Making AI Computing a Real-World Use Case for Polkadot's Native Stablecoin
Funding Requested: 16,384 USDC
Duration: 3 Months
Proposer: ComputeFlux Team

1. Overview
   ComputeFlux is building an OpenAI-compatible AI gateway connecting users, developers, and AI agents to multiple AI models and computing resources through a unified interface.
   We propose a 3-month pilot to bring practical AI services to the Polkadot ecosystem, with a particular focus on creating a real-world payment use case for dotUSD.
   Through wallet-based onboarding, subsidized AI usage credits, developer APIs, and dotUSD payment integration, we aim to make Polkadot-native assets useful for accessing AI computing services.
   Our goal: Turn Polkadot wallets into gateways for AI services, and dotUSD into a practical payment option for AI computing.
2. Why Polkadot & dotUSD?
   Polkadot is developing its native stablecoin, dotUSD, to support a broader on-chain economy.
   However, stablecoin adoption requires more than liquidity and trading. It also requires useful products and services where people can spend it.
   ComputeFlux aims to make AI computing one of those services.
   AI inference and developer APIs are natural candidates for stablecoin payments because computing resources are consumed on a usage-based basis.
   This pilot aims to create:
   Real dotUSD utility: Purchase AI credits using dotUSD.
   Developer payment use cases: Fund AI API consumption with dotUSD.
   Repeatable economic activity: Enable ongoing payments tied to actual AI computing usage.
   Wallet-native access: Connect the existing SubWallet login experience with AI services and payments.
   The objective is not simply to distribute incentives, but to test whether Polkadot-native payments can support sustained demand for useful digital services.
3. Existing Progress
   ComputeFlux has already established an early technical foundation within the Polkadot ecosystem.
   SubWallet Integration — Completed: Users can already log in to ComputeFlux using SubWallet.
   Working AI Platform: An early AI gateway and testing environment are available.
   Polkadot Products Devnet — Deployed: ComputeFlux has been deployed as a Product on the Polkadot Devnet and indexed by DotMetrics.
   Open-Source Smart Contracts: Initial smart contract infrastructure has been published for Polkadot testnet experimentation.
   Community Discussion: ComputeFlux has been publicly discussed on the Polkadot Forum since July 2026, with progress updates and community feedback.
   This Treasury request builds on existing development rather than starting from scratch.
4. Pilot Deliverables
5. dotUSD Payment Integration
   Develop and test a working dotUSD payment flow enabling users to purchase ComputeFlux AI credits through supported Polkadot infrastructure.
   The pilot will validate wallet interaction, payment verification, credit settlement, and transaction reporting.
6. Polkadot AI Usage Credits & Payment Pilot
   Provide subsidized AI usage credits for Polkadot users and developers while supporting controlled dotUSD payment experiments.
   This will allow participants to experience AI services with minimal initial cost and evaluate dotUSD as a payment method.
7. Developer APIs & Integration Support
   Provide OpenAI-compatible API access, documentation, and integration examples to help developers build AI-powered applications.
8. Ecosystem Engagement & Public Reporting
   Engage Polkadot communities and developers, document integration experiments, and report actual AI usage and dotUSD payment activity.
9. Pilot Targets
   Metric3-Month TargetNew registered users500Active AI users100Developer/API users50AI integration experiments10Ecosystem collaborations5dotUSD payment integration1 working pilotdotUSD payment transactions & volumePublicly reportedMeasurement: Active users must complete successful AI inference requests. Developer adoption requires authenticated API usage. Integrations and collaborations must have documented outcomes.
   dotUSD transactions will be measured separately from promotional credits, including successful payments, total payment volume, and repeat payment activity.
   These are targets, not guaranteed outcomes.
10. Budget
    CategoryAmountSharePolkadot AI Usage Credits & dotUSD Payment Pilot8,192 USDC50%Product Development & Integration4,096 USDC25%Community Engagement & Outreach2,457.60 USDC15%Infrastructure & Operations1,638.40 USDC10%Total16,384 USDC100%50% of the requested funding directly supports ecosystem AI usage and the dotUSD payment pilot.
    The pilot allocation will support subsidized AI consumption, payment testing, and eligible participant incentives. Technical development of the payment integration will be funded through the Product Development & Integration allocation.
    The final report will distinguish promotional credits, test payments, and genuine user-funded dotUSD transactions. Any conversions into dotUSD and remaining funds will be disclosed.
11. Timeline
    Month 1 — Onboarding & Payment Development
    Launch Polkadot-focused onboarding, begin dotUSD payment integration, and recruit initial users and developers.
    Month 2 — Payment Pilot & Adoption
    Test dotUSD-funded AI credits, expand API access, support developer experiments, and publish a progress update.
    Month 3 — Evaluation & Reporting
    Validate the payment workflow, measure AI usage and dotUSD transaction activity, document ecosystem integrations, and publish a final report.
12. Transparency & Accountability
    ComputeFlux will publish a progress update and final report covering:
    Registered users, active users, and API adoption
    AI credits distributed and consumed
    dotUSD payment transactions, volume, and repeat usage
    Documented developer experiments and collaborations
    Budget utilization and remaining funds
    Results will distinguish subsidized activity from genuine user-funded demand, with privacy-conscious reporting and on-chain transaction evidence where applicable.
    Any future expansion or funding request will be evaluated separately based on actual pilot results.
13. References
    Live Platform: https://test.computeflux.ai
    Official Website: https://computeflux.ai
    Polkadot Forum Discussion: https://forum.polkadot.network/t/computeflux-the-first-openai-compatible-ai-gateway-for-polkadot/17990
    Full Proposal: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15GxOiw2Qfl9i8AqG4xR8YMdHtctT1LRdryRpXKHz7kc/edit
    Open-Source Smart Contracts: https://github.com/computeflux/revive-contract
    dotUSD Governance Referendum: https://polkadot.subsquare.io/referenda/1944
    X: https://x.com/computefluxAI
    Closing
    Polkadot needs real applications where its native assets can be used, not just held or traded.
    ComputeFlux proposes a focused, measurable pilot to make AI computing one of those applications.
    With 16,384 USDC over three months, we aim to connect Polkadot wallet users, dotUSD payments, and practical AI services—while generating transparent evidence of adoption and economic activity.
    Real AI usage. Real dotUSD utility. Measurable ecosystem growth.