Janjilah, a blockchain-powered digital agreements platform, has been developed to address Malaysia's growing online scam crisis by converting informal digital transactions into legally recognized, immutable records. The platform targets micro-entrepreneurs and informal traders who operate primarily through social media and messaging applications. In 2025, Malaysians lost RM542 million to scams, with only RM34 million successfully recovered, highlighting the urgent need for verifiable transaction documentation. Janjilah was created to fill this gap by enabling users to establish legally binding agreements with blockchain verification and timestamped proof. The platform operates in a gray area between outright fraud and ordinary commercial disputes, where traditional legal protections often fail informal business operators.
The initiative emerged from the personal experience of founder Steve Rao, who became a victim of multiple online scams during the pandemic. Rao discovered that the core problem involved the absence of credible documentation during disputes—many individuals refused to sign formal agreements even through common channels like WhatsApp. After consulting with authorities, he learned that police investigations were frequently hindered by the lack of verifiable documentation and reliable identity records. This challenge led Rao, together with co-founders Amir Azril and Yew Jin Tan, to develop Janjilah as a blockchain-based solution specifically designed for everyday commercial interactions.
Addressing Malaysia's Informal Business Ecosystem
Malaysia's online commerce landscape includes approximately 1.07 million officially registered micro-SMEs and SMEs, with the informal business sector potentially significantly larger. Many of these operations function almost entirely through smartphones and social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. This market reality influenced Janjilah's product design decisions. Rather than creating a traditional downloadable mobile application, the company developed a browser-based web app optimized for low-storage devices. Rao drew on his previous work experience in Africa, where low-capacity smartphones are common, to emphasize the importance of lightweight digital tools. The platform is accessible directly through a web browser in both English and Malay, lowering barriers for users who may require the service only occasionally or hesitate to install additional applications.
Platform Architecture and Privacy Design
Privacy protection was a central consideration during Janjilah's development. The platform is structured so that Janjilah cannot access the actual contents of agreements created between users. Instead, the system stores only proof that an agreement exists, along with verified identities and timestamps. Participating parties retain exclusive access to agreement contents, while enforcement agencies can verify authenticity and validity during investigations without viewing private contract details. The company created a separate portal for enforcement agencies to confirm the existence and legitimacy of agreements.
2025 Platform Rebuild and Performance Improvements
Janjilah rebuilt its entire platform in 2025, achieving significant performance enhancements. The updated infrastructure reduced agreement signing time from 15 seconds to 5 seconds. The rebuild also introduced 14 localized templates tailored for common Malaysian business transactions, including service contracts, tenancy agreements, gig work arrangements, and buy-sell transactions. These improvements are intended to provide informal traders with stronger legal protection while simplifying digital commerce documentation across Malaysia's growing online economy.
