CARV Protocol ($SOUL) and Airdrop?

9may...WMMw

19 Apr 2024

Introducing CARV

Since the rise of the World Wide Web in the 90s, the mass generation of personal data has reached a point where 90% of the world's personal data has been produced by individuals in just the last two years. Today, each of us generates approximately 146GB of data daily through interactions across an average of 30 applications spanning communication, work, content consumption, eCommerce, and more.
While this data revolution offers convenience and tailored experiences, it also leaves our data predominantly in the hands of a few, with little transparency over the security, usage, or beneficiaries of our data. As industries like gaming and AI continue to evolve rapidly, data doesn't just enhance user experience, data has become the foundation for the entire ecosystem.

AIRDROP

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Lifetime Membership for Passive Income, Redistributing Value in the AI Revolution

Yet, the creators of this data see little of the resultant financial gain. The pervasive lack of control over personal data not only undermines individual privacy but also prevents people from participating in the value created by their personal data.
Despite the introduction of privacy laws such as GDPR and CCPA, and measures like the reduction of cookie tracking, solutions that truly empower users remain scarce. Blockchain technology has offered a glimpse of privacy through decentralization, but it brings its own challenges, including complex user experiences and increased costs for managing dispersed digital assets.

A new paradigm is urgently needed—one where individuals not only retain sovereignty over their personal information but also actively engage in the economic ecosystems built around it. Imagine a world where individuals not only retain sovereignty over their personal information but also actively engage and share the fruitfulness in the economic ecosystems built around it.

CARV is spearheading this revolution by constructing an incentive-aligned infrastructure that reimagines the internet, placing individuals at the core of their digital interactions - the ability to obtain a lifetime membership for passive income, a crucial step towards a sustainable, prosperous, user-owned internet.

Building the Largest Modular Data Layer for Gaming, AI

To realize the aforementioned vision, CARV has built its ecosystem consisting of CARV Protocol, as well as two of its first flagship products CARV Play and CARV AI.

CARV Overview

CARV Protocol
CARV Protocol is a modular data layer that facilitates data exchange and value distribution across the gaming and AI sectors. It encompasses end-to-end data flow processes, including data verification, identity authentication, storage, processing, model training, and value distribution. With CARV Protocol, every individual can now own, control, verify, and monetize their data, revolutionizing how data is used and shared, by ensuring privacy, ownership, and control are firmly in the hands of individuals, pioneering a future where data generates value for all.
The modularity of CARV protocol has

Enabled 780+ games and AI companies across web2 & web3 such as like Electronic Arts, Netmarble, AliCloud to leverage data as a commodity in ways unique to their business needs, from NPC training, user understanding, to anti-sybil mechanisms.
Onboarded 920K+ individuals onto "Lifetime Membership of Passive Income" via CARV ID (ERC7231 standard NFT).
Decentralized confidential computation layers of CARV's protocol to ensure privacy-preserving, policy-compliant, redistribution of value creation to data contributors and owners in the millions.

CARV Play

As the first flagship product building on CARV Protocol, CARV Play is the first cross-platform credentialing system and the largest web3 gaming distribution & social platform for gamers and games alike. With CARV Play, gamers can immerse themselves in games worth exploring, forging one's profile with all your gaming moments in one place, and discovering a rich mix of games and exclusive events with a community of genuine gamers. For games, CARV Play provides a comprehensive suite of tools to reach, grow, and understand gamers, nurturing your community into fans and champions by showcasing the best of your game. To date, CARV Play has

Enhanced gaming experience for 2.5M registered gamers across web2 & 3 to share data, build credentials, play games, and receive rewards. With avg. daily UAW of 500K+ in the past quarter, CARV Play is one of the top 3 active ecosystems on chains such as Linea, opBNB, zkSync, Ronin, and more.
With $1M+ MRR, CARV Play has integrated and supported 780+ web2 & 3 games and ecosystems such as Illuvium, Off the Grid, Aperion, Pixelmon and more for targeted UA, user understanding, gamer retention management and more.

Overview

The CARV Protocol is a modular data layer that facilitates data exchange and value distribution across gaming, AI and ∞. It encompasses end-to-end data flow processes, including data verification, identity authentication, storage, processing, model training, and value distribution.
The CARV Protocol empowers users by granting them control over their own data, enabling them to share information securely and privately, while also participating in revenue generated from their data usage.
For businesses, it provides access to high-quality, privacy-preserving and regulatory-compliant user data, leveraging this information to enhance their operations.
Infrastructure-wise, the CARV Protocol underpins the entire data lifecycle, ensuring that data monetization and value distribution are executed in a decentralized, integrated, privacy-focused, and regulatory-compliant manner.
The protocol primarily targets the gaming and AI verticals, showcasing its specialized capabilities. However, it is designed with the flexibility to extend its application to additional industries in the future.

