Cardano E-Commerce Connector: Shopify payments with ADA

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Cardano E-Commerce Connector: Shopify payments with ADA

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

90000

[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?

Shopify stores cannot accept ADA. Merchants miss new customers, ADA holders can’t shop easily, and Cardano adoption is slowed.

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Open-source under Apache-2.0 or MIT

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

E-commerce

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).

In Fund 12, the proposal "Begin Wallet Version 2 by Francis, Fluid and IAMX for Voting, Biometric Seedphrase, Payment Module Shopify, Wallet can handle Bitcoin" was funded, but during the SoM submission phase its scope shifted from a Shopify payment module to a WooCommerce payment module. Currently, no dedicated Catalyst-funded solution exists for Shopify merchants to easily accept ADA. Our project brings something new: a direct way for Shopify merchants to accept ADA at checkout, making Cardano payments accessible in one of the world’s biggest e-commerce platforms.

Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.

This project is a practical example of Cardano adoption. It fits the "Cardano Use Cases: Concepts" category because it turns ADA into a real-world payment option for online shopping. By building an MVP, we can test how ADA works in daily e-commerce, gather feedback from merchants and users, and prepare the path for a future fully native integration.

Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.

We will measure success with three clear metrics:

• On-chain metric: ADA payments confirmed on the blockchain.
• Adoption metric: Number of Shopify stores that install and use our plugin.
• Target: At least 10 active stores using ADA checkout in the MVP phase. This proves real usage and provides a base for future growth.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Overview of the Approach

Our project will deliver a working Shopify app that allows merchants to accept ADA as payment during checkout. Since we are not yet a Shopify Payment Partner, we will use a practical approach that works today, while preparing for a future full integration. This ensures we can build an MVP quickly, test it with real users, and show the value of Cardano in e-commerce.

How the App Works

When customers reach the checkout page, they will see a new payment option: “Pay with Cardano (ADA)” alongside regular options like credit cards or PayPal.

If they choose ADA:

1. The app collects the order details (order ID, total amount, currency).
2. A unique Cardano wallet address is created for that order.
3. The customer either scans a QR code or uses their browser wallet extension to send ADA directly.
4. Our backend system monitors the blockchain to confirm the payment.
5. Once confirmed, the app updates the Shopify order automatically, marking it as Paid so the merchant can process and ship the product.

This design ensures that Shopify merchants don't need to worry about blockchain complexity. Everything happens smoothly in the background, while the store's order system stays consistent.

Key Components of the Solution

To make this work, we will build the following components:

1. Shopify App Integration
   1. A public app that merchants can install.
   2. Adds the “Pay with Cardano” option at checkout.
   3. Connects Shopify’s order system with our backend service.
2. Custom Payment Page (if required)
   1. In early versions, if Shopify does not allow direct wallet popups, we will redirect users to a secure hosted payment page.
   2. This page will display the wallet address, QR code, and payment status in real time.
   3. In later upgrades, we aim to keep the process fully inside Shopify’s checkout using Payment Extensions.
3. Blockchain Monitoring Service
   1. A lightweight backend that watches the Cardano blockchain for transactions.
   2. Confirms when the exact payment has been made.
   3. Marks the corresponding Shopify order as "Paid"
4. Smart Contract and Off-chain Logic
   1. Off-chain scripts to handle order tracking and ADA payments.
   2. Ensures payments are linked correctly to each order.
   3. Provides reliability and transparency by using on-chain confirmation.

Technical Stack (Simplified)

• Frontend (Shopify app): Built with React and Shopify Polaris framework.
• Backend: Node.js with Cardano serialization libraries to manage wallet interactions.
• Blockchain Monitoring: Either hosted on a small cloud instance (AWS) or serverless architecture to keep costs low.
• Smart Contracts: Written in Plutus or Aiken, ensuring on-chain confirmation of payments.

Deliverables

By the end of this project, we will deliver:

1. A working MVP Shopify app that supports ADA payments.
2. Documentation and tutorials for merchants on how to install and use it.
3. Test transactions and demo stores to showcase real-world functionality.
4. An open feedback channel for early adopters to help shape the next versions.

Future Vision

While this MVP uses a "manual payment + app" method, our long-term vision is to become a Shopify Payment Extension, which means ADA would appear as a fully native payment option without extra apps. This requires Shopify Payment Partner approval, which takes time, but our MVP will demonstrate feasibility and demand — the first step toward that bigger goal.

