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Requested:225K USDC
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Pixelproof V2 Proposal: Decentralized Photo Storage dApp

inMedium Spender
24 days ago
BeneficiaryBeneficiary:

(225K USDC)

Over the past two weeks, we’ve listened closely to the community, reviewed feedback from delegates and DVs, and re-evaluated our priorities. This updated proposal reflects that input with a substantially reduced budget and a tighter, clearer scope.

Our goal remains the same: to build the first flagship consumer-facing dApp on Polkadot, a decentralized alternative to Google Photos that puts user ownership and privacy at its core.

This version focuses exclusively on delivering a lean, functional MVP. Core features include decentralized photo storage, embedded wallet authentication, and basic sharing and access controls—everything needed to prove real-world adoption and lay the groundwork for future development.

We’ve also strengthened the technical clarity and business logic, adding a detailed Design Document outlining architecture, budgeting, and delivery milestones.

This proposal is a first, concrete step to show what Polkadot-native infrastructure can achieve. We’re excited to help set the stage for the next generation of decentralized apps.

PixelProof.jpgApillon is proud to submit this proposal for Pixelproof - a fully decentralized, production-grade photo storage application built on the Polkadot ecosystem. Our goal is simple yet bold: to create the first flagship consumer-facing dApp on Polkadot that rivals mainstream solutions like Google Photos, but with true user ownership, privacy, and decentralization at its core.

Despite Polkadot’s maturity in infrastructure and protocol-level innovation, the ecosystem still lacks powerful, user-first applications that resonate beyond crypto-native circles. Pixelproof fills that gap.

Pixelproof is more than a technical showcase - it is a usable, polished, multi-platform application designed for everyday users. It leverages:

  • Decentralized Storage Integration:
    Users can upload and store photos on IPFS, pinned via Crust Network, with clear ownership and verifiable hashes.
  • Embedded Wallet Authentication:
    Simple, non-custodial wallet login and account creation for seamless onboarding, avoiding seed phrase complexity.
  • Clean Web Interface:
    A web application allowing users to sign in, upload, browse, and manage photos.
  • Foundational Mobile Experience:
    A lightweight mobile app to support uploads and viewing (based on Immich foundations), but without all advanced features.
  • Stripe Integration for Payments:
    Enabling fiat payments for premium storage or features, with transparent routing of revenue back to the Polkadot Treasury.
  • Documentation & Governance:
    Clear setup guides, user instructions, and transparent reporting on revenue flows.

This proposal outlines a MVP Development with the total requested funding of $225,000, covering infrastructure, smart contract development, wallet integration, UX, DevOps, and open-source tooling.

We invite the Polkadot community to review the full proposal PDF for an in-depth breakdown of architecture, and the strategic value Pixelproof brings to the ecosystem.

Together, let’s show the world what a real Web3 app can look like.

Backup Google Doc link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qgcyStHirRj2wT-hnzJYKDV0WqDMKuwK39EfdBOnKVU/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ctwwp53pk42

Comments (7)

22 days ago

Hi Matjaz, thank you for the updated proposal. I appreciate the more focused and detailed description and applaud the idea of first doing an MVP. As before, I really support the big picture of utilizing the technology already available in the ecosystem to create a mainstream product that focuses on decentralization, ownership and privacy. The participation from different teams is also extremely positive.

I do still have a couple of questions regarding how the project will address privacy:

  • I don't believe I saw the Umanitek AI moderation in the new version, which I understood was meant to scan for sensitive content. Do you intend to use AI and if so, at which point in time and in which way?

  • In the Immich fork you are planning, could you please further clarify how the encryption of the photos would be?

From my understanding Immich uses AI on the server, where the photos are not encrypted. On the other hand I understand Ente uses AI on the client(user device) given photos are E2E encrypted. So, in the case that PixelProof photos are also E2EE I am not sure how Immich’s AI would be able to access them.

I would appreciate it if you could further clarify these aspects so I can better understand how the privacy of the photos will be handled to indeed ensure that only the user has access to the photos.

22 days ago

PolkaWorld votes NAY

1.	While we appreciate the effort behind this proposal, we believe it does not fall under the category of essential or public-goods-type initiatives. As network inflation may gradually decreases to 5% or lower, the Treasury will inevitably face tighter budget constraints. It’s important that we begin prioritizing resources toward the most critical and impactful areas.
2.	We’re also unsure about the tangible objectives or user value this product is expected to deliver. Speaking from a user perspective, the current use case doesn’t strongly resonate, and it appears more like a demonstration of Apillon SDK integration rather than a solution to an ecosystem-wide need.
3.	Lastly, key details are still missing — such as a clear budget breakdown, the number of contributors involved, and the estimated development timeline — which makes it difficult to fully assess the proposal’s scope and feasibility.

We share this feedback respectfully and hope it contributes to further refinement of the idea.

You can view our full feedback [here].

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