Name of Grant
Research on Node Operator Succession Planning Solutions
What is the work being proposed?
This is an exploratory grant to determine what options exist for creation succession planning for Node Operators, in the event they die and their families need assistance transitioning their nodes.
Is there any related work this builds off of?
No
Will the results of this project be entirely open source
N/A
Benefit
| Group | Benefits |
|---|
| Potential rETH holders | N/A |
| rETH holders | Nodes that are ignored if the Node Operator passes away are bad for rETH holders, who experience a lower rate of return. |
| Potential NOs | If the Rocketpool community had a working Succession Planning process, it would be a competitive advantage over other liquid staking options. |
| NOs | This grant will help give Node Operators peace of mind that their loved ones will be taken care of, in the event they pass and their loved ones are unable to maintain their node.|
| Community| N/A |
| RPL holders | N/A |
Which other non-RPL protocols, DAOs, projects, or individuals, would stand to benefit from this grant?
N/A
Work
This first stage would be to research and propose two-to-three possible solutions to the succession planning problem. I would then solicit feedback from the community to see which option(s) are most viable.
The solutions would have to find a way to be trustworthy, secure, simple, and cost effective.
Who is doing the work?
aJoshR
What is the background of the person(s) doing the work? What experience do they have with such projects in the past?
Linkedin:Josh Rosenblatt - Co:Create | LinkedIn
I am an attorney and have been an executive at several successful crypto-startups since 2017. I am also a node operator and recently had to think through the problems of estate and succession planning with my family. I realized there is a huge gap for node operators, in the event something terrible happens.
What is the breakdown of the proposed work, in terms of milestones and/or deadlines?
I view this as The first stage of a three stage project. This grant is for Stage 1.
Stage 1: Research ideas, solicit community feedback, and report back on the results.
Timeline: One month
I have several ideas that I think would work well for a Node Operator succession planning proposal.
Those range from the simple: generating a form that is available for users to complete, print, and keep with their Will, that include instructions to their executor upon their passing.
To the complex: create a business whose job it is to buy Node Operator’s nodes when they are no longer able to run the node.
There are several options in between. This work will be to define and solicit the best ideas, get feedback from the community, and determine whether there is a preferred path forward.
Stage 2: Create an MVP of the solution (if viable), and begin to solicit initial users from the community.
Stage 3: Launch the solution.
How is the work being tested? Is testing included in the schedule?
It will primarily involve soliciting feedback from discord and having discussions with potential users.
How will the work be maintained after delivery?
The next grant will be to move to Stage 2, if there is sufficient interest after Stage 1.
Costs
Time: I expect this will take 20-40 hours.
What is the acceptance criteria?
Whether there is enough interest from the committee to research succession planning solutions, with the aim of standardizing a “preferred” solution for the community if all three stages are complete.
What is the proposed payment schedule for the grant? How much USD $ and over what period of time is the applicant requesting?
Payment upon approval of the grant.
Is the applicant requesting RPL or LUSD?
200 RPL
How will the GMC verify that the work delivered matches the proposed cadence?
There will be a report at the end of the grant, detailing the findings and next steps.
What alternatives or options have been considered in order to save costs for the proposed project?
N/A
Conflict of Interest
N/A, though I plan on apply for the IMC.
Does the person or persons proposing the grant have any conflicts of interest to disclose? (Please disclose here if you are a member of the GMC or if any member of the GMC would benefit directly financially from the grant).
No.
Will the recipient of the grant, or any protocol or project in which the recipient vested interest (other than Rocket Pool), benefit financially if the grant is successful?
No.
Other
I have been a node operator for about a year, and have been a silent member of the Rocketpool discord and avid watcher of Rocket Fuel for some time. I am now at a place where I can get more involved in the Rocketpool community, and am really excited to contribute!