The GeoSpace API initiative seeks to decentralize and certify geospatial information using the Cardano blockchain, with the objective of ensuring the authenticity, security and traceability of data from georeferencing systems. To achieve this, the proposal focuses on two main components:

Open Source API

An API will be created to store and certify coordinates, maps and geographic meta-data directly on the blockchain, following international GIS industry standards. Through the API, developers and organizations will be able to upload spatial data in a transparent and reliable way, enabling full traceability of the information throughout its life cycle. This component will include validation modules to verify the consistency of the data before registering it on the chain.

Web3 Platform for Consultation and Auditing

A Web3 interface will be implemented to facilitate the search and query of geo-referenced data already registered, offering reliability reports, change history and possible linkage with external oracles. The platform will also provide analysis and visualization tools, allowing organizations to audit and certify information in real time.

Project Phases Analysis and Initial Assessment: Validation of requirements, definition of use cases and technical feasibility study.

Design and Development: Progressive implementation of the API and Web3 platform, focusing on security and data integrity testing.

Pilot Testing: Launch of a pilot program with selected users, incorporating feedback to optimize the developer and end-user experience.

Release and Maintenance: Release of the API and platform under open licenses, with continuous updates to improve functionality and scalability.

The lack of solutions that integrate georeferencing systems with blockchain impedes the authenticity, security, and traceability of spatial data. Organizations that depend on reliable geographic information—such as those in logistics, resource management, precision mapping, real estate, environmental monitoring, tourism, and defense—lack standardized tools to verify and safeguard the integrity of their data, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation, errors, and legal disputes. For instance, in land management, the inability to reliably certify property locations can invalidate ownership claims; in logistics, tampered geospatial data can disrupt supply chains; and in environmental monitoring, non-traceable information limits the ability to validate initiatives such as reforestation. Furthermore, this shortfall constrains Cardano’s blockchain technology from reaching broader audiences and curtails the creation of new use cases—like location-based NFTs or sustainability certifications—that could bring greater value to the ecosystem. Integrating georeferencing with Cardano not only resolves these issues but also strengthens existing projects like Landano (land property management), Veritree (tree-planting tracking), and Empowa (affordable housing), boosting overall adoption and transaction volume on the network.

Key Benefits: Developers and dApp Creators

• Will have access to standardized, open-source tools for integrating location data directly into their applications, opening up new possibilities for innovation on Cardano, such as geolocated NFTs or map-based traceability systems.
• Can reduce development costs and time by avoiding the need to build georeferencing solutions from scratch, thanks to a ready-to-use API that follows international GIS standards.

Companies and Organizations -Sectors like logistics, precision agriculture, resource management, real estate, tourism, environmental monitoring, and security can verify the authenticity and accuracy of the geographic information they handle—whether it’s for tracking shipments, certifying properties, or validating sustainability initiatives.

• Will minimize the risk of manipulation and fraud—ensuring, for example, that land or shipment location data remains immutable—thereby improving operational efficiency and strengthening trust in their processes.

Cardano Community

• Will see increased adoption and diversification of blockchain use cases by enabling projects such as Landano (land management), Veritree (certified reforestation), and Empowa (affordable housing), in addition to new applications in gaming or environmental certifications, positioning Cardano as a robust and adaptable platform.
• Greater network usage will drive up transaction volume and value flows, benefiting ADA stakers and holders by energizing the ecosystem’s economy.
• Will foster collaboration with other Cardano projects, such as integrations with existing dApps or partnerships with governance initiatives, creating a more active and interconnected community.

Return on Investment (ROI) for the Cardano Community -Increased Network Transactions: By integrating with georeferencing applications—from land certification to supply chain tracking—the volume of transactions will grow, boosting fees and staking rewards. -New Business Opportunities: Companies and entrepreneurs, attracted by practical solutions like geospatial traceability or physical asset certification, will join the ecosystem, driving Cardano’s local economy and elevating its long-term value. -Strengthening the Cardano Brand: By offering real-world solutions (reliable geolocation, transparent certifications, and verifiable traceability), Cardano consolidates its position as a leader in practical innovation, attracting high-quality projects and reinforcing its global reputation

Month 1: Requirements and Functional Design Main Milestone: Functional Requirements and Architecture Document.

