Please describe your proposed solution
Our proposed solution is to integrate a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) module into the Adaex decentralized exchange (DEX), enabling direct trading between users without requiring large liquidity reserves in each region. The core problem we're addressing is the logistical and financial burden of maintaining liquidity across various regions, which limits the efficiency and scalability of traditional exchanges. By introducing a P2P solution, we eliminate the need for centralized liquidity pools, making the platform more cost-effective, decentralized, and accessible.
<u>Perception of the Problem</u>
The core issue we perceive is the logistical and financial burden associated with maintaining large liquidity reserves across multiple regions for centralized exchanges. This limits accessibility, increases operational costs, and restricts the reach of decentralized finance (DeFi) to underserved communities, particularly in regions like Africa. The lack of a seamless, decentralized trading option that removes the need for centralized liquidity creates barriers for users who want to engage in digital asset trading but face obstacles due to high fees, limited access, and logistical challenges. We aim to address these issues by integrating a P2P module into Adaex, eliminating the need for large liquidity reserves and enabling direct, decentralized trading between users.
<u>What are your reasons for approaching it in the way that you have? </u>
We have chosen to approach the problem through the integration of a P2P (Peer-to-Peer) module into Adaex for several key reasons, rooted in both the technical and practical limitations of traditional exchanges and the unique advantages of decentralized blockchain solutions.
-> Decentralization and Autonomy:
Traditional centralized exchanges require a centralized authority to manage liquidity, match orders, and facilitate transactions. This centralization can create bottlenecks, increase costs, and present single points of failure, especially when expanding into multiple regions. By contrast, P2P transactions occur directly between users without an intermediary, aligning with the fundamental principles of decentralization that blockchain promotes. We believe that empowering users to control their trades, without relying on centralized infrastructure, will lower operational costs, eliminate the need for large liquidity reserves, and enhance autonomy for users. This approach aligns with Cardano’s broader mission of fostering a decentralized, inclusive financial system.
-> Solving the Liquidity Challenge*:*
Maintaining liquidity across multiple regions is a significant logistical and financial burden for centralized exchanges, as it requires pre-funding and extensive coordination. With a P2P system, liquidity is inherently decentralized. Users bring their own liquidity to the platform, which means that Adaex does not need to maintain large liquidity pools in every region. This decentralized liquidity model reduces the overhead costs and risks involved in managing liquidity across borders, allowing the platform to scale more effectively. Our approach ensures that users in all regions, especially those in underserved areas, can access the platform without liquidity-related barriers.
-> Financial Inclusion*:*
One of the most pressing challenges in underserved regions like Africa is the lack of accessible financial infrastructure. Centralized exchanges often exclude these populations due to high fees, restrictive KYC requirements, and limited regional support. By focusing on a P2P solution, we aim to reduce the financial and logistical barriers to entry, allowing individuals in regions with limited access to traditional financial services to participate in the digital economy. With the P2P module, users can directly trade assets without intermediaries, making transactions cheaper, more accessible, and regionally agnostic.
-> Cardano’s Technological Advantage*:*
Cardano’s blockchain offers a robust, secure, and scalable platform that is ideal for implementing a decentralized solution like P2P trading. The decision to leverage Cardano’s open-source APIs, such as Mesh and Koios, is based on their compatibility with this vision. These APIs enable easy access to blockchain data, transactions, and infrastructure, ensuring that the P2P system integrates smoothly with the broader Cardano ecosystem. Additionally, Cardano’s low transaction fees and energy-efficient consensus mechanism provide a solid foundation for enabling efficient and cost-effective P2P transactions.
-> Scalability and Regional Flexibility*:*
A centralized exchange model may struggle to scale effectively, especially when expanding into diverse regions with varying regulatory requirements and infrastructure capabilities. A P2P module, on the other hand, can scale much more easily, as it requires less centralized infrastructure. Users anywhere in the world can participate in the platform without Adaex needing to establish operations or liquidity reserves in every new region it enters. This regional flexibility is essential for promoting widespread adoption of Adaex, particularly in emerging markets.
<u>How does it work?</u>
Here’s a clear workflow schema for both types of users — the "Demander" (user initiating the exchange) and the "Receiver" (user fulfilling the exchange) — using mobile money in Africa, smart contracts, and Cardano wallets:
Workflow for the Demander (User 1):
1.Connect Wallet
The user connects their Cardano wallet to the Adaex platform.
2.Create Exchange Request
- The user selects the specific country and mobile money service available in that region (e.g., M-Pesa, Airtel Money).
- The user inputs the amount of ADA they wish to exchange and selects the equivalent currency in the local mobile money service.
