Proposal “Dash-Retail-1“ (Completed)Back

Title:Dash Retail: Make Every Dash Merchant a Dash Point of Sale, BitPay-Like Merchant Hedging & Colombia Pilot
Owner:georgedonnelly
Monthly amount: 129 DASH (3846 USD)
Completed payments: 3 totaling in 387 DASH (0 month remaining)
Payment start/end: 2019-01-16 / 2019-04-15 (added on 2019-01-07)
Final voting deadline: in passed
Votes: 0 Yes / 0 No / 0 Abstain

Proposal description

Enabling Dash merchants to buy, sell and accept Dash in one integrated system. A 12-month hybrid software development and marketing project to enable our 4,500+ Dash merchants to become fiat on-/off-ramps, Dash remittance agents, and to instantly hedge against volatility.

March Update




The Dash Retail Roadmap
Dash Podcast interview with Ash Francis (product manager)
Dash Podcast interview with George Donnelly (deployment lead)
Dash Brazil interview with George Donnelly
Dash News: Dash Adoption in Colombia Speeds Past 300 Merchants
Edward of Dash.red interviews George Donnelly

Download the complete Dash Retail proposal [PDF]

Dash Retail Mission Statement
  • Dash Economy Infrastructure: Create, support and promote the point-of-sale infrastructure required for a Dash-only monetary system to dominate the global economy.
  • Supercharge Merchant Adoption: Spark the next round of growth in Dash merchant adoption by enabling Dash merchants to hedge their received Dash instantly, enabling Dash to enter new industries and climb the supply chain by removing the volatility risk.
  • Total Dash Liquidity: Leapfrog the ATM/exchange integration marathon by leveraging every Dash merchant as a Dash on-/off-ramp, thereby closing the adoption loop and reducing system-wide volatility.

Why Vote Yes
  1. Make every Dash merchant a Dash point of sale.
  2. Enable us to get merchants who won’t or can’t tolerate volatility, such as supermarkets, fuel, utilities and other sellers of commodities.
  3. Make every Dash merchant a Dash remittance agent and incentivize a network of mobile, independent Dash remittance agents across Colombia and Latam.

What Dash Gets
  1. The Dash Retail mobile web app that enables Dash merchants to:
    1. receive Dash payments (only Dash);
    2. instantly hedge a self-selected percentage of their received Dash payments in a stablecoin (and eventually cash out to fiat on a schedule);
    3. sell Dash to consumers in arbitrary increments; and
    4. remit Dash across the globe to previously-registered anonymous Dash addresses.
  2. The Dash Retail app allows consumers to:
    1. buy Dash at every participating Dash merchant location.
    2. sell Dash for fiat at every participating Dash merchant location.
  3. A pilot of Dash Retail in Colombia by the Dash Colombia team starting Aug 1 2019, including a liquidity pool administered by Dash Colombia.
  4. The rollout of Dash Retail in Colombia starting Nov 1 2019.
  5. The potential to pilot Dash Retail in other regions in 2019.
  6. Exchange rate consistency with Core wallets.
  7. The potential to roll out Dash Retail across the globe as a tool to accelerate worldwide Dash mass adoption and give us an essential strategic advantage vis-a-vis other coins.

Why This Price
We aim to produce an MVP (minimum viable product) in 6 months, test in the field, then roll out and iterate. We expect to require approximately USD$10,000 in purchasing power per month for the first 9 months (development and pilot), and slightly more per month as we enter the rollout stage. All of us are working at reduced or no compensation because of our longstanding commitment to Dash and/or funding from other proposals.

https://i.imgur.com/eKp55x4.png

Download the complete Dash Retail proposal [PDF]

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Discussion: Should we fund this proposal?

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3 points,5 years ago
And if I may be so bold as to quote part of the executive summary from DashWatch:

The team has indicated that Dash Rates full endpoint set-up with multiple exchanges and associated messaging will be ready by the end of March AND WILL BE PASSED ON TO CORE TO BE IMPLEMENTED INTO THEIR DEVEOLOPMENT PIPELINE. Dash Retail will also be working with AnyPay to ensure their rates correspond 1:1 with the wallet as part of efforts to bring cohesion between Dash projects. Dash Watch was provided mockups of the Dash Retail user workflow, and these designs are anticipated to be finalized and shared with the community before the end of March.