Why This Matters

• For Merchants: A simple way to accept ADA, expanding payment options and reaching crypto-friendly customers.
• For Customers: A smooth checkout flow using their Cardano wallets, with no third-party intermediaries.
• For Cardano: A real use case that puts ADA into everyday shopping, proving its value as a medium of exchange.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Positive Impact on the Cardano Ecosystem

This project directly addresses one of the biggest challenges for Cardano adoption: real-world utility. Many people hold ADA, but far fewer use it in daily life. By enabling ADA payments on Shopify, one of the world's leading e-commerce platforms, we make Cardano part of everyday shopping.

Each successful payment in ADA proves that the blockchain is not just about speculation — it’s about real utility. Every merchant who installs the plugin becomes a public showcase of Cardano adoption, inspiring other businesses to follow.

What Is Shopify and Why It Matters

Shopify is one of the largest e‑commerce platforms in the world. Merchants use Shopify to power their online stores. Right now, there are over 4.8 million active Shopify stores globally, serving more than 875 million customers across 175 countries. That's a huge audience, even a small percentage of Shopify stores using ADA payments can produce meaningful on-chain activity and visibility for Cardano.

Benefits to Merchants

• New Customer Segment: Crypto-savvy buyers who want to spend their ADA directly.
• Low Transaction Fees: Cardano transactions are much cheaper than traditional payment processors (often below $0.20 per transaction, compared to 2–3% card fees).
• Global Reach: No need to worry about currency conversions or bank restrictions. A store in Vietnam can sell to a customer in the US instantly using ADA.
• Trustless Settlement: Funds go directly to the merchant's wallet, without waiting for bank settlements.

Case Example: Small Business Expansion

Imagine a handmade jewelry shop in Kenya. Today, international sales are hard because banks charge high fees and sometimes block payments. With ADA payments on Shopify, this shop can sell directly to a customer in Germany. The buyer pays in ADA, the shop receives it instantly, and there’s no middleman. For the merchant, this means more profit. For Cardano, it’s a clear example of real-world global commerce powered by ADA.

Benefits to Cardano Users

• Real Utility for ADA: Instead of just holding ADA, people can spend it on products they love.
• Seamless Checkout: Customers can use their Cardano wallet to checkout quickly and securely, no need for credit cards.
• Community Empowerment: Every ADA payment shows support for Cardano's future.

Case Example: Everyday ADA Use

A university student in the U.S. owns ADA and wants to buy a custom hoodie from a Shopify store. Normally, they would have to cash out ADA to dollars and pay with a card. With our plugin, they can pay directly with ADA, instantly. This is crypto in daily life, not just on an exchange.

Benefits to the Wider Cardano Community

• Visibility: Shopify powers millions of stores. Even if a small percentage enable ADA, the visibility impact is massive.
• Network Effect: More merchants accepting ADA leads to more consumers using it, which in turn attracts more developers and businesses to Cardano.
• Proof of Concept: This MVP will serve as a stepping stone for future native Shopify Payment Extensions, proving to Shopify and other large platforms that ADA has real demand.

Case Example: Local Community Growth

A group of eco-friendly farmers in Vietnam runs a Shopify store to sell organic tea. With ADA payments, they can market directly to Cardano community members worldwide, many of whom prefer to support eco-friendly initiatives. Every order is more than a sale — it’s Cardano powering sustainable business.

Measuring Impact

We will measure both quantitative and qualitative results to evaluate success:

1. On-chain Metrics:
   1. Number of ADA transactions processed through the app.
   2. Total ADA volume flowing through e-commerce orders.
2. Adoption Metrics:
   1. Number of Shopify stores installing and using the app.
   2. Number of successful ADA orders processed.
   3. Target: at least 10 live Shopify stores using ADA checkout within the MVP phase.
3. Merchant & User Feedback:
   1. Direct feedback from merchants testing the plugin.
   2. Surveys from customers using ADA checkout to understand ease of use and satisfaction.
4. Community Engagement:
   1. Catalyst community updates and demonstrations.
   2. Open-source contributions and feedback loops for continuous improvement.

Long-Term Impact

While this proposal focuses on an MVP, the long-term vision is full Shopify Payment Extension approval, which would allow ADA to appear as a native option alongside Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal — no apps required.

Achieving this would position Cardano as one of the few blockchain ecosystems with true mainstream commerce integration. Our MVP is the first and necessary step: it proves demand, tests real-world flows, and creates a success story that we can build on for deeper partnerships.

