Decentralized Science (DeSci) is creating waves in the crypto and scientific communities, drawing parallels to the early days of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) back in 2019. Like DeFi back then, DeSci is nascent, experimental, and full of untapped potential, according to Andrew Kang, co-founder and partner at Mechanism Capital.

But what exactly is DeSci, and why should you care? Let’s break it down. 👇

🚀 DeSci: Science Meets Blockchain

At its core, DeSci leverages blockchain technology to decentralize scientific research and collaboration, introducing tools like:

  • Tokens

  • NFTs

  • Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs)

The goal? To disrupt traditional models of scientific funding, peer review, and collaboration by creating systems free from institutional control (like Big Pharma) and promoting “citizen science.”

🌟 Why DeSci Is a Game-Changer

1. More Accessible Research

DeSci platforms can make scientific data available to researchers, healthcare professionals, and even patients. Transparency and security, ensured by blockchain, enable trust and collaboration on a global scale.

2. New Incentive Models

DeSci protocols reward contributors with tokens, aligning incentives for scientists, funders, and the broader community. This could radically change how research is funded and shared.

3. Addressing Real-World Problems

From curing baldness to creating cheaper genetic tests and rethinking the peer review system, DeSci aims to solve science's deepest flaws.

4. Cybersecurity Benefits

With increasing ransomware attacks on healthcare systems (e.g., Kaiser and Welltok breaches affecting over 21M individuals), blockchain offers a more secure alternative to protect sensitive data.

🧪 DeSci Today: A $1.2 Billion Market

The current DeSci market cap sits at $1.2 billion, with leading players like:

  • OriginTrail (TRAC): $374.9M

  • Rifampicin (RIF): $133.1M

  • VitaDAO (VITA): $124.7M

These numbers may pale in comparison to established industries, but they signal strong initial interest and growth potential.

🔍 The Most Promising DeSci Projects

Andrew Kang highlighted three intriguing projects:

1. BIO Protocol

  • Empowers users to co-own “medicines of the future.”

  • Mechanism Capital has already invested in this project, signaling its perceived potential.

2. Pump Science

  • A platform enabling tokenized trading tied to longevity medicines.

  • Taps into the growing interest in life extension and wellness.

3. GLP1

  • Uses blockchain to promote health initiatives under the cheeky slogan, “Make America Skinny Again.”



Top 10 largest DeSci tokens by market cap. Source: CoinGecko

🌐 Comparing DeSci to DeFi in 2019

Kang sees DeSci today as akin to DeFi’s early, unpolished days. Back in 2019, projects like Maker, Synthetix, and Aave were still figuring out their models. Today, they’re household names in crypto.

DeSci protocols are expected to follow a similar path: evolving models, refining products, and finding market fit to unlock their full potential.

🛠️ Challenges Ahead

While DeSci is promising, it’s not without hurdles:

  • Market Readiness: Protocols remain in the experimental phase.

  • Adoption: Will researchers and institutions embrace decentralized systems?

  • Regulatory Scrutiny: Balancing innovation with compliance could be tricky.

💡 Final Thoughts

DeSci is more than a buzzword—it’s a bold vision to decentralize science, empower individuals, and solve long-standing problems in research and healthcare. As Andrew Kang said, “Everything is still raw, experimental, but there’s an underlying understanding , that there is massive potential.”

For now, the industry is small, with early adopters testing the waters. But if DeSci follows in DeFi’s footsteps, we could see it reshaping the scientific landscape in ways we can’t yet imagine.

What do you think? Could DeSci revolutionize science, or is it another speculative trend? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 💬



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