Author: ChainCatcher
As a hot emerging narrative in 2024, every move in the DePIN field attracts attention. In this track, Roam leads the market with superior data, becoming a leading DePIN project. As of December 15, 2024, the number of globally self-built nodes by Roam has exceeded one million, user registrations have surpassed 1.72 million, and the number of global hardware nodes ranks first on DePINScan.
Roam's technological advantage is one of the key factors for its leading position in the field. It employs advanced OpenRoaming™ technology and is the only Web3 IDP project among the 15 corporate alliances of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) OpenRoaming™ plan (standing shoulder to shoulder with giants), supporting over 4 million OpenRoaming™ usable Wi-Fi hotspots in more than 190 countries worldwide.
The above data also proves the feasibility of large-scale adoption of Web3 applications in fields closely related to users' daily lives, while Roam's free business model in the decentralized wireless network domain has undoubtedly been proven successful.
In October of this year, Roam announced the construction of a global Telecom Data Layer, while launching Roam eSIM to accumulate a large number of users for the ecosystem in a cost-effective, secure, and convenient way, laying a solid foundation for the layout of the Roam Telecom Data Layer ecosystem.
Now, as one of the four major modules of Roam Telecom Data Layer, Roam Growth is about to launch, marking the arrival of the era of continuous income building for network participants.
In simple terms, Roam's DePIN Yields are coming.
What is Roam Growth? An analysis of the Roam Telecom Data Layer ecosystem.
Roam (formerly known as MetaBlox) was founded in 2021, dedicated to building an open global wireless network, aiming to provide enterprise-level WiFi security services and support seamless access to OpenRoaming™ and self-built Wi-Fi nodes worldwide.
Roam has successively received three rounds of investment. At the end of 2023, it completed a $5 million financing round led by Anagram and Volt Capital, with participation from Comma3 Ventures, ECMC Group, Awesome People Ventures, Stratified Capital, DePIN Labs, Future 3 Campus, IoTeX, ZC capital, and JDI, and angel round participants Synergis and SNZ continued to invest in the strategic round. In April 2024, following the strategic round, it received investment from Samsung Next again.
The upcoming Roam Growth is a key module in the Roam ecosystem, aiming to create sustainable income for network participants of the Roam Network, supporting users in collaborating with other developers, and promoting innovation in decentralized network applications and ecosystem construction. This platform helps users transform network devices, such as Roam routers, into powerful economic tools through automated service integration and seamless network connectivity. Users can use Roam miners to achieve functionalities such as supporting CDN and IP address-based multi-mining services to gain continuous income.
The first phase of Roam Growth products supports purchasing routers through Huma loans, meaning users can access Roam routers (understood as miners) with a low threshold, further lowering the barriers for users to participate in the Roam ecosystem. Roam and Huma launched the DePIN hardware loan program, allowing users to quickly obtain loans from the Huma platform based on their actual situations to acquire Roam's Wi-Fi hardware devices, thereby participating in the construction of a global decentralized Wi-Fi network and receiving continuous subsequent rewards.
Subsequently, Roam will announce more participation methods, continuously expanding revenue channels for network participants and attracting more developers and users to join the Roam ecosystem, further improving and enriching the entire ecosystem construction, achieving sustainable development and growth of the ecosystem.
It is noteworthy that Roam Growth is just one module among the four major modules of the Roam Telecom Data Layer ecosystem; Roam Telecom Data Layer is the top priority in the ecosystem planning. This ecosystem plan can be understood as the Physical L1 of the DePIN ecosystem, aiming to connect data sharing and connectivity between people, devices, assets, and AI through wireless networks and DID+VCs authentication mechanisms, jointly creating a highly cohesive and interactive BoT (Blockchain of Things) ecosystem.
This plan includes Roam Network, Roam Growth, Roam Discovery, and Roam Community, focusing on network incentive construction, continuous income construction for network participants, support and incubation for connectable or embedded projects, and community governance.
1. Roam Network
Roam Network plays a key role in network infrastructure construction and network incentives within the entire Roam Telecom Data Layer ecosystem. The decentralized global Wi-Fi roaming network it leads serves as the foundational support for the entire ecosystem's operation. Through token incentive mechanisms, it greatly stimulates user participation in network construction and node verification activities. For example, during the process of participating in network construction and node verification, users will generate a large amount of effective data based on geographical location and time, which, after sorting and packaging, will become the basic blocks of the Telecom Data Layer for use by other projects within the ecosystem, realizing the value transfer and sharing of data.
The entry-level way for users to participate in the Roam network is also very convenient. Just download the Roam App from the App Store or application store, and you can add Wi-Fi points globally or check in at existing Wi-Fi nodes, during which you can earn Roam Points. Roam's Wi-Fi nodes are divided into two main types: OpenRoaming™ nodes and self-built Wi-Fi nodes, where OpenRoaming™ allows users to seamlessly switch between different networks worldwide without repeatedly logging into accounts or entering passwords, making cross-border roaming particularly smooth. Self-built Wi-Fi nodes come from users sharing personal or public Wi-Fi through the Roam app. Currently, Roam has shared 4 million OpenRoaming™ nodes from WBA and over 1 million self-built Wi-Fi nodes.
