Tea: Launching the Final Phase of Testnet Package Registration

We’re excited to announce the launch of the final phase of package registration on the Tea testnet. This milestone represents a pivotal moment toward achieving our core mission: establishing the first blockchain purpose built to sustainably reward and fund open-source software.

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Why We’re Excited

Tea emerged from a deep appreciation and respect for the power and importance of open-source software. Max Howell and I began this journey in 2021, driven by a firm belief that open-source contributors deserve not just recognition, but sustainable compensation. All too often, enterprises reap significant benefits from open-source projects without adequately supporting the developers who create and maintain them.

Our solution leverages blockchain technology to rectify this imbalance, creating a decentralized, token-based economy. By eliminating intermediaries, facilitating transparent cross-border transactions, and ensuring permissionless participation, we’re enabling fair and consistent rewards for contributions. This ecosystem recognizes and sustains the true value of open-source development on a global scale.

The final phase of our testnet isn’t just a technological milestone; it’s a reflection of our unwavering commitment to the open-source community. We’ve navigated technical hurdles, embraced community feedback, and evolved through lessons learned—all in pursuit of an equitable, secure, and innovative environment for developers around the world.

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Strengthening Integrity: Robust Anti-Spam Measures

During the previous phases of our testnet, we encountered considerable challenges related to spam and exploitation. Malicious actors created thousands of fake packages and manipulated dependencies to artificially boost their teaRank scores. Such actions not only threatened our system’s integrity but also undermined the hard work of legitimate open-source contributors.

We took this feedback seriously and implemented a comprehensive suite of anti-spam measures:

• Zero-Knowledge Proof for Ownership: We will be integrating advanced zero-knowledge proofs to validate package ownership securely, without compromising privacy. This ensures that only authentic maintainers can claim packages, significantly reducing unauthorized or fraudulent claims.

• Enhanced teaRank Algorithm: Our proprietary teaRank algorithm has been significantly refined, now evaluating multiple dimensions beyond simple dependency counts. This holistic approach better reflects the genuine impact and utility of each package, strongly mitigating attempts at manipulation.

• Strict Package Eligibility Requirements: In this final testnet phase, registration is restricted to packages already listed on reputable registries such as npm, Homebrew, Debian, or similar sources prior to January 2024. This proactive measure prevents a surge of new, potentially spam-related packages.

• PKGX Integration and Monitoring: New packages may still be registered via PKGX until mainnet launch. We will closely monitor these registrations for quality assurance and promptly address any abuse, ensuring continued growth without compromising integrity.

• Reopened KYC Attestation Process: We’ve reinstated the KYC attestation process specifically for new package registrars. While anyone can complete KYC, only those whose packages achieve a valid teaRank will receive rewards during this phase. This added layer ensures alignment with our community-driven standards.

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Preparing for Mainnet: Raising the Stakes

As we near the transition to mainnet, the implications of package registration become more significant. Participants staking TEA tokens to packages will face real financial considerations. Any attempts to register or stake fraudulent or spammy packages will result in forfeited tokens, making spam economically impractical. This policy ensures the blockchain remains focused on genuinely valuable and actively maintained packages.

We’re also excited to announce our upcoming package staking application, designed to significantly enhance the user experience for devs and provide unparalleled transparency during the staking processes. This intuitive tool will play a critical role in maintaining the trustworthiness and efficiency of our ecosystem.

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Our Commitment to the Open-Source Community

At tea, we remain dedicated to empowering open-source developers by providing sustainable funding, meaningful recognition, and secure interactions. By integrating these robust security measures and innovative blockchain technology, we’re building an environment where open-source development can thrive.

We warmly invite all open-source contributors to actively participate in this crucial final testnet phase, claim their rightful packages, and join us in shaping a fairer future for open-source funding.

Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and passion for open-source innovation.

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Step-by-Step: How to Register a Package on Tea Protocol

1. Sign In with Your Wallet
   Visit the staking app and sign in using your preferred wallet service (e.g., MetaMask).
2. Enable Developer Mode
   Go to settings and check on the box that says “yes, I am a developer”, to see the "My Projects", screen to register projects
3. Navigate to 'My Projects'
   Once logged in, you’ll see the "My Projects" dashboard. Click on "Register a new project" to begin.
4. Search and Select Your Project
   Use the search bar to find your open-source project. Confirm and agree to the Tea Protocol terms of use to proceed.
5. Verify Maintainer Ownership
   The system checks whether you're a valid contributor to the selected repo. If this check fails, registration is blocked.
6. Set Up Your Project Constitution
   Select additional contributors (if any), define quorum (number of signatures required for treasury actions), and establish initial governance settings. Note: contributors must have a Tea account to be added here.
7. Copy the YAML Constitution File
   Download or copy the generated YAML file. Paste it into the root directory of your Git repository (on the default branch).
8. Validate Constitution
   Click "Validate Constitution". Tea Protocol will scan your repo to verify the presence and structure of the YAML file.
9. Confirm Registration
   If validation succeeds, your project treasury is created. You can now receive and manage tokens, and view your project on the block explorer.
10. Multi-Sig Notes
    If your quorum is set above 1, you must use safe.tea.xyz to execute transactions from the treasury. Simply connect the same wallet used on the staking app.
11. Staking & Updates Coming Soon
    Additional features like staking and full multi-sig controls will be rolled out in upcoming updates. Keep an eye out!

✨ Need help? Reach out via Discord for support from the team and community.

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