CB-2Q23-02.1 : Decentralized Stacking Pool

[will-corcoran]

Discussed in #844

^{Originally posted by will-at-stacks March 17, 2023}

Introduction:

sBTC is a SIP-010 fungible token on the Stacks blockchain that can be used in DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, DAOs, governance, and several other use-cases. The sBTC Bridge is a trustless two-way mechanism that allows users to wrap and unwrap BTC as sBTC. The consensus mechanism relies on validation from users that are currently stacking STX tokens. Also known as Stackers.

These added responsibilities related to transaction signing for Stackers could result in centralization risks should too many Stackers delegate their signing responsibilities to centralized Stacking Pool Operators. In order to counter this risk, Decentralized Stacking Pools must be prioritized.

Critical Bounty Mission Statement:

The purpose of this Critical Bounty is to support the development of trustless Decentralized Stacking Pools.

An interesting, complement to this bounty is the exploration of using the Decentralized Stacking Pool system delivered to add liquidity to Decentralized Mining Pools (in the form of BTC) and/or bridges (in the form of xBTC and/or sBTC) via the rehypothecation of BTC rewards earned via Stacking.

Functionality / Deliverables (shall include, but not be limited to):

• Stacking pool Clarity smart contracts
• Frontend Interface must provide end-to-end functionality allowing pool participants to:
• Deposit STX
• Withdraw STX from the pool after submitting.
• View and withdraw BTC / xBTC / sBTC / STX returns (return token is dependent on applicant design strategy)
• Product 'roadshow', feedback, and improvements: All recipients will be responsible for demonstrating functionality, championing early adoption, gathering feedback, and making one to two rounds of high-impact, feedback-based improvements.

Required Knowledge / Skills:

• Knowledge of Clarity / Clarinet
• Stacks js or Micro Stacks
• Bitcoinjs or preferably scure-btc-signer libraries
• Bitcoin transactions
• Best practices in software testing / continuous integration

References:

1. sBTC Whitepaper
2. Stacks Nakamoto Release Whitepaper
3. sBTC project dashboard
4. Clarinet Docs (reference for design system req’d for Typescript applications wrapped within a Rust application)
5. TM Repo (code & documentation standard)
6. Related SIPs

Critical Bounty Fee:

• Maximum Fee: $50,000

Reviewers / Advisors:

Igor Sylvester, Core Engineering Lead, Trust Machines
Jude Nelson, Research Scientist, Stacks Foundation
Tycho Onnasch, General Manager, Trust Machines
Friedger Müffke
Andre Serrano, sBTC Resident and sBTC Go To Market Working Group Lead
Jesse Wiley, Integration and Security Lead, Stacks Foundation
Kenny Rogers, Developer Advocate, Stacks Foundation
Will Corcoran, Grants Lead, Stacks Foundation

Additional Comments:

Recipient will be expected to attend sBTC Core Engineering Working Group calls while the bounty is in development and provide weekly updates.

APPLY HERE

---

NOTES ABOUT CRITICAL BOUNTIES:

If you have thoughts, questions, or comments on the rough outline for this Critical Bounty above, please comments below.

Please note, all 2023 Q2 Critical Bounties that have funding approved for them will be moved to the Issues page (here) on Tuesday 03/21/2023.

Some procedural items to keep in mind with 2023 Q2 Critical Bounties:

1. Each Critical Bounty will have a pre-approved minimum and maximum budget listed within the issue.
2. All applications will be submitted via a BlockSurvey which will be linked within the Issue.
3. Applications will be open from 03/21/2023 to 04/03/2023.
4. Critical Bounty applications will be reviewed by relevant members of the sBTC Core Engineering Team and technical staff from the Stacks Foundation.
5. The selected recipient will be the low, qualified bidder (in the eyes of the reviewers).
6. Selected Critical Bounty recipients will be announced on 04/07/2023 and will be expected to start work immediately and attend sBTC Core Engineering meetings to provide weekly updates on their work.

[stacks-foundation]

👋 @will-at-stacks


Thanks for your application! We will do a pre-review and let you know if we have any immediate questions. In the mean time please refer to our review schedule here for a detailed timeline and response dates.


Best,
Will

[jommi9]

Hey Will, has this CB already expired? Is someone working on it?

[will-corcoran]

Hi @jommi9 -

Applications were due on Monday. They are in review now. We hope to announce a recipient on Friday. Were you interested in applying for a CB?

[will-corcoran]

Congrats on being awarded this Critical Bounty @BowTiedDeployer for $45k

Supplementary funding is also going to @Macxim for UX/UI services for $4,480

Congrats to you both.

More information on this Critical Bounty can be found here

[will-corcoran]

@BowTiedDeployer please post your original application for the Critical Bounty here for public awareness.

Thanks,
Will

[BowTiedDeployer]

Critical Bounty Application