Next Gen Social Apps on Ethereum
Ethereum Follow Protocol
Introduction
Since Vitalik Buterin's 2014 Ethereum whitepaper, which listed "Identity and Reputation Systems" (p.22) as a key application category, the concept of using Ethereum for identity has been central. Key components of the web3 identity stack currently exist, but further development is required to realize its full potential.
The Ethereum Follow Protocol (EFP) aims to be a social graph protocol for Ethereum accounts, with the intention to streamline how social relationships are managed and utilized in decentralized applications.
Understanding the EFP’s Framework
Ethereum Follow Protocol is being designed to complement the existing Ethereum identity stack, serving as a social graph protocol for Ethereum accounts. In simple terms, the identity stack refers to the set of tools and systems used to manage and identify users on the Ethereum network. EFP is intended to be utilized alongside other Ethereum ecosystem components rather than as a standalone application. As shared by founder Brantly Millegan, over 50 launch partners are currently committed to integrating EFP into their apps.
EFP aims to seamlessly integrate with Ethereum's infrastructure, to simplify user interaction and connectivity by allowing users to follow each other and establish connections without the need for additional account setups or specific naming rules.
A demo version of Ethereum Follow Protocol is available at demo.ethfollow.xyz.
Current Status and Future Roadmap
The Ethereum Follow Protocol has made progress in its development and team expansion, recently hiring two new developers. The platform is testnet ready, with smart contracts operating on Optimism's Sepolia network. This testing phase ensures the platform's functionality and reliability before its official release.
All operations and data are transparently maintained onchain. The technical details and ongoing updates can be found on GitHub repository.
Ethereum Follow Protocol x ENS DAO
The EFP secured funding from the Public Goods Large Grants program and the Service Provider Streams. Since receiving the support from ENS DAO, the project has achieved significant milestones:
Smart Contract Development: Core smart contracts for EFP.
Indexer and API: The backend infrastructure, including the indexer and API, is operational.
Manager App Design: Efforts have been directed towards designing the EFP manager app.
The user interface has been presented to the ENS DAO community, showcasing functionalities like following new users, tracking follower counts, and adding tags to those you follow.
About ENS DAO Grants
This grant aims to provide a pathway for foundational Public Goods in the Ethereum or Web3 ecosystems to request more significant funding from the Public Goods working group. Foundational Public Goods in the context of this grant have exceptional usefulness or an established record of making an impact for users or developers.
To learn more, visit the ENS DAO Forum and make sure to follow ENS DAO for notifications of when the next Large Grants opportunity will begin.
Note: Grants are paid out in tranches. The original distribution date was Q1 2024, and subsequent fund distributions have been made since, following the completion of milestones.
Last updated
