diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 51bf091..2f9ade7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-# Cognitive Routing Protocol (CRP)
+# Cognitive Routing Protocol (CRP) — Simulation Prototype
 
-[![Project Status: Prototype Complete](https://img.shields.io/badge/status-prototype_complete-brightgreen.svg)](https://github.com/Yudis-bit/Cognitive-Routing-Protocol)
+[![Project Status: Prototype Complete](https://img.shields.io/badge/status-prototype-green.svg)](https://github.com/Yudis-bit/Cognitive-Routing-Protocol)
 [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-blue.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
 
-This repository contains the complete architecture and functional prototype for the **Cognitive Routing Protocol (CRP)**, a Layer-0/Layer-1 enhancement protocol designed to fundamentally reshape the efficiency, resilience, and profitability of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN).
+A seeded Python simulation exploring adaptive routing with Multi-Armed Bandit reinforcement learning, comparing a cognitive router against a static Dijkstra baseline. Includes a reference Solidity `NodeRegistry` contract for on-chain node registration and staking.
 
 ---
 
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ To run this project locally, you'll need to set up both the simulation and contr
 * [x] **Phase 2: "Dumb" Router (Baseline)** - Dijkstra's algorithm implementation for benchmarking.
 * [x] **Phase 3: Cognitive Node (AI Core)** - AI agent implementation with a Multi-Armed Bandit model.
 * [x] **Phase 4: Integration & Comparative Analysis** - Validation of CRP's performance benefits.
-* [x] **Phase 5: On-Chain Component Design (Solidity)** - Smart contract architecture for trust and staking.
+* [x] **Phase 5: On-Chain Component Design (Solidity)** — Reference interface and stub contract implemented; on-chain integration and testing is future work.
 
 ## Contributing
 
diff --git a/contracts/contracts/INodeRegistry.sol b/contracts/contracts/INodeRegistry.sol
index e69de29..5b414fc 100644
--- a/contracts/contracts/INodeRegistry.sol
+++ b/contracts/contracts/INodeRegistry.sol
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+pragma solidity ^0.8.20;
+
+interface INodeRegistry {
+    function registerNode(bytes32 nodeId) external;
+    function stake(bytes32 nodeId) external payable;
+    function getTrustScore(bytes32 nodeId) external view returns (uint256);
+    function isRegistered(bytes32 nodeId) external view returns (bool);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/contracts/contracts/NodeRegistry.sol b/contracts/contracts/NodeRegistry.sol
index e69de29..1be4bde 100644
--- a/contracts/contracts/NodeRegistry.sol
+++ b/contracts/contracts/NodeRegistry.sol
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+pragma solidity ^0.8.20;
+
+import {INodeRegistry} from "./INodeRegistry.sol";
+
+contract NodeRegistry is INodeRegistry {
+    mapping(bytes32 => bool) private _registered;
+    mapping(bytes32 => uint256) private _stakes;
+    mapping(bytes32 => uint256) private _trustScores;
+
+    function registerNode(bytes32 nodeId) external override {
+        require(!_registered[nodeId], "already registered");
+        _registered[nodeId] = true;
+        _trustScores[nodeId] = 100;
+    }
+
+    function stake(bytes32 nodeId) external payable override {
+        require(_registered[nodeId], "not registered");
+        _stakes[nodeId] += msg.value;
+    }
+
+    function getTrustScore(bytes32 nodeId) external view override returns (uint256) {
+        return _trustScores[nodeId];
+    }
+
+    function isRegistered(bytes32 nodeId) external view override returns (bool) {
+        return _registered[nodeId];
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/contracts/hardhat.config.js b/contracts/hardhat.config.js
index e69de29..d528cb6 100644
--- a/contracts/hardhat.config.js
+++ b/contracts/hardhat.config.js
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+require("@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox");
+
+/** @type import('hardhat/config').HardhatUserConfig */
+module.exports = {
+  solidity: "0.8.20",
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/contracts/package.json b/contracts/package.json
index 9c6c526..ad3e265 100644
--- a/contracts/package.json
+++ b/contracts/package.json
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@
   "author": "",
   "license": "ISC",
   "description": "",
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox": "^4.0.0",
+    "hardhat": "^2.22.0"
+  },
   "dependencies": {
     "@openzeppelin/contracts": "^5.4.0"
   }