Architecture

CARV Protocol Architecture

Overview

The CARV Protocol features modular design, managing the end-to-end data lifecycle across various layers. Components within each layer can be seamlessly integrated:

Identity Layer: This layer authenticates users via both traditional (web2) and blockchain (web3) mechanisms, aggregated under the CARV ID(ERC-7231). It integrates identities and data through CARV Link, Oracle, and other data verification services.
Storage Layer: A flexible data storage system, organizing data across different levels based on cost considerations and duration of persistence.
Computation & Training Layer: Utilizes a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) cluster to process data and train AI models confidentially, with outcomes and TEE attestation relayed to the execution layer.
Execution Layer: Established on a consensus foundation, it interprets data consumers’ needs and allocates rewards according to the results of processing and verification activities.
Verification Layer: This layer consists of verifiers from the community, tasked with validating the TEE attestation to confirm its secure and accurate operation within the TEE.

Identity Layer

Overview

Ensuring the verifiability of user data across various platforms necessitates a unified system to uniquely identify each user. CARV introduces ERC-7231 as a solution, establishing a standard for representing a user’s aggregated identity on the blockchain via a Non-Fungible Token (NFT).

ERC-7231

CARV ID - ERC 7231
ERC-7231 extends ERC-721 by binding individuals’ Web2 and Web3 identities to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Soulbound tokens (SBTs). By binding multiple identities, aggregated and compossible identity information can be verified, resulting in more beneficial on-chain scenarios for individuals, such as self-authentication, social overlapping, commercial value generation from user targeting, etc. By adding a custom schema in the metadata, and updating and verifying the schema hash in the contract, the binding of NFT and identity information is completed. For details, visit: EIP-7231.
In an enhanced version, identities are structured within a Merkle tree, where each leaf represents a distinct ID. This configuration allows users to disclose specific IDs as needed, concealing their full identity spectrum from the computation layer. This approach minimizes the risk of data leakage and enhances the efficiency of data transfer.

Data Authentication

ERC-7231 facilitates the consolidation of identities from both Web2 and Web3 environments. These identities can be authenticated and integrated via CARVLink (Oracle), external verification services, or direct on-chain attestations. See below for more information.
Note: It's important to recognize that data can still be falsified, despite endorsements from third-party verifiers or the data provider itself. The credibility of the data ultimately depends on the consumer's confidence in the endorsing party's trustworthiness.

CARV Link

CARV Link design
CARV Link operates as a decentralized Oracle service, developed on the ChainLink infrastructure. It facilitates the importation of user data from both web2 and web3 sources, utilizing Oracle services to create unique signatures that certify the authenticity of the data.

Data Provider

Naturally, data providers can vouch for the data they generate. For instance, a government can authenticate your passport, or a social media platform can validate your follower count. Data accompanied by the provider's signature serves as a powerful endorsement, affirming the data's authenticity directly from its source.

Third-party Verification

When data cannot be authenticated directly by the provider, a third-party entity can step in to endorse and validate its authenticity, gaining trust from the data consumer. For example, you can This endorsement is applicable to any type of data, provided the verification process is robust and reliable.

On-chain Attestation

Note: On-chain attestation is different from TEE attestation.
On-chain attestation can be produced via Zero-Knowledge proofs or other attestation services, providing another layer of validation.

Data Storage Layer

Once data is verified and endorsed by identity layer, it will be aggregated and only visible to the end users. Users can have the data encrypted and stored at any place they want. Based on the data availability and cost, different storage options are presented.

Modular data storage - CARV DB

CARV DB constitutes the storage component of the protocol, developed on top of EigenLayer. Utilizing AVS (Actively Validated Services), it not only stores data but also ensures its verification. Data storage is stratified into tiers, balancing between cost and reliability; from the most economical option, offering lesser consensus and persistence, to the more robust solution, which, while costlier, provides greater data reliability and consensus.
Additional information will be made available shortly.

Decentralized Storage

Users have the option to choose decentralized storage solutions based on their preferences. The execution layer currently facilitates integration with Greenfield, with plans to expand support for additional decentralized storage options in the future.

Centralized Storage

Given that data is encrypted, users can also have data stored on centralized storage like AWS S3. Currently, the execution layer also supports fetching data from S3. More centralized storage can be supported in the future. Centralized data storage is much cheaper compared to other solutions. However, availability can't be guaranteed.

Local Storage

With data encryption in place, users can opt for centralized storage solutions, such as AWS S3. The execution layer is already equipped to retrieve data from S3, and it is expected to extend support to more centralized storage services. While centralized storage is more cost-effective than alternative options, it does not guarantee the same level of availability.

Computation & Training Layer

Computation is built on top of the Trusted Execution Environments / TEEs (e.g. Intel SGX). It ensures the user data is processed in privacy-enhancing technologies. With a combination of remote proof, identity authentication, session key exchange and data encryption, users can be guaranteed that the execution environment is expected. Then, a TEE node can process user's data and produce the TEE attestation, which can be verified by the verification layer to make sure the execution result posted on-chain is computed in the same trusted environment where users have submitted their data.
CARV Protocol - Computation & Training Layer

Trusted Execution Environment Cluster.

