Launched in 2017, aims to provide an energy-efficient alternative to Bitcoin and proof of work consensus, BitGreen utilizes its proprietary protocol and behavioral science with the goal of catalyzing everyday impactful actions at scale.
Funded by the blockchain’s governance protocol, users are able to discover and act on impact opportunities, such as using bikeshare programs or volunteering, and are rewarded with BITG, all through the BitGreen light wallet app. Users can also explore a growing global ecosystem of sustainable vendors, vetted charities, and carbon offset programs all accepting or distributing BITG.
All BITG holders are members of the BitGreen community and can nominate new impact actions and causes to be adopted. Incorporated in Wyoming, with an office in New York City and a global community, the BitGreen community aims to execute on the potential that blockchain has for shaping a healthy, resilient, and just world.
Approaching the BitGreen ecosystem with a mobile-first focus
BitGreen aims to put its ecosystem at the fingertips of users globally. With a global shift in device adoption in favour of mobile – by its very nature a daily technology companion to many people – launching the BitGreen ecosystem as a Mobile Application has become the clear path forward.
The intention is to present users with an impact dashboard that represents their overall positive social impact as a result of their participation in BitGreen initiatives, and actively present users with opportunities to maximise their impact.
Participation doesn’t compromise privacy
All users are encouraged to get involved, although a requirement is that each user is associated with an identifier that enables their actions to be recognised and rewarded accordingly. However, the identifier is associated with the user’s wallet itself rather than the individual – as a result there are no personally identifiable details that are required nor requested from users in order to participate.
Introducing the BitGreen Network ID
The BitGreen Network ID is a seamless and important aspect of the ecosystem, enabling the relationship between a user and their participation, subsequent impact, eligibility for rewards, and further engagement through the ecosystem. It consists of two components: an identifier that is associated with the user’s wallet; and optionally a chosen username from the user themselves.
The identifier is the primary ID for a user on the BitGreen network, automatically and cryptographically determined against the root key of a user’s wallet. When a new installation or creation of a wallet on the mobile app occurs, the identifier becomes apparent. This approach ensures the reliability and seamlessness between the user and engagement with the BitGreen ecosystem.
Additionally, any user is able to optionally set a username against their identifier that is publicly visible and searchable by other users. This concept will be familiar to many users who are already active on various social media platforms and within online communities. Once a username is set, it becomes reserved by that user’s identifier up until the point the username is changed.
Connecting the BitGreen community
An important part of facilitating transactions between users is to help connect them to other users within the community they deem as friends, acquaintances or perhaps would simply like to perform ad-hoc transactions with. We’ve subsequently introduced an intuitive address book feature within the BitGreen mobile wallet that allows users to add any other user as a contact simply by searching their username.
The searchability leverages users’ BitGreen Network ID – specifically the username component – to assist users to find and connect with their contacts.
Open-Source BitGreen Database API
There are intentionally minimal technical barriers to the implementation of partner initiatives. We are aware that partners will employ various systems and technologies that support their organisations, so we have developed a versatile API that allows partners to communicate with BitGreen to identify when users have fulfilled a given action, to subsequently reward those users.
The BitGreen database API supports this effort with blockchain based monitoring techniques where relevant, to identify user participation with partner initiatives. It is a value-add and contributes to a streamlined onboarding process by eliminating the need for partners to invest time and development with integration beyond scoping of the initiative.
Increasing usability through compatibility
Through development of the BitGreen Protocol and its implementation across desktop and mobile platforms, a key focus is to increase blockchain-related usability for end users, many of which are not familiar with the intricacies of the technology.
One such evolution of the BitGreen protocol is the adaptation to BIP39 mnemonics – a 12 word human-friendly phrase that defines any single wallet. The simplicity behind the phrase presents a great usability enhancement for end users to both backup their wallets as well as restore them where required. The platform agnostic implementation therefore makes it seamless for users to carry across their wallets to additional devices, whether mobile or desktop based.
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