- They also set additional conditions such as exchange rate, offer validity (time), and other optional preferences (e.g., maximum slippage, preferred trading partner rating).
3.Submit Request
- The request is submitted and locked into a smart contract. The ADA amount is held in escrow by the smart contract until the exchange is completed.
- The request is broadcasted on the Adaex P2P marketplace, visible to potential receivers in the specified country.
4.Wait for Receiver
- The user waits for a receiver (User 2) to accept their request. The smart contract holds the ADA until the conditions are met.
5.Exchange Finalization
- Once a receiver fulfills the request by transferring the agreed-upon amount in mobile money, the smart contract verifies the completion of the transaction.
- Upon successful verification, the ADA held in escrow is released to the receiver's wallet.
6.Confirmation and Rating
- The demander confirms the receipt of mobile money, and the smart contract is fully settled.
- The user can rate the transaction and the receiver, providing feedback for future users.
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Workflow for the Receiver (User 2):
1.Connect Wallet
- The user connects their Cardano wallet to the Adaex platform.
2.Browse Exchange Requests
- The user browses open exchange requests in their country using the Adaex P2P marketplace.
- They filter by their preferred conditions (amount, rate, mobile money provider, etc.).
3.Accept Exchange Request
- The receiver selects a request and agrees to the conditions. The smart contract is triggered, and they receive the Demander's ADA upon completing their part of the exchange.
- The smart contract ensures that ADA is held in escrow until the exchange is fulfilled.
4.Send Mobile Money
- The receiver sends the agreed amount to the Demander using the specified mobile money service (e.g., M-Pesa).
- They input the mobile transaction details on the Adaex platform for verification.
5.Transaction Confirmation
- The smart contract verifies the mobile money transaction via an oracle or verification method. Once confirmed, the ADA is released from the escrow and sent to the receiver’s wallet.
- Completion and Rating
- The receiver confirms the successful trade, and the system records the transaction as complete.
- Both users rate each other to ensure trust and transparency for future trades.
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Smart Contract Logic:
- Escrow: The smart contract holds the ADA from the demander until the receiver fulfills their part of the deal.
- Verification: The smart contract uses an external oracle to verify the mobile money transfer.
- Release: After verification, the smart contract releases the ADA to the receiver.
- Dispute Resolution: In case of any disputes, the smart contract has built-in mechanisms to either refund the demander or release funds to the receiver based on evidence of transaction completion.
<u>Target Audience</u>
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Africans with ADA: This segment includes individuals in Africa who have received ADA and seek a seamless platform to convert it for practical usage. Ada Exchange App provides a user-friendly solution for maximizing the utility of ADA within the African context.
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Diaspora Users: Users residing in other continents who intend to send money to Africa form a significant audience. Ada Exchange App facilitates this process through direct exchanges or by leveraging USD transactions within specific regions, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective means of fund transfer.
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Income Seekers: Individuals interested in earning extra income can participate in the platform's investors section. By facilitating exchanges and taking a commission for their services, users have the opportunity to generate additional income through the Ada Exchange App.
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Crypto Investors: Those seeking to invest in cryptocurrencies, specifically ADA, form a crucial target audience. Ada Exchange App serves as a gateway for purchasing ADA, enabling users to capitalize on potential price appreciation and long-term growth opportunities within the crypto market.
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International Money Transfers to Africa: Ada Exchange App caters to a broader audience that includes anyone looking to transfer money to Africa using ADA. Whether for personal transactions or supporting family and friends, the platform offers a secure and efficient channel for international money transfers.
<u>Demonstrating Impact</u>
The impact of Ada Exchange App will be demonstrated through several key metrics:
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User Adoption Rates: Tracking the number of users adopting the platform will showcase its effectiveness in reaching the unbanked population and crypto enthusiasts.
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Transaction Volumes: Monitoring the volume of transactions on the platform will provide insights into the financial activities facilitated by Ada Exchange App.
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Community Growth: The establishment of an active and engaged community around the platform will demonstrate its acceptance and positive impact on users.
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Feedback and Reviews: Regular collection of user feedback and reviews will serve as indicators of user satisfaction and help in making continuous improvements.
<u>Importance to Cardano</u>
The Adaex P2P module is crucial to Cardano’s vision of creating an inclusive and decentralized financial ecosystem. By facilitating direct peer-to-peer transactions between users, particularly in Africa, Adaex supports Cardano's mission of financial inclusion in underserved regions. The project demonstrates the real-world utility of Cardano’s blockchain by solving the liquidity and accessibility challenges faced by traditional exchanges, while promoting the adoption of ADA. Additionally, it aligns with Cardano’s goal of decentralization by empowering users to trade securely without relying on centralized entities, showcasing Cardano's scalability and impact in emerging markets.