Application Architecture

1-part Urbit, 1-part DeFi, 2-parts human interaction.

The underlying architecture of %fund is somewhat novel to the world of bits, most notably in how it puts control back into the hands of it's users. It is partially a DeFi front end, partially a peer-to-peer social reputation system, and partially a project scope management tool. While some crypto "dApps" have started to have tripartite design it will typically be in the form of a centralized front end and database layer, with a decentralized global consensus layer. We find this lacking. Instead, we believe in putting practical sovereignty back into the hands of our users.

To achieve these ends, instead of a traditional 2-party front- and backend or more recent dApp architectures, the stack bridges across three underlying systems:

• Ethereum, as the decentralized global consensus and smart contracting layer

• Urbit, as the distributed backend for handling business logic and off-chain messaging

• A browser based webapp for the front end interface, with public and private access mechanisms controlled by your urbit

Because you own your urbit, nobody but you can shut down your access to %fund and only the peers with whom you chose to share data can have access to it. Even as the developers of the code, we have no insight into the nature of your deals, or even the capacity to shut them down.

Note: At present, all crowdfunds are "Public" and can be discovered exclusively via a clearweb link. Future updates will include usage of the %pals gossip protocol for sharing funds across the network, as well as supporting private campaigns.

We share this explanation because the nature of %fund is fundamentally one of sovereignty, and the network within which you now operate is not controlled—or otherwise governed—by us. It will be up to you to make judgement calls on the credibility of your counterparties promises. To explore other applications on the network for insights into the people and groups with whom you chose to interact. To take the tools we give you, and chose how to use them.

"Caveat emptor, let the buyer beware, has been the rule of the marketplace for centuries." - Suze Orman