Created on 15th February 2025
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Blockchain technology is transforming global finance, yet accessing it remains a challenge for many. Users often need multiple apps, specialized wallets, and technical knowledge to interact with decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, trade tokens, or engage with NFTs. This complexity creates a barrier to entry, preventing broader adoption, especially among non-technical users.
Most blockchain-based chatbots are built for Telegram, which, while popular in crypto communities, is not the dominant messaging app worldwide. WhatsApp, on the other hand, has over 2 billion users, many of whom rely on it for daily communication, especially in regions with limited financial services. However, there are very few blockchain integrations designed specifically for WhatsApp.
SeiLink solves this problem by embedding blockchain functionality directly into WhatsApp. Users can send and receive tokens, check crypto prices, execute swaps, trade NFTs, and interact with prediction markets, all within a simple chat interface. By eliminating the need for external apps and complex onboarding, SeiLink makes blockchain transactions as easy as sending a text message.
For users in emerging markets, SeiLink serves as a gateway to DeFi without requiring prior blockchain knowledge. It bridges the gap between traditional communication and decentralized finance, making crypto accessible, convenient, and user-friendly.
Unlike Telegram, WhatsApp has strict rules on bot interactions. It does not natively support real-time blockchain transactions or flexible command-based automation. To overcome this, we built a custom middleware system that processes commands, interacts with blockchain networks, and delivers responses to users in a seamless way.
Since users interact with SeiLink via text commands, ensuring secure authentication and transaction execution was critical. We implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA), cryptographic signatures, and session-based validation to protect against unauthorized access. Additionally, API keys and private credentials are securely stored using encrypted environment variables to prevent exposure.
Supporting multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, SEI, and Polygon, required extensive work in handling different APIs, transaction formats, and gas fee calculations. We built a smart transaction routing system that dynamically selects the best network for each action, optimizing costs and transaction speeds for users.
Providing real-time price updates and token balances within WhatsApp was another challenge. We integrated CoinGecko’s API for market data, but rate limits and response times had to be carefully managed. We implemented intelligent caching and request batching to keep data fresh while reducing API call overhead.
Integrating OpenSea for NFT trading and Polymarket for prediction markets meant handling different authentication flows and transaction types. Since WhatsApp does not support rich media like NFT previews by default, we created custom URL previews that allow users to see NFT details within the chat interface.
Tracks Applied (7)
Technologies used