Name of Project
Asian Market Staking User Education and Onboarding with HashQuark
What is the work being proposed?
HashQuark proposes to utilize its expertise in branding, marketing, and user education towards stakers to support RocketPool in the Asian market. The proposed work includes:
- Branding: Developing a comprehensive branding strategy for RocketPool in the Asian market, including brand positioning and messaging tailored to the target audience. HashQuark will take the responsibility of educating professional investors and organizations in the Asia market to understand RocketPool’s tokenomics and design.
- Marketing: Implementing targeted marketing campaigns to raise awareness of RocketPool among professional investors and financial organizations in Asia. This includes sponsoring events for panels and speeches, VIP client events, social media posts, and blog research articles. HashQuark will leverage HashKey‘s connections with renowned projects, professional investors, and strong partnerships with leading fintech companies, academic institutions, and industry associations to attract stakers to the liquid staking offered by RocketPool.
- User Education: Creating educational materials and organizing workshops or webinars to educate potential stakeholders on the benefits and process of staking ETH for rETH through RocketPool. HashQuark will actively plan and conduct strategic marketing campaigns to increase understanding and adoption of RocketPool’s services.
- Cooperation with HashKey Division: RocketPool could form more collaboration with HashKey ecosystem products. For example, to on-boarding professional investors as rETH holders, HashQuark would help to involve Xpert, a licensed custody platform, to act as custodian for rETH holds to fulfill the client’s compliance requirement.
Is there any related work this builds off of?
N/A
Will the results of this project be entirely open source? If not, which parts will not be, why, and under what license will they be published?
N/A
Benefits - enter N/A where appropriate
| Group | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Potential rETH holders | Wider Range of Resources: The completion of the grant can result in the creation of educational materials and resources for individuals, especially professional investors, and organizations looking to stake ETH for rETH. These resources can provide clear instructions, guidelines, and support to help users understand the process, risks, and benefits of staking. This knowledge empowers users to make informed decisions and participate confidently in the staking ecosystem. Further, through potential collaboration with Xpert, the licensed custodian platform, the professional investor and organization are able to hold rETH tokens in a way that fulfills the compliance requirements. |
| rETH holders | Growing Network and Liquidity: A successful grant completion can attract more users to the Rocket Pool platform, expanding the network of rETH holders. This increased network participation from professional investors and organizations can lead to greater liquidity for rETH, making it easier for users to enter or exit their staked positions. Improved liquidity enhances flexibility and accessibility for individuals looking to stake their ETH. |
| Potential NOs | There is potentially less time to wait before the node is activated when starting a new minipool and, therefore, less opportunity cost of the ETH that is used to fund the minipool. |
| Community | The successful completion of the grant will benefit the RocketPool community by enhancing branding, providing education, improving user experience, expanding the user base, and fostering community growth and engagement. |
| RPL holders | The successful completion of the grant can benefit RPL token holders through increased adoption and demand, network security and stability, ecosystem expansion and partnerships, community growth and governance participation, and enhanced value proposition. |
What other non-RPL protocols, DAOs, projects, or individuals, would stand to benefit from this grant?
The branding, marketing campaigns, and educational initiatives targeted at the Asian market could benefit various participants in the region, including individual investors, institutional players, and blockchain startups. By promoting awareness and understanding of staking ETH for rETH through RocketPool, these participants may gain access to new opportunities and avenues for participation in the crypto ecosystem.
Team
Who is doing the work?
The proposed work will be carried out by HashQuark’s experienced team, consisting of professionals with a deep understanding of blockchain technology, marketing strategies, and user education. The team has successfully executed similar projects in the past and has a track record of delivering high-quality results.
HashQuark is a world-leading blockchain staking service provider. As a core member of Hashkey group, we support most mainstream public chains with native staking services and liquid staking services. HashQuark is committed to providing safe and reliable services for global blockchain users and developers to promote the development and application of blockchain technology.
HashKey Group is a licensed digital asset management and financial business group based in Asia. Our business covers a wide range of digital assets and blockchain ecosystems, providing innovative investment opportunities and technology solutions for large enterprise institutions, family offices, funds, and qualified investors. The HashKey Group is headquartered in Hong Kong and has operations in Singapore and Japan.
