Aethir, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) provider, has announced the launch of its decentralized cloud compute network on Ethereum mainnet. 

Enterprises, data centers, other cloud providers, and cryptocurrency mining operators can contribute idle GPU resources to Aethir’s GPU-as-a-service solutions network. 

Co-founder Mark Rydon emphasized the importance of the mainnet launch, saying: 

“By providing a scalable framework for redistributing idle compute resources, we can empower more innovation in the rapidly evolving domains of AI, ML, and cloud gaming. On mainnet, high-quality enterprises can contribute to the Aethir network and increase access to the current supply of GPUs.”

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Aethir network functionality and encryption

Enterprises and developers will be able to rent compute resources from the Aethir network of providers to help train artificial intelligence (AI) models or render digital content at scale.

Through the native ATH token, Aethir uses Ethereum for its staking capability and Arbitrum (ARB) for fast payments to compute providers and community rewards for checker nodes to enforce quality assurance.

Aethir’s ATH also facilitates network governance, staking processes, and the security of DePIN’s ecosystem.

Speaking to Cointelegraph, Rydon explained the encryption controls in place to protect data transmission security:

“We use full-channel encryption technology to ensure that only users can transmit and view data during use, and no third party can crack and open it. The encrypted channel will be closed at the end of use to protect the absolute security of user data.”

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Testnet success, mainnet safety

Aethir’s testnet phase exceeded 500,000 users alongside a $146 million node sale and support from NVIDIA, Super Micro, HPE, and Foxconn. 

On the topic of how Aethir ensures data security and privacy, Rydon told Cointelegraph:

“In terms of network security, such as network access control and anti-DDoS, special hardware firewalls protect data security. The customer is always the owner and user of the data, and the cloud platform ensures its security and confidentiality. This data is secure and confidential not only to external visitors but also to internal visitors.”

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Un-DePIN-ing Web3 architecture

The DePIN narrative continues to circulate in the Web3 space, gaining momentum despite the technology being available for several years. 

Talking about DePIN role in Web3, Rydon said:

“DePIN’s architecture itself has good high availability and fault-tolerant basic capabilities. Distributed computing power avoids the problem of service nodes being too centralized, resulting in insufficient single-point service capability and low fault tolerance rate.”

DePINs have the potential to disrupt Big Tech and free the internet, enabling individuals to provide their own labor or resources and be rewarded in micropayments.

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