PolkaGate: One-Year Retroactive Funding Proposal (Oct. 2023 - Oct. 2024)

To view the full proposal on Google Docs, please visit: [link]

1. Overview

This proposal seeks retroactive funding to support the development and maintenance of PolkaGate, including the PolkaGate Extension and MetaMask Snap, over the past 12 months. During this time, we have implemented significant enhancements, such as advanced account management tools, improved transaction signing capabilities, and enhanced user interfaces, all aimed at providing a seamless interaction with Substrate-based chains.

Fig. 1. PolkaGate Extension / Dashboard home page (link)

Fig. 2. PolkaGate MetaMask Snap home page (link)

2. Context of the Proposal

2.1 About PolkaGate

PolkaGate is a project that enhances the user experience for interacting with Substrate-based chains like Polkadot and Kusama. It simplifies complex processes such as staking, governance participation, and asset management. With seamless integration into popular platforms like MetaMask and its own dedicated extension, PolkaGate empowers users to manage their digital assets and engage in the network’s governance through intuitive interfaces. Since its inception, PolkaGate has focused on reducing entry barriers for both newcomers and experienced users.

2.2 Overview of Products

PolkaGate comprises two core products:

• PolkaGate Extension: A browser extension designed to interact with Substrate-based networks. It enables users to manage multiple accounts, sign transactions, and participate in on-chain governance directly from their browser.

• PolkaGate MetaMask Snap: A groundbreaking integration that allows Polkadot and Kusama users to manage their assets and participate in staking and governance through MetaMask, one of the most widely-used crypto wallets. This integration brings the Polkadot ecosystem into the hands of millions of MetaMask users, expanding accessibility and reach.

 

3. Features and Updates

3.1 Pre-Existing Features

Before October 2023, the PolkaGate Extension offered essential functionalities for seamless interaction with Polkadot and other Substrate-based blockchains, including:

• Add Watch-Only Account: Use as a proxied address.

• Governance: Manage and participate in governance activities.

• Identity Management: Control on-chain identities.

• Light Client Integration: Efficient blockchain data access.

• QR Code Display: View addresses as QR codes.

• Proxy Management: Handle proxy settings and signings.

• Social Recovery: Recover accounts through social friends.

• Staking: Support for solo and pool staking.

• Support for Different Endpoints: Connect to various networks.

• Transfer Funds: Enable cross-chain transfers.

• View Balances: Display balances in crypto and fiat.

• View Transaction History: Access past transactions.

 

3.2 Newly Introduced Features

Since October 2023, we have introduced several enhancements to expand PolkaGate’s capabilities, including:

 

3.2.1 PolkaGate Extension Enhancements

• PolkaGate Dashboard: A comprehensive account management tool.
• Ledger Generic Support: Manage new generic accounts and migration options.
• Polkadot Vault Support: Sign transactions with Polkadot Vault.
• Profile Management: Simplified organization for advanced users.
• New Import Methods: Import from raw seed and batch import proxied accounts.
• Alert Notifications: Improved notifications for background tasks.
• Expanded Identity Management: Manage identities across chains easily.
• Expanded Chain & Asset Support: Support for multi-asset chains, foreign assets, and manual chain addition.
• Miscellaneous Improvements:
   — Selective account imports from JSON.
   — Automatic RPC selection.
   — Selective account authorization in dApps. •
   — Nomination pool migration alerts.
   — Hidden balances before login.
   — Updated transferable balance formula.
   — Display of reserved balance details.
   — Connected dApp icons on the homepage.
   — Demo mode support.
   — Paged era stakers support.
   — checkMetadataHash extension support.
   — Enhancements to governance page comments.
   — Show balance in cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies.
   — Automatic updates for metadata.
   — Login security for extension access.
   — etc.

3.2.2 MetaMask Snap Enhancements

• Sign with Metadata: Sign transactions with metadata when the API is unavailable.
• Enhanced UI: Improved interface using new interactive UI elements and JSX components.
• Export Accounts: Securely export accounts as JSON.
• Whitelisted dApps Support: Integration with staking, governance dApps, and PolkaGate apps.
  
  

4. Projected Allocation & Budget

4.1 Team Members and Roles

The PolkaGate team consists of the following key members who have contributed to the project’s success:

• G. Kami Ekbatanifard, PhD — Founder/CEO & Engineering Team Lead
• Morteza Chalaki, BA — CFO
• Mehran Pourvahab, PhD — Blockchain researcher & TS Engineer
• Martin Azarbad, BA — UI/UX specialist
• Amir H. Ekbatani, PhD candidate — Test engineer

4.2 Payments

PolkaGate Metamask Snap Development : 5,912 DOT ($24,600)
PolkaGate Extension Development: 58,339 DOT ($243,000)
Total allocation: 64,311 DOT (267,600 USD, based on EMA7 by Subscan 1 DOT = 4.161 USD)

 

5. Testimonials and Community Feedback

PolkaGate has received positive feedback from users who have benefited from its seamless integration and ease of use. Below are some of the highlights from community members and developers who have interacted with PolkaGate.

Fig. 3. Paradox, Credited Validator and Former Kusama Council Member, commends PolkaGate’s quick integration of the new Polkadot Generic app for Ledger devices (link)

Fig. 4. Juan, Support Specialist at Web3 Foundation, appreciates PolkaGate’s swift and responsive support.

Fig. 5. Kian, Fellowship Member and Core Developer, thanks PolkaGate for reporting a staking-related issue (link)

Fig.6. User review from the Chrome Web Store praising PolkaGate as the only extension enabling “Allow use on any chain” for Ledger devices.

Fig.7. Showcase of the PolkaGate Snap by MetaMask Developer on X (link).

To view the full proposal, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yPOuCW_ZEINWuSwh_ZdcdGVbcVMECr9J7yIvnqQC5cQ/edit?usp=sharing