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What is Grass? A Comprehensive Guide to the New DePIN Project Monetizing Unused Internet: How It Works, How to Start, and Its Future Potential

What if your unused internet bandwidth could automatically generate value? While it might sound like science fiction, this is being made a reality by a new field currently gaining global attention: DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks).

This article provides a comprehensive explanation of ‘Grass,’ a particularly promising project within the DePIN sector. We’ll cover everything from the significant concepts behind it, its specific mechanisms, how anyone can easily get started, and an objective look at its future potential and considerations, ensuring a deep understanding even without specialized knowledge.

What is the Trending ‘Grass’? – A Key Player in the New DePIN Concept

First, let’s explore what kind of project Grass is and its core concept. The essential keyword for understanding this project is ‘DePIN.’

DePIN Projects: Sharing Unused Internet Bandwidth

DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) refers to a system that uses blockchain technology to decentralize the management and operation of physical infrastructure existing in the real world, such as servers, communication networks, and energy grids.

This might sound a bit complex, but if you liken it to a familiar service, it’s intuitive to think of it as the ‘Airbnb of internet bandwidth.’ Just as Airbnb allows you to rent out unused rooms, Grass provides a mechanism for us to offer our idle internet bandwidth (a portion of our connection) to companies that need it, and in return, we earn rewards (points).

It’s an innovative endeavor that unearths new value from intangible assets that have previously gone unutilized.

Why is Internet Bandwidth Needed? Its Relationship with AI Development

So, who needs our internet bandwidth? The primary borrowers are AI (Artificial Intelligence) development companies.

Modern AI models, especially Large Language Models (LLMs), require vast amounts of publicly available information from the internet for training data. However, making a large number of accesses from a single location can lead to issues such as being blocked by websites or collecting biased data.

Grass provides the infrastructure for AI companies to access web data more naturally and diversely through a network of individual users scattered across the globe. In essence, we can earn rewards commensurate with our contribution by providing essential resources for next-generation AI development.

How Grass Works: From Earning Points to Potential Monetization

So, how exactly do we earn rewards from Grass? Here, we’ll break down and explain the process from accumulating points to the potential for future monetization.

Basic Mechanism for Earning Points

Earning points with Grass is very simple:

  1. Create an account on the official website.
  2. Install the Google Chrome extension on your PC (Windows/Mac).
  3. Remain logged into the extension.

That’s all it takes. As long as your PC is connected to the internet, points will automatically accumulate in the background. There’s no need to play games or perform any special operations. It’s truly a ‘set it and forget it’ system for earning points.

Factors Affecting Point Accumulation

The number of points you can earn varies depending on several factors. To accumulate points more efficiently, consider the following:

  • Uptime: The longer the extension is active, the more points you can earn.
  • Network Quality: Faster and more stable internet connections tend to receive higher evaluations.
  • Geographic Location of IP Address: Connections from specific regions may be valued more highly based on demand.

Utilizing the Referral Program

Grass also offers a referral program where you can earn additional points by inviting friends and acquaintances. A portion of the points earned by those you refer is returned to you, the referrer. This allows you to leverage your network to further accelerate your point accumulation.

How to Get Started with Grass: A 3-Step Registration Guide

Now that you understand the concept, let’s get started. Joining Grass is surprisingly simple. Here’s a 3-step guide to ensure anyone can follow along without confusion.

  1. Create an account on the official website.
    First, access the official Grass website and complete your account registration by setting up your email address, desired username, and password.

https://app.grass.io/register?referralCode=L40UXPDhcPY0Ijx

  1. Install the Chrome Extension.
    After registration, follow the instructions on the dashboard to install the official Grass extension from the Google Chrome Web Store onto your PC.
  2. Log in and Start Earning Points.
    Open the installed extension and log in using the information registered in Step 1. Once you successfully log in and see ‘Connected,’ the setup is complete. From then on, points will automatically start accumulating as long as your PC is running.

