Blinks on EVM

Blinks are a unique feature that allows users to share interactive content across decentralized platforms, blending blockchain technology with social media interactions. These "blinks" act like mini-apps or snippets that can be embedded into posts on platforms like Twitter (X) or other Web2 environments. Instead of traditional links that simply direct users to another webpage, blinks can interact directly with blockchain wallets, execute transactions, or communicate key data without requiring the user to leave the platform.

One of the most innovative aspects of blinks is their integration with blockchain ecosystems, particularly through networks like Solana, where they can execute decentralized actions seamlessly. For example, users can create and share blinks that allow others to participate in community events, place bets on games, or engage in decentralized applications (dApps). These blinks carry cryptographic signatures that authenticate the user's actions, leveraging the security and transparency of blockchain technology.

Blinks offer immense potential for decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized social networks (DeSo). They enable users to initiate smart contract interactions directly from a tweet, manage their digital assets, or participate in decentralized governance without navigating away from the social media platform. This enhances the user experience by reducing friction and making blockchain interactions more intuitive and accessible.

The potential use cases for blinks extend far beyond financial transactions. They can be employed for creating verifiable voting mechanisms, launching decentralized crowdfunding campaigns, or distributing digital collectibles. The decentralized and permissionless nature of blinks also means that they are censorship-resistant, aligning with the ethos of blockchain's trustless and transparent environment.

Developers can further extend the functionality of blinks by integrating APIs, smart contracts, and user-generated content. This flexibility allows for a wide variety of applications, from on-chain gaming and DAO governance to micropayments and content monetization. As blockchain technology evolves, blinks are positioned to become a cornerstone of Web3 interaction, blending the ease of social media engagement with the robust security of decentralized infrastructure.

In essence, blinks are revolutionizing how users interact with the blockchain world, allowing for dynamic, real-time interactions that combine the best of both Web2 and Web3 technologies. They represent the future of decentralized social media, where users can embed entire ecosystems of functionality into simple, shareable snippets that live and breathe on social networks.

It is a blink on EVM that works on OKX wallet. It uses the Dialect SDK for inject a blink frontend through the wallet and connects transactions through it.

We are also trying to integrate Circle's programmable wallets with this blink.

Blinks are made by combining several key technologies and components from both the Web2 and Web3 worlds. The process involves integrating blockchain smart contracts, decentralized protocols, APIs, and interactive front-end code to create a seamless user experience. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how blinks are created:

1. Conceptualization & Use Case Design The first step is deciding what the blink will do. Blinks can serve multiple use cases—ranging from simple data display, NFT trading, micropayments, DAO voting, to more complex tasks like decentralized betting or interacting with smart contracts. The key idea is to design the functionality that will be embedded in the blink.

For example: A blink could allow users to place a bet on a chess game, make a donation, or claim rewards using tokens.

1. Smart Contract Development The backbone of a blink is often a smart contract, particularly when financial transactions or verifiable actions are involved. The smart contract is deployed on a blockchain (e.g., Ethereum, Solana, Polygon), and it defines the rules of interaction for the blink.

Smart Contract Features:

Ownership verification: to check the ownership of digital assets like NFTs. Transaction execution: for betting, transferring tokens, or minting NFTs. Interaction logging: to track user actions like votes or participation in an event. The contract is coded in a language appropriate to the blockchain being used, such as Solidity (for Ethereum) or Rust (for Solana).

1. Backend Integration Once the smart contract is deployed, backend services are set up to facilitate interactions with the blink. The backend typically handles API calls, data aggregation, and communicating with the blockchain.

Backend Elements:

Node infrastructure: to interact with the blockchain, allowing the blink to submit and read transactions. APIs: to connect to off-chain data, fetch user data, or trigger other decentralized actions. Transaction validation: to check transaction statuses (for example, through Helius webhooks or other monitoring services). Developers may use libraries such as @solana/web3.js for Solana or ethers.js for Ethereum, depending on the blockchain.

1. Frontend Development The next step is building the interactive user interface that the user will see when interacting with the blink. This involves writing the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code (or using frameworks like React or Next.js) that allows the blink to display relevant data and let users engage with it.

Frontend Technologies:

HTML/CSS for layout and styling: To visually present the blink on social media platforms or websites. JavaScript for interactivity: To handle user input and initiate blockchain transactions (using Web3 libraries). Embedded widgets or frames: To ensure the blink can be embedded seamlessly in social media platforms, such as a tweet on Twitter (X). For example: The frontend could be a small widget showing real-time chess moves with a button that lets users place a bet on the game, all embedded inside a tweet.

1. Blockchain Wallet Integration One of the key features of blinks is their ability to interact with blockchain wallets. Users need to connect their wallets (such as MetaMask, Phantom, or Solflare) to sign transactions or verify their ownership of digital assets. The blink integrates with wallet providers via standard Web3 APIs.

Wallet Integration Steps:

Connect Wallet Prompt: Using libraries like web3.js, ethers.js, or Solana-specific tools (@solana/web3.js). Transaction Signature: Users must sign blockchain transactions through their wallets, triggered by the blink. Data retrieval from blockchain: The blink fetches on-chain data based on the wallet connected, such as token balances or NFT ownership. 6. Backend + Frontend Synchronization (Webhooks, APIs) A webhook service (like Helius or Alchemy) can be set up to monitor blockchain transactions and update the blink in real-time. If the blink is part of a game or financial transaction, the backend continuously listens for updates and ensures the blink shows up-to-date data.

For example: In a blink-based chess betting game, the system would monitor moves and bets on-chain and update the bet pool or player status in real-time.

1. Social Media Integration The unique aspect of blinks is that they are designed to be embedded into social media posts or Web2 platforms. To make this possible, developers need to ensure the blink conforms to the embed rules of platforms like Twitter (X).

OG Tags for Social Platforms: The blink URL is enriched with meta tags (Open Graph) that instruct platforms like Twitter to unfurl the blink content properly. Cross-domain compatibility: Blinks should be compatible with different environments—tweets, websites, and decentralized platforms—without breaking functionality. Interaction Tracking: Every interaction (click, share, transaction) is captured via analytics services or on-chain data for performance and engagement insights. 8. Security Audits & Testing Since blinks involve real-world assets and transactions, security is crucial. Developers perform security audits of the smart contracts, ensuring there are no vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Additionally, the backend and frontend undergo extensive testing to ensure that:

Smart contract bugs are eliminated. Transaction errors are handled gracefully. The UI/UX flows smoothly without breaking in different platforms. 9. Deployment Once the blink is developed and tested, it's deployed on the respective blockchain and the frontend is hosted on a web server (such as IPFS or a traditional Web2 hosting platform). The blink’s smart contract and backend infrastructure are also pushed live.

The URL or embed code for the blink can now be shared or posted on social platforms for users to interact with.

1. Continuous Updates After deployment, the blink can receive updates for new features or bug fixes. Developers can update the smart contract (if upgradable) or make changes to the frontend/back-end without disrupting the user experience.

Conclusion: Blinks are built using a combination of smart contracts, decentralized backend systems, and interactive frontend interfaces, all embedded into existing social platforms. By leveraging blockchain, they provide a secure, verifiable, and interactive experience, allowing users to engage in decentralized applications without leaving their Web2 environments. This fusion of technologies enhances user engagement, simplifies interactions with decentralized systems, and makes blockchain accessible to a broader audience.