Definition of Fact:

Gathering of technical and user requirements;clearly delineated objectives.

Initial architecture proposal (components, interactions and basic diagrams).

Detailed schedule planning and internal approval.

Month 2: Initial Prototypes and Project Structure Major Milestone: conceptual prototype of the API and data model.

Milestone Definition:

A basic prototype (proof of concept) is generated to validate structure and technical feasibility.

Quality, security and coding style criteria are established (standards for contributions in GitHub).

The database and communication strategy with the Cardano blockchain is finalized.

Month 3: In-Depth API Development Major Milestone: First functional (internal) version of the API with basic endpoints (but not public yet).

Definition of Done:

Main methods of interaction with the blockchain (logging and reading of geospatial data) are implemented.

Unit tests to ensure stability and consistency of core functions.

Progress is documented in a private repository or development branch.

Month 4: Initial Web3 Interface Development Major Milestone: Preliminary integration between the API and a Web3 interface with minimal views.

Definition of Done:

Authentication/wallet connection and basic geospatial data loading/viewing screens are built.

Internal integration testing is performed to ensure stable communication between front and back end.

API documentation is refined in preparation for MVP release.

Month 5: MVP Release (API + Website3) Major Milestone: MVP version released for closed testing (pilot users or internal teams).

Definition of Done:

GeoSpace API has functional endpoints, covering registration, query and validation of geospatial data.

The Web3 interface provides navigation and minimal audit/visualization functions for georeferenced information.

Basic feedback mechanisms are established (e.g. public repository for issues).

Month 6: Beta Testing and Optimization Major Milestone: Beta version in a test environment with selected users.

Definition of Done:

Receipt of feedback on usability, performance and security of the API and Web3 interface.

Corrections and optimizations based on feedback obtained during the MVP.

Validation of initial scaling (ability to handle larger volumes of geospatial data).

Month 7: Release Candidate Major Milestone: Release of the Release Candidate (RC) for wider use.

Definition of Done:

Review and correction of critical bugs detected during Beta.

Integration with complementary GIS services or libraries, if applicable.

Advanced documentation (integration manuals, contribution guides) ready for public release.

Month 8: Official Release and Maintenance Plan Major Milestone: Stable version (V1.0 or equivalent) released to the public and sustainability strategy defined.

Definition of Done:

Official release of the GeoSpace API and Web3 platform under open source license.

Submission of a maintenance and continuous improvement plan (free API + premium features).

Final documentation updated and open to the community, with roadmap of future versions.

PERSONAL Project Manager (Part-time, 8 months): 1,200/month=9,600 USD (19,200 ADA) Lead Blockchain Developer (6 months): 1,500/month=9,000 USD (18,000 ADA) Backend/Frontend Developer #1 (6 months): 1,500/month=9,000 USD (18,000 ADA) Backend/Frontend Developer #2 (5 months): 1,500/month=7,500 USD (15,000 ADA) DB/GIS Specialist (Part-time, 6 months): 1,000/month=6,000 USD (12,000 ADA) QA Engineer (5 months): 800/month=4,000 USD (8,000 ADA) TOTAL COST: $45,100 USD (90,200 ADA)

Infrastructure and Tools Budget (USD & ADA)

Tools and Licenses: $1,800 USD (3,600 ADA)

Cloud Services: $8,000 USD (16,000 ADA)

TOTAL COST: $9,800 USD (19,600 ADA)

GRAN TOTAL COST: $54,900 USD (109,800 ADA)

Work Team Estimate Project Manager / Product Owner (1 person) Responsibilities: Schedule management, deliverable oversight, and resource coordination.

Commitment: Full-time for 8 months, with higher intensity during requirement definition (Months 1-2) and the final phase (Months 7-8) for launch.

Lead Blockchain Developer (1 person) Responsibilities: Designing the architecture to interact with the Cardano blockchain, ensuring proper recording of geospatial data.

Commitment: Full-time. Primary focus on Months 2-5 to implement and refine the blockchain connection.

Backend/Frontend Development Team (2 people) Responsibilities:

Backend: Building and maintaining the API (business logic, endpoints, security).

Frontend (Web3): Designing and implementing the user interface for registering, querying, and auditing georeferenced data.

Commitment: Full-time throughout the 8 months.

