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By IRL
IRL is developing a global onchain loyalty platform that rewards real-world cultural engagement using Stellar-based points, payments, and token incentives.
Program Vision
IRL.energy is building a global cultural rewards ecosystem where users earn points by attending events, engaging with venues, participating in games, and completing challenges. These points unlock rewards, event experiences, and digital assets. IRL bridges digital and physical worlds, making blockchain engagement seamless for non-crypto natives while offering advanced tokenized features for Web3 participants.
**Stellar Events Smart Wallet & Rewards Platform
**To extend this system and accelerate adoption, we will integrate a Stellar-powered event-focused smart wallet and rewards platform. This platform transforms Stellar’s IRL and virtual event presence into sustained onchain engagement — driving community retention, monthly active addresses, and TVL growth, while showcasing Stellar’s smart contract capabilities.
Core Capabilities
Event Discovery & Access: Real-time feed of Stellar and partner events, exclusive NFT/merch drops, and participation-based rewards.
Engagement Mechanics: Onchain games, scavenger hunts, achievement badges, leaderboards, and raffles/lotteries.
Integrated Rewards: Event-specific perks, NFT/merch issuance, and USDC/$IRL redemption via Stellar rails.
Future Payments Integration: Tap-to-pay NFC merchandise and in-event USDC/$IRL transactions.
Front-End & Feature Development (MVP & Global Map)
User Dashboard & Profile with Stellar wallet integration (passkey-based onboarding).
Global Venue Map with in-person check-ins and point issuance.
Reward Center for perk redemptions and future $IRL/USDC spend mechanics.
IRL Four Square Game (online & in-person check-in challenges).
Leaderboard and achievement tracking.
Partner Dashboard for venue/creator reward issuance and payout tracking.
NFT Cultural Identity Module (opt-in) for unique event-based collectibles.
Basic Analytics Layer to track engagement, retention, and transaction flow.
IRL will integrate Stellar in three major product layers:
Points-to-Token Rewards: Users earn IRL Points via event check-ins and quests. These are redeemable for USDC or $IRL tokens issued on Stellar, enabling fast, low-cost incentives across borders.
Partner Dashboard & Wallet Tools: Venues and cultural institutions access a dashboard to distribute, track, and fund perks and rewards in Stellar-based assets.
Global Payment Rails: IRL enables ticket payments, creator payouts, and sponsor funding in Stellar-native assets, enhancing global financial access.
Impact: These integrations lower the cost of loyalty rewards, remove geographic limitations, and prove out a real-world consumer use case for onchain value exchange — onboarding thousands of users into the Stellar ecosystem.
Technical Infrastructure
Wallet: Stellar-based smart wallet architecture using MeridianPay Base Wallet and passkey authentication.
Soroban Smart Contracts: Reward logic, onchain games, raffles, and point conversions.
Low-Cost Transactions: Using Stellar’s fast settlement and built-in DEX for liquidity and swaps.
Interoperability: Bridge functionality for Base/Solana → Stellar flows.
2,000+ Stellar-based redemptions across events, perks, and quests.
$5,000+ processed in USDC/$IRL through the IRL dApp.
5,000+ Stellar-compatible wallets created via IRL and event activations.
Demonstrated proof that real-world cultural activity drives sustainable onchain engagement.
100+ partners enabled to issue or accept Stellar-backed rewards via the IRL partner dashboard.
Note while we will be able work on all of the above through existing Refraction events - none of the funds from the SDF build award will go toward any marketing and events - which would happen through the Growth grants thereafter.
Yes
$137.0K
Our success is measured by both user growth and onchain utility, with direct outcomes tied to Stellar adoption.
Users Onboarded: 10,000+ Stellar-compatible wallets created via IRL dApp within 6 months
Venues and Partners Activated: 50+ venues, festivals, or institutions issuing IRL Points and Stellar-based rewards
Check-ins and Transactions: 100,000+ IRL check-ins logged and 25,000+ Stellar reward redemptions (e.g., NFT, USDC, $IRL tokens)
Cultural Campaigns: 5 major event-based campaigns with Stellar-based perks or payments
Expanding Financial Access Through Culture: Enables creators, venues, and cultural workers to receive onchain payments through familiar real-world experiences
Driving Stellar Awareness Through IRL Adoption: Culture becomes a distribution channel for Stellar — reaching diverse global users at concerts, galleries, and clubs
Sustainable Token Economy: By creating a closed-loop system of IRL Points and Stellar assets, we build a viable circular economy around cultural participation
IRL’s go-to-market strategy leverages a proven cultural network and an expanding global footprint of events and venues. Our approach is built around real-world adoption and user testing, with Stellar-powered rewards embedded directly into cultural experiences.
Beta Launch in Key Cities: We will activate campaigns in New York, Toronto, Amsterdam, Berlin, Singapore, Buenos Aires, Mexico City and beyond through events, venue partners, and local creators. Attendees earn IRL Points and redeem Stellar-based rewards on-site.
Partner Onboarding: Cultural institutions, clubs, and festivals will be onboarded via direct relationships built by the Refraction network. Each partner gains access to the IRL dashboard to issue perks and manage campaigns.
Creator and Artist Incentives: Artists and performers earn token-based perks for participation and promotion, creating incentive loops for adoption. Early collaborators receive exclusive perks and NFT drops tied to IRL experiences.
Event Activations + Stellar Payments: Payment rails for artist payouts and venue redemptions will be introduced via Stellar USDC in live settings. IRL will document and promote case studies on how culture and crypto interact in practice.
IRL.energy Growth Engine: Our website and dApp (irl.energy) will promote quests, track check-ins, and highlight partners using Stellar. We will build integrations with wallets and ecosystem partners to surface IRL across cultural media.