Wider Social and Economic Impact

• For Small Businesses: Many small merchants face high payment fees and bank restrictions. Accepting ADA empowers them with lower-cost, borderless transactions.
• For Developing Countries: Cardano adoption is especially strong in regions where banking infrastructure is weak. By enabling ADA payments on Shopify, businesses in these regions gain access to global markets without relying on traditional finance.
• For Web3 Adoption: This project serves as a gateway for merchants to explore more blockchain services — NFTs for loyalty programs, token-gated memberships, or decentralized financing in the future.

By connecting ADA with over 4.8 million Shopify stores and 875 million customers, this project puts Cardano at the heart of global e-commerce. It’s not just code — it’s building a bridge from crypto to everyday life, one ADA checkout at a time.

[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?

Our Capability to Deliver

Our team combines the right mix of skills to build this project from start to finish. We have a founder with strong experience in backend development, cloud infrastructure, and Plutus smart contracts. We have a frontend developer skilled in React/Vue to create smooth user experiences. A dedicated UX/UI designer ensures the app looks simple and clear for merchants and customers. Finally, an automation tester helps us guarantee reliability before release.

This combination means we don't rely on outside contractors for critical parts. We can handle design, development, blockchain integration, cloud hosting, and testing in-house. That gives us full control of quality and speed.

Track Record & Trust

• Our founder has 5 years of professional software development and cloud experience, plus direct hands-on training with Cardano smart contracts (Plutus Pioneer Program v3 & v4).
• Team members have delivered software products for real-world clients and bring 3-5 years of domain experience each.
• We have already participated in Cardano Catalyst as Proposal Advisors and Milestone Reviewers, showing community trust and accountability.

How We Validate Feasibility

We believe in a "build small, test fast" approach. Instead of overpromising, we will build an MVP first to prove real usage. Here's how we will validate:

1. Working Prototype: Deliver a Shopify app that merchants can install and test with real orders.
2. Blockchain Payments: Show transactions confirmed on-chain using test wallets before production rollout.
3. Merchant Testing: Partner with at least two Shopify stores to run end-to-end test orders.
4. Automated Testing: Run scripted tests to confirm transactions update correctly in Shopify Admin.
5. Feedback Loops: Collect feedback from testers and merchants to refine usability and reliability.

Each step will have evidence (GitHub repo, demo videos, live test transactions) to prove milestone completion.

Accountability & Fund Management

We recognize that Catalyst funding comes with responsibility. To ensure transparency and trust:

• Milestone-Based Funding: Our budget is broken into 5 milestones. We only request funds as each milestone is completed and evidence is submitted.
• Proof of Work: Every milestone will be supported by public evidence (GitHub repositories, screenshots, demo videos, documentation).
• Independent Validation: Catalyst reviewers can verify our progress by installing the app, checking test wallets, or reviewing our codebase.
• No Overpromising: We commit only to building an MVP at this stage. A full Shopify Payment Extension (which requires Shopify’s approval and much larger budget) is a future step, not part of this MVP funding.
• Team Commitment: All members of our team are full-time contributors. This ensures that the project has our direct focus and won't be delayed by external obligations.
• Secure Processes: We follow best practices for code management (GitHub version control, pull requests, code reviews) and infrastructure security (AWS IAM roles, secrets management).

Why This Approach is Low-Risk

• Incremental Goals: By focusing on an MVP plugin first, we lower complexity and reduce risk.
• Clear Deliverables: Each milestone produces tangible outputs that can be tested by reviewers.
• Proven Infrastructure: Using AWS cloud infrastructure ensures reliable hosting with built-in monitoring and scalability.
• Transparent Reporting: We will deliver a final close-out report and close-out video, in line with Catalyst requirements, ensuring the community sees the project results.

In short, our team has the right mix of technical skills, blockchain expertise, and project discipline to deliver this MVP. By focusing on realistic goals and validating at every step, we reduce risk and increase trust. This proposal is not just about building software — it's about showing that ADA payments can work in one of the world’s largest e-commerce ecosystems.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Research & Planning

Milestone Outputs

1. A research report comparing different ways to integrate Cardano payments with Shopify checkout, including pros/cons.
2. A complete system architecture plan describing how smart contracts, off-chain code, backend, and frontend will interact.
3. A detailed project plan with timeline, resource allocation, and user flow diagrams.

Acceptance Criteria

1. The research document must clearly outline at least two possible integration paths with justifications for the chosen approach.
2. The system architecture diagram must identify all main components (Shopify plugin, off-chain code, backend service, blockchain).
3. The project plan must include clear milestones, responsibilities, and dependencies to demonstrate readiness for execution.

