ObscuraVault

ObscuraVault is designed to revolutionize Bitcoin trading by integrating confidential computing, zero-knowledge proofs, and blockchain settlement. It creates a secure, fair, and private trading ecosystem where identity verification, order submission, matching, and settlement occur without exposing sensitive data to the public or intermediaries.

The platform leverages privacy framework and the SELF protocol for encrypted KYC, enabling compliance without compromising privacy. All orders are matched in a private “dark pool” context and settled trustlessly on Citrea, a Bitcoin-compatible EVM rollup.

Key Features

1. SELF Protocol KYC Before trading, users undergo identity verification via the SELF protocol. Unlike traditional KYC systems that store sensitive documents centrally, SELF enables: Encrypted, user-owned identity verification Selective proof sharing without exposing raw data Regulatory compliance without sacrificing privacy This ensures that identity data stays private while still meeting AML/KYC requirements.

2. Private Order Submission Orders are fully private, never exposed to a public mempool or order book: Locally encrypted on the user’s Calimero node Stored privately, accessible only by the user and the designated matching context Protected from front-running and MEV attacks This ensures a confidential trading process where only intended participants know the order details.

3. Dark Pool Matching (HPABM) ObscuraVault employs Hybrid Privacy-Aware Batch Matching (HPABM) to execute trades in a confidential environment: Orders are batched at discrete intervals Matching occurs within a privacy-preserving Calimero context Execution prioritizes fairness and anonymity without leaking order or market data This enables dark pool liquidity while preserving transparency and decentralization.

4. Trustless Settlement on Citrea Matched orders are settled via smart contracts on Citrea, an EVM-compatible Bitcoin rollup: Trade details exported in zero-knowledge verified form Trustless execution ensures final exchange without intermediaries Settlement benefits from Bitcoin’s security model This creates a regulatory-grade trading experience with blockchain-native transparency.

5. End-to-End Privacy From identity verification to final settlement: No public order books → protects trading strategies No mempool exposure → eliminates MEV risks Encrypted workflows → ensure full confidentiality throughout This results in a secure, fair, and anonymous Bitcoin trading environment.

For building this project, I followed a three-layer approach:

Contracts Layer: I first developed the necessary smart contracts, with the main focus on their functionality, and deployed them on the Citrea testnet.

Privacy Framework Layer: Next, I focused on building the privacy framework to manage order books and execute the Hybrid Privacy-Aware Batch Matching (HPABM). For compliance and privacy, I used Calimero as the core technology.

Frontend Layer: Finally, I developed the frontend application using Next.js, with a strong focus on creating an intuitive user interface. I integrated the SELF SDK for user verification — before accessing the app dashboard, the user must scan a QR code via SELF to verify their identity. Only upon successful verification can they access the platform.