem.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Provide onboarding and educational material
2. Provide multiple configuration examples for various use-cases:
   1. Pinning service provider
   2. Running live user created Data Union
3. Adoption of 2 real world projects

Evidence of Completion

Results will be made public via Github repo and other file delivery platforms, including redundant providing via IPFS public gateways.

The final outputs will be published at https://github.com/arpradio/vdic-cardano/

Delivery Month

10

Cost

15000

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 0 - ₳5000

1. Preparation/Setup Infrastructure ₳ 4500
   1. Local Dev Environment
   2. Remote Servers
2. Subscription Services: ₳ 500
   1. Slack/Google/etc

Milestone 1 - ₳10000

1. Development and Research ₳ 10000

Milestone 2 - ₳30000

1. Development and Research ₳ 20000
2. Reserve fund for M3 Workshops ₳ 10000

Milestone 3 - ₳40000

1. Workshop costs ₳ 20000
   1. Setup cost and advertising
2. Research and Development ₳ 20000

**Milestone 4 - ₳15000

1. Project Integrations ₳ 8000
2. Research and Development ₳ 7000

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

The data economy is set to grow at a phenomenal rate in the medium-to near term future. For Cardano's ecosystem to be at the leading edge it must invest into robust open infrastructure for off-chain data integration that enables and extends dApps.

Value to Cardano

Grow by Trustless Data: Enhanced VDIC architecture can extend Cardano’s core blockchain trust model to referenced off-chain data. Via trustless data exchange we open the way for the next-generation decentralized applications competing in the data to value market.

Ecosystem leadership : Our open and reusable specification for IPFS-backed data storage enabled by distributed technology removes barriers for developers providing Cardano's ecosystem competitive advantage.

Cardano roadmap 2030: This initiative has the potential to significantly impact the Cardano 2030 roadmap as multiple active Cardano community members will participate in the shaping of future thought around the data economy.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes