Development Roadmap

⚪️ Phase 1: Research and Conceptualization (Q4 2023 - Q1 2024)

• Objective: Establish foundational knowledge and strategic direction for zkTAO, focusing on privacy, security, and AI validation integration.

• Key Activities:

  • Conduct market research and technology feasibility studies.

  • Define project goals, technical specifications, and preliminary architecture.

  • Engage with potential partners and stakeholders for early feedback.

🟢 Phase 2: Launching Phase (Q2 2023 - Q3 2023)

• Objective: The objective of Phase 2, the Launching Phase, is to establish a solid foundation for the zkTAO project by introducing it to the public, testing its core technologies, and initiating community engagement and participation. This phase aims to transition from theoretical groundwork and development into practical application and user interaction, setting the stage for real-world implementation and feedback.

• Key Activities for April:

  • Launch of Social Media and Website: To build a community and provide a central information hub.

  • zkTAO Local Test: Initial testing to ensure the blockchain's functionality and stability.

  • $ZAO Staking - Real Yield Pool: Introduction of staking mechanisms to incentivize early participation.

  • Launch of $ZAO Token: Activation of the native cryptocurrency to facilitate transactions within the ecosystem.

  • Lock LP and Team Allocation: To secure liquidity and commit to long-term project success.

  • Renounce Ownership: To ensure decentralization and transfer governance to the community.

  • Daily Reward for Stakeholders: To reward community members for their participation and investment.

  • AI Validator ID - Mint Ownership NFT: Allowing users to mint NFTs that represent their participation in network validation.

  • zkTAO Testnet (Rollup): Deployment of a testnet to evaluate scalability solutions and technology integration.

  • Snapshot Data & Airdrop: To reward early adopters and participants in the ecosystem.

• May and Beyond:

  • Public Beta Testing: Extend testing to a broader audience to gather extensive feedback on usability, performance, and security.

  • Release Mainnet: Transition zkTAO from testnet to a fully operational mainnet environment, marking the official launch of the blockchain network for public use.

  • Officially Join TAO Sub-net: Integrate zkTAO as an official sub-net within the TAO Network, expanding its ecosystem and leveraging the network's resources and capabilities.

  • Community Workshops and AMAs: Organize interactive sessions to educate the community about the project’s technologies, answer questions, and gather insights.

  • Partnership Announcements: Begin revealing strategic partnerships with other blockchain projects, financial institutions, and technology providers to enhance the ecosystem's capabilities and reach.

  • Developer Documentation and SDKs: Release comprehensive documentation, software development kits (SDKs), and toolsets to encourage developers to start building on the zkTAO platform.

  • Bug Bounty Program: Implement a bug bounty program to incentivize the identification and reporting of potential security vulnerabilities.

  • Continued $ZAO and AI Validator ID Promotions: Run campaigns to maintain momentum around $ZAO staking and the minting of AI Validator IDs, emphasizing the benefits and potential rewards.

  • Integration Demonstrations: Showcase practical integrations and use cases of zkTAO technology in various industries, such as finance, healthcare, and supply chain management, to illustrate the platform's versatility and potential.

  • Feedback Incorporation: Start integrating feedback from the initial launch and testing phases into the project's development roadmap, ensuring the platform evolves in alignment with user needs and expectations.

Phase 3: Core Development and Architecture Refinement (Q4 2023)

• Objective: Finalize the zkTAO blockchain development and refine architectural components.

• Key Activities:

  • Optimize the blockchain infrastructure for performance and security.

  • Integrate AI validation mechanisms and privacy-preserving technologies fully.

  • Perform comprehensive security audits to ensure robustness against threats.

Phase 4: Pilot and Feedback Loop (Q1 2024)

• Objective: Implement a pilot program to refine the zkTAO platform based on user feedback.

• Key Activities:

  • Launch a pilot version of the zkTAO blockchain for selected users.

  • Gather and analyze user feedback on performance, usability, and features.

  • Iterate on the platform based on feedback to improve user experience and system efficiency.

Phase 5: Full Deployment and Scaling (Q2 2024 - Q4 2024)

• Objective: Achieve full operational status for the zkTAO blockchain, ensuring scalability and accessibility for all users.

• Key Activities:

  • Officially launch the zkTAO mainnet, making the platform publicly available.

  • Scale up infrastructure to support growing user numbers and transaction volumes.

  • Continue optimization efforts to maintain high performance and security standards.

Phase 6: Ecosystem Development and Expansion (2025 Onwards)

• Objective: Drive growth and innovation within the zkTAO ecosystem, fostering the development of decentralized applications and services.

• Key Activities:

  • Promote DApp development on the zkTAO platform through developer support programs and incentives.

  • Expand the ecosystem through strategic partnerships and collaborations.

  • Innovate continuously by integrating new technologies and features to keep the platform at the cutting edge of blockchain development.

This roadmap is subject to refinement as the project progresses, with flexibility built in to adapt to technological advancements, regulatory changes, and stakeholder feedback.