Technical Grant Application - C14: Fiat <> Crypto Payment Flow – Tier 3

[pw_c14]

APPLICATION INTRODUCTION

C14’s mission is to empower users around the world to easily engage with digital assets and Web3 ecosystems.

We believe Web2 and Web3 will merge to form a unified internet layer within the next 5 years. To succeed, this new internet will require faster, more efficient, and more user-friendly networks like Conflux. Users will also need tools to easily move money between traditional financial institutions and Web3 applications. We believe that a partnership between Conflux and C14 can solve these problems for the Conflux ecosystem and its end users; and help push Web3 toward global mass adoption.

Existing on/off ramps are expensive, difficult-to-use, and support only a small fraction of potential users around the world. C14 is building the next generation of fiat <> crypto payment flow: a seamless, e-commerce-like payments widget that can be embedded in websites and dApps across the Conflux ecosystem.

Users benefit from:

• A frictionless fiat <> crypto ramp that mirrors the ease of a typical e-commerce payment flow. This allows any user in our growing list of coverage areas to easily purchase CFX and other Conflux network assets and transact across the Conflux ecosystem.

• Streamlined KYC process. This is only required for first-time C14 widget users. Repeat transactions bypass this step.

• Stored payment methods that are available to users wherever the widget is embedded. This allows for seamless transactions and repeat purchases across the Conflux ecosystem (DEX’s, NFT Marketplaces, etc). Repeat use transactions can be completed in seconds wherever the C14 widget is embedded.

Conflux benefits from:

• A powerful (and continually improving) ramp to onboard users around the world – including emerging and underserved markets that currently have no meaningful ramp coverage.

• A seamless fiat <> crypto payment flow made available to any projects building on Conflux. Projects can also work with C14 to list their native token(s) in the C14 widget. This serves as a powerful incentive for third-party developers to build on Conflux instead of other networks.

• Access to users who previously were unable to on-ramp into Conflux network assets due to a lack of crypto experience or ramp coverage in their area. This provides a significant increase in the total addressable market for any project building on Conflux compared to a chain that doesn’t have the C14 widget.

There is no limit to the number of Conflux ecosystem projects C14 is willing to help onboard as referral partners. C14 will be available to work with any ecosystem projects who want to integrate the C14 widget into their project site and/or dApp.

C14 does not charge a setup, monthly or minimum fee of any kind for projects using the C14 widget on Conflux network. Once our Conflux integration is complete, all projects building on Conflux will be welcome to utilize what we have built!

COVERAGE ROADMAP:

Unlike other ramps, C14 is focused on adding meaningful coverage for emerging and underserved markets around the world. We can do this by integrating local payment providers in places where card adoption is low.

By integrating the most popular payment methods in global markets, we can drastically expand our coverage and allow users around the world of all crypto experience levels to easily engage with digital assets on Conflux.

C14 will initially launch with credit/debit card payment options for select users in the United States. Soon after, C14 will add support for select LatAm countries, EU countries and Canada.

From there, C14 will focus on adding coverage for emerging and underserved markets via local payment rails. This includes non-card payment methods in areas where card adoption is low (mobile banking in Kenya, bank transfers in Turkey, SPEI in Mexico, etc).

C14 also welcomes all input from the Conflux team in regard to areas where adding meaningful coverage would be most beneficial to Conflux user growth and adoption.

NETWORK DEPLOYMENT:

C14 will deploy the widget on Conflux eSpace.

C14 will work with Conflux to make the C14 widget available to any developers building on Conflux. We will be available to Conflux and Conflux ecosystem project teams to assist with integrations and make a best effort to ensure the integrations are successful.

LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT:

C14 will assume all responsibility for managing the liquidity of listed assets on the C14 widget. C14 also assumes all market risk in regard to price fluctuations of listed assets.

Conflux has no responsibility or obligation to assist with liquidity management for any tokens listed on the C14 widget.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION:

Once the integration is live, C14 requests that Conflux promote the integration on Twitter and any other relevant communication channels. This is not an obligation, but it will assist both C14 and Conflux in driving traffic to the C14 widget and increasing the value of our partnership.

C14 will also promote the integration on all relevant communication channels.

C14 also asks for assistance from Conflux in promoting the partnership beyond social media engagements in any formats that could be beneficial to the partnership. We’re open to in-person events, webinars, looms/video trainings, etc.

As C14 expands its ramps coverage to emerging markets, C14 will also be open to jointly promoting its Conflux ramps as part of the expansion.

TEAM

Erich Grant - Founder/CEO
Chris Plourde - Product/Operations
Patrick Wardell - Business Development
Parth Verma - Principal Engineer
Daniil Archipov - Engineer (contract)
Vladimir Kovalev - Engineer (contract)

TOTAL BUDGET AND FUNDING TIER

Tier 3.

