In case you missed our last NOBS talk, we welcome you to the recap, where Julian, the driving force behind BlockWallet, takes center stage as our Development Lead. In this session, Julian elaborates on the upcoming staking release, the intricacies of the milestone system influencing APY calculations, and much more.
Julian, what's your software engineering background? I started my journey as a Software Engineer almost 10 years ago, right after finishing high school and while pursuing my Computer Engineering degree. I've worked across different industries and technologies, with a primary focus on web development. About three years ago, I transitioned to the world of crypto and have been an integral part of BlockWallet since its inception.
What new features are you considering for next year? We're currently in the process of planning our upcoming roadmap, where we'll be discussing various aspects. While I can't confirm a specific order or priority, some of the features under consideration include NFT support, Transaction Simulation, Analytics, and more.
As the staking release is approaching, could you share some exciting details about it? I'm thrilled about the upcoming staking release and the hard work our engineers have put into it. Our solution involves a unique Milestone system, incorporating various parameters that influence and drive APY and volume calculations. For instance, each milestone will dictate specific volume targets that users need to achieve (such as swapping, bridging, and staking tokens using BlockWallet) to progress to the next level, offering increased APYs.
Have you implemented the idea of providing an additional staking reward multiplier for early stakers to motivate them to keep their tokens staked? While we haven't implemented this particular idea, we've developed a system that proportionally assigns rewards based on the staked amount across different milestones. So, it's beneficial to keep adding more tokens to your stake, as the APYs will continue to grow before withdrawal. You'll get more insights into this once we launch it.
Is the staking UI integrated into the wallet or a separate DApp? No, the staking UI isn't integrated within the wallet. We wanted to design a comprehensive UI using the additional space and tools that a website or DApp provides, as compared to the limited modal space in the wallet. The new UI will closely resemble our main website, seamlessly integrating cool graphics and providing useful data for users. Of course, users will need to connect with BlockWallet to access this new DApp.
In the 1st edition NOBS, it was something mentioned about the Blank ecosystem, could you provide more details? Will it support staking of tokens other than Blank? The ecosystem isn't solely about staking more tokens; it revolves around building an array of products that complement the wallet over time. While staking is a part of this ecosystem and could be the first of many, we are currently taking it one step at a time. The ecosystem will initially revolve around staking.
When is staking going to be available? Our ETA for staking testnet remains the end of the year, and we plan to make an official announcement sometime this quarter.
Any plans for a mobile wallet? Developing a mobile wallet has always been on our radar, but we're waiting for the right time and solid foundations to build it. We don't want to create a mobile wallet just for the sake of it and compete with numerous similar solutions out there. Therefore, we are currently focusing on the browser extension. Once we are confident with the features and value we provide to our users, we'll shift our focus and launch a mobile wallet.
What technology are you considering for the mobile app? Have you looked into .NET MAUI? We believe React Native would be the perfect choice for our mobile solution, considering our current codebase is written in React for the web. The similarities between the two will allow us to reuse most components and seamlessly port them to mobile. While we'll need to analyze different tools for development, we already have well-established foundations.
Can you highlight some of the key security features in BlockWallet that ensure the safe storage of digital assets? Some of our notable security features include Privacy Proxies, which hide and obfuscate users' personal data before communicating with RPC nodes providers. Additionally, we have anti-phishing images generated with unique art, providing users with a sense of security when interacting with sensitive screens in the wallet. Our open-source code and audits further ensure robust and secure key management.
Are you planning to add more non-EVM chains? While we aim to stay updated with the latest trends in chains, our primary focus remains on EVM chains, considering their ease of implementation with our wallet's core components. Although we have analyzed alternatives like Cosmos and similar protocols in the past, we have decided to stick with the EVM world until we reach a solid state that allows us to add more chains.
How did the audit go? Were there any issues? The audit was a significant success for us. The company we hired did an excellent job and identified some minor items, which they reported in a comprehensive report. I take pride in our product as they only found validations in internal communications between components and other low severity points during the thorough line-by-line testing and auditing. You can find all these details in our public disclosure of the audit and in our repository.
Is the team considering implementing optimistic privacy pools or other zero-knowledge technology-based solutions in BlockWallet? We are constantly on the lookout for Tornado Cash alternatives, but considering the setbacks we faced when it was banned, we must approach this decision with caution. Implementing such solutions could expose us to potential regulations once again. While some promising alternatives are being developed, we will remain skeptical and closely monitor their progress.
What's your favorite feature in BlockWallet? As a user, I particularly enjoy using the Address Book, which has significantly saved me time, and I utilize it almost daily. I'm constantly contemplating improvements and additional features to enhance its functionality. Moreover, I have an affinity for the anti-phishing art we generate, as each time I install the wallet for development or testing purposes, I encounter a new and captivating image.
Additional, non development related questions
Do you have a marketing strategy for the upcoming bull market? Yes, we are preparing for it even now, etc our marketing strategy involves focusing on SEO visibility, potential network collaborations in the event of a market boom, continuous features improvements, and cautious considerations for influencers/affiliate options, as we prioritize bringing substantial value.
Do you have plans for collaboration with EVM chains again? Certainly, our long-term plan involves occasional collaborations and partnerships with various existing and new EVM chains. So you will see more of these in the future.
How will we acquire these NFTs? Acquiring these NFTs is a straightforward process. All you need to do is visit our Galxe Campaign and complete the necessary steps. There are two ways to mint the NFT:
- If you participated in our NOBS Talk with Julian.
- If you followed us on Twitter and joined our Discord.
Hi, does Block Wallet have an AirDrop feature? For now, we don't have any airdrop plans, but who knows what the future holds? We're always open to new ideas and possibilities.
