Gema: Hybrid FinTech & Web3 Ecosystem

Gema is a modern financial platform designed to bridge the gap between traditional mobile money (M-Pesa) and digital assets (Web3/Blockchain). This repository contains the mobile application (Flutter) and the core backend services.

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🚀 Business Vision

Gema empowers users in emerging markets (primarily East Africa) to interact with the global digital economy. By integrating localized payment rails with low-cost blockchain infrastructure, Gema provides a secure, fast, and user-friendly way to manage wealth and conduct transactions.

Key Value Pillars

• Local-to-Global Rails: Buy and sell crypto directly using M-Pesa.
• Scan-to-Pay: Merchant payments via QR codes using the GEM utility token.
• Utility-First Web3: Built on the NEAR Protocol for near-zero fees and instant finality.

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📱 Mobile App Features (Flutter)

• Unified Multi-Currency Wallet: Seamlessly hold GEM, BTC, and ETH.
• Instant Token Swaps: Exchange major cryptos for GEM tokens directly in-app.
• Secure Transaction Hub: Track P2P transfers and merchant payments in real-time.
• Interactive QR Scanner: Send and receive tokens with a single scan.

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⚙️ Backend Architecture (Node.js/TS)

• Enterprise-Grade Auth: JWT-based secure login for individuals and brands.
• Financial Gateway: Native integration with Advanta (SMS/APIs) and planned M-Pesa STK push support.
• Scalable Data: MongoDB-driven storage with Mongoose ODM for reliable state management.
• Clustered Performance: Multi-core Node.js execution for high-concurrency handling.

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🛠 Project Status & Technical Debt Resolved

• Flutter 3.x Migration: Full upgrade from Dart 2.x, ensuring compatibility with modern plugins.
• Web Renderer Support: Fixed dart:io platform-specific blockers to enable Flutter Web execution.
• Dependency Refresh: Upgraded critical libraries like qr_flutter (4.x), get (4.x), and persistent_bottom_nav_bar_v2.
• Backend Type Safety: Resolved strict TypeScript compilation errors across middlewares and controllers.

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🚦 Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Flutter SDK (3.0.0+)
• Node.js (16+) & Yarn
• MongoDB (running locally or via Atlas)

Backend Setup

1. Navigate to /gema-core/backend
2. Create a .env file (refer to setup.MD for required variables).
3. Run yarn install followed by yarn workspace backend start.

Mobile Setup

1. Run flutter pub get in the root directory.
2. Run flutter run -d chrome for web or target a connected mobile device.

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🗺 Roadmap

• Phase 2: Core Platform Stabilization (Mobile & Web Build Fixed).
• Phase 3: M-Pesa STK Push Integration.
• Phase 4: Brand Portal for Merchants.
• Phase 5: Production Deployment (Dockerization).

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