BLINKS

Tap-to-Pay & Scan-to-Pay Crypto Payments on Stellar

BLINKS is a Stellar-native payment application that enables users to pay directly with crypto using tap-to-pay (NFC) or scan-to-pay (QR), while merchants receive instant USD settlement via Stellar Anchors.

No Apple Pay.
No Google Pay.
No cards.

Just crypto → payment → USD settlement.

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🚨 Problem

Modern digital payments are controlled by closed, centralized platforms like Apple Pay and Google Pay. These systems:

• Require bank-issued cards and intermediaries
• Exclude billions without reliable banking access
• Lock merchants into proprietary ecosystems
• Offer no native way to spend crypto

Meanwhile, crypto users still cannot easily spend their assets in the real world without first cashing out.

Crypto is global and instant — but spending it isn’t.

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💡 Solution

BLINKS removes Big Tech wallets entirely.

Users:

• Transfer crypto directly into the BLINKS app
• Pay in-store or online using tap or scan
• Settle payments directly on the Stellar blockchain

Merchants:

• Price goods in USD
• Accept crypto without volatility
• Receive USD instantly via Stellar Anchors
• Withdraw to local bank accounts

BLINKS turns Stellar into a global, open payment network.

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✨ Key Features

For Users

• Non-custodial Stellar wallet (XLM + Anchor stablecoins)
• Tap-to-Pay (NFC)
• Scan-to-Pay (QR)
• Direct crypto transfers (no cards, no banks)
• Path payments for automatic FX conversion
• Fast settlement (~5 seconds)
• Biometric security

For Merchants

• Accept crypto, receive USD
• Instant settlement (T+0 balance update)
• Bank payouts via Anchors (T+1 / T+2)
• Merchant dashboard (transactions, balances, payouts)
• POS, mobile, and API integrations

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🧱 Architecture Overview

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🔁 Payment Methods

1️⃣ Tap-to-Pay (NFC)

Best for fast, in-person retail.

Flow

1. Merchant enters amount in USD
2. POS emits NFC payment request
3. User taps phone
4. Transaction is signed and submitted to Stellar
5. Merchant receives USD instantly

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2️⃣ Scan-to-Pay (QR)

Best for universal access and online commerce.

Flow

1. Merchant displays QR code
2. QR encodes payment details (amount, asset, memo)
3. User scans and confirms
4. Stellar transaction settles
5. Merchant USD balance updates instantly

Supports:

• Dynamic QR
• Static QR
• Deep links (SEP-0007 compatible)

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💱 Asset & Settlement Model

User Pays With

• XLM
• Anchor-issued USD stablecoins

Merchant Receives

• USD via Stellar Anchors

If user pays in XLM:

• Stellar path payments convert XLM → USD atomically
• Merchant is shielded from volatility

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🏦 Stellar Anchors

BLINKS relies on Stellar Anchors for:

• Fiat custody
• Stablecoin issuance
• Compliance (KYB / AML)
• Bank off-ramps

Initial Target Regions

• Nigeria (USD domiciliary accounts)
• Kenya (USD → MPesa Global)
• Ghana (USD bank payouts)
• South Africa (USD settlement rails)
• USA / EU (regulated anchors)

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🔐 Security & Compliance

• Non-custodial wallet by default
• Encrypted key storage
• Biometric authentication
• Merchant KYB required
• User KYC risk-based
• AML monitoring via Anchors

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📦 Tech Stack (Proposed)

• Blockchain: Stellar
• Wallet: Stellar SDK (JS / Mobile)
• Payments: Path Payments, SEP-7 URIs
• Anchors: SEP-6 / SEP-24 / SEP-31
• Frontend: React / React Native
• Backend: Node.js

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🛣️ Roadmap

Phase 1

• Wallet & direct crypto transfers
• Scan-to-Pay (QR)
• Anchor USD settlement
• Merchant dashboard
• Tap-to-Pay (NFC)

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🎯 Success Metrics

• 10,000+ payments in 24 months
• 500+ onboarded merchants
• <5s transaction finality
• <3 minute merchant onboarding
• 99.9% settlement reliability

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🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome and encouraged 🚀 To contribute to BLINKS, please use the fork-and-pull-request workflow.

1️⃣ Fork the Repository

Click the Fork button at the top right of this repository to create your own copy under your GitHub account.

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2️⃣ Clone Your Fork

git clone https://github.com/<your-username>/BLINKS.git

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3️⃣ Navigate Into the Project

cd BLINKS

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4️⃣ Add the Upstream Repository

This keeps your fork in sync with the main project.

git remote add upstream https://github.com/Fracverse/BLINKS.git

Verify remotes:

git remote -v

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5️⃣ Install Dependencies

npm install

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6️⃣ Create a Feature Branch

Always work on a new branch.

git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name

Examples:

• feature/nfc-flow
• feature/merchant-dashboard
• fix/qr-scan-bug

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7️⃣ Start the Development Server

npm run dev

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8️⃣ Commit Your Changes

Write clear, meaningful commit messages.

git add .
git commit -m "feat: add QR scan validation logic"

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9️⃣ Push to Your Fork

git push origin feature/your-feature-name

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🔟 Open a Pull Request

1. Go to your fork on GitHub
2. Click New Pull Request
3. Ensure the base repository is Fracverse/BLINKS
4. Describe what you changed and why

📜 License

MIT License.

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🚀 One-Line Pitch

BLINKS lets users pay directly with crypto — tap or scan — while merchants receive USD instantly via Stellar Anchors.

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🌍 Built on Stellar

BLINKS is built to strengthen the Stellar ecosystem by making crypto payments practical, open, and globally accessible.