What is the background of the person(s) doing the work? What experience do they have with such projects in the past?
The team at HashQuark has a strong background in blockchain technology, marketing, and user education. They possess the necessary expertise and experience to successfully execute the proposed work. Here is an overview of their background and relevant experience:
- Blockchain Technology: The team members have deep knowledge and understanding of blockchain networks, including Ethereum and other blockchain protocols. As a core member of the HashKey group, HashQuark is a world-leading blockchain staking service provider. The team members support over 40 mainstream public chains with enterprise-grade staking services.
- Marketing: The team includes marketing professionals who have extensive experience in promoting blockchain projects and services. They have successfully executed marketing campaigns for various blockchain networks and have a comprehensive understanding of the Asian market dynamics, building upon a number of successes in the Asian market with the centerpiece of these events being the Hong Kong Web3 Festival.
- User Education: HashQuark has a dedicated team of experts in user education. They have developed educational materials, conducted workshops, and organized webinars to educate users about blockchain technology, staking, and related concepts. They have experience in simplifying complex processes and conveying information effectively to different target audiences.
- Past Projects: The team members at HashQuark have worked on similar projects in the past, collaborating with blockchain projects and organizations to drive adoption and awareness. For example, HashKey Group hosted the Web3 Festival in April every year and participated in a number of events actively in the Asian market. Hong Kong Web3 Festival is organized by Wanxiang Blockchain Lab and HashKey Group jointly. The Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2023 lasted for four days; the site area of nearly 9000 square meters, surrounding activities had more than 150 events, the offline cumulative number of participants of more than 50,000, more than 300 extremely influential speakers, and more than 100 popular projects participated.
What is the breakdown of the proposed work, in terms of milestones and/or deadlines?
Milestone 1: Development of RocketPool Branding Strategy and Campaign Plan in Asian Market
- Deadline: Within 2 weeks of grant approval
- Deliverables: Comprehensive branding strategy and campaign plans with at least 3 marketing events, including brand positioning, and messaging tailored to the Asian market.
Milestone 2: Creation of Educational Materials and Workshops/Webinars
- Deadline: Within 4 weeks of grant approval
- Deliverables: Development of educational materials, including guides, brochures, and presentation decks to educate potential stakeholders in the Asian market about staking ETH for rETH through RocketPool.
Milestone 3: Implementation of Targeted Marketing Campaigns
- Deadline: Ongoing throughout 2024
- Deliverables: Execution of targeted marketing campaigns to raise awareness and promote RocketPool in the Asian market. This includes off-line events, panels, speeches, social media posts, and blog research articles. The marketing campaigns will be strategically planned and executed to maximize reach and engagement.
How is the work being tested? Is testing included in the schedule?
- Branding Strategy: The developed branding strategy and visual identity will be evaluated by assigned RocketPool member for alignment with RocketPool’s goals and the Asian market.
- Educational Materials: The educational materials, including guides, brochures, and presentations deck, will undergo testing to ensure clarity, accuracy, and comprehensibility.
- Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Key performance indicators (KPIs) will be established to measure the campaign’s reach, engagement, and conversion rates.
How will the work be maintained after delivery?
- Ongoing Support:
- HashQuark will allocate dedicated resources to provide ongoing support and assistance related to the implemented strategies and initiatives.
- They will be available to address any questions, concerns, or issues that arise from RocketPool regarding the branding, marketing campaigns, educational materials, or the staking portal.
- Monitoring and Evaluation:
- HashQuark will continuously monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of the implemented initiatives.
- Key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics will be tracked to assess the effectiveness of the branding, marketing campaigns, and educational efforts.
- Regular reports will be provided to RocketPool to analyze the outcomes and identify areas for further improvement or optimization.
- Collaboration and Collaboration with RocketPool:
- HashQuark will maintain a close working relationship and collaborate with RocketPool to ensure that the delivered work remains aligned with their goals and objectives.
