Celo

Celo is an open-source permissionless platform that makes a Venmo-like (lightweight bank account) experience accessible to anyone with a mobile phone. Using a novel decentralized PKI, Celo lets you send cryptocurrency to phone numbers in a fully decentralized way. Additionally, Celo uses stable-value tokens pegged to fiat currencies, like the US Dollar, to minimize volatility. Anyone can participate in the network and earn Celo currency, even with just a budget Android smartphone (by sending verification text messages). To make sure that the platform is scalable and fast enough for day-to-day use, Celo uses a new Proof-of-Stake blockchain protocol with fast block times and one block finality, and has a novel light client protocol that uses SNARK-based proofs to sync with the chain quickly. For Celo's first product, we are working with organizations such as the UN World Food Programme and GiveDirectly on a social payments and cash transfer app.