We intend to create a messaging session protocol we call Timber which enables secure cross-chain communication between Secret and other blockchains. We think that by enabling secure messaging will enable other blockchains to leverage Secret as a sort of Privacy-as-a-Service. There are a wide range of possible use cases for this but our initial focus are DAOs on Ethereum as we have found a strong demand for secret ballot voting.
Problem / Solution
Problem: There is currently not an easy solution to securely transact messages between Secret and Ethereum. The best possible solution are general messaging solutions, but some critical issues remain:
They focus on “general” messaging and are sort of bare bones by design. Every developer has to think through app architecture, error handling, and the like. Standardizing this would remove an unnecessary task or security vulnerability.
With there being few options developers might be weary of vendor-lock-in. Ideally developers could interface with a session protocol which abstracts existing relayers.
As more cross-chain messaging solutions come to market, developers face a learning curve and possible migration issues with new APIs. Ideally there should be a single common interface.
Most dApps follow common primitives such as DAOs, NFTs, AMMs, etc. The ecosystem is lacking a common library of templates for these. Developers want to focus on rapid prototyping.
Solution: A cross-chain messaging session protocol, with one common interface which can use any number of messaging bridges. The protocol includes libraries of contracts specific for common applications like DAO voting, and an easily configurable relayer.
This would abstract dependence on existing relayers. Developers could freely switch without breaking their app.
A session would be persistent and provide quality of service and reliability guarantees while safeguarding against data corruption while messages are in transit.
Protocol will detect dropped messages, out of order messages, and guarantee data integrity in a potentially adversarial environment..
The library of contracts designed to seamlessly work with the session layer will enable developers to rapidly prototype DAOs, AMMs, etc.
Altogether our goal is to make it easy and simple for developers to build cross-chain applications, and open up the privacy features provided by Secret to the rest of the blockchain ecosystem.
While there is an ocean of new innovations which might come from connecting Secret to other networks in this way, we are initially focused on DAOs. There is a clear demand for secret voting and DAO communities tend to attract more thought leaders in crypto than other sectors.
Detailed product description
Near Term Goals:
Within the scope of the grant our goal is to finish our work developing our secret ballot DAO system. This includes the voting related contracts, the relayer, and designing the session protocol. It will be released to the community as an open source dev starter to make it easy for anyone to quickly launch an Ethereum/Secret secret ballot DAO.
Mid Term Goals:
Our mid term goal after the scope of this grant is to fund raise and continue developing. We think there is a lot of opportunity in the Defi sector, specifically using Secret Network to privatize Ethereum DEX order books to prevent front running.
Go-to-Market plan
The initial go-to-market plan is to reach out to admins of popular DAOs who are in need of secret ballot voting. Another reason we are interested in the DAO market is that if they try us, they bring their entire community with them.
The value Timber brings to Secret Network is increasing adoption by Ethereum users. Initially the primary KPI is the number of deployed DAOs/applications using our protocol. After we expand into the Defi sector KPIs will be metrics like TVL.
Team
Timber Network is being developed by Timber Network DAO, a small group of developers who have been building blockchain tech for over 8 years.
We will require 4 months to complete this project. We intend to have 4 developers full-time, a part-time consultant as needed, and finally a smart contract audit, at a total cost of $200,000
Timber Network
Project Description
We intend to create a messaging session protocol we call Timber which enables secure cross-chain communication between Secret and other blockchains. We think that by enabling secure messaging will enable other blockchains to leverage Secret as a sort of Privacy-as-a-Service. There are a wide range of possible use cases for this but our initial focus are DAOs on Ethereum as we have found a strong demand for secret ballot voting.
Problem / Solution
Problem: There is currently not an easy solution to securely transact messages between Secret and Ethereum. The best possible solution are general messaging solutions, but some critical issues remain:
Solution: A cross-chain messaging session protocol, with one common interface which can use any number of messaging bridges. The protocol includes libraries of contracts specific for common applications like DAO voting, and an easily configurable relayer.
Altogether our goal is to make it easy and simple for developers to build cross-chain applications, and open up the privacy features provided by Secret to the rest of the blockchain ecosystem.
While there is an ocean of new innovations which might come from connecting Secret to other networks in this way, we are initially focused on DAOs. There is a clear demand for secret voting and DAO communities tend to attract more thought leaders in crypto than other sectors.
Detailed product description
Near Term Goals:
Within the scope of the grant our goal is to finish our work developing our secret ballot DAO system. This includes the voting related contracts, the relayer, and designing the session protocol. It will be released to the community as an open source dev starter to make it easy for anyone to quickly launch an Ethereum/Secret secret ballot DAO.
Mid Term Goals:
Our mid term goal after the scope of this grant is to fund raise and continue developing. We think there is a lot of opportunity in the Defi sector, specifically using Secret Network to privatize Ethereum DEX order books to prevent front running.
Go-to-Market plan
The initial go-to-market plan is to reach out to admins of popular DAOs who are in need of secret ballot voting. Another reason we are interested in the DAO market is that if they try us, they bring their entire community with them.
Previous Traction:
Value capture for Secret Network ecosystem
The value Timber brings to Secret Network is increasing adoption by Ethereum users. Initially the primary KPI is the number of deployed DAOs/applications using our protocol. After we expand into the Defi sector KPIs will be metrics like TVL.
Team
Timber Network is being developed by Timber Network DAO, a small group of developers who have been building blockchain tech for over 8 years.
Team Website
Team Code Repos
Development Roadmap
We will require 4 months to complete this project. We intend to have 4 developers full-time, a part-time consultant as needed, and finally a smart contract audit, at a total cost of $200,000
Milestones: