# Road to NostrMessenger
*Freedom of Speech and Spend*

## 1. Purpose: Why a New Messenger?

### The Trust Problem with Current Solutions
While many open-source messaging platforms claim to protect users from surveillance, they have a fundamental verification gap. Take Signal as an example: its code is open-source, but its infrastructure isn't verifiable. Users have no way to confirm that the deployed version matches the GitHub repository, creating an unavoidable trust requirement.

### The Limits of Self-Hosted Solutions
Self-hostable technologies like Matrix improve on this model by allowing users to verify and deploy the code themselves. However, Matrix lacks Bitcoin-native integration, resulting in a fragmented experience as the Bitcoin ecosystem evolves. While bridges and plugins exist, each additional connection introduces new trust assumptions and complexity.

### Why Nostr is the Right Foundation
Nostr has emerged as the leading protocol for standardizing identity, messaging, and data in the Bitcoin space for several reasons:
- **Decentralized by Design**: Its relay-based architecture eliminates central points of failure
- **Bitcoin Integration**: Native support for Lightning payments via Zaps
- **Growing Ecosystem**: Strong developer interest and relay/client interoperability
- **Standardized Improvement Process**: Well-defined NIP (Nostr Improvement Proposal) system for addressing limitations

Nostr provides the ideal foundation for building a messenger that truly enables freedom of speech and spend without compromise.

## 2. Design & Rationale

### Core Principles
1. **Own Your Keys**: Users maintain full control over their cryptographic keys with no backdoors or account recovery systems that compromise security
2. **End-to-End Privacy**: Data payloads never leave the device unencrypted
3. **Seamless Value Transfer**: Integrated Bitcoin payments within the messaging experience

### Three Pillars
- **DECENTRALIZATION**: No centralized servers or control points
- **SECURITY**: End-to-end encryption by default
- **SCALE**: Efficient payment infrastructure for any transaction size

## 3. Architecture

### Layered Design
| Layer | Functionality | Relevant NIPs |
|-------|---------------|---------------|
| **UI/UX** | Intuitive interface for DMs, group chats, and key management | NIP-02, NIP-28, NIP-51 |
| **Relay Network** | Relay-agnostic message routing with private relay incentives | NIP-01, NIP-11, NIP-65 |
| **Encryption** | End-to-end encrypted communications | NIP-04, NIP-44, NIP-59 |
| **Storage** | Optional encrypted backup via Nostr-based cloud relays | NIP-78 |

### Key Components

#### Nostr SDK
- **Events & Signing**: NIP-01 (Basic protocol), NIP-02 (Contact List)
- **End-to-End Encryption**: NIP-04 (Encrypted Direct Messages), NIP-44 (Versioned Encryption)
- **Relay Management**: NIP-11 (Relay Information Document), NIP-65 (Relay List Metadata)

#### Messaging Features
- **Direct Messages**: NIP-04 (Encrypted Direct Messages)
- **Ephemeral Messages**: NIP-59 (Gift Wrap)
- **Group Chats**: NIP-28 (Public Chat Channels), NIP-58 (Badges)

#### Lightning Integration
- **Payments**: NIP-57 (Lightning Zaps)
- **Invoices**: NIP-57 (LNURL), NIP-70 (Generalized Lightning Zaps)
- **Payment Verification**: NIP-89 (Recommended Application Handlers)

#### User Experience
- **Key Management**: NIP-07 (Window.nostr browser extension), NIP-26 (Delegated Event Signing)
- **Profile Management**: NIP-05 (Mapping Nostr keys to DNS identifiers)
- **Contact Organization**: NIP-51 (Lists)

## 4. Comparative Analysis

| Feature | NostrMessenger | Signal | Matrix |
|---------|----------------|--------|--------|
| **Decentralization** | Full (relay-based) | Centralized servers | Federated servers |
| **Encryption** | NIP-04/44 (E2E) | Signal Protocol | Olm/Megolm |
| **Metadata Protection** | Strong (relay rotation) | Moderate | Moderate |
| **Censorship Resistance** | High | Low | Moderate |
| **Payment Integration** | Native Lightning (NIP-57) | None | Third-party only |
| **Verifiable Deployment** | Full | None | Partial |

## 5. Development Roadmap

### 2025-2026 Timeline

| Phase | Deliverables | NIPs Implemented |
|-------|-------------|------------------|
| **BUILD** (Q2-Q3 2025) | MVP with basic DMs, relay selection | NIP-01, NIP-02, NIP-04, NIP-11, NIP-65 |
| **SECURE** (Q3-Q4 2025) | Enhanced encryption, ephemeral messages | NIP-44, NIP-59, NIP-78 |
| **SCALE** (Q1-Q2 2026) | Group chats, Lightning payments | NIP-28, NIP-57, NIP-70 |

#### Q2 2025 Milestones
- Finalize core protocol specification based on existing NIPs
- Launch testnet with command-line client implementing NIP-01, NIP-02
- Develop relay selection algorithms (NIP-11, NIP-65)

#### Q3 2025 Milestones
- Release alpha mobile application (iOS/Android)
- Implement NIP-04 for basic encrypted messaging
- Establish interoperability standards with existing Nostr clients
- Begin NIP-44 integration for enhanced encryption

#### Q4 2025 Milestones
- Roll out NIP-44 versioned encryption
- Implement ephemeral messaging with NIP-59
- Launch community relay incentive program
- Add encrypted backup support (NIP-78)

#### Q1 2026 Milestones
- Public beta release of mobile and desktop applications
- Implement group chat functionality with NIP-28
- Onboard 10+ community relays to the network

#### Q2 2026 Milestones
- Complete Lightning integration using NIP-57 and NIP-70
- Launch enhanced contact management with NIP-51
- Release 1.0 version with all core features

## 6. Governance & Incentives

### Community-Driven Development
- **Proposal System**: Based on the NIP framework for standardization
- **Decision Making**: Community relays participate in protocol upgrade decisions (NIP-16)
- **Open Development**: Public roadmap, issue tracking, and contribution guidelines

### Incentive Structure
- **Relay Operators**: Reputation-based rewards for uptime, bandwidth, and privacy practices
- **Developers**: Grant program for key feature development and security enhancements
- **Users**: Early adopter benefits and referral mechanisms

## 7. Risks & Mitigations

| Risk | Mitigation Strategy | Related NIPs |
|------|---------------------|--------------|
| **Metadata leakage** | Relay rotation, timestamp obfuscation, network traffic padding | NIP-65 |
| **Relay centralization** | Geographic diversity incentives, easy self-hosting documentation | NIP-11, NIP-16 |
| **Key management complexity** | Intuitive interfaces, NIP-07 integration, guided security practices | NIP-07, NIP-26 |
| **Network effect barriers** | Bridge protocols, multi-client compatibility, compelling unique features | NIP-01, NIP-05 |
| **Regulatory challenges** | Legal review, privacy-by-design, compliance documentation | NIP-26, NIP-59 |

## 8. Expected Impact

### For Users
- True privacy with no phone number or email requirements (leveraging NIP-05 for human-readable IDs)
- Self-sovereign messaging without central authority
- Seamless value exchange within conversations (NIP-57)

### For the Nostr Ecosystem
- Expanded use cases beyond social media
- Increased relay diversity and resilience
- New standards for messaging and payment integration

### For the Broader Bitcoin Community
- Practical demonstration of Bitcoin's utility beyond speculation
- Privacy-preserving communication infrastructure
- Censorship-resistant value exchange

## 9. Next Steps

1. Finalize protocol extensions based on existing NIPs
2. Establish partnerships with existing Nostr clients and relay operators
3. Launch developer documentation and contribution guidelines
4. Create user experience prototypes for feedback
5. Secure initial funding for core development

## Feature-specific Stories

### 1. Quantum Resistant Wallet

- **As a user, I want to create and manage a Bitcoin wallet using BDK, so that I benefit from a robust, modular backend.**
*Estimate: 24 hours / 5 story points*

- **As a user, I want to generate and use P2QS addresses for sending and receiving Bitcoin, ensuring my funds are protected against quantum attacks.**
*Estimate: 32 hours / 8 story points*

- **As a user, I want to generate and use P2QRH addresses (BIP-360) for quantum-resistant transactions, so I can future-proof my assets.**
*Estimate: 40 hours / 8 story points*

- **As a user, I want to view and manage my transaction history, including quantum-resistant transactions, for transparency and record-keeping.**
*Estimate: 16 hours / 3 story points*

### 2. Quantum Resistant Messenger

- **As a user, I want to send and receive direct messages using the Nostr protocol, so my communications are decentralized and censorship-resistant.**
*Estimate: 24 hours / 5 story points*

- **As a user, I want my Nostr messenger keys to be generated using post-quantum cryptography, so my identity and messages remain secure against quantum threats.**
*Estimate: 32 hours / 8 story points*

- **As a user, I want to create and participate in group messages with post-quantum encryption, so I can securely communicate with multiple users.**
*Estimate: 40 hours / 8 story points*

- **As a user, I want to search and view my message history securely within the app.**
*Estimate: 12 hours / 3 story points*

### 3. In-App Browser

- **As a user, I want to browse a curated marketplace within the app, so I can discover and interact with featured dApps and services.**
*Estimate: 20 hours / 5 story points*

- **As a user, I want to use a URL-based browser that can securely interact with my wallet for payments and authentication, similar to Rainbow and Coinbase wallets.**
*Estimate: 32 hours / 8 story points*

- **As a user, I want to view transaction prompts and approve or deny wallet access from the in-app browser.**
*Estimate: 16 hours / 3 story points*

### 4. Reputation System

- **As a user, I want to view a dashboard that ranks wallets based on reputation metrics, so I can assess trustworthiness in the network.**
*Estimate: 24 hours / 5 story points*

- **As a user, I want my wallet to have an evolving Soulbound Token (SBT) that reflects my reputation and activity, so my standing in the network is visible and non-transferable.**
*Estimate: 32 hours / 8 story points*

- **As a user, I want to see how my actions (e.g., successful trades, disputes) affect my reputation score in real time.**
*Estimate: 16 hours / 3 story points*

### 5. Payments

- **As a user, I want to send and receive peer-to-peer payments in Sats using both Bitcoin and Lightning, so I can transact instantly and with low fees.**
*Estimate: 32 hours / 8 story points*

- **As a user, I want to spend fiat currency directly from my wallet, powered by Bringin, for seamless real-world payments.**
*Estimate: 40 hours / 8 story points*

- **As a user, I want to view my payment history and manage payment settings within the app.**
*Estimate: 12 hours / 3 story points*

---

## Stories Summary Table

| Feature | User Story Description | Hours | Story Points |
|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------------|
| Quantum Resistant Wallet | BDK wallet implementation | 24 | 5 |
| | P2QS address support | 32 | 8 |
| | P2QRH (BIP-360) address support | 40 | 8 |
| | Transaction history | 16 | 3 |
| Quantum Resistant Messenger | Nostr DM | 24 | 5 |
| | PQC keygen for Nostr | 32 | 8 |
| | PQC group messaging | 40 | 8 |
| | Message history | 12 | 3 |
| In-App Browser | Marketplace spotlight | 20 | 5 |
| | URL-based browser + wallet access | 32 | 8 |
| | Transaction prompts | 16 | 3 |
| Reputation System | Wallet ranking dashboard | 24 | 5 |
| | Evolving SBT | 32 | 8 |
| | Real-time reputation updates | 16 | 3 |
| Payments | P2P Bitcoin/Lightning payments | 32 | 8 |
| | Fiat spends (Bringin) | 40 | 8 |
| | Payment history/settings | 12 | 3 |

---

## Roadmap

In total the abovementioned stories take up 444 hours to develop. In addition to the raw estimates, we add another 20% buffer for unforseen blindspoints in the development lifecycle which amounts to 88.8 ~89 hours.

The new total now amounts to 533 hours.

| Efficiency | Roadmap Length |
|--------------|----------------|
| 100% (40h/w) | 13-14 weeks (3-4 months)|
| 75% (30h/w) | 17-18 weeks (4-5 months)|
| 50% (20h/w) | 26-27 weeks (7-8 months)|

It is essential to now lay over the product design into a 9 months roadmap:
### **pccayaan's version**
#### Q1:
##### Product:
- ~~Post-Quantum Crypto Wallet (similar to Yellow Pages?)~~
- ~~Nostr Messenger~~
- ~~Post Quantum Nostr Keys NIP exploration and drafting~~
- ~~BIP-360 contribution (PR 21)~~
##### Growth:
- ~~1000 users~~
- ~~Active X account~~
- ~~Active TG community~~
##### Operations:
- ~~Get Grants of atleast 50K-100K~~
#### Q2:
##### Product:
- ~~Real world Payments integration with Bringin (top-up from Wallet to Bringin card)~~
- ~~Lightning invoicing & Nostr Zap payment integration (Similar to WhatsApp payment?)~~
- ~~Payment history relfected on wallet history~~
- ~~Post Quantum Nostr Keygen (new NIP implementation)~~
- ~~BIP-360 early implementation (address and transaction construction)~~
##### Growth:
- ~~10K users~~
- ~~Active X account~~
- ~~Active TG community~~
- ~~Interviews on Bitcoin Mag, Coin Telegraph and so on~~
##### Operations:
- ~~Raise $?M to support a 18-24 months Product, Growth & Operations roadmap~~
#### Q3:
##### Product:
- ~~BIP-360 full support (P2QS, P2QRH, Hourglass, QuBit)~~
- ~~Build the complete Reputation system~~
- ~~Consider expansion of PQC Wallet to other Ecosystems (Whitelabel?)~~
- ~~In-App Browser Beta program~~
- ~~App Marketplace Beta program~~
##### Growth:
- ~~100K users~~
- ~~Active X account~~
- ~~Active TG community~~
##### Operations:

