Recently researching the DePIN project Roam, which ranks first in node count on DePINscan!

First, I can clearly tell everyone that the project team is up to something!

The project is not far from TGE, and PiPi is currently looking for ways to obtain low-cost chips while researching Roam's business and development roadmap, which should become one of the long-term projects to track.

This post is divided into three parts: 1. Basic information about the project; 2. How to earn chips; 3. Field expansion!

ℹ️ DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) is a decentralized physical infrastructure network that combines blockchain technology with real-world infrastructure, using a token incentive mechanism to build and operate distributed physical networks.

For example: Imagine a shared bicycle model, where there isn’t a centralized company managing these facilities, but instead ordinary people purchase and deploy the equipment themselves, earning token rewards by completing tasks. For instance, in the Helium network, ordinary people can buy and set up wireless routers to provide network coverage, and the income generated from the equipment goes directly to the equipment owners, making everyone a small 'telecom operator'.

ℹ️ DePINscan is a platform that tracks and analyzes data from decentralized physical infrastructure network projects, and is currently the most popular DePIN data visualization tool to assist investors, supported by IoTeX.

➤ Basic Information:

Roam, formerly known as MetaBlox, was established in 2021 with the goal of creating a decentralized global network roaming service. Simply put, it aims to share networks, enabling idle networks to be utilized and generate revenue.

In the last cycle, Roam issued NFTs through the Binance NFT platform but has not issued tokens yet; NFT diamond holders have waited long and are about to welcome the harvest season!

Currently, the publicly disclosed financing information includes two amounts totaling $7 million, raised in 2022 and 2024 respectively. The investors include Anagram, Volt Capital, Synergis, Comma3 Ventures, and IoTeX.

In April 2024, Roam also received an investment from Samsung Next. Samsung is the top conglomerate in Korea, and according to Bloomberg, its contribution to the Korean economy will account for more than half in 2024. Samsung's investment department has also invested in well-known projects like Arbitrum, SUI, and LayerZero.

The primary products currently offered by Roam are routers and eSIMs. In addition to providing basic routing functions, routers can also share WiFi with Roam users, which can be understood as mining nodes; eSIMs provide international data network services.

According to data from DePINscan and Roam's official website, the number of Roam nodes has surpassed 1 million, and the number of users exceeds 1.7 million.

Carefully check the DePINscan node map, and you can see that Korea’s map is particularly bright, with nodes being very dense. Combined with Samsung's investment background, this is understandable! (Feels like there is Roam WiFi available everywhere in Korea, haha.)

➤ How to earn chips:

Currently, Roam is still in the stage of user accumulation, with several ways to obtain low-cost or even free chips.

Participating in the Roam ecosystem can earn future token incentives, involving the App, router products, NFTs, and several digital props, with various ways to earn chips through different combinations.

The Roam App is the core of the entire ecosystem and is almost a must-download. You can use PiPi's invitation code: 54474150.

1. Free Chips

Download the Roam App, complete registration and login (earn 50 Points), complete a series of tasks, and participate in building the Roam ecosystem to earn Points and Stickers.

Mandatory tasks: Share your WiFi to the Roam network (earn 100 Points), and sign in daily (there is no limit on the number of daily sign-ins at different locations; each time earns 10 Points and 1 Sticker).

Daily tasks: There is a Quest module in the App, which is the daily task board. Currently, there aren’t many tasks, and to earn high points here mainly relies on inviting friends; successfully inviting one earns 30 Points.

Activity Tasks: There is an activity bar at the top of the home page within the App that you can click to see all activities, and you can choose to participate based on your own conditions. Currently ongoing is a Christmas event (complete tasks for a chance to win prizes, with Points, Stickers, eSim data, and router rewards).

By basically completing mandatory tasks, you can also conveniently complete activity tasks, which can be considered killing two birds with one stone.

Points: Used later for burning to exchange for ROAM token rewards.

Stickers: Used to enhance the burning of Points. The design of Stickers resembles that of card games, with levels and sets, proving that humans cannot escape collecting and opening blind boxes; one might want to cut into Pop Mart.

Oh, right, if there’s a need for data, you can also earn free eSIM 'international data' by completing tasks.

2. Paid Chips

Mainly involves purchasing WiFi router mining machines for mining, with rich rewards.

Router price is 499U; upon first activation, you can directly receive 3000 Points, and can mine 60 Points daily, with daily sign-ins earning 150 Points.

