What if you could rent accommodations using cryptocurrencies seamlessly, paying with ICP tokens while enjoying enhanced security and cost efficiency? Additionally, what if you could do a cross-chain swap to consolidate your scattered crypto assets across different wallets into a single unified platform?
RentSpace and AppIC DAO are pioneering projects on the Internet Computer Protocol blockchain, each pushing boundaries in their respective fields. RentSpace integrates crypto payments and collaborative booking features to redefine travel experiences, while AppIC DAO innovates with cross-chain swap capabilities through the AppIC Terminal.
Continue reading to explore these groundbreaking projects fueled by the ICP blockchain!
Ivan Maltsev: Pioneering Crypto-Friendly Travel with RentSpace
Ivan Maltsev, a partner at 3x Capital, has been deeply engaged in accelerating and investing in Web3 startups. Additionally, one of his primary focuses is collaborating closely with the DFINITY Foundation. Recently, Ivan embarked on developing his venture, RentSpace, a mobile application tailored for crypto travelers.
At the heart of RentSpace is a novel feature allowing travelers from the ICP community, equipped with the app and an internet identity, to pay for their journeys using ICP tokens seamlessly. Ivan outlined their upcoming collaborative booking feature, an innovative addition that will empower travelers to split payments flexibly among their group. Payment splits will be flexible, whether the amounts are 50%, 33.3%, or as needed.
Furthermore, RentSpace had integrated Rate Hawk, the world’s largest booking aggregator encompassing 2.5 million properties from platforms like Expedia. This collaboration will ensure a robust inventory right from launch.
Currently, RentSpace is in the testing phase, actively onboarding its first 100 hosts and guests to gather crucial feedback from the community. The co-founder emphasized the importance of rigorous testing and subsequent security audits before the public launch of their platform. This project on ICP’s blockchain represents Ivan’s significant involvement and dedication to advancing innovative solutions within the travel sector.
Choosing the ICP Blockchain for RentSpace: Technical Excellence and Community Support
Reflecting on his choice to build RentSpace on the ICP blockchain, Ivan recounted a pivotal moment involving his friend and active investor, Bruno Calabretta, CEO of ICP Hub Disruptives. Bruno introduced RentSpace to the Developers Grant Program, marking Ivan’s initial engagement with the ICP ecosystem in September of the previous year. Concurrently, Ivan also became an investor in ICP, purchasing tokens and staking them through the Network Nervous System (NNS) as he set out to develop RentSpace.
Highlighting ICP’s technical advantages over other layer-one blockchains, Ivan emphasized its 100% on-chain architecture, scalability, speed, and cost-effectiveness for end-users, particularly in retail settings.
Moreover, Ivan noted the affordability of storing substantial data on ICP’s cloud infrastructure, which is pivotal for RentSpace’s innovative features. One such feature was “TikTok style marketing,” where property hosts could create and edit video overviews directly within the app. Moreover, these compressed videos were then stored on the Internet Computer Protocol and could be browsed by potential guests in a visually engaging format reminiscent of TikTok.
In addition to integrating Rate Hawk to provide a vast inventory of properties, Ivan outlined RentSpace’s strategic approach to market entry, starting with European hosts due to the region’s rapid growth, particularly in places like Portugal. He cited a significant 30% increase in the average price of one-bedroom apartments over the past year, driven by migration from Ukraine and Russia.
Beyond technical and market considerations, Ivan mentioned the importance of community within the ICP ecosystem. He expressed gratitude for the support from Bruno and other members of the DFINITY Foundation, as well as ambassadors and investors who had bolstered RentSpace’s growth. Starting with just over 8,000 members, RentSpace’s community has flourished since its inception, fueled by giveaways, partnerships, airdrops, and the launch of NFT collections. Ivan revealed ongoing plans for their second NFT collection, “Modernistic Villas,” which aimed to combine utility with enjoyment, allowing users to utilize RentSpace and engage with digital assets in a fun and profitable way.
