Kampela Becomes First DAO-Funded Hardware Wallet on Polkadot

[PRESS RELEASE – Kuopio, Finland, September 12th, 2024]

Kampela, a pioneering hardware startup, has successfully acquired funding through a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) on the Polkadot network. This achievement is a monumental moment, making it the first hardware initiative in the Polkadot ecosystem to receive complete backing by a DAO. It highlights the efficacy of decentralized governance in fostering tangible technological advancements and paves the way for further hardware innovation in the blockchain domain.

Kampela’s device utilizes NFC technology and operates without the necessity for wired charging or batteries, presenting a novel solution for secure, user-focused hardware wallets. The company’s dedicated approach integrates both design and manufacturing processes into one cohesive platform, ensuring highly differentiated market solutions.

Key Highlights:

– Funding acquired through Polkadot Referenda #62, #370, and #886, totaling around 253,000 DOTs (approximately $1 million USD at current DOT pricing)

– Transparent, community-led decision-making process

– Establishes a fresh paradigm for supporting hardware innovation within the blockchain sector

– Operation without a battery, driven solely by NFC during active use

– Secure NFC-only connectivity, mitigating risks associated with traditional USB interfaces

Kirill, former CISO of Parity and Co-Founder of Kampela, remarked, “Kampela is among the very few entirely open hardware wallets available today (you can access everything, including precise machining instructions for the case, on our GitHub). This project is also a fitting demonstration of the influence of DAOs in the emerging blockchain economy: it was financed via the Polkadot Treasury (one of the largest DAOs in the world), allowing us to maintain our designs as open, free, and democratic as possible.”

The successful funding of Kampela via a DAO on the Polkadot network exemplifies how community-led funding can propel advancements in secure, user-focused devices. This milestone is anticipated to draw attention from blockchain aficionados, hardware innovators, investors interested in decentralized funding approaches, and members of the Polkadot community.

Kampela’s hardware design incorporates various enhanced security features, including battery-free functionality and secure NFC-only communication. The device remains entirely powered down when not active, preventing physical interference or tampering, while its NFC-only communication offers an extra layer of security compared to conventional USB interfaces.

With six iterations of hardware developed and a total of 54 components in its design, Kampela signifies a major step forward in blockchain hardware innovation. As the first hardware project funded entirely through a DAO in the Polkadot ecosystem, Kampela establishes a new benchmark for how hardware startups can utilize decentralized funding and governance to launch cutting-edge products.

For additional information about Kampela and its innovative hardware wallet, readers can visit https://www.kampe.la/ or https://x.com/kampela_signer.

About Kampela

Kampela, a startup from Finland, is transforming secure transaction handling with its innovative NFC-powered hardware device. Designed to operate without Bluetooth, USB, or batteries, it features an e-ink display and an open-source approach. Focused on blockchain applications and supported by the Web3 Foundation and Polkadot Treasury, Kampela provides a sustainable, secure solution for digital interactions in decentralized environments.

Media Contact:

Viktoria

CMO [Telegram: @vikrpc]