Objective Look at Grass’s Future Potential and Considerations

New projects come with great expectations, but also points that need consideration. Here, we’ll objectively organize Grass’s future potential and important considerations for users.

Expected Future Potential: Funding and Ecosystem Expansion

Wynd Network, the developer of Grass, has successfully raised a total of $4.5 million (approx. 670 million JPY) in funding from highly renowned venture capitalists in the cryptocurrency space, such as Polychain Capital and Tribe Capital. This indicates that many experts highly value the future potential of this project.

It is strongly expected that the points currently being earned will be exchangeable for Grass’s official token through an Airdrop (free distribution) when it is eventually issued. If this materializes, users who have consistently accumulated points from the early stages could potentially gain significant returns.

Important Considerations and Security

While it’s an attractive project, it’s crucial to understand the following points before participating:

  • Security and Privacy: According to Grass’s official statements, this extension is designed to only utilize unused network bandwidth and does not view or store users’ personal data.
  • Impact on PC Resources: Although Grass operates in the background, it uses a minimal amount of PC memory, CPU, and network bandwidth. Most modern PCs will not experience any noticeable impact, but there is a non-zero possibility of performance being affected on very old PCs.
  • Airdrop Uncertainty: While there’s strong anticipation that points will convert into tokens in the future, it is not 100% guaranteed at this time. The timing and exchange rate are also undecided. It is wise to participate with spare capacity, viewing it as ‘planting seeds for the future.’

Summary: Can Grass Become the Infrastructure for Next-Generation Internet?

In this article, we’ve provided an overview of ‘Grass,’ a trending DePIN project.

Grass is not just a tool for earning points; it’s a grand endeavor to build new internet infrastructure for the AI era, together with users worldwide. Its mechanism is innovative, it enjoys strong support from prominent investors, and its future potential is highly promising.

Participation is very easy, and you can start right away, even today. However, it’s important to maintain a sober perspective that the returns are not currently guaranteed and that this is a speculative investment in the future.

If you wish to explore the cutting edge of the new DePIN trend, contribute to next-generation technology, and pursue the potential for returns, then Grass is a project worth trying.

Pi Network’s Direction and Future Prospects for 2025: Transition to Open Network and Ecosystem Strategy

To the Pi Network community and everyone interested in Pi Network. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of the Pi Core Team’s vision for the future of Pi Network, particularly the roadmap and strategy towards 2025, incorporating the latest information. Previous information included personal opinions, some of which were realized and some were not. Let’s take a look together at the current characteristics of Pi Network and the direction the Pi Core Team is heading.

Decentralization of the Pi Blockchain and Nodes

Regarding the blockchain that forms the foundation of Pi Network, the Pi Core Team has a significant vision. That is, to enable individuals to operate Pi nodes on their personal computers (PCs). This aims to enhance the decentralization and stability of the network.

Node contribution types are mainly divided into two:

  • Community Nodes: General users participate in the network by providing their PC resources.
  • Super Nodes: Possess higher processing power and handle the core validation tasks of the network.

Currently, the operation of Super Nodes is managed by the Pi Core Team. According to some information, there are still restrictions on connecting to the blockchain, and it does not seem to be fully open access. This means that even after the transition to the “Open Network,” a certain level of management by the Pi Core Team may continue in the initial stages.

Transition to Open Network: February 20, 2025

As a significant milestone for Pi Network, the transition to the Open Network period at 8:00 AM UTC on February 20, 2025 has been officially announced. This will enable external connections to the Pi ecosystem and pave the way for Pi tokens to be listed on centralized exchanges (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX).

This will allow businesses and developers to easily acquire Pi tokens and utilize them for various purposes, especially for providing services and developing features within the ecosystem. Pi Network has achieved the goals set as conditions for the Open Network transition (15 million KYC’d users, 10 million Mainnet migrations, 100 Mainnet apps), and currently has over 19 million KYC’d users and 10.14 million Mainnet migrants.