All IRL activations during the build period in development are funded through our ongoing Refraction and IRL activation partnerships - no funding from the grant will be used for these purposes.
Please note that all Footage and documentation in video are from Refraction and IRL events globally, and will continue with testing and ongoing GTM activations as per the above within the Refraction and IRL partner ecosystem, including events with the Stellar team.
After the successful build program we will then apply for the Growth program, which we are confident can scale IRL into the millions with regard to users and wallets.
Please see activations and work to date:
IRL / Refraction has one of the highest traction ratings of any web3 / web2 org and upon completion have already been asked to start providing rails toward Stellar activations globally. IRL will have potential to be the onchain culture product of the entire stellar ecosystem, both in Web3 and more importantly web2 growth, vis a vis Stellar’s aims.
Over 1,000 users onboarded in soft launch (via irl.energy + Galxe campaign)
Over 40,000 IRL event attendees (via Refraction events)
25,000+ user profiles from event data primed for beta rollout
Events hosted in Bangkok, Toronto, Paris, Austin, Tokyo, Denver, NYC, and more
MVP used at 12+ activations to date with verified check-ins and wallet creation
*NB - All Footage and documentation in video are from Refraction and IRL events.
Note - We understand clearly that no funds from the SDF build award go toward Marketing or Events - As Refraction and IRL already produce and self fund events we are able to test in an ongoing manner.
Tranche 1 – MVP (Full Public App Launch)
Event check-in tracking (QR / NFC / GPS, wallet linked)
Points issuance engine (linked to user profiles)
Redemption logic for perks & rewards (UI flows for claiming)
Global venue & event map with live check-in locations and active perks
Full Reward Center — filterable perks, claim tracking, confirmation flows, and redemption history
Spend mechanism — select reward → confirm redemption → Stellar settlement (USDC/$IRL)
Partner dashboard v1 — create events, issue points, view analytics, process Stellar USDC payouts
User dashboard v1 — profile, points balance, full transaction history, connected wallet status
Integrated Stellar wallet connection during onboarding (via SDK or abstraction layer)
Challenge & quest module (time-based & location-based earning opportunities)
Leaderboard (sortable, public view, integrated with profiles)
Mobile-first responsive UI/UX overhaul across all modules
Front-end integration for creator payouts (venues, DJs, promoters)
Full database integration for real-time point tracking and partner analytics
Launch in 3 cities (New York, Toronto, Amsterdam) with live events and active reward redemptions
How to measure:
Number of wallet-linked check-ins
Number of redemptions and transaction volume
**Number of partner dashboard logins & events created
Daily active user metrics from UI logs
ETA: October 15, 2025
Budget: $89,000**
Note Budget is for development related activities only, all testing and integrations will be happening through Refractions slate of ongoing events in the space, giving us a perfect testing ground for IRL in its MVP stages.
Tranche 2 – Testnet (Soroban + Scaling & Optimization)
Migration of key contract logic to Soroban for settlement and token reward logic
Stress test cross-chain bridge integration
Expand partner dashboard to multi-venue management + advanced analytics
Internal NFT minting & cultural identity feature (opt-in for creators) with front-end asset display in profile
Performance optimization for global map & live reward center data feeds
**API integration for third-party loyalty platforms to connect to IRL’s rewards engine
How to measure:
Successful test transactions on Stellar Testnet
Performance benchmarks met for large event load
Partner API usage logs
**ETA: November 15, 2025
Budget (infra-only): $0 (audit credits via Stellar LaunchKit)**
Tranche 3 – Mainnet (High-Impact Expansion)
USDC and $IRL redemptions live on Stellar mainnet
Public events in 3 new cities (total 6+) using Stellar rails for ticketing, payouts, and rewards
Partner payouts to creators, venues, and promoters onchain with transparent reporting in the partner dashboard
Cross-chain bridge integration live in production (e.g., Solana/Base to Stellar)
Global partner toolkit release — allowing any venue, festival, or cultural DAO to run Stellar-powered loyalty programs via IRL’s dashboard
Expanded NFT identity features for creators and communities
Target milestone: 5,000+ Stellar-based redemptions processed in first quarter after mainnet
How to measure:
$100k+ USDC redeemed
Number of events activated in new cities
Number of new Stellar wallets onboarded
Cross-chain transaction volume
**ETA: December 15, 2025
Budget: $48,000**
Note all expanded partnerships comes directly through Refractions ongoing activities and partnerships, and the funds from the SDF will be only toward development costs.
Refraction is led by a multidisciplinary team of artists, engineers, and cultural producers who bridge technology and the arts. Founder Malcolm Levy is a curator and technologist with over two decades of experience in media art and digital infrastructure, including work on the 2010 Olympics. Co-founders Raf Katigbak, a creative strategist and former Vice Creative Director, and Greg Liburd, a community builder behind culture-driven networks for brands like Nike Jordan, bring deep cultural and brand expertise. Kaitlyn Davies, formerly of FWB, SoundCloud, and Boiler Room, leads partnerships with a focus on music and Web3 ecosystems. Craig Barrow, who previously collaborated with Virgil Abloh, heads experiential design, while Sharon Shum, formerly of VICE APAC, manages operations and cross-border logistics. Anbar El Mokri oversees production and artist management, ensuring seamless execution of live events. On the technical side, David Hurley leads engineering and smart contract development, Chris Dammeyer drives UX and interface design, and Graham Bertie builds scalable front-end applications using React and Web3 tools. Together, the team merges cultural credibility with technical excellence to power the Refraction and IRL platforms.
Malcolm Levy
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