- Regular meetings and communication channels will be established to facilitate ongoing collaboration, feedback exchange, and strategic discussions.
Payment and Verification
What is the acceptance criteria?
Milestone 1: Development of RocketPool Branding Strategy and Visual Identity - Acceptance Criteria:
- The branding strategy aligns with RocketPool’s goals and values.
- The messaging tailored to the Asian market effectively communicates the value proposition of RocketPool.
Milestone 2: Creation of Educational Materials and Workshops/Webinars - Acceptance Criteria:
- The educational materials are accurate, well-structured, and tailored to the target audience in the Asian market.
Milestone 3: Implementation of Targeted Marketing Campaigns-Acceptance Criteria:
- The targeted marketing campaigns reach the intended audience effectively in the Asian market.
- Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as attendance, reach, engagement, and conversion rates meet or exceed predefined targets.
- Feedback and data analysis indicate that the marketing efforts have positively impacted RocketPod’s visibility and brand recognition in the target market.
What is the proposed payment schedule for the grant? How much USD $ and over what period of time is the applicant requesting?
- Milestone 1: Development of RocketPool Branding Strategy and Visual Identity
- Payment: $2,000 USD (9% of the total grant amount)
- Payment time: Upon successful completion and acceptance of Milestone 1 deliverables within 4 weeks of grant approval.
- Milestone 2: Creation of Educational Materials and Workshops/Webinars
- Payment: $5,000 USD (17% of the total grant amount)
- Payment time: Upon successful completion and acceptance of Milestone 2 deliverables within 8 weeks of grant approval.
- Milestone 3: Implementation of at least 3 Targeted Marketing Campaigns
- Payment: $23,000 USD (74% of the total grant amount)
- Payment time: Ongoing payments distributed throughout the grant period based on the progress and milestones achieved in the marketing campaigns.
How will the GMC verify that the work delivered matches the proposed cadence?
- Milestone Deliverables: The GMC will review the deliverables for each milestone as outlined in the grant proposal. They will assess whether the deliverables meet the specified requirements and align with the proposed cadence.
- Documentation and Reports: The grant recipient may be required to submit regular progress reports, documentation, or updates on the project’s status. These reports can serve as evidence of work completed and help the GMC track progress against the proposed cadence.
- Milestone Reviews: The GMC may conduct milestone reviews or checkpoints at specific intervals to evaluate the work completed up to that point. This can involve meetings, presentations, or demonstrations where the grant recipient showcases their progress and addresses any questions or concerns from the GMC.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): The grant proposal may include defined KPIs or metrics to measure the project’s success and progress. The GMC can assess whether the actual results align with the proposed cadence by monitoring these KPIs and evaluating the achieved outcomes.
- Communication and Collaboration: Regular communication between the grant recipient and the GMC is essential. This allows for continuous updates, discussions, and clarification of any questions or concerns regarding the project’s progress and adherence to the proposed cadence.
What alternatives or options have been considered in order to save costs for the proposed project?
- In-house Resources: Evaluating the existing resources and expertise within HashQuark and RocketPool to determine if any tasks or components of the project can be handled internally. This can help reduce external service costs.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Seeking collaborations or partnerships within HashKey Group and other organizations or projects in the industry that share similar goals or target audiences. This can help share costs, resources, and expertise, reducing the financial burden for both parties.
- Resource Optimization: Carefully managing and optimizing resources such as time, personnel, and infrastructure to minimize wastage and maximize productivity. This can involve efficient resource allocation, avoiding unnecessary expenses, and leveraging existing assets effectively.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis for each aspect of the project to identify areas where costs can be reduced without significantly compromising the desired outcomes. This analysis can help prioritize cost-saving measures.
Conflict of Interest
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 person proposing this grant has any conflicts of interest.
Will the recipient of the grant, or any protocol or project in which the recipient has a vested interest (other than Rocket Pool), benefit financially if the grant is successful?
According to the information provided, the recipient of the grant (HashQuark) and any other protocol or project in which the recipient has a vested interest, other than RocketPool, will not benefit financially if the grant is successful.