As a large sector, DePIN encompasses many subsets. Essentially, DePIN is an economic operation model that utilizes token incentives to achieve resource crowdsourcing.

The current market's highest market value might be in the storage sector led by FIL, while the hottest concepts may relate to AI downstream industries.

However, the most numerous devices currently are part of a WiFi roaming network @weRoamxyz.

According to data on depinscan, DePIN has nearly 4.1 million devices across about 196 countries or regions, with a market value of 8.7 million dollars, among which Roam holds the largest number of DePIN devices with 930,000 units.

As a relatively niche concept in the DePIN sector, yet having the most devices, this article will elaborate on the design details of Roam, hoping to help you understand this open global roaming network~

1. Is WiFi+Web3 a false demand❓

The combination of the XX concept and Web3 has always been a highly controversial topic in the market. Taking DePIN as an example, it can be said to be one of the most controversial tracks, because some tracks in the traditional market have already run their course, such as storage, AI, and computing power. Whenever people see it combined with Web3, they might feel a sense of absurdity.

Previously, I expressed my views on why AI+Web3 would flourish, and one point is applicable to DePIN and Roam: the token economy of Web3 has innovated the interests of all parties in a supply-demand market.

This is an attempt at