Draft:CrowdStore

CrowdStore is a browser-based peer to peer marketplace. Anyone can create their own store; each store is identified by a unique “Store ID” which others can use to access that store. Orders, ratings, and transaction metadata are encrypted and stored via the Zcash protocol (e.g. in Zcash memo fields), ensuring privacy and authenticity.

CrowdStore relies on WebRTC data channels for establishing direct encrypted connections between participants. This allows browsers to exchange data such as store listings, preserving both privacy and resilience. Since the logic executes entirely client-side, there is no dependency on a backend infrastructure, making the network self-sustaining as long as peers remain connected.

Each shop in CrowdStore is identified by a Store ID, which is actually a cryptographic public key. This key is used to sign the store’s data and verify its integrity on every peer that receives it. When users access a store, they can independently confirm that the store content has not been altered, as all product and metadata entries can be verified against the shop’s public key signature. This mechanism removes the need for trust in any central authority and prevents tampering or impersonation.

Store data is replicated across the network by other users’ browsers, enabling persistent availability. Even if the original store creator goes offline, the store can still be accessed and shared from other connected peers. This distributed hosting model functions similarly to content addressing in decentralized networks: once a store’s data exists in the network, it can propagate and persist through participating clients. Combined with Zcash for encrypted payments and metadata storage, this architecture provides both privacy and robustness in a censorship-resistant P2P marketplace.

CrowdStore has submitted an application for a retroactive grant under Zcash’s coinholder-directed funding program in October 2025.