In the future, with the launch of TGE, Roam Points can be exchanged for ROAM tokens through combustion, and as the ecosystem continues to develop, miner users can expect to enjoy more Roam Points exchange rights.
2. Roam Discovery
Roam Discovery plays an important role in encouraging innovation and incubating projects within the entire ecosystem. It actively attracts third-party developers and project parties to join the platform, providing a good incubation environment for decentralized applications based on Roam data. Here, developers can fully utilize Roam's vast user base, rich network data, and advanced technological architecture to develop various creative and practical decentralized applications.
This will enrich the diversity of the Roam ecosystem, further enhancing its attractiveness and competitiveness, helping Roam continue to expand its territory in the decentralized telecom data network field and continuously release ecosystem value.
3. Roam Community
Roam Community is an important module that provides users with a platform for interaction, feedback, and governance. By collecting user feedback, it timely understands user needs and the shortcomings existing in the ecosystem, thereby optimizing and improving products and services to continuously enhance user experience. In community governance, users can participate in the formulation of ecosystem rules and decision-making processes, jointly maintaining the healthy and orderly development of the Roam ecosystem.
The launch of Roam Growth products will accelerate the implementation of the Roam Telecom Data Layer, strengthening its position in the decentralized wireless ecosystem.
Why is it worthwhile to participate? Roam is an innovative pioneer among wireless operators.
Why is Roam Growth worth participating in? Among innovative wireless operators, Roam is undoubtedly a pioneer, and past performance data also indicates that Roam has infinite potential.
Roam quickly attracted a large number of real users through the construction of OpenRoaming+ rewards eSIM data or points.
Roam is the only Web3 IDP project among the 15 corporate alliances of the WBA OpenRoaming™ plan. OpenRoaming™ was developed by WBA and Cisco and launched in May 2020, aiming to provide seamless connectivity for users roaming between different WiFi networks. Unlike traditional methods, users do not need to manually connect, enter passwords, or provide personal information each time; OpenRoaming™ simplifies the authentication process. This innovation not only enhances connectivity convenience and security but also minimizes the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
Current WBA members are mostly large fixed operators, such as British Telecom (BT), Comcast, and Time Warner Cable; among the top ten mobile operator groups in the world (ranked by revenue), seven have joined the WBA, with other WBA members including technology giants like Cisco, Google, and Intel.
In terms of node quantity and coverage, Roam has built a strong influence globally. Currently, Roam has over 4 million OpenRoaming™ usable Wi-Fi hotspots in more than 190 countries and supports over 1 million self-built Wi-Fi network nodes, with registered users exceeding 1.7 million and continuing to grow.
Roam eSIM is a virtual eSIM card that currently covers over 160 countries. Users can obtain international data for free through the Roam App without a physical card and without changing their original eSIM card, activating instantly and supporting dual SIM. This means users can easily achieve cross-border network connectivity with Roam eSIM.
Additionally, users can also participate in network construction through methods such as checking in at Wi-Fi points within the app to receive free eSIM data, further enhancing user participation enthusiasm, saving communication costs, and increasing user stickiness and satisfaction with Roam eSIM products.
Current data shows that since the launch of Roam eSIM, the number of users has increased from 750,000 to over a million in less than a month.
As a leading DePIN project, Roam has also made achievements in hardware devices. In January 2024, Roam routers underwent iterative updates, launching the latest AC device Rainier MAX60 router and AP device Baker MAX30.
Among them, the Roam Rainier MAX60 router stands out, basically meeting the usage needs of most common scenarios, providing users with an easy way to share router nodes on the Roam network, enjoying smooth, wide coverage, and efficient network connectivity experience. It integrates advanced Wi-Fi 6 high-speed transmission technology, which ensures that the router can provide ultra-high network speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps, connect more than 200 devices simultaneously, and cover an area of about 150 square meters, achieving seamless sharing in multi-user environments. It adopts advanced low-power design and features 2TB of expandable storage, and is the first to support DApp applications, capable of running CDN, network storage, VPN, AI, and other decentralized applications. In terms of security, the Roam Rainier MAX60 router uses the latest WPA3 security protocol, providing users with multiple identity verifications and high-strength encryption protection through 256-bit encryption algorithms, greatly enhancing the security of user data, privacy, and funds.
It is worth mentioning that this router has unique highlights in mining functionality. For users, activating the Roam Rainier MAX60 miner for the first time will earn 3000 Roam Points. The router generates a fixed output of 60 Roam Points daily, and users can earn an additional 5 Roam Points for daily check-ins, with a daily reward cap of 150 Roam Points, allowing users to earn a maximum of 210 Roam Points per day. It will also support dual mining/multiple mining functions and airdrop rewards from other projects.
To reward users who purchased Roam miners, Roam airdropped a total of 20 million ROAM tokens to users who purchased various Roam miners before TGE during the ABS 2024 Asia Blockchain Summit and to early MetaBlox NFT holders.
In addition, according to Roam's latest published 2025 Roadmap, the Roam miner will be updated in Q4 2025 to make its performance, system, and application scenarios richer and more practical.