Sorry for the caps = yelling. Couldn't get bold to work. This is important.

solarguy
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3 points,5 years ago
Thank you for highlighting that Solarguy, there is important work happening here in terms of Dash infrastructure, Dash adoption and bringing a greater level of cohesion between multiple projects. Our latest video update explains just how much Dash Retail can offer the DAO and demonstrates how far we've come in a short amount of time - https://youtu.be/rXKfnisYy64
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2 points,5 years ago
Don't forget, this software enables a merchant to 1. Accept Dash for payment for goods or services 2. Sell remittances 3. Sell Dash to customers and 4. Buy Dash from customers. This goes a long way toward improving the liquidity problem in Venezuela. 5. reduce their risk from volatility, another benefit of having on and off ramps to fiat.
As a "side benefit" this is part of what will allow us to see meaningful geographically specific transaction information.
Transactions.....or bust.

solarguy
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2 points,5 years ago
Dash Watch March 26th 2019 Report on
Dash Retail by georgedonnelly
https://dashwatchbeta.org/r/MAR19/dash-retail-1

Dash Watch March 26th 2019 Report on
Dash Colombia by georgedonnelly
https://dashwatchbeta.org/r/MAR19/dash-colombia-201902
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1 point,5 years ago
Q1:
How does receiving Dash work ?
Can a user let his QR-code get scanned and are there other options ?

Q2:
How would sending Dash work ?
Does the customer have to type in the Dash wallet address ? or do you offer another solution
Q2.1:
Wouldn't it be simpler to just let the user buy the Dash instead and then letting send it to some else instead ?
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2 points,5 years ago
Thanks for your questions!

1. Yes, the buyer of Dash will be able to just present his QR code for scanning. We are still considering other options.

2. The app will show a QR code for where the user has to send the dash when selling it for fiat. The address will also be shown, just in case. We are also considering an option to share the text address via WhatsApp and email.

2.1 The consumer is king in everything and many consumers expect to have the value-added service of just handing over fiat and having the Dash arrive painlessly and without additional steps. So both options are expected to be available.

Thanks for your questions. Thrilled to answer more!
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3 points,5 years ago
Metrics that matter for the Dash community and ecosystem. George is working on software that will finally give us geographic transaction metrics. This will have serious implications. Transactions or BUST! https://twitter.com/georgedonnelly/status/1096478800576172033
solarguy
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4 points,5 years ago
We have so many outstanding merchants here in Medellin that accept Dash. We also have consumers who have learned to use Dash in the many ongoing meetups that George's team offers the community every week.
We need way for people to easily get Dash when they want it. There are currenly a few ATM style machines that buy and sell Dash here, but the commissions are very high and the locations are far away from the merchants that accept Dash.
This proposal is offering a solution that makes sense. It will make the merchants even greater supporters of Dash and will cost the DAO a very reasonable amount.
I strongly support this proposal. I have voted YES.
Reply
2 points,5 years ago
Dash Watch January 25th 2019 Report on
Dash Medellín Colombia by georgedonnelly
https://dashwatchbeta.org/r/JAN19/dashcolombia-stopgap-122018
Reply
1 point,5 years ago
Thank you all for the amazing support, we've already started building out the first version of this and look forward to keeping you updated along the way.

George has added a video demonstrating the use case of this platform, allowing customers to buy Dash, pay for goods with Dash and sell their Dash. Further to this we'll be working on a comprehensive remittance solution which is a huge opportunity for Dash to make a difference to thousands of people who are currently facing massively inflated costs when sending money home.

If you haven't watched his video with Dash Watch I'd highly recommend it as he highlights many of the issues this proposal seeks to solve both locally in Colombia and Venezuela and globally as more local teams utilize the platform to quickly expand Dash to new markets around the world.
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4 points,5 years ago
George is getting it done in Colombia in a big way, and has step by step plans to enable the whole region to use Dash effectively. Go watch the video if you haven't: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks5r32DUIhs&feature=youtu.be

Mr. Donnelly has great problem solving skills and is constantly looking 8 jumps ahead too. Voting yes with both hands, Solarguy
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2 points,5 years ago
Thanks for your support, Solarguy! We're very excited about this, too.
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2 points,5 years ago
Dash Watch video interview with multiple proposal owner, George Donnelly https://youtu.be/Ks5r32DUIhs focusing on his work in Colombia and Latin America with questions such as “How would you respond to the statement Colombians have no reason to use cryptocurrencies since there is no hyperinflation?"

We cover a wide range of topics and George provides his perspective on merchant adoption strategies, the current merchant transaction numbers, the challenges of Dash depreciation, economic self sufficiency, liquidity solutions and are meetups and conferences a cost-effective way to increase Dash adoption? http://bit.ly/GDInterviewDoc

We also cover the value proposition and thinking behind this specific proposal in detail https://youtu.be/Ks5r32DUIhs?t=2305
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-2 points,5 years ago
Hello George,

I watched the video it was interesting however I got the impression you may have inadvertently misrepresented the Venezuela teams a little in your comments e.g. you say there was no collaboration with you and Venezuela but correct me if I'm wrong didn't DASH help fly to Colombia to support you with your recent DASH event? I believe they did this free of charge. Also DASH help have provide your customers with tech support - this was reported by Edward Stover in which one of your customers asked you a tech support question but you did not know the answer and you referred them to DASH help. They also provided you free of charge point of sale merchandise - which I think you mentioned in your video. I know you are busy and hard working person promoting DASH in Colombia and it is the same in Venezuela with the other teams. I think that there is very little time to be collaborating on projects which are in different countries with different needs and different strategies.