Phase Breakdown:

Months 3-4: Core API development (backend) and initial Web3 interface structure.

Month 5: MVP launch (functional API-frontend connection).

Months 6-7: Optimization, refinements, and UI adjustments based on test feedback.

Month 8: Final polishing, stable release documentation, and initial post-launch support.

Database / GIS Specialist (1 person) Responsibilities: Defining and implementing the geospatial data model, ensuring GIS standard compatibility, and optimizing storage and queries.

Commitment: Part-time (50-75%) over 8 months, with higher involvement in Months 2-5 to define and finalize the data schema.

QA Engineer (1 person) Responsibilities: Designing test plans, executing unit and integration tests, and final quality validation.

Commitment: Part-time in early phases (Months 2-4) and full-time from MVP (Month 5) until launch (Month 8).

Duration and Timeline (8 Months) Months 1-2: Requirements gathering and initial architecture design (Project Manager, GIS Specialist and Blockchain Lead).

Months 3-4: Internal API development (Backend) and Frontend initiation (Development Team), unit testing and basic technical documentation.

Month 5: Release of the MVP for controlled testing, with pilot user feedback.

Month 6: Beta testing and refinement. Inclusion of optimizations and corrections detected.

Month 7: Release Candidate version, extension to more users and last improvements.

Month 8: Stable version (V1.0), final documentation and maintenance plan.

Emilia Calvache My previous relevant experience to complete this project includes my background in Geospatial Engineering, with experience in land surveying and geospatial analysis, which allows me to understand the technical aspects related to georeferencing and its integration with blockchain. In addition, I have participated in several Cardano workshops in Ecuador and attended educational events about Cardano, which has given me a deep understanding of its technology and potential. On a technical level, I have connections with full stack developers in Ecuador and with Cardano blockchain developers, which facilitates the collaboration and successful implementation of this project.

Luis Nuñez I am a full-stack developer and have participated in several large-scale projects. In terms of blockchain projects, I have been involved in Cardano-based initiatives related to on-chain transactions. Here is my LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/andres-flores-7b5656209/

To ensure the continuity and evolution of the GeoSpace API and its Web3 platform, a hybrid model of free access and advanced paid capabilities is proposed:

Free API and Basic Web3 Site.

The core API and the main functionality of the Web3 platform will be offered in an open source manner, with documentation and community support.

This basic version will enable the registration and querying of geospatial data, encouraging broad adoption and collaborative innovation.

Advanced Payment Capabilities

Premium features-such as advanced analysis modules, large-scale customization or priority support-will be implemented for organizations with specific requirements.

Revenue generated will cover infrastructure costs, security upgrades, and ongoing enhancements to the API and Web3 platform.

Cardano Improvement Proposals (CIPs): CIP-30: Defines the web bridge between dApps and wallets, an API for decentralized applications to interact with wallets, showing interest in developer APIs (Cardano dApp-Wallet Web Bridge). This is relevant to the general need for APIs in Cardano. Other CIPs, such as CIP-95, extend functionality for web tools, indicating a continued focus on improving interoperability.

Community Projects and Tools: The CFC (Cardano File Certification) project uses Cardano for data certification, demonstrating interest in certification applications, similar to the user's proposal (CFC Cardano File Certification). This supports the need for tools to certify data in blockchain. Tools such as Blockfrost and the Cardano Developer Portal (Cardano Developer Portal) offer APIs to interface with the blockchain, showing an active demand for more development tools.

Discussions in Forums and Groups: On the Cardano Forum, there are discussions such as “Full Node API - CIP?” (Cardano Forum Discussion), where the community debates the need for APIs for interacting with nodes, even for non-georeferencing cases such as transaction management and governance. Special interest groups, such as the #developers channel on Cardano Ambassadors Slack, facilitate discussions on development tools, including APIs for interoperability. https://forum.cardano.org/t/full-node-api-cip/40477

Need for APIs and Interoperability in Cardano: Articles such as Top 10 Cardano API providers 2024 highlight the importance of APIs for decentralized application development, including for cases such as transactions, NFTs and smart contracts, unrelated to georeferencing. Cardano's Basho era focuses on scalability and interoperability, suggesting a continued need for tools that facilitate integration with other systems, supported by community discussions.

No dependencies are required for the proposal