RentSpace’s Competitive Edge and Multi-Chain Approach
Ivan elaborated on RentSpace’s competitive edge over traditional platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb, where fees typically ranged from 15% to 25%. In contrast, RentSpace adopted a model that leveraged access to the best offers aggregated from multiple platforms. They aim to offer these deals with a slight markup, usually between 6-8%, ensuring a competitive advantage while still providing customer value. RentSpace facilitates seamless crypto payments through its application, enabling customers to pay with cryptocurrencies like ICP by connecting their internet identity or other wallets.
Describing RentSpace as a multi-chain application, he emphasized their current focus on integrating the ICP blockchain as the core technology. Significantly, this integration encompasses data storage capabilities and smart contract functionalities tailored specifically for ICP. Ivan hinted at future plans to incorporate additional blockchain networks, although their primary attention is currently dedicated to ICP.
Reflecting on RentSpace’s Key Achievements
When asked about his proudest achievements, Ivan’s response painted a vivid picture of RentSpace’s journey and accomplishments. Reflecting on their milestones, Ivan began with the successful development of a prototype in the previous year, followed by receiving grants from the DFINITY Foundation and the Savannah Foundation. These early validations were crucial in propelling RentSpace forward.
Highlighting a significant triumph, Ivan recalled the launch of their first NFT collection, which sold out within a mere 14 hours. This achievement underscored the community’s enthusiastic support and affirmed RentSpace’s growing appeal and viability in the market. Notably, the engagement rates and substantial growth in user numbers, even through the summer months, have been impressive.
Additionally, a point of pride for Ivan was the expansion of RentSpace’s ambassador network, which had grown to include up to 100 active ambassadors. These individuals, whether from the ICP community or among investors and supporters, played a pivotal role in daily interactions and advocacy for RentSpace.
RentSpace’s Future Plans
Looking forward, Ivan discussed the upcoming testing program, highlighting the community’s interest in participating and providing feedback on RentSpace’s application. He eagerly invited the broader ICP community to join the upcoming demo on July 17, emphasizing the importance of community input in refining and enhancing their product.
The co-founder also discussed RentSpace’s comprehensive approach to user engagement, which included multiple reward programs such as point systems, token conversions, NFT airdrops, and farming campaigns. These initiatives aimed to incentivize usage and foster a vibrant and interactive user experience.
Describing the prototype of RentSpace, Ivan showcased its functionality, allowing users to browse properties, rent them using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, and pay with stablecoins. He highlighted features such as social profiles, built-in messaging for owner communication, and capabilities for leaving reviews and managing financial information directly connected to users’ wallets.
Additionally, he hinted at future enhancements, including features for better crypto tracking, showcasing RentSpace’s commitment to catering to the needs of both property renters and crypto enthusiasts alike. Ivan concluded with excitement about the potential interactions and engagements their platform would facilitate, not just for rental transactions but also for enriching the digital lifestyles of their users.
Vibhor Khare: Pioneering AppIC DAO and the Future of Cross-Chain Swaps
Vibhor Khare, the founder of AppIC DAO, recounted his journey during our interview. AppIC DAO, a cross-chain swap platform built atop the ICP blockchain, was his brainchild. His crypto odyssey began nearly a decade ago, in 2014, with a landmark Bitcoin purchase from a Zurich ATM, where prices hovered around $250-$300 — a pivotal introduction to decentralization.
Furthermore, in 2015, he had immersed himself in Ethereum, becoming the Middle East branch ambassador. His role extended beyond advocacy, encompassing community cohesion through conferences and events — a defining chapter in his early crypto career.
By 2021, Vibhor transitioned full-time into the crypto sphere, spearheading Alpha Vault, a DeFi aggregator on Ethereum. The pivotal shift came in mid-2023 when he embraced the ICP chain. Since then, his focus has shifted to pioneering automated investment solutions, particularly dollar-cost averaging. Notably, this innovation allows users to automate periodic purchases of Bitcoin, Ethereum, ICP, or other tokens using stablecoins facilitated through decentralized smart contracts or ICP canisters.
