This proposal introduces a FROST-secured, threshold-authorized SMS gateway that enables privacy-preserving humanitarian aid distribution via Zcash shielded pools in low-connectivity and high-risk regions.
Hi Zcash Community!
I am excited to submit a grant proposal for Shielded Aid SMS, a project designed to solve the “last-mile” delivery challenge for humanitarian aid.
The Problem: As Zcash moves toward the Shielded Aid Initiative (SAI), It face a critical bottleneck: many aid recipients in high-risk zones lack the stable internet or high-end devices required for modern shielded wallets. Existing SMS gateways are centralized “honeypots” that compromise user privacy and create a single point of failure for aid organizations.
The Solution: SA-SMS is a security-first, Zebra-native gateway that leverages the newly finalized FROST v3 (ZIP-312) protocol. By using a Threshold-Authorized Relay (2-of-3), we ensure that no single entity—neither the NGO nor the gateway provider—can unilaterally view or block aid.
Key Features for 2026:
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ZIP-312 Compliance: Uses Distributed Key Generation (DKG) so spending keys are never unified in one place.
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Z3 Stack Integration: Built from the ground up to replace legacy
zcashdwith Zebra and Zaino. -
Accountable Privacy: Supports Selective Disclosure via viewing keys, allowing NGOs to meet AML/CFT compliance without compromising recipient safety.
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Offline-First: Enables shielded transactions via encrypted SMS payloads for regions with limited connectivity.
Budget & Timeline:
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Total Request: $37,000 (Milestone-based)
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Duration: 12 Weeks
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Outcome: A production-ready, open-source NGO deployment toolkit.
Zcash is the premier infrastructure for digital human rights. SA-SMS aims to prove that by 2026, we can deliver privacy-preserving aid to anyone, anywhere—even with a basic mobile phone.