Pi Ads Feature: A New Revenue Model Connecting Developers and Advertisers

The Pi Ads feature, announced by Pi Network over a year ago, has finally entered the full-scale integration phase with dApps (decentralized applications). This will be a crucial monetization mechanism within the Pi ecosystem.

For example, dApp developers like the travel app “Pi2Go” can use the Pi Ads SDK (Software Development Kit) to display advertisements within their apps. By viewing these advertisements, users enable developers to receive Pi tokens as rewards. This is a mechanism that creates circulation within the Pi ecosystem, unlike dollar-denominated rewards in traditional website advertising.

For advertisers, there is also the benefit of being able to reach Pi Network’s massive user base. Compared to traditional advertising platforms, there is a possibility of potentially conducting effective advertising campaigns at a lower cost. While the specific cost structure is expected to become clear in the future, the ability to use Pi tokens directly as advertising costs will promote the circulation of Pi within the ecosystem. However, it seems that a platform where anyone can freely place ads is not yet publicly available.

Pi Network: Towards a Giant Web3 Social Network

Pi Network is not just a cryptocurrency project; it also has the aspect of being a giant Web3 social network. Currently, active users (Pioneers) exceed 60 million, and over 19 million of them have completed KYC (Know Your Customer).

The KYC process has been improved to be completed more quickly and at a relatively low cost (estimated at about 5 minutes and around $20, but this may vary) through a partnership with Banxa. As the number of KYC’d users increases and more wallets become active in the future, it is expected that transactions within the network will increase, and the liquidity of Pi will improve. From the perspective of Cryptonomics, improved liquidity could lead to the stabilization or increase in the value of Pi tokens.

Collaboration with DePIN Trend: Utilizing Surplus Resources

There is a recently highlighted trend called DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). This is a mechanism where individuals share their unused computing resources (network bandwidth, disk storage capacity, CPU processing power, etc.) and utilize them across the entire network. The operation of Pi Network nodes aligns perfectly with this DePIN concept.

By operating nodes, users enable Pi Network to build a global decentralized computing platform. This could potentially serve as a foundation for AI training and more advanced decentralized applications. By riding the wave of DePIN, Pi Network can be said to be enhancing its technological value.

Challenge to Price Stability and Ecosystem Building

For many businesses, there is hesitation in accepting highly volatile cryptocurrencies as a means of payment. The current price of Pi tokens will likely continue to be significantly influenced by supply and demand on exchanges and remain volatile until the ecosystem is fully mature.

The Pi Core Team aims to stabilize the value of Pi through the following strategies to address this challenge:

  • Improving Utility: Providing an advertising platform through Pi Ads to incentivize businesses to use Pi.
  • Revitalizing the In-Ecosystem Economy: Encouraging users to utilize Pi within the Pi ecosystem services (dApps) rather than selling it on exchanges.
  • Strengthening Payment Systems: In the future, the possibility of introducing stablecoins pegged to Pi or intermediary systems to curb price fluctuations is being considered.

It is important to note that “Pi is the currency within the Pi ecosystem and is not a substitute for fiat currency.” Pi’s primary purpose is to be used in the dApps market built on the Pi Network.

External Collaboration and Future Outlook: Key to Liquidity Improvement

Pi Network is also considering collaboration with external services and technical feature enhancements to improve the convenience and liquidity of the ecosystem.

  • Possibility of Issuing Crypto Cards: Potential for issuing physical or virtual debit cards (like Visa) that can use Pi, in collaboration with platforms like Zebec Protocol (ZPTO). However, this heavily depends on the legal regulations of each country (e.g., Vietnam plans to establish a legal framework for cryptocurrencies in 2025).
  • Improving Interoperability: In the future, there is a possibility of upgrading the protocol to implement bridge functions or swap functions that allow assets to be exchanged with other blockchains, similar to the Stellar network. This would allow users to exchange other cryptocurrencies like USDC directly for Pi without going through an exchange, potentially leading to a significant increase in liquidity. In particular, large investors (whales) seeking anonymity might find it easier to enter the Pi market.