Calculating, you can mine 210 Points daily. Based on some institutional financing information, the payback period is roughly three months (found in other materials, not necessarily accurate).

If the information is true, then 3,000 + 210 * 90 = 21,900 = 499U, and 100 Points are worth 2.27U.

This means that on the first day of receiving free chips, by registering an account and sharing WiFi information, one can earn about 3.6U (160 Points), equivalent to a bowl of pig's trotter rice!

As a router, the price is indeed high, with tax it amounts to 558.88U, but if considered as a mining machine, the valuation is quite different.

There should be some discount channels, still inquiring. If everyone has enough budget, it might be worth considering; PiPi is currently hesitating.

The official website also has two loan purchasing options that are not yet open: one is to pay a 30% deposit, and after receiving the router, the remaining 70% will be repaid using mining earnings; the other is to collateralize 4 SOL, also repaying with mining earnings first before returning the 4 SOL. This method still feels quite Web2 and is a way to attract users.

➤ Field Expansion:

From the above information, one can basically understand what Roam does, its background, and how to participate in the Roam ecosystem and get a piece of the pie.

Next, I'll talk about some points that PiPi has noticed.

Roam has the investment from Samsung, which has permeated almost every corner of Korea. In the Chinese-speaking regions, most might only know about their phones, but Samsung covers a wide range of businesses, including finance, real estate, consumer goods, and industrial manufacturing.

PiPi boldly speculates that the large number of Roam nodes in Korea is likely due to Samsung's push, and it might also be that Roam is doing exceptionally well in Korea and caught Samsung's attention.

In any case, Samsung can help Roam gain a larger market share in Korea.

Moreover, in the Web3 field, when mentioning Korea, many might think of its vibrant cryptocurrency trading environment, with tokens listed on two exchanges in Korea performing very well. So is it possible for Roam to be listed on Korean exchanges?

Additionally, I’ll add some content related to the WiFi network:

Roam is one of the 15 important partners in the wireless broadband alliance OpenRoaming™, and it is the only Web3 project!

Users often encounter various troubles when using public WiFi, whether it's searching for a signal, needing to enter a password, or filling out a bunch of registration information, not to mention constantly worrying about network security issues.

The OpenRoaming™ program was created to solve these everyday troubles. You can think of it as a 'universal WiFi pass'—once authenticated with the Roam App, your device can automatically connect to networks at any supported location, seamlessly switching signals like a phone does between different base stations.

For instance, you might be at a coffee shop in the morning, at a mall for lunch, and at the gym in the evening. With this 'pass', you won’t have to worry about WiFi connection issues at all; your phone will automatically take care of everything for you. Doesn’t that sound especially convenient?

This wireless broadband alliance is like the 'United Nations' of the global WiFi industry, consisting of industry giants like AT&T and Cisco.

For a Web3 project to join such a luxurious lineup is akin to a startup gaining recognition from top players in the industry, which is of great significance for Roam.

It not only proves the technical strength of the project, but also signifies future opportunities to collaborate with these industry giants and even participate in setting industry standards.
Imagine if Roam really becomes one of the important solutions for global WiFi access, how convenient it would be for users, which is why Roam's Web3 WiFi sharing model has special development potential.

It is not a pipe dream; it has already gained recognition from the traditional technology industry.

This will undoubtedly promote Roam's large-scale adoption in the DePIN WiFi field and advance the widespread adoption of Web3; this is the DePIN narrative that PiPi looks forward to the most.

❚ Finally, in the upcoming year 2025, Roam has prepared a detailed roadmap for everyone, including but not limited to the following content:

1. Technical Upgrade: Achieve interoperability with other L1 blockchains, further improving the interconnectivity of WiFi/network economies on the blockchain.

2. Ecosystem Upgrade: The Roam App will launch version 2.0, bringing more rewards and services; Roam Growth and Roam Growth Plus will be introduced to increase the utilization of user networks and devices, providing more opportunities and benefits; Roam OS and a new generation of mining machines will transform router mining machines into smart terminals, offering higher quality network services. The combination of hardware devices and software OS will also introduce the Roam Innovator Hub, providing a friendly platform for developers and creators to support the development of the Roam ecosystem.

3. Community and Project Incubation: Launch DAO community governance to allow holders to participate in Roam's future planning; launch the Discovery community to incubate and support projects through the community.

🔔 Keep an eye on Roam, actively participate in its ecosystem, and strive to earn more chips!