Initially, the challenge lay in liquidity within the ICP ecosystem. Vibhor’s team identified this gap when attempting substantial token purchases. Moreover, exorbitant infrastructure costs for traditional servers prompted a strategic pivot towards leveraging ICP as an all-encompassing solution.
Internet Computers’ allure extends beyond their blockchain fundamentals. It emerged as an infrastructure hub capable of interconnecting diverse blockchains — a pivotal realization for AppIC DAO. Vibhor likened ICP to a decentralized bridge, enabling secure data relay across chains. Unlike conventional bridges vulnerable to off-chain attacks, ICP’s Chain Fusion technology ensured on-chain, decentralized transactions, subsequently eliminating potential exploits.
Moreover, ICP’s HTTPS capabilities enable seamless bi-directional interactions with major blockchains like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Consequently, this stands as an unprecedented feat in blockchain interoperability.
Bridging Blockchain Ecosystems: Introducing AppIC Terminal
The founder highlighted the inherent limitations of the ICP ecosystem, emphasizing its closed nature. DEXes within ICP, he noted, operated independently from those outside its confines. However, AppIC DAO had a clear strategy to address this challenge: the development of AppIC Terminal, a pivotal engine driving their swapping mechanisms.
“AppIC Terminal,” Vibhor explained, “serves as the central hub facilitating interactions between various ICP and non-ICP blockchains.” This innovative approach allowed both retail investors and projects alike to seamlessly transition assets across different blockchain environments. For instance, investors could convert tokens such as Chainlink from Ethereum into its ICP equivalent, known as ckChainlink, thereby enhancing liquidity provision as retail investors.
Furthermore, AppIC Terminal supports the conversion of tokens between different standards, such as ERC-20 on Ethereum to IRC2 on ICP, and vice versa. This capability democratizes access and levels the competitive landscape for diverse blockchain projects. “In essence,” he emphasized, “this concept breaks down barriers and fosters inclusivity across blockchain platforms.”
Moreover, the platform offers robust liquidity provision options, allowing users, projects, and AMMs to pair their tokens with stablecoins or other assets, thereby enhancing trading opportunities and market depth.
When asked about the process of setting up IC tokens like Chain-Key (ck) Bitcoin alongside ERC-20 tokens, Vibhor clarified, “Certainly, ERC-20 integration is just the beginning. We can seamlessly integrate Bitcoin with Runes, Solana with its tokens, and even interact with Layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum and zkSync.”
In summary, AppIC DAO’s innovative strides with AppIC Terminal promised to bridge the gap between disparate blockchain ecosystems, ushering in a new era of interoperability and accessibility within the decentralized finance landscape.
Choosing ICP Chain: Vibhor’s Path to AppIC DAO
Vibhor shared candid reflections on his journey into blockchain technology. Initially drawn by the concept of decentralization, he began with Bitcoin. Ethereum followed as the next step, but scalability issues and high transaction costs prompted him to explore alternatives like Binance and Polygon. As he delved deeper into blockchain technology, Vibhor found many platforms offered similar features despite different verification methods. Subsequently, he dismissed Binance due to its centralized structure and looked for more decentralized options.
His interest in the ICP blockchain grew from its user-friendly transaction process and cost efficiency under the Reverse Gas Model. Transactions were finalized in seconds, making it an attractive choice initially. However, deeper exploration revealed that ICP’s technological advancements, such as Chain Key Cryptography, introduced the previous year, a transformative innovation in blockchain security.
Now that AppIC DAO is settled on the ICP chain, he remains optimistic about the blockchain’s potential to revolutionize the DeFi space.
AppIC DAO’s Vision and Roadmap
Vibhor outlined the roadmap and vision for AppIC DAO, providing a detailed overview of their current and future initiatives. Central to their plans was the development of SNS, a decentralized crowdfunding mechanism akin to Ethereum’s model, aimed at fostering community participation and governance.
“The transition to SNS marks our journey towards becoming a DAO,” Vibhor explained. This shift would empower the community to influence project direction and governance decisions actively.