A Realistic Perspective on Price

The strategies and technological developments of the Pi Core Team discussed so far are primarily aimed at the stabilization and sustainable growth of the value of Pi tokens. This does not mean that Pi will immediately achieve rapid price increases of hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Such a dramatic price increase, if it were to occur, would require very significant external factors, such as adoption by government agencies or parallel use with fiat currency, as expected with Ripple (XRP) or Stellar (XLM), or the stage where the Pi ecosystem is fully mature, has moved beyond the testnet phase, and provides a seamless user experience.

Conclusion: Expectations for the Future of Pi Network and How to Participate

The Pi Core Team has a clear vision for 2025: to evolve Pi Network from just a cryptocurrency project into a Web3 social network with an advertising platform, a DePIN foundation, and a vibrant dApps ecosystem. The transition to the Open Network is a major step towards this.

The strategy focused on price stabilization and liquidity improvement aims for the long-term growth of the project. While we have expectations for the future of Pi, we must understand that its value depends on the development and utility of the ecosystem.

This article does not recommend purchasing Pi. Participation in Pi Network can still be done through free mining from the smartphone app or operating a node on a PC. Let’s keep an eye on the future development of Pi Network.

PI Network Introducing DEPIN Nodes? Potential for New Developments Through Data Sharing

In the PI Network roadmap, the introduction of DEPIN type nodes is being considered in addition to conventional blockchain nodes. This new development has the potential to significantly expand the network’s possibilities.

Current Status and Challenges of the Node System

In the current PI Network, only the selection criteria for Super Nodes are clearly defined, and detailed requirements for Community Nodes have not been disclosed. It is stated that operating a Community Node is possible with a computer of standard performance and a stable internet connection.

Hardware Requirements and Alternatives

For users who do not meet the standard requirements, such as those with laptops or older PCs, the PI team has been considering the concept of non-blockchain nodes since 2020. This opens up the possibility for more users to contribute to the network.

What are DEPIN Nodes?

DEPIN nodes are a new form of node with characteristics different from conventional blockchain nodes. DEPIN, an abbreviation for “Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network,” plays a role in connecting physical infrastructure with the blockchain.

While conventional blockchain nodes primarily specialize in processing and recording transactions, DEPIN nodes enable the construction of a more practical network by providing real-world resources and data.

Difference in Roles of the Two Nodes

Conventional blockchain nodes are responsible for purely digital processing such as network validation, block generation, and transaction processing. On the other hand, DEPIN nodes primarily aim to share physical resources such as storage capacity, network bandwidth, and CPU processing power.

Significance of DEPIN Nodes in the PI Network

The background for the PI Network considering the introduction of DEPIN nodes is the intention to provide opportunities for more users to contribute to the network. In particular, even users without high-performance hardware can contribute to the network’s development by sharing their resources.

Specific Usage Methods

With DEPIN nodes, the following resource sharing is possible:

  • Provision of storage space (configurable within the range of 3.21GB to 727GB)
  • Sharing of network bandwidth
  • Provision of CPU processing power

Mechanism of the Reward System

The PI Network plans to pay rewards to DEPIN node operators based on the resources provided. This may be realized in the form of direct PI rewards or bonus PI rewards. This reward system allows users to efficiently utilize their resources while gaining economic benefits.

Future Outlook

The introduction of DEPIN nodes has the potential to be a significant turning point for the PI Network. It promotes the decentralization of physical infrastructure and enables the construction of a more efficient and transparent network. It is also expected to contribute to the wider adoption of Web3.0.

Challenges Towards Implementation

Currently, the PI Network is in the mainnet deployment phase, and the specific implementation of DEPIN nodes is still at the rumor level. This concept will likely be introduced gradually after addressing technical challenges and operational adjustments.

Summary

The introduction of DEPIN nodes in the PI Network is an important step towards building a more practical and inclusive network that goes beyond the concept of traditional blockchain. Users will be able to participate in the network in the optimal way according to their environment and conditions, which is expected to lead to the construction of a more sustainable ecosystem.