Passage Marketplace Announces Transition to Open-Source with Elite Steering Committee

In a groundbreaking move that marks a new era for digital marketplaces, the Passage Marketplace is making a significant pivot towards open-source, with guidance from a committee of leading figures in the Cosmos ecosystem. The Passage community, known for its vibrant engagement and pioneering spirit, is set to benefit greatly from this transition.

Since its inception with the launch of the first NFT collection on Cosmos in 2021, Passage has been at the forefront of innovation within the digital frontier. Recently, Passage unveiled Elite, a flagship offering designed to provide immersive, high-quality virtual experiences.

This introduction is part of a broader effort to enhance the Passage tech stack and promote the adoption of the Passage blockchain. The move to open-source is expected to catalyze further innovation for both the chain and its associated marketplace.

Lex Avellino, Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Passage, emphasized the strategic importance of this shift: “The Passage blockchain and marketplace will become the number one place for creators to monetize and create with 3D assets. We are building the first modular, decentralized 3D asset market. Open infrastructure is the best way to incentivize builders and attract the best creators.”

Spearheading Open-Source Innovation

To ensure the success of this open-source initiative, Passage has convened a steering committee comprising esteemed members from the Cosmos and developer communities, including key partners, validators, and longstanding community contributors. This committee will play a crucial role in nurturing a vibrant open-source ecosystem around Passage.

Greg Osuri, CEO of Overclock Labs (the creators of Akash Network) and a committee member, shared his enthusiasm: “This is the perfect time for Passage to grow their open-source stack, and we’re excited to speak into this effort. Engaging this early will support transparency and an open developer community.”

Tyler Wright of Overclock Labs joins the committee as a special advisor, bringing his deep expertise in guiding open-source projects and communities, notably within Akash Network. His insights will be invaluable in shaping Passage’s open-source strategy.

The steering committee, bolstered by core contributors from Passage’s leadership and key figures from the ecosystem, will assess projects and set priorities. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) will focus on specific development areas, supported by PASG token funding for contributions and bounties. The committee’s inaugural meeting is scheduled for February 21, aiming to define the roadmap for Passage’s open-source journey.

Open-Source Roadmap and Vision

The open-source initiative will commence with enhancing the Passage Marketplace, backed by a substantial allocation of 15M PASG tokens from the Passage Foundry. The focus will be on improving user experience and expanding features to reflect the community’s innovative spirit.

The roadmap, subject to the steering committee’s guidance, includes core infrastructure enhancements, sorting and searching improvements, community-driven projects, NFT staking, auction and offer functionalities, and enabling USDC transactions.

With the initial steering committee meeting poised to outline the open-source priorities, Passage continues to advance Elite and prepares for select partner onboarding to the Closed Beta in Q1. Lex Avellino is also slated to share insights at ETHDenver and ATOMDenver, contributing to discussions on the metaverse and AI alongside Cosmos luminaries.

This pivot to open-source not only promises to enhance the Passage platform and its marketplace but also signifies a major step forward in fostering innovation and collaboration within the digital asset space. Passage invites the community to join this exciting journey towards a more open, decentralized future.