Roam's BoT ecosystem goals are inseparable from the DID+VCs privacy protection technology.
To understand Roam, one must understand Roam's DID+VCs privacy protection technology. As a decentralized wireless operator, the technology used in the privacy sector has attracted significant attention.
DID (Decentralized Identifier) is a new type of identity identification method that gives users the right to autonomously decide which identity to use. Users can break free from the constraints of fixed identity models under traditional centralized systems and flexibly choose to display their identity information according to different scenarios and needs. For example, when connecting to the Roam network, users can verify themselves using their set DID without exposing too many real personal identity details.
VC (Verifiable Credential) further strengthens privacy protection, allowing users to decide which information can be disclosed. In practical applications, for instance, when needing to verify certain necessary information on the network, users can precisely control the range of shared information, providing only necessary information while keeping other sensitive information confidential.
Roam combines DID and VC technology, eliminating SSIDs, passwords, and login credentials in traditional Wi-Fi connections, ensuring that users can decide which identity and which information can go on-chain, returning control of user privacy information back to users. When users use Roam network services, whether connecting to Wi-Fi, conducting transactions, or participating in other network activities, their privacy information is fully respected and protected, without worrying about information being arbitrarily collected or abused.
The DID+VCs privacy solution proposed by Roam not only effectively safeguards user information security but also lays a foundation for collaboration between Roam and Web3.0 projects.
On April 2, 2024, MetaBlox officially changed its name to Roam and migrated its ecosystem to the Solana mainnet. All on-chain transactions on the Roam network will be uploaded to the Solana blockchain, including core data such as user check-ins, DIDs (Decentralized Identifiers), and VCs (Verifiable Credentials), providing privacy-protected 3W data support for DApps within the Solana ecosystem.
Due to shared visions in data security, product usability, and seamless integration of Web3 functionalities, in June 2024, Roam will integrate its services into the Solana Mobile Saga smartphone, further enhancing Wi-Fi accessibility and security.
With the existing decentralized Wi-Fi roaming network and DID+VCs authentication mechanism, Roam has successfully connected and shared data between people, devices, assets, and AI, building a highly cohesive and interactive BoT ecosystem. Whether it is data synchronization and usage between individual users on different devices or enterprises in asset digital management and AI intelligent applications, they can rely on the data connection and sharing system built by Roam to achieve more efficient, convenient, and secure operations, bringing unprecedented value and development opportunities to all participants in the ecosystem, further solidifying Roam's unique position in the decentralized telecom data network ecosystem.
The launch of Roam Growth will undoubtedly become a powerful engine for the continuous development of the Roam ecosystem, creating more income opportunities for network participants and further strengthening the construction of the entire decentralized wireless ecosystem.
On the one hand, it will continue to expand diversified participation methods. For example, in addition to the existing plan that allows users to obtain Roam routers at a low threshold through Huma loans to participate in network construction and earn rewards, it is expected to launch more cooperative models combined with different hardware devices, making it easier for more users to participate, such as collaborating with other brands of smart routers to achieve compatibility and expansion of functionalities, allowing more network devices to access the Roam network and be transformed into profitable tools. Moreover, for developers, Roam Growth may open more interfaces and resources to attract more third-party developers to join in jointly developing innovative applications based on the Roam ecosystem, such as creating customized network service applications for specific industries, and then enabling developers and network participants to profit together through revenue-sharing models.
On the other hand, in terms of revenue generation, Roam Growth will continuously optimize the incentive mechanism. Taking Roam miners as an example, the earnings may not only be limited to the current CDN services and Wi-Fi multi-mining functions; based on market demand and technological development, more revenue channels generated from new functions such as big data analysis and edge computing may be unlocked. Meanwhile, as the user base continues to expand, the rewards that network participants earn from sharing network resources and providing node services are also expected to increase continuously, issuing more reasonable and generous RoamPoints rewards based on multiple dimensions such as node activity and service quality. These rewards can then be exchanged for corresponding rights or currencies, practically converting into sustainable income, allowing every participant in the ecosystem to harvest more value with the help of Roam Growth and promote the continuous prosperity and growth of the ecosystem.
Now that AI is back in the spotlight, thanks to Roam's natural advantages in DePIN and underlying public chains being highly compatible with the data structure in the AI field, the deep integration of Roam and AI is an inevitable trend for its future development.
The decentralized telecom data network ecosystem built by Roam has accumulated massive user behavior data, network connection data, etc., which are highly valuable 'nutrients' for AI. AI can analyze this data to achieve intelligent scheduling of network traffic and precise prediction of user needs. For example, based on users' usage habits, it can proactively recommend high-quality Wi-Fi nodes that users may need to connect to or optimize network bandwidth allocation, ensuring users have a good network experience in different scenarios. Roam also has the potential for in-depth cooperation with multiple AI vertical projects, such as smart home, industrial IoT, social interaction, etc.
Looking forward to the launch of Roam Growth, the continuous implementation of the Roam Telecom Data Layer, the Roam BoT ecosystem blueprint, and the sparks of collaboration between leading DePin projects and AI.