Evidence of Completion

1. A PDF or Google Doc report published in the project repository detailing integration options and final decision.
2. Diagrams stored in GitHub or project documentation showing how the MVP will function end-to-end.
3. A publicly shareable project plan (via GitHub README or Google Docs) outlining schedule, team tasks, and success metrics.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

12000

Progress

10 %

Milestone Title

Prototype Development

Milestone Outputs

1. Development of a Shopify plugin skeleton that adds a "Pay with Cardano" option to checkout.
2. Basic off-chain code to generate ADA payment requests and transaction details.
3. Backend setup to receive transaction hashes and verify them on the Cardano testnet.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Shopify checkout must display the Cardano payment option and trigger the off-chain code.
2. QR code and wallet connection must work on testnet for at least one supported browser wallet.
3. Transactions submitted on testnet must be confirmed, logged, and visible in backend logs.

Evidence of Completion

1. A public GitHub repository containing the plugin skeleton and backend code.
2. A demo video showing checkout flow from selecting ADA payment to transaction confirmation.
3. Published Cardano testnet transaction hashes for validation by Catalyst reviewers.

Delivery Month

4

Cost

20000

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Merchant App Interface & Order Matching

Milestone Outputs

1. A merchant-facing interface where store owners can configure their Cardano wallet address and payment settings inside the Shopify app.
2. A dashboard that allows merchants to view and manage orders paid with ADA, including payment status updates.
3. An algorithm that automatically matches blockchain transactions with Shopify orders, ensuring the order status updates to “Paid” once the transaction is confirmed on-chain.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Merchants must be able to successfully enter and save their wallet address in the app settings.
2. The dashboard must display all orders placed with ADA, along with live payment status (pending, confirmed, failed).
3. The transaction–order matching algorithm must achieve 100% accuracy in linking ADA transactions to the correct Shopify order using transaction metadata and payment amount.

Evidence of Completion

1. Screenshots and a demo video of the merchant app interface showing wallet configuration and saved settings.
2. Demo of the order management dashboard where an order paid in ADA moves from “Pending” to “Confirmed” after blockchain validation.
3. GitHub commits and documentation describing the transaction–order matching algorithm, with test cases showing correct order updates.

Delivery Month

7

Cost

22000

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Testing & Refinement

Milestone Outputs

1. Comprehensive functional testing of the “Pay with Cardano” checkout button, merchant dashboard, and wallet configuration interface.
2. Rigorous testing of the transaction–order matching algorithm to ensure accurate and reliable updates of order statuses based on blockchain confirmations.
3. Bug fixing and refinement of the app based on testing results, including improvements to user experience and error handling.

Acceptance Criteria

1. The "Pay with Cardano" button processes test transactions correctly across multiple browsers and devices.
2. The merchant dashboard accurately displays order payment statuses, with updates triggered only after real blockchain confirmations.
3. The transaction–order matching algorithm achieves consistent accuracy across at least 100 test transactions, with zero mismatches.
4. All high-priority bugs identified during testing are resolved before moving to final deployment.

Evidence of Completion

1. Test reports showing successful ADA payments through the checkout button on different environments.
2. Demo video of the merchant dashboard reflecting accurate payment status updates after blockchain confirmations.
3. Logs and GitHub documentation confirming the correct performance of the transaction–order matching algorithm.
4. QA test cases, bug reports, and confirmation logs showing resolution of identified issues.

Delivery Month

9

Cost

18000

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Deployment & Close-Out

Milestone Outputs

1. MVP plugin deployed for live Shopify merchants to use with ADA payments.
2. Public documentation covering installation, setup, and troubleshooting.
3. Catalyst Project Close-Out Report.
4. Catalyst Project Close-Out Video.

Acceptance Criteria

1. At least one Shopify merchant successfully processes a real ADA payment on Cardano mainnet.
2. Documentation must include step-by-step setup, screenshots, and troubleshooting guides.
3. Project Close-Out Report and Video must be submitted in Catalyst Milestone Module as required.

Evidence of Completion

1. Merchant testimonial or screenshot from Shopify order marked as paid with ADA.
2. Publicly accessible documentation hosted on GitHub or project website.
3. Final Project Close-Out Report and Video uploaded to Catalyst portal.