The CARV protocol operates a cluster of TEE nodes, each designated for specific functions. To participate, nodes must stake tokens and, in return, they earn rewards for their contributions but face penalties for any misconduct.
In the data processing workflow, a single TEE node is selected to handle each task. The node processes the data and then posts results on the blockchain, accompanied by TEE attestation, a timestamp, and a nonce to thwart replay attacks.
For AI model training, parameters are crucial for differentiating AI models, and most training models need to be run in a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). The CARV protocol natively supports AI training within a TEE, enabling AI companies to access high-quality data in a privacy-preserving manner, thus protecting both user data and model parameters.

About Trusted Execution Environments

TEEs offer attestations, enabling users to confirm that results are genuinely produced by a legitimate enclave operating correctly. We utilize Intel SGX for generating blockchain-verifiable ECDSA signatures, directly authenticated against Intel’s Root Certificate Authority (CA). Our ongoing security measures against SGX vulnerabilities, such as Aepic and MMIO, include updating the SGX Trusted Computing Base (TCB) regularly, employing different Oblivious RAM (ORAM) strategies, and restricting network participation to hardware with established integrity that complies with stringent Direct Anonymous Attestation (DAA) protocols.

Zero-Knowledge Proof

zk-SNARK: ZK (Zero-Knowledge) Proof is the mechanism that validates and verifies the data in CARV Protocol. Verifying a proof is a computational operation that is logarithmic in the worst case to the mathematical statement, and the proof process does not require interaction between the prover and the verifier, only the proof needs to be passed to the verifier (non-interactive).
Through zk-SNARK, CARV Protocol can verify and prove users' on and off chain data, while ensuring minimal disclosure of user data, achieving privacy-preserving.
Note that CARV accommodates both ZK (Zero-Knowledge) Proof and non-ZK proof data. Utilizing ZK Proof as input minimizes the risk of data exposure throughout the end-to-end data flow. Nevertheless, non-ZK proof data can still be verified and processed privately, by the integration with TEE.

TOKENOMICS

CARV Token Utility and Purpose

CARV is the native utility token of the CARV ecosystem, used as a medium of exchange within its platform. It empowers players with ownership of data and allows participation in the governance of the ecosystem's development.

Retail users’ premium utillities in CARV ecosystem, e.g., gas payment for multi-chains, gaming assets purchases, etc.
Incentive to bootstrap incentive layer, e.g., data owners, providers, consumers.
CARV can be converted to veCARV with 1:1 ratio through staking

veCARV Token Utility and Purpose

veCARV stands for voting-escrow CARV, is a non-transferable token. veCARV is mainly used for:

CARV Protocol governance.
Incentive to bootstrap incentive layer, e.g., data owners, providers, consumers.
Used for governance voting in P2E system 'Infinite Play'.
Used in P2E systems to delegate voting rights to escrow pool owners and receive pool rewards.
Incentivizes node operators who secure and support the network.
veCARV can be redeemed for CARV with varying rates and waiting periods, which is explained in more detail in The Redemption Process.

How to convert CARV and veCARV

Convert CARV to veCARV

Convert CARV to veCARV at a 1:1 (100%) ratio at any time.
Tip: CARV is transferable. After conversion, veCARV will be non-transferable.

Redemption of veCARV into CARV

VeCARV conversion to CARV requires an unlocking period.
The redemption rate varies for different unlocking periods, with longer unlocking periods resulting in higher redemption rates, reaching up to 100%.
Users are required to pay a network channel fee of 1$ CARV each time they initiate a Redeem.
Users can cancel redemption requests at any time without being fined, including after the unlock period is over if the redemption has not been claimed. period is over if the redemption has not been claimed.

Redemption Duration (Days)
Rewards (CARV)
15 25%
90 60%
150 100%

Once veCARV enters the redemption period, it will no longer be eligible to participate in governance voting.
After the redemption process of veCARV, the remaining (if any) veCARV will be distributed accordingly:

50% will be converted to CARV and enter the CARV treasury to maintain network operation.
50% will be burned upon claim of redemption, which makes CARV deflationary.

Distribution & Vesting

The total supply of $CARV will be 1,000,000,000 and will become accessible over four years, starting at the time of the Token Generation Event. The initial four-year post TGE allocation of the total supply of $CARV is as follows:

Nodes & Community- through various means to reward our community for their efforts in contributing to the project's success. - 50% (500,000,000 $CARV tokens)
Ecosystem & Treasury - Treasury holding of $CARV tokens - 9% (90,000,000 $CARV tokens)
Early Investors - seed and early strategic investors in CARV who are willing to company the project in the long run - 10% (100,000,000 $CARV tokens)
Private Fundraising - series A and thereafter investors in CARV that participate in private fundraising - 10% (100,000,000 $CARV tokens)
Founding Team & Advisors - rewarding the core founding contributors and advisors for their full-time effort to the project's success 17% (170,000,000 $CARV tokens)
Liquidity - tokens allocated to provide liquidity - 4% (40,000,000 $CARV tokens)

To align incentives of all stakeholders, CARV token's ($CARV) vesting for all shareholders is indicated below: