Zap Project June Update
Hello Zappers, as we begin the month of June, we would like to provide an update on what we have been working on and what to expect in the coming weeks. As usual, there’s quite a bit to cover in this post, so let’s jump right in.
The Zap SDK
The Ethereum API kick-starts the rolling release of the Zap SDK, the foundation of the Zap platform’s oracle and subscription data feed functionality. Every month we will be adding new features, but developers who want to begin building on the Zap platform can now begin kicking the tires and testing out the code. Although the API may receive additional features and security/bug fixes, the API is locked down and subsequent updates will not break functionality — so start building!
The purpose of the API is to allow developers to register accounts, set bond market parameters and make their tokenized service accessible to both off-chain subscribers and on-chain user-contracts.
The API allows developers to do the following:
- register data-providers on our backend via the Registry class
- write feed-specific data-provider daemons to serve both queries and subscription requests
- operate ETH/ZAP-token wallets in their scripts
- interact with our data-provider-specific bonding curves for data monetization and data-provider speculation
- Incorporate data streams into their scripts
- develop endpoint-specific feed handlers
What the API does not handle:
- account management
- subscription storage
- command line interface
You can see the official statement about this release here.
Zap Development Community
An overview of the capabilities and detailed documentation for each functionality is available on a new dedicated website, Zap.tech, which we created just for this purpose. Also, all of the code for our Ethereum API is available on GitHub. At this time, we are rolling out a bug bounty program via Gitcoin and actively seeking developer feedback. If you are interested in getting started or have any questions about the Zap Ethereum API, you can get in touch with the development team at development@zap.org.
We are also looking to create either a Gitter or Discord channel specifically for development purposes (like a #zap-dev if it were an IRC channel) and want to hear from the Zap community which they would prefer. Gitter or Discord? Let us know by emailing development@zap.org!
Zap’s Bonding Curves Explained
One of the more unique features of the Zap platform is the bonding curves functionality. Each oracle published through the Zap platform is accessed by bonding ZAP tokens to the oracle account, which are valued on a curve based on the amount of others also bonding to the oracle; ZAP tokens can also be un-bonded from an oracle if, for example, access is no longer desired. This creates a mini-economy for each individual oracle and data feed.
The Zap team is working on an in-depth explainer of bonding curves (also known as curation markets) and how they apply to Zap, so keep an eye out for when we publish that in the coming weeks!
Zap Android
The Zap Android app acts as a fully functional Ethereum/ZAP token wallet and allow users to browse available data feeds/oracles in the Zap Store. In addition, the feature we are most excited about is that users will be able to natively create, compile, and deploy smart contracts right inside the app (on main- and testnets) using the built-in code editor and compiler. As far as we can tell, we are the first project attempting this functionality on Android with natively compiling Solidity. The wallet and Solidity port are both complete and work continues on the smart contract editor.
Looking to the future, as a part of both the Zap Android app and the Zap Store web interface, we plan on offering a simple template-based smart contract builder that will easily interface with Zap oracles, allowing users to quickly and easily draft smart contracts even from their mobile devices!
Zap Chrome
Zap’s Chrome extension will provide a mini pop-out window (similar to how MetaMask works) that will allow users to see their oracle portfolio, bond and unbond from oracles, and the performance of the oracles they are bonded to. The extension will also function as a fully featured ETH and ZAP wallet.
The image is currently only a mock-up, but the finished extension will look very similar. Due to the way the extension is being built, we will also be able to easily port it to iOS and Android once it is completed.
Zap on EOS
Zap has always planned to be platform agnostic, providing data feeds and oracles for smart contracts regardless of the blockchain they are using. With that said, the Zap dev team has begun work on porting core accounts functionality to the EOS platform. The hope is to make EOS a first-class citizen on the Zap platform and begin allowing developers to serve data to the EOS blockchain as soon as possible.
Bitcoin Center NYC’s Satoshi Square Meetup
We are co-hosting the legendary Bitcoin Center’s monthly Satoshi Square meetup this Thursday, June 7th. Here is the link to on the meetup page for more information and to RSVP (it’s free). If you’re in the New York City area, come say hello to the Zap team!
Changelly
Zap is going to be listed on Changelly!
Changelly is a cryptocurrency trading service that allows you to easily switch between different cryptocurrencies through their website, a wallet that has Changelly built in, or anywhere else that Changelly is supported (similar to Shapeshift.io). You can expect to see Zap on Changelly.com in the coming days/weeks. This will make it significantly easier for newcomers to obtain Zap tokens for use on the platform.
Conferences
Middle East Informational Tour
Founder Nick Spanos wrapped up his targeted informational tour of the Middle East last month. Highlights included:
- Serving as a featured speaker at the World Blockchain Forum in Dubai, and
- Participating in educational sessions with various universities and technology incubators including Aramco, the the world’s largest integrated oil and gas company.
For more information on the Middle East tour, check out our May updateand this handy infographic!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 12–13 World Blockchain Forum — New York, USA
September 2018: Blockchain & Future Tech SuperConference II
November 2018: Malta Blockchain Summit — Intercontinental Malta
Thanks for reading! Make sure to bookmark our blog https://media.zapproject.org, follow us on Twitter @ZapOracles, and join our Telegram channel https://t.me/ZapOracles to stay up to date with the latest and greatest from the Zap team.
May 2018 Media Coverage:
Bitcoin News, PR: World Blockchain Forum — New York’s Better Blockchain Conference — Nick Spanos is attending and giving a keynote address.
ThirtyK, ThirtyK Roundup: California Blockchain Conferences, Ubex Coin Offering — Nick is attending CryptoCon and delivering a keynote address.
The Merkle, Win $300 of Ethereum — Every Day until Sunday May 13th — Nick is attending FutureTech Expo and was asked to speak for a keynote.
BittStreet, Saudi Arabia is Eager to Adopt Blockchain in Aramco
Bitcoin Magazine, Nick Spanos: Saudi Arabia Is “Kicking the Tires — and That’s Huge” -
The fine print: All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. The links included herein are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Zap of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The Zap project, Synapse Foundation and affiliates bear no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of these external sites or for that of any subsequent links.
The Synapse Foundation is an Isle of Man non-profit organization with offices in Zug, Switzerland. The Synapse Foundation was formed to build, promote, and oversee the Zap project. The organization is committed to community engagement and sponsoring user participation within a world of decentralized data. Zap is an intellectual property owned by the Synapse Foundation. Nothing herein, nor any related documentation issued by the Synapse Foundation or Zap project team, shall constitute legal, tax or investment advice.
