KILT & Cardano

[IMPACT]

KILT invites collaboration from both communities to explore possibilities for practical cross-chain use cases aiming for interoperability between Cardano and Polkadot/Kusama (Dotsama) ecosystems. Findings from this initial exploration form the basis for further collaboration. The results are shared openly so that other projects exploring similar opportunities can also get started.

KILT Technology and Interoperability with Cardano

KILT Protocol is a blockchain purpose-built for identity and trust using CTypes, decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and Verifiable Credentials. KILT exposes interfaces to the Chain—extrinsics and remote procedure calls (RPC)—and an SDK for application developers. The open-source KILT SDK (https://github.com/KILTprotocol/sdk-js) is written in TypeScript and enables you to quickly and easily build dApps around new business use cases. The SDK provides a collection of classes and methods you can utilize to interact with the KILT Protocol. The easiest way to make an interoperability showcase would be a Cardano-based application that makes use of the KILT SDK. One example could be authenticating a user of a smart contract (SKYC etc.) A more complicated case that could be explored is inter-chain communication, via querying the KILT Chain via RPC calls from a Cardano-based smart contract.

The challenge reads: "How might we create connections and collaboration between Cardano and other blockchains in the next six months?"

This proposal addresses the challenge in four ways:

1. Create the connection between KILT/Dotsama and Cardano/Catalyst communities.
2. Increase understanding between active participants in these communities.
3. Innovate seed-level ideas together to form the basis for near-future collaboration.
4. Inspire other Dotsama parachains to join forces with the Catalyst community and to build on the gained findings and experiences.

Due to the fact that this cross-chain collaboration is such uncharted territory, it is possible-although unlikely-that the outcome of the initial research, experimentation and discussion is that these blockchains are not interoperable. Even that is an acceptable outcome as there are opportunities for off-chain workers to interact with both chains via RPC / SDK and will identify the gaps for chain to chain interactions. However, we are convinced that combining the innovation ability of both communities leads to surprisingly good results in bringing to surface value propositions and help set the compass for future interoperability.

[FEASIBILITY]

Timeline:

• We use the time before May to prepare and to trigger interest in both communities.
• Most of the activities in this proposal are aimed to happen in the month of May 2022, with a final report ready by the end of June 2022.
• The findings, formed ties between the communities and seedlings of collaboration ideas are used as a basis to create a Fund9 proposal. Working within cross-chain dependencies, we aim to deliver concrete technical frameworks for connecting KILT and Cardano by the end of the year.

This proposal is implemented in five steps:

1. Preparation
2. Introduction
3. Training
4. Innovation
5. Next steps

Preparation (Idea Fest)

Preparation has already started. We use the time before May to get ready and to trigger interest in both communities. KILT participates in the Ideafest.

Introduction (After Townhall Event)

• Build rapport and understanding between KILT and Catalyst Communities.
• Get an overview of Cardano and Dotsama ecosystems.
• Understand what's coming up.

Training (Crowdcast Event)

• Explore technical details of both blockchains and deepen technical understanding.
• Get to know the KILT SDK and understand how it could be linked to Cardano dApps.
• Get the open questions answered.

Innovation (Crowdcast Event)

• Explore common challenges and possibilities.
• Brainstorm potential solutions.
• Get to know potential team members and find common ground.

Next steps (After Townhall Event)

• Document and communicate the results to both communities.
• Collect feedback from the participants
• Suggest ways to take the collaboration forward.

The events will be open for anyone to participate and invitations are sent both to Catalyst/Cardano and KILT/Dotsama communities. Ideally this lays the basis for forming cross-chain teams with entrepreneurs and developers who, together, understand the basics of Plutus, Java, Rust and Substrate.

The budget is very simple, as it is only meant to cover the immediate expenses of preparation, event organization and coordination.

• $1,000 Preparation events (KILT)
• $1,000 Introduction event (KILT)
• $1,000 Training event (KILT)
• $1,000 Innovation event (KILT)
• $1,000 Coordination (Tomi)

TOTAL BUDGET: $5,000

Christine Mohan, VP of Business Development at KILT and formerly CMO of Polkadot, has extensive experience in launching blockchain, emerging tech and digital media companies.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemohan/

Paul Pomerleau, Developer Relations for KILT, has extensive experience in fullstack development, blockchain, community management, design thinking and ideation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmpomerleau/

Tomi Astikainen coordinates the collaboration as he understands how both the Cardano and the Dotsama ecosystems function.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomiastikainen/

[AUDITABILITY]

The coordinator takes care of practical arrangements, ensures a smooth event organization and facilitates collaboration between the communities.

Drive progress via biweekly checkins with Catalyst (the coordinator and the challenge team), every 2-3 weeks with the KILT core team, and at least monthly with the KILT Community in Discord.

The results should be showcased by the KILT core team as part of an After Town Hall breakout room as soon as they are complete, but no later than the end of October 2022.

We aim to engage at least 50 people in the conversation and lay a steady basis for Fund9.

This is a new, standalone proposal.

SDG Rating

This proposal does not aim to address the social development goals directly.