Babylon is here! And the frontier of DeFi is expanding like never before. In this series, you’ll explore the pioneering projects that form the backbone of the Runs On Radix program, each contributing distinct and game-changing solutions to the wider Web3 ecosystem.

Radix Publishing is thrilled to present deep dives into the various Radix projects, granting the Radix community an exclusive window into their developmental journeys, roadmaps, and technology.

Up next in the spotlight is ShardSpace, an asset management platform custom-built for the Radix network, engineered to simplify and secure asset management tasks. 

TLDR

• ShardSpace Focuses on User-Friendly Asset Management: Designed for the Radix ecosystem, ShardSpace aims to make portfolio management simple, secure, and seamless. It enhances the Radix mobile wallet by extending functionalities to desktop interfaces, providing a variety of features like easy token swapping and liquid staking options.
  
  
• Challenges and Future Development: The team is navigating the complex balance of prioritizing a multitude of innovative features with limited resources. They plan to employ a feedback-driven strategy to ensure user-centric development, gathering insights from users and the community.
  
  
• Milestones and Roadmap: ShardSpace has outlined key milestones for their project, starting with a closed beta testing phase and moving towards the launch of an MVP in early November. This will be followed by community engagement, feature expansion based on feedback, and educational initiatives to help users make the most of the platform.

What is ShardSpace?

ShardSpace aims to simplify asset management within the Radix network, making it accessible, secure, and user-friendly. Born out of a desire to unlock the full potential of the Radix technology stack, ShardSpace serves as a comprehensive tool for a broad range of users—be they individuals,  businesses or developers.

Core Features

Safe and Seamless Asset Management: One of ShardSpace's primary offerings is robust asset management. By leveraging Radix’ robust, built in security features, ShardSpace protects your digital assets against unauthorized access and potential threats. A unified dashboard enables you to buy, swap, send, and stake Radix tokens with ease.

Effortless Token Swapping: ShardSpace allows users to seamlessly swap between different Radix ecosystem tokens, providing swift access to various dApps and services within the Radix ecosystem.

Unlock Liquid Staking: ShardSpace isn't just about asset management; it also provides avenues for Liquid Staking. Users have the choice between traditional Validator Staking and Stake Pool opportunities. This not only helps you earn rewards but also strengthens the network's security, all while you retain full control over your assets.

What sets ShardSpace apart is its commitment to user-centric design, married to the power of Radix’s robust technology stack. The platform continually evolves, and as it does, it promises to offer a blend of decentralized and user-friendly features commonly found in Web2 products.

What Problem Does it Solve? 

While the Radix mobile wallet will significantly impact how users interact with digital assets, it may not suit everyone's needs, especially for intricate asset management tasks. 

ShardSpace addresses this by extending the capabilities of the Radix Wallet to desktop interfaces. It simplifies asset management to the level of online shopping—making it an indispensable tool for users who demand more control and fluidity in their interactions within the Radix ecosystem.

The Inception of ShardSpace and Journey to Radix

Andrew, the founder of ShardSpace, comes from a background in IT infrastructure project management in the Banking and Finance sector. His move into the Web3 space was inspired by a belief that digital assets could democratize financial services while reducing costs. 

His deep-rooted belief in the transformative potential of blockchain technologies led him to the Radix ecosystem. His technical experience and focus on the democratization of financial services make him uniquely suited to lead the project.

Forming the Team and The Journey

Andrew initially became involved in the Radix ecosystem as a Node Runner. His technical background in IT infrastructure made him an enthusiastic participant in the Radix network. 

Over time, he envisioned the creation of ShardSpace to provide a more user-friendly interface for asset management on Radix. As his vision for ShardSpace crystallized, Andrew brought together a team with diverse experience in IT and Web3 to fulfill a shared mission: to enhance the user experience within the Radix ecosystem.

Inception and Initial Vision

The early focus of the team was on a tool called the Radix Dashboard, which offered data and statistics for validators. However, the team soon realized the need for a more comprehensive tool. 

That was the initial seed for ShardSpace—a unified platform designed to aggregate access to various dApps and services to streamline user experience within the Radix ecosystem.

Why Radix?

The decision to build on Radix as opposed to other blockchains was based on several factors, including Radix’s focus on user experience. The team found Radix’s user-centric design philosophy in alignment with their own, and they were especially drawn to unique features like Native Assets and the Transaction Manifest. Radix's technology offered specific advantages, facilitating the development of a more user-friendly platform.

Technological Synergy with Radix

Radix's tech stack provided essential tools for ShardSpace’s development, such as the dApp Toolkit and the Transaction Manifest. The latter allowed for what would have been quite complex to be built through simple front-end code, reducing the need for specialized smart contract expertise. These features gave ShardSpace a head start in fulfilling its mission to simplify asset management in the Radix ecosystem.

Unique Positioning

While several asset management platforms exist in the blockchain space, including those on Ethereum, ShardSpace aims to differentiate itself by focusing on the Radix ecosystem. The team believes that Radix’s unique technological advantages offer an opportunity to provide a level of convenience and control that may not be available on other platforms.

What Comes Next for ShardSpace

Navigating Challenges

The ShardSpace team is grappling with the complex task of juggling a multitude of innovative ideas and features while determining which should be prioritized. 

One significant challenge they face is aligning their expansive vision with the practical constraints of time and resources. Their approach to navigating this challenge centers around consistent and transparent communication with the user base and the broader Radix community.

To address this, ShardSpace plans to employ a feedback-driven development strategy. This involves gathering user and community insights to gauge the most desired features and improvements. 

By doing so, they aim to align their development initiatives with the needs and expectations of their users, thereby ensuring that the platform evolves in a meaningful and beneficial manner.

Roadmap and Milestones

To guarantee the project's success, the ShardSpace team has outlined several pivotal steps and high-level goals:

Closed Beta Testing: ShardSpace is preparing for a closed beta testing phase, aiming to collect invaluable feedback from early users. This is a critical phase for ironing out any kinks in the system and ensuring that the platform is ready for broader public use.

MVP Launch: The team is planning to launch their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in early November. This initial release will feature core functionalities like asset management tools, including asset swapping, sending, staking, as well as additional tools for token minting and network metrics. This will serve as a foundational milestone for ShardSpace.

Community Growth: ShardSpace will actively work on community engagement alongside product development. The team believes that a strong, vibrant community is essential for the platform's long-term viability. Therefore, they plan to collect continuous feedback to refine their offerings further.

Feature Expansion: Once the MVP is successfully launched, ShardSpace will shift its focus toward implementing more advanced features from its backlog. This future development will be dictated largely by the community's needs and preferences.

User Education: ShardSpace recognizes the value in not just providing a platform but also in educating its users. They plan to roll out educational initiatives aimed at helping users get the most out of the platform's capabilities and the unique features of the Radix network.

Watch the full ShardSpace interview: 

For more information on the project, follow the project's official Twitter account, their website or join the ShardSpace Telegram channel.

All information about ShardSpace was provided by the ShardSpace team and has not been verified by Radix Publishing, RDX Works, or their associated companies.