Additionally, he pointed out the pivotal role of their token within this ecosystem, distinguishing it from many existing ICP projects primarily focused on governance. “Our token is designed to be a true utility token,” he emphasized. Beyond voting rights, token holders could participate in liquidity provision schemes, earning rewards while enhancing platform liquidity.
Moreover, Vibhor highlighted the token’s cross-chain utility, offering advantages to holders from different blockchain ecosystems. Holding AppIC DAO tokens could unlock discounts, access additional functionalities like automated investments, and compare various indexes across ICP and EVM-compatible chains.
“We’ve integrated with multiple indexes on ICP and plan to expand this to other EVM chains,” he noted. This integration will allow users to optimize transactions by choosing the best routes based on liquidity, volume, and pricing.
Looking ahead, Vibhor outlined ambitious plans to expand AppIC DAO’s capabilities. One major initiative involved facilitating non-ICP token transactions seamlessly through AppIC Terminal. This feature would enable users to convert tokens between different blockchain standards, such as ERC-20 to ICRC2, or across disparate chains, like Ethereum to Solana, all within seconds and at minimal cost.
“What sets us apart,” Vibhor emphasized, “is our decentralized, on-chain approach.” Unlike traditional bridges, which operate off-chain and pose security risks, AppIC Terminal ensures transparency and security by executing transactions entirely on-chain. Users can track their transactions in real-time, enhancing trust and reliability.
In discussing AppIC DAO’s features, Vibhor highlighted their multi-swap functionality as a key tool for consolidating scattered crypto assets across different wallets into a single unified platform. This feature aimed to simplify asset management, allowing users to gather small amounts of tokens spread across various wallets into more substantial holdings.
Another notable feature Vibhor mentioned was the portfolio creation tool. This tool enabled users to diversify their holdings by specifying allocations across different tokens. Using a single stablecoin, users could convert it into multiple tokens in one transaction. This process leveraged smart contract technology to optimize for the best prices and liquidity across various indexes and chains, similar to how travel aggregators find the best flight routes.
Looking ahead, Vibhor outlined AppIC DAO’s strategy to integrate lending, borrowing, staking, and derivative trading functionalities into their platform’s AppIC DeFi layer. This layer aimed to aggregate services from existing ICP solutions like Water Neuron and Stay Gig, as well as prominent DeFi protocols such as Yearn Finance, Lido, Compound, and Balancer.
The ultimate goal, Vibhor emphasized, was to create a seamless experience for users, where they could access and utilize diverse DeFi services directly through AppIC DAO’s interface. This approach aimed to simplify the complexities of decentralized finance, making it more accessible and user-friendly for both newcomers and experienced crypto enthusiasts alike.
Future Milestones and Strategic Outlook
The founder closed out our interview by noting Appic DAO’s upcoming milestones and strategic direction. He detailed their timeline, starting with beta testing in about a month and a half, followed by plans to launch SNS (crowdfunding) within four to six months. Beyond these immediate goals, Vibhor expressed ambitions to list AppIC DAO on other EVM-compatible chains and integrate with prominent projects such as Dogecoin and PEPE coin.
“Projects like Dogecoin or PEPE coin can utilize our platform,” Vibhor explained, “allowing users within the ICP ecosystem to benefit from these tokens.” He emphasized the significant liquidity within the ICP ecosystem, highlighting approximately $1.7 billion worth of ICP currently staked. This liquidity could serve dual purposes: benefiting both the ICP community and facilitating interaction with other blockchain ecosystems.
“It’s not just about Ethereum or the top blockchains,” Vibhor added, “but also newer entrants.” He stressed the importance of a multi-chain future where no single blockchain dominates. This vision aligns with AppIC DAO’s strategy to bridge ecosystems and enable seamless token interactions across different blockchain platforms.
Vibhor’s strategy for AppIC DAO revolves around expanding accessibility and utility, leveraging existing liquidity while embracing the diversity and growth potential of multi-chain interoperability in the blockchain space.
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