Startup Turns Phones into a Decentralized Compute Network | Alessandro De Carli – Acurast (DePIN #52)
What If Your Old Phone Could Power the Next AI Model?In this episode of the DePINed podcast, host Tom Trowbridge speaks with Alessandro De Carli, co-founder of Acurast — a decentralized confidential compute network built entirely on mobile devices. Alessandro shares his journey from mobile security at Credit Suisse to launching Acurast, and explains why smartphones are underutilized powerhouses perfect for distributed computation. They dive into topics like trusted execution environments (TEEs), real-world DePIN use cases, token economics and why mobile-first infrastructure could rival hyperscalers like AWS.In this episode, we cover:- Why mobile phones are the future of decentralized compute- How Acurast transforms smartphones into secure compute nodes- Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) explained- The role of token economics in scaling decentralized infrastructure- Why hyperscalers like AWS should pay attention to mobile-first networksWhether you’re into Web3, edge computing or the future of AI infrastructure — this episode is not to be missed 🚀🎙️ Don’t miss this deep dive into the DePIN revolution. Subscribe now to explore how decentralized networks are transforming industries worldwide! 🌍
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Decentralizing HD Maps for Autonomous Vehicles & AI | Guang Ling: Rovr Network (#51)
Is DePIN the key to scaling real-time 3D mapping for AI & AVs?In this episode of The DePINed Podcast, we sit down with Guang Ling, founder of Rovr Network, to explore how crowdsourced 3D data and LiDAR-powered devices could unlock a new layer of spatial intelligence for the real world🧠 The project uses both smartphone-based setups and professional-grade LiDAR rigs — with ambitious plans to collect 100M+ kilometers of street-level data and offer weekly refresh rates at a fraction of the cost of traditional HD maps.In this episode, we cover:- Why HD maps are critical for autonomous driving & AI- Rovr’s dual-hardware strategy (TX & LC devices)- Cutting map costs by 80% with better refresh rates- Token economics, point system, and plans for TGE- Real market insights from a LIDAR and telecom expert- Building toward millions in revenue and Tier 1 clients- The future of spatial AI and 3D training datasetsWhether you’re into DePIN, AI or geospatial tech, this episode is a must-listen 🚀Don’t miss this deep dive into the DePIN revolution! Subscribe now to explore how decentralized networks are transforming industries worldwide! 🌍
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Cyber-Resilient Storage and Real Yield: Protocol Deep Dive | Patrick Dunlop: Jackal Labs (#50)
Can decentralized storage compete with enterprise-grade SLAs? 🧠 In this episode of The DePINed Podcast, we sit down with Patrick Dunlop, co-founder of Jackal Protocol, to explore what it takes to build a decentralized storage network that’s fast, secure, and enterprise-readyWhile most DePINs race for cheaper infrastructure, Jackal is doing something different: delivering cyber-resilient, hot storage with on-chain SLAs. Designed for both individuals and enterprises, Jackal provides encrypted storage with auto-healing, multi-node redundancy, and privacy baked into the protocol🌐 With over 1,000 users and growing, Patrick shares how Jackal is moving beyond speculation and toward real yield by targeting B2B use cases, onboarding clients through enterprise sales, and offering competitive storage solutions that can rival centralized giantsIn this episode, we cover:- The mechanics behind Jackal’s auto-healing and SLA guarantees- Why decentralized storage must evolve beyond the Web3 dev niche- What sets Jackal apart from Filecoin, Arweave, and others- The shift from inflationary tokenomics to real demand-driven yield- How Jackal plans to scale toward $100M+ revenue- Where decentralization and cybersecurity meet in storage- Patrick’s journey from digital forensics to building mission-critical infrastructure🎙️ Don’t miss this deep dive into the DePIN revolution! Subscribe now to explore how decentralized networks are transforming industries worldwide! 🌍
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Crowdsourced Location, Verified Data & DePIN at Scale | Markus Levin: XYO (#49)
What if the first DePIN was launched years before the term even existed? ⏰In this episode, we sit down with Markus Levin, co-founder of XYO, the original DePIN protocol powering real-world data validation through a global network of 8M+ devices and earning over $10M in revenue.From cryptographic location proofs to on-demand data requests, XYO has been quietly building one of the most active decentralized infrastructure networks in the world.We discuss:- How XYO scales data validation with mobile devices- Why apps are essential for onboarding non-crypto users- XYO’s crowdsourced model and token incentives- The real economics behind $10M+ in protocol revenue- Insights on token buy & burn mechanics- Why XYO is still a unique player in the DePIN space- Future use cases in AI, underserved regions, and beyondA must-listen for anyone curious about the real-world adoption of DePIN, and what it takes to build through multiple market cycles.🎙️ Don’t miss this deep dive into the DePIN revolution. Subscribe now to explore how decentralized networks are transforming industries worldwide! 🌍
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DePIN for TikTok, $1M Revenue & 550K Devices | Konstantin Tkachuk: Titan Network (#48)
Real Revenue, Real Devices, Real DePINIn this episode, we sit down with Konstantin Tkachuk, CEO and co-founder of Titan Network, a decentralized infrastructure protocol building edge-native web services using idle bandwidth, storage, and compute from over 550,000 devices worldwide🟢 Titan is already powering real-world use cases — including CDN services for TikTok — and taking a customer-first approach that challenges the norms of crypto-native infrastructureWe cover:- Titan’s shift from resource-first to demand-first growth- How the network rewards contributors dynamically- Real usage in 140+ countries with $1M+ in protocol revenue- Titan’s edge CDN architecture and testnet rollout- The road to mainnet and upcoming token launchA must-listen for anyone interested in the future of decentralized cloud services and how DePIN protocols are winning with real-world adoption🎙️ Don’t miss this deep dive into the DePIN revolutionSubscribe now to explore how decentralized networks are transforming industries worldwide! 🌍
DePINed is a podcast focused on the ecosystem of decentralized physical networks. DePIN companies and protocols crowdsource infrastructure such as WiFi hot spots, computer servers and even cars and, using crypto incentives, create cohesive, global networks from thousands of different providers. This podcast explores all of the use cases launching in this sector as well as the key players in financing and explaining this growing sector which will reshape a broad array of industries. Hosted by Tom Trowbridge, co-founder of Fluence, previously co-founder and president at Hedera Hashgraph.