I also noticed that in your opinion was different with the Venezuela marketing strategy where you have a "Merchant centric" approach however note that you also stated that you were inspired by the Venezuela teams to start working in Colombia, so if Venezuela did not start I'm not so certain you project would have started. I think this point is very important point. Venezuela is inspiring teams like yours to start DASH promotion work. Venezuela teams also started first the marketing strategy for merchants - after which you followed afterwards with your own strategy- and to your credit made it work for you in Colombia. In Venezuela however they have a different strategy and that has been worked out to be optimal for their region and set of political and economic circumstances which are quite different than those in Colombia. Since you're not based and living in Venezuela I think it is fair to say you can't really know that market as well as people that have lived there day to day for all their lives.

As you know I am involved in helping to develop those Venezuela merchant marketing strategies and we have carefully thought all the way through the process. We are still refining that process however. We had already identified marketing to supermarkets and mini markets is essential but there are reasons why it could not be done right away. e.g. the Venezuelan teams had to develop a special POS system that would meet the government regulations - unlike in Colombia, a Venezuelan food shop that does not meet the regulations will get shut down.

I just wanted to clarify these points. There is friendly collaboration as much as is needed bearing in mind there are different markets and different needs.

The other questions I have in your interview. You mention that in your opinion that marketing in Venezuela is quote "high risk" - yet that is what you are looking to do yourself with remittance markets. So I'm a little confused why you say it is "high risk" but you yourself want to get into that market for remittances? Could you clarify this. If it is high risk then why are your interested in developing that market.

The Dash Venezuela teams have a proposal now for signing up mini markets and super markets. From what I can see in your planned proposal of being financially self supporting will depend on the Venezuelan remittance market and for that to work we need supermarkets and mini markets and pharmacies etc signed up in Venezuela. So, the Venezuela teams would, in fact, be supporting your goals.

I wanted to clarify these points because I felt the interview did not make these points clear and honestly it looked somewhat biased in my opinion. I know there is limited funds in the DASH treasury at the moment but I think worth while projects will be voted through based on merit. As you know I've supported your projects from the start and was an advisor on one of them. I just wanted to make sure that the Venezuela teams projects are fairly represented.
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2 points,5 years ago
Hello Deep Blue! I feel your comment really has nothing to do with the proposal at hand therefore I will send you my response privately, and if you wish to discuss this in public in an appropriate place I would love to do so at any convenient time. Thank you.
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3 points,5 years ago
Comon guys lets show george some support!!

Only honest and viable project currently in latam!!

Voting yes!!!
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-1 point,5 years ago
Thanks for your support, Mr. Hack.
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1 point,5 years ago
Yes from me! All the best!
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1 point,5 years ago
Much appreciated, Macno!
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3 points,5 years ago
that sounds a lot like "skunkworks" - Evan and Amanda talked about more then a year ago I think. Me gusta mucho. Tienes mi apoyo. Buena suerte!
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2 points,5 years ago
Indeed, crypt0fan, some of us are starting up a kind of Dash skunkworks and this is the first project to come out of it. We expect to produce a lot more as well as to help others refine their ideas into high-value projects as well as onboard new people into the Dash community who can follow a similar path. Gracias por tu apoyo!
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3 points,5 years ago
yep, this is how we do it!
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0 points,5 years ago
Thanks Ageless!
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2 points,5 years ago
Voting yes, good luck.
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0 points,5 years ago
Thank you, qwizzie!
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1 point,5 years ago
Hi there! I think this proposal will be of great benefit for Dash in case of being approved. Once it has been tested in Colombia, it can be replicated here in VE and the rest of the world to boost adoption
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4 points,5 years ago
I've had several long discussions with George about this topic, and I believe that it is *critical* to develop utilities with these capabilities to provide liquidity, reduce friction, and help merchants who have taken the bold step of accepting Dash and facilitating its sale to hedge against volatility. If we don't get Dash in to the hands of consumers and incentivize its use, onboarding thousands of merchants won't amount to anything other than a symbolic accomplishment. Finding a way to facilitate these parameters is paramount to making the grassroots approach work *anywhere,* especially in this region, and George, kodaxx, and Ash have proven themselves so far in their respective proposals, so I'm glad to give them the first crack at making this a reality as a team.

Do us proud, folks.
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1 point,5 years ago
We will, Arthyron, thanks for your support.
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4 points,5 years ago
voting YES.

"A 12-month hybrid software development and marketing project to enable our 4,500+ Dash merchants to become fiat on-/off-ramps, Dash remittance agents" - I remain impressed with George Donnelly whom is obviously a problem solver.
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1 point,5 years ago
Thanks Criticalinput, we've got a great team here and we are going to make this happen.
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3 points,5 years ago
Wow, a product like this would be of huge benifit to the dash ecosystem. Voting yes.
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1 point,5 years ago
Thanks KiwiCodger, are excited about what this can do for us!
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