@scathing.near [Posted on DevHub](https://near.social/#/devgovgigs.near/widget/Post?id=1653) ## Solution: Oracle Documentation Update ###### Requested amount: 1000 USDT ###### Requested sponsor: @neardevgov.near ### Introduction ### When going to the [Oracle Docs](https://docs.near.org/develop/relevant-contracts/oracles), one is presented with two options: Switchboard and the native oracle. Switchboard has a somewhat unknown reputation, and the native oracle is a solution by Pagoda, which is poor in terms of decentralisation, and it is price only. There are also other oracle solutions on NEAR, but they are not easy to find. From my preliminary research, DeFi protocols (on NEAR) that usually use an oracle service (like lending markets) are using in-house centralised solutions. This is not a long-term viable solution and is off-putting to institutional investment (both into NEAR and protocols building on it). I am suggesting that I commission a piece of research comparing different existing oracle solutions on NEAR, deeply evaluating each, and replace the existing documentation. I will then evaluate whether a new oracle solution is needed on NEAR and write a memo on this, distributing it to any stakeholders like the NEAR foundation who would be interested in integrating one. Giving them the opportunity to make an informed decision on which solution may be best for the ecosystem. Building out the documentation on Oracles for NEAR and integrating multiple oracle options for founders would make NEAR a more desirable platform to build on as it supports key DeFi and dApp infrastructure. It also promotes the core tenant of blockchain technology, decentralisation. ### Background Summary ### - In my day job, I am responsible for the tactical allocation of a leading London-based Digital Asset fund, meaning that I have extensive experience in researching protocols, ecosystems, verticals and building investment memos/ theses (NEAR being one of them). This work has evaluated the different ZK rollups technologies, gaming infrastructure providers, Layer 1 protocols, DEX’s and DEX aggregators, DePins, dPerps, LSDs and more. I have also written over 50 comprehensive investment memos for the fund, informing our decision-making process. - As a Threshold Network contributor, I commissioned DAO treasury research and a protocol integration strategies for tBTC across Ethereum, Optimism, Arbitrum, Polygon, Base and Solana for a BTC bridging protocol primarily based on Ethereum. This helped grow the number of integrations 10-fold and boost TVL to $60m and growing. - In addition to this, I am the CFO of a startup building on NEAR. Meaning that I have an in-depth understanding of the NEAR ecosystem both from an institutional investor and founder perspective. - I am personally a big fan of NEAR, I think it's vastly undervalued and I want the ecosystem to thrive, hence my drive for building out the NEAR documentation. In order to verify my credentials without doxing myself, I’d happily provide all evidence to a trusted party within the NEAR community that can verify on my behalf. ### Proposed format ### Research report comparing all viable oracle options and their characteristics (including not limited to): oracle services provided, the positives, negatives, trust model and respective pricing with several recommendations. In addition to modifying the existing oracle documentation to be more up-to-date and comprehensive. ### Support ### Whilst conducting this research and writing the documentation, it would be beneficial to be put in contact with the relevant teams at Pagoda and The Foundation that can provide any context on the history and current status of oracles on NEAR. ### Compensation ### For this research and documentation, I suggest a fair rate based on my experience as 50USD per hour. I believe that this research would take a minimum of 20 hours, up to 40. I request an initial 1000USD to start this work, and then I ask to reserve up to another 1000USD to compensate for additional hours worked over 20, up to 40, once the work is complete. If you have any questions, please do let me know below.