Delivery Month

10

Cost

18000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Our total requested budget is ₳90,000, allocated to ensure full-time commitment from all core team members for the duration of the 10-month project. This ensures steady progress, high-quality delivery, and accountability at every milestone

Breakdown by category:

1. Personnel Costs (₳72,000 — 80% of total budget)

• Manh Nguyen — Project Lead / Plutus & Backend Developer (₳24,000)
  • Full-time leadership, backend architecture, AWS infrastructure setup, and smart contract development.
• Ngan Nguyen — UX/UI Designer (₳16,000)
  • Full-time product design, user flows, competitive research, and UI delivery.
• Hoang Nguyen — Frontend & Off-chain Developer (₳20,000)
  • Full-time frontend development, wallet integrations, off-chain transaction handling.
• Thuy Hoang — Automation Tester (₳12,000)
  • Full-time automated testing, QA processes, and integration test coverage.

1. Infrastructure & Hosting (₳7,000 — 8% of total budget)

• Secure cloud hosting for backend services (AWS / serverless setup)
• Domain registration, SSL, and related infrastructure costs
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline setup

1. Tools, Licenses & Subscriptions (₳5,000 — 6% of total budget)

• Design software (Figma, Adobe Suite)
• Testing & automation tools
• Monitoring and analytics services

1. Contingency & Risk Buffer (₳6,000 — 6% of total budget)

• Covers unexpected technical hurdles, additional testing cycles, or infrastructure scaling during MVP trials.

Breakdown by milestone:

• Milestone 1: Project Initiation & Technical Architecture (₳12,000)
• Milestone 2: Core Plugin & Backend Development (₳20,000)
• Milestone 3: Frontend, Off-chain Logic & Payment Flow Implementation (₳22,000)
• Milestone 4: Testing, QA & Merchant Dashboard Development (₳18,000)
• Milestone 5: Final Deployment, Documentation & Close-out (₳18,000)

Funding justification:

• A full-time, multi-disciplinary team accelerates delivery while maintaining quality.
• Budget ensures secure hosting, professional tooling, and a robust testing process.
• Comparable commercial custom crypto payment gateway development costs exceed $100K–$150K+ (https://www.scnsoft.com/ecommerce/cryptocurrency-ecommerce)) making this a cost-effective solution for Cardano’s ecosystem.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

The cost of this project represents outstanding value for the Cardano ecosystem because it delivers a high-impact e-commerce integration at a fraction of typical industry costs while unlocking adoption opportunities for thousands of businesses. Instead of spending $100K–$200K+ on custom Shopify crypto payment solutions, we are building an MVP for ₳90K (~72K USD) that lowers the barrier for merchants to accept ADA. By doing so, we not only save development costs but also create a reusable foundation that can be extended to future Cardano-powered e-commerce tools, multiplying its long-term value.

Our project ensures value for money in three key ways:

• Lower development cost: We deliver a working MVP at less than half the commercial market rate.
• Ecosystem value: The code will be open-source, allowing future teams and businesses to build on top of it.
• Merchant adoption: Even a small % of Shopify merchants adopting ADA creates meaningful real-world utility for Cardano.
• Team accountability: With clear milestones, deliverables, and transparent reporting, Catalyst funds are used efficiently and responsibly.

Impact-to-Cost Ratio

For ₳90,000, Catalyst is funding

• The first working Shopify ADA payment MVP — a tool that has the potential to scale to thousands of merchants.
• Open-source code that others in the Cardano ecosystem can build upon.
• A merchant-friendly interface that reduces adoption friction.

If just 100 merchants adopt the tool in the first year, the cost is ₳900 per merchant. With Shopify hosting millions of active merchants, even modest adoption brings the cost per merchant close to zero.

Long-Term Sustainability

This MVP avoids expensive partnerships (like Shopify Payment Partner status) in the short term. Once proven, we will aim for a native Shopify Payment Extension in the future. That would unlock mass-market adoption, but it requires a much higher budget (well above $200K).

By funding this MVP, Catalyst secures a stepping stone at a fraction of the typical industry cost.

In summary, this project represents a high-value investment for the Cardano ecosystem. With a clear milestone plan, full-time experienced team, and transparent accountability measures, every dollar requested is tied to measurable progress. By delivering an open-source MVP at less than half the cost of comparable commercial solutions, we create long-term value that extends far beyond this proposal.

Most importantly, this project directly supports real-world adoption of ADA by enabling merchants and customers to use it in one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world. Even small adoption rates could generate meaningful transaction volume, proving Cardano’s utility and strengthening its global reputation as a blockchain built for everyday use.

This is not just an MVP—it is a strategic stepping stone toward a fully native Shopify Payment Extension, opening the door for widespread, frictionless adoption of Cardano payments in global e-commerce.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes