Msingi
Protocols for Device Economic Agency
Msingi (Swahili: "foundation")
Msingi defines the protocols that make the Economy of Things possible, how devices register anonymously, attest to data, and claim rewards.
These protocols are portable. Today they run on Midnight. Tomorrow they could run on any ZK-capable chain.
Core Thesis
Anonymity requires device-held keys. ZK-enforced spending policies make device wallets safe.
The Payment Paradox
Traditional:Device submits anonymous attestation → Anonymous ✓Human wallet pays gas fee → Links to human identity ✗
The payment creates a side-channel that destroys privacy. For device anonymity to hold, the device must transact from keys not linked to human identity.
Bounded Autonomy
Devices hold their own wallets with ZK-enforced spending policies:
- Maximum daily spend
- Approved recipients only
- Requires sensor reading
- Emergency owner override
Every transaction requires a proof that it satisfies the policy, without revealing the policy itself.
Core Protocols
| Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|
| BRACE | Blind Registration via Anonymous Commitment Enrollment |
| ACR | Anonymous Contribution Rewards |
Hardware Reference
| Component | Function | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ESP32-S3 | Microcontroller | $8 |
| ATECC608B | Secure element (wallet keys) | $2.50 |
| RYLR896 | LoRa transceiver | $6 |
| Sensors + Solar | Environment + power | $22 |
| Total | ~$50 |
Status
Research phase. Academic paper targeting Financial Cryptography venue