C14 requests a one-time listing fee, paid as a developer grant in CFX tokens. This grant will be paid upon successful listing of the agreed upon assets by C14.

CURRENT FUNCTIONALITY

Existing fiat <> crypto ramps are expensive, offer a poor user experience, and support only a small fraction of potential global users in terms of both geographic coverage and supported payment methods.

C14 is building the next generation of fiat <> crypto payment flow: a seamless, e-commerce-like payments widget that can be embedded in websites and dApps across the Conflux ecosystem.

SYSTEM MODEL

C14 will initially deploy a widget that allows users in select U.S. states to KYC and purchase CFX with a credit or debit card. From there, C14 will continually improve the functionality of the widget with additional payment options and coverage areas. C14 will also work with Conflux ecosystem projects to embed the C14 widget and list additional tokens as requested.

Phase 1: Widget is deployed on Conflux. Users in the U.S. can purchase CFX with credit or debit cards.

Phase 2: C14 widget is deployed on Conflux ecosystem project websites and dApps.

There is no limit to the number of referral partner deployments that C14 is willing to assist with. We are eager to work with Conflux to make the C14 widget available to users as they engage with projects across the Conflux ecosystem.

We can also work with project teams to list their native tokens on the C14 widget.

Potential referral partners include wallets, decentralized exchanges, stableswaps, NFT marketplaces, and more.

Phase 3: C14 expands coverage to emerging and underserved markets via local payment rails.

Users around the world can easily onboard into the Conflux ecosystem and purchase various digital assets on Conflux network. Payment options will vary depending on what methods have the highest rates of adoption in the user’s area.

DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP

Development will include 2 distinct phases.

Phase 1: Widget is live and integrated on a website or dApp with support for CFX token.

C14 will deliver the embed code for the widget and work with Conflux to integrate the widget into any designated platforms.

Phase 2: C14 expands widget capabilities and adds referral partners in Conflux ecosystem.

C14 will continually improve the ramp by adding new payment options and coverage areas. An ever-increasing number of users around the world will be able to easily move in and out of digital assets on the Conflux network using the C14 widget.

We will also maintain an open line of communication for any additional projects or requests from the Conflux team. This includes assistance with embedding the C14 widget on any partner platforms or ecosystem projects, or any other assistance we might provide to the Conflux team.

Grant funding will be dependent on C14 reaching 2 milestones.

Milestone 1: First integration of the C14 widget into a website or dApp with CFX tokens listed and available for purchase.

Reward: 40% of total grant value paid to C14 in CFX tokens. Token amount determined at time of milestone completion.

Milestone 2: First card transaction processed through C14 for the purchase of CFX on Conflux network.

Reward: 60% of total grant value paid to C14 in CFX tokens. Token amount determined at time of milestone completion.

MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS

C14 will make a best effort to keep CFX and any other Conflux network assets listed on C14’s Platform. To assist us with maintaining a functioning widget for all referral partners on the Conflux network, we ask the Conflux team to provide:

• Make all reasonable efforts to help C14 maintain the upkeep of the ramp.

• Ongoing access to Conflux’s engineering team for Q&A as needed.

C14 is the sole counterparty for all transactions, retail or otherwise, involving CFX or any other assets that C14 may list on Conflux network. Nothing in this proposal should be constituted as Conflux selling or buying any asset with any customer.

C14 accepts all liability associated with any transaction involving CFX or any other future Conflux chain assets fully. C14 accepts sole responsibility for any regulatory, compliance, or other issue that may arise.

C14 will endeavor to work with Conflux to accommodate changing business environments and/or market conditions. C14 will maintain an active dialogue and line of communication with Conflux throughout the duration of the parties’ business relationship.

C14 will continue to offer support for CFX for 6 months after the initial integration. After that period, C14 will continue to offer support provided the service is being consumed by end customers (25 or more transactions per month). If C14 intends to terminate the listing, the following conditions will apply:

• If less than 25 completed transactions occur in one month, this is not grounds for an automatic removal of CFX from being supported.

• Conflux has the option to pay the difference in terms of number of transactions missing and the max % fee that C14 could generate in revenue if the threshold is not met to keep the service active.

• If C14 intends to remove CFX because there are not enough transactions, C14 will send Conflux an overview of the transactions that were made.

EXTERNAL LINKS

Website: https://www.c14.money

Twitter: https://twitter.com/c14_team

Medium: https://medium.com/@c14_team

[nelaturuk]

Hi, thanks for applying for a Conflux Network grant! Few questions on the proposal:

1. More problems in onramp and offramp is because users dont understand the working of crypto. How do you plan educate and engage users into understanding this? What is your plan as part of the implementation to execute this?
2. You mentioned streamlines KYC process is bypassed due to repeated transactions. Can you elaborate how this would work?
3. What do you mean by stored payment methods? Is like storing credit cards in your wallets? How do you enable this? How do you maintain this in a secure way?
4. What is the benefit of working with C14 to list native tokens? That can be done with Conflux directly.
5. What is your revenue model if you are not charging any fees?
6. Are you reusing existing application for deploying into espace or building from scratch?

