Aurora

Aurora is a tool designed to assist Ethereum users and decentralized applications (dApps) in transitioning to the NEAR blockchain with ease. It enables two main functions: deploying and engaging with Solidity smart contracts on the NEAR blockchain, and transferring assets, such as ERC-20 tokens, between Ethereum, NEAR, and Aurora using the Rainbow Bridge.

ETH serves as Aurora's primary token to ensure users have an optimal experience and developers find familiar tools at their disposal.

The AURORA token functions as a governance token, vital for implementing necessary improvements to the protocol. Aurora is managed by AuroraDAO, which includes representatives from a variety of blockchain industry ecosystems and sectors.

The maximum supply of AURORA tokens is set at 1,000,000,000 (one billion $AURORA). The AURORA Token Generation Event took place on November 18, 2021.

For the unlocked tokens:
* 1% of the total supply is dedicated to the IDO, pool deployment on AMMs, market making, and early partnerships.
* Another 1% is designated for Aurora Labs, serving as incentives for project advisors.
* AuroraDAO retains 48% for potential future projects.
* 20% is reserved in the community treasury.
* Aurora Labs receives 3% to be distributed gradually to the delegators of the Aurora validator on NEAR.

Regarding the locked tokens:
* 16% is earmarked for Aurora Labs' long-term incentives, potentially subject to a vesting schedule.
* 2% goes to early contributors to Aurora, also possibly under a vesting scheme.
* 9% is allocated to investors from Aurora Labs' private round.

These locked tokens follow an unlocking plan, with a two-year schedule that features a linear unlock every three months, starting with a six-month cliff from the launch date (25% unlocks after six months, followed by an additional 12.5% every 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months).

Dr. Alex Shevchenko leads Aurora Labs as CEO. With a Ph.D. in physics and math, he brings entrepreneurial expertise and has been a blockchain enthusiast since 2015. Dr. Shevchenko is known for developing Bitfury’s Exonum and is a staunch advocate for blockchain scalability solutions.

Arto Bendiken, the CTO of Aurora Labs, is a self-taught cypherpunk and entrepreneur. He is a prolific open-source contributor with over two decades of experience in professional software engineering, having worked with notable organizations like the European Space Agency (ESA) and the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).

Frank Braun, serving as the Head of Security & Infrastructure at Aurora Labs, holds a Ph.D. in computer science. With over 20 years of experience, he has been involved in building intricate software systems and has worked on scientific software, encrypted messaging, and digital currencies.

Joshua J. Bouw, the Engine Team Lead at Aurora Labs, has more than a decade of experience in crypto-economic design, software development, and nurturing open-source ecosystems. He is often referred to as 'The Godfather of Proof of Stake' for his pioneering work in developing Proof of Stake Consensus Mechanisms.

Kirill Abramov, the Bridge Team Lead, is a software engineer with over six years of experience in creating high-performance software. With a strong passion for blockchain technology, he has significant experience in developing custom blockchains, implementing hardware applications, and building cross-chain solutions.