Open Arsenal

Global by Default.

SharedRail is an open-source, federated financial infrastructure designed to make global value transfer as simple and universal as sending an email. Instead of relying on closed, centralized payment platforms, SharedRail operates as a modular network of interoperable nodes that can be deployed by institutions, cooperatives, or independent operators. Every transaction is identity-based, using verified email addresses as the primary routing layer while maintaining strong cryptographic security and end-to-end encryption.

At its core, SharedRail supports instant, multi-currency payments with real-time settlement and automatic currency conversion across liquidity providers. The system is built to be borderless by design, treating jurisdictional differences as configurable compliance modules rather than barriers to entry. This allows the network to adapt to regional regulations while preserving a consistent global protocol for sending and receiving value.

A defining feature of SharedRail is its Request for Payment (RFP) system, which enables users to send structured payment requests that function like invoices, donations, subscriptions, or peer-to-peer requests. RFPs include expiration rules, partial payment support, and cryptographically signed records, ensuring both clarity and accountability in every transaction. This transforms payments from reactive transfers into intentional, structured agreements between parties.

SharedRail also integrates a federation-hosted AI layer for human intent verification, designed to reduce fraud and social engineering attacks without restricting user autonomy. Instead of automatically blocking transactions, the system engages users with contextual questions and risk-aware guidance to ensure payments are made intentionally and with full understanding. Combined with mandatory two-factor authentication, KYC modules, and modular fraud prevention systems, SharedRail prioritizes both security and user control.

Finally, SharedRail is built with a fully modular and extensible architecture. Core components such as identity, payments, FX routing, compliance, and notifications can be replaced or upgraded independently without affecting the rest of the system. This allows the network to evolve over time while remaining interoperable, transparent, and fully open source under the AGPL-3.0+ license.

This specification is released under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 or later (AGPL-3.0+) and may be used freely with required attribution under Section 7. A Specification Branding License is available for attribution-free deployments, with fees based on usage, scope, and deployment size.