Our Technology

The InterCooperative Network (ICN) leverages cutting-edge blockchain technology to create a decentralized platform that empowers cooperatives and community organizations worldwide. Our system is designed to support complex interactions within cooperative ecosystems, ensuring transparency, scalability, and secure operations.

Blockchain Layer

The blockchain layer serves as the backbone of the ICN, providing a decentralized and transparent foundation for all network activities.

• Consensus Mechanism: The ICN utilizes a custom Proof of Cooperation (PoC) consensus mechanism. Unlike traditional Proof of Work or Proof of Stake systems, PoC prioritizes cooperation over competition, reducing energy consumption and fostering a cooperative spirit.
• Smart Contracts: The platform uses smart contracts with an intuitive, morphemic structure similar to anatomical terminology. This design makes it easier for non-experts to write and understand smart contracts, lowering the barrier to entry for cooperative members.
• Sharding for Scalability: To accommodate the diverse and potentially large-scale nature of cooperative networks, the ICN employs sharding techniques. This allows the blockchain to process transactions in parallel, ensuring efficiency and scalability as the network grows.

Decentralized Identity (DID) System

The DID system is fundamental to the ICN's operation, providing secure, verifiable identities for all participants.

• W3C DID Standard: Based on the W3C DID standard, with extensions tailored for cooperative structures.
• Hierarchical DIDs: The system supports hierarchical DIDs, where individual identities can be nested within cooperative and federation identities. This structure allows for clear attribution of actions and decisions within the network, making it easier to manage complex organizational relationships.
• Attribute-Based Credentials: Participants can issue and verify credentials that attest to specific attributes, such as skills, contributions, or roles within a cooperative. These credentials are stored on the blockchain, making them tamper-proof and easily verifiable by other participants.
• Zero-Knowledge Proofs: To ensure privacy, the DID system incorporates zero-knowledge proofs for verification processes. This allows participants to prove their identity or credentials without revealing sensitive information, ensuring that their privacy is protected even during verification.

Governance Module

The governance module facilitates democratic decision-making at all levels of the ICN.

• Proposal Creation and Voting: Members can create proposals and participate in voting processes using various methods, including simple majority, ranked-choice voting, and quadratic voting. This flexibility allows cooperatives to choose the voting method that best suits their needs.
• Delegate Systems: For larger organizations, the governance module supports representative democracy through delegate systems. Members can elect representatives who vote on their behalf, balancing the need for broad participation with the efficiency of representative decision-making.
• Customizable Governance Rules: Each cooperative can tailor governance rules to suit its specific needs, ensuring that the platform is flexible enough to accommodate diverse organizational structures. These rules are enforced by smart contracts, ensuring that they are consistently applied and cannot be altered without member approval.

Resource Sharing and Multi-Currency System

The ICN enables flexible exchange of resources and value across the network.

• Multi-Currency Support: The platform supports multiple currency types, including fiat, cryptocurrencies, and alternative value systems like time-based or skill-based currencies. This flexibility allows cooperatives to recognize and reward various forms of contribution, whether financial, labor-based, or intellectual.
• Decentralized Exchange (DEX): A built-in decentralized exchange allows participants to trade different currencies within the network, facilitating seamless value transfer across cooperatives. The DEX ensures that all trades are conducted transparently and securely, with smart contracts handling the exchange process.
• Smart Contract-Based Resource Sharing: Resources such as labor, equipment, and intellectual property can be shared and managed through smart contracts, ensuring transparent and equitable distribution. These contracts automate the process of resource allocation, ensuring that all participants are fairly compensated for their contributions.

Integrated Tools for Political Action and Advocacy

The ICN integrates tools specifically designed to support collective political action.

• Campaign Organization: The platform provides features for organizing and coordinating advocacy campaigns, allowing cooperatives to mobilize resources and support for political causes. These tools include project management software, communication platforms, and crowdfunding mechanisms.
• Secure Communication: Encrypted communication channels are available for sensitive political activities, ensuring that discussions and strategies remain confidential. These channels are integrated into the ICN's broader communication infrastructure.
• Crowdfunding Mechanisms: Cooperatives can pool resources and raise funds for advocacy efforts through built-in crowdfunding tools, enhancing their ability to influence policy and social change.

Core Applications

The ICN's ecosystem is supported by core applications that facilitate collaboration, communication, and community engagement.

• ICN-Connect: The primary collaboration and communication platform within the ICN. Integrated Agora for deliberation and voting, DID-Based Authentication, Decentralized Data Storage, Modular Architecture.
• Social Media Platform: Designed to foster community engagement and content sharing. Community Building Tools, Streaming Capabilities, Integration with DID and Reputation Systems.

Wallet and Token System

The wallet and token system forms a crucial part of the ICN's economic infrastructure.

• Wallet System: Each member's wallet is directly associated with their DID. Comprehensive Asset Management, Secure Access, User-Friendly Interface, Transaction History.
• Token Types: Non-Transferable Membership Tokens, Reputation Tokens, Resource Tokens, Alternative Value Tokens.