Thank you.

[jiuhuaDAO]

Hi, thanks for applying for a Conflux Network grant! Some info want to know:

1. Which chains have you supported now, and how many projects have use your widget?
2. How can I experience your service ?

[0xn1c0]

Hello @pw_c14 I would like to know more about the security measures your system is including. How do you manage KYC data? Are smart contracts audited already?

[pw_c14]

Hi - thanks for your questions! Please see below for detailed responses to each.

1:

We actually approach this problem a bit differently than other ramps. We see this as a shared responsibility between us and our referral partners, and we will work with our referral partners to share feedback on why a transaction fails and what we can do to improve the user journey based on this feedback.

On the UI side, our user flow is designed to mimic a typical Web2 e-commerce transaction. Thus, there are minimal barriers for inexperienced crypto users aside from initially setting up their wallet.

If someone wants to obtain native CFX without the C14 ramp, they will need to learn how to set up a wallet, purchase on a central exchange, transfer their CEX assets, bridge correctly, etc. With our ramp, the only hurdle is setting up a compatible wallet and adding the correct network.

We encourage all of our referral partners to ensure that new users have clear guidance on how to set up a wallet with the correct network. Once the user completes this step, the rest of our user flow is simple and easy to understand even for first time crypto users.

Another important way we can solve this problem is by integrating additional payment methods that more closely mirror how people are used to transacting in their local currency. For example, it’s very uncommon for a citizen of Brazil to use a Credit or Debit card. Instead, they use the PIX banking system. By integrating the most adopted local payment methods, we hope to dramatically reduce the barriers of entry for new customers.

2:

The first time a user interacts with our ramp, they will create an account via 1-step phone number verification and then complete a user-friendly KYC, which prompts and guides them through each step. The entire process, KYC included, takes a few minutes at most.

After the KYC step is complete, the user can add stored payment methods and complete future transactions in seconds on any site or dApp where the C14 widget is hosted - throughout the Conflux ecosystem. All that is needed for repeat transactions is to select the crypto currency amount, log in with their phone number, confirm their payment method and click purchase.

3:

The exact types of stored payment options will depend on the geography of the user. In US states, this means stored credit/debit cards for example. In Brazil, this would be PIX.

We don’t hold any of our customers’ sensitive data - including payment information. Instead, card information is tokenized by our processor. Every time a user wants to use a stored payment method, we call this token to initiate the payment.

4:

In order to acquire any tokens in the Conflux ecosystem, a user would first need to get native CFX in their wallet. This is a huge barrier to entry for inexperienced crypto users.

Projects in the Conflux ecosystem can work with C14 to list their tokens in the C14 widget if they’d like. This allows for easy access to their tokens from users of all experience levels, and gives them exposure to users wherever the C14 widget is embedded throughout the Conflux ecosystem.

5:

We charge a small fee per transaction which varies depending on the geography and payment method. In most cases, the majority of that fee is used to cover costs incurred by C14 to complete the transaction.
In the US for example, we charge 2.99% on credit/debit card transactions. This is a standard rate. We also take on all risk for every transaction.

6:

We will create a custom widget specifically for Conflux eSpace that allows users in our coverage areas to purchase the native CFX token. We also self-manage liquidity, so each ecosystem requires a new set-up in regards to liquidity management as well.

It’s a lot of hard work to build something like this, but once it’s live, we can work with ecosystem project teams to make the C14 widget available throughout the Conflux ecosystem!

[pw_c14]

Hi - thanks for your questions!

1:

We are preparing to launch our private beta, which will be the first live instance of our widget. After proper stress-testing of the widget, we will go live with our first public integrations toward the end of Q3 / beginning of Q4 2022.

We have several chains signed up now, and will be adding more to the pipeline methodically as we grow. We believe in what Conflux is building and would like to launch a public integration with eSpace as part of our first cohort of live, public integrations.

2:

As soon as the private beta is live, we can share a link with the Conflux team to test out the service. We can also share any public integrations that might go live ahead of our proposed integration with Conflux eSpace in this forum.

[pw_c14]

Hi - great question!

KYC Data is stored by our third party KYC provider who does the relevant background checks and screening before a customer can get approved. After we complete a KYC, we can call the results of this test from our KYC provider to get the status (failed, accepted, etc.), but we never personally have access to the KYC data itself.

Our liquidity management system is simple from a functional standpoint. We are broadcasting new transactions to the network after a successful purchase. We don’t use smart contracts for our liquidity management system.