### **xgarf13ld's version**
#### Q1:
##### Product:
- ~~BDK wallet setup~~
- ~~Nostr integration (Messaging)~~
- ~~Handle Message history~~
- ~~PQC research (NIST algorithms)~~

##### Growth:
- ~~Partnership and funding outreach~~
- ~~Active on socials and onboard users~~

##### Operations:
- ~~Setup development secured environment~~
- ~~Deploy Nostr relays~~
- ~~Apply for grants~~

#### Q2:
##### Product:
- ~~Bringin integration for payments~~
- ~~Message and Transaction history~~
- ~~Lightning integration (LDK)~~
- ~~Post-Quantum Crypto Wallet integration~~
- ~~NIP proposal of PQC~~

##### Growth:
- ~~Wallet and payment integration partnerships~~
- ~~Conference and meetup presence~~
- ~~Release blogs and technical docs~~

##### Operations:
- ~~Finalizing the PQC algo implementation and raise funds~~

#### Q3:
##### Product:
- ~~BIP-360 - P2QRH, P2QS production rollout~~
- ~~In-app browser implementation~~
- ~~Reputation dashboard launch~~
- ~~Marketplace overview module implementation~~

##### Growth:
- ~~Marketing and campaigns~~
- ~~Community driven growth with AMA, partnership being active on social and educating users with PQC and privacy~~

##### Operations:
- ~~Marketplace onboarding and payment security with geographic redundancy~~

### Consolidated Version
#### Q1:
##### Product:
- BDK Integration
- PQC Wallet similar to YellowPages
- Nostr Messenger (Direct Messages, Group Messages, Message History, handle Nostr fetch rate limits)
- Whitelisting feature and referral codes
- Deployment of in-house Nostr Message Relays
- Community Collab / Research:
- BIP-360 collab with Hunter (PR \#21),
- Quantum NIP (prior work research, drafting)
- Understand NIST FIPS-203,204,205 Class Algorithms
##### Growth:
- 1000 users (Whitelisting)
- Active X account (via Buffer)
- Active Primal Account
- Active TG community
- Conference / Meetup / AMA Presence:
- ?
##### Operations:
- Get Grants of atleast 50K-100K (OpenSats, HRF, )
- Bitcoin-first Accelerators (?)
- Team:
- Garfield
- Pumpkeen Latte
#### Q2:
##### Product:
- Wallet & Messenger feature refinement (history)
- LDK Integration for lightning payments
- NWC Integration for in-line message payments
- Bringin Integration for real-world payments
- Community / Research:
- Post Quantum Nostr Keys: New NIP Proposal (if none found)
- BIP-360 early implementation (address and transaction construction)
- Nostr PQC KeyGen POC for the NIP
##### Growth:
- 10K users
- Active X account
- Active Primal Account
- Active TG community
- Active Blog (Trend posts, Release posts, Partnerships Announcements)
- Interviews on Bitcoin Mag, Coin Telegraph and so on
- Conference / Meetup / AMA Presence:
- ?
##### Operations:
- Raise $?M to support a 18-24 months Product, Growth & Operations roadmap
- Investor Pipeline
- Team:
- Garfield
- Pumpkeen Latte
- Engineering?
- BD: Conversion of P2PK... to Quantum Secure Wallet
- Community: Onboard mass users, engage, mindshare

#### Q3:
##### Product:
- BIP-360 full support (P2QS, P2QRH, Hourglass, QuBit)
- In-App Browser Beta program
- App Marketplace Beta program
- Technical Docs for Dev Onboarding
- Reputation System for Wallets with Rank Dashboard

##### Growth:
- Whitelabel strategy discussions with Investors and Partners (10x of revenue/valuation)
- 100K users
- Active X, TG, Primal, Blog, leading mindshare
- Devrel for wallet integration
- Conference / Meetup / AMA Presence:
- ?
##### Operations:
- Detailed Regulatory Framework for global expansion
- - Team:
- Garfield
- Pumpkeen Latte
- Engineering?
- BD: Conversion of P2PK... to Quantum Secure Wallet
- Community: Onboard mass users, engage, mindshare

---

*This proposal represents our commitment to building communication tools that respect human rights to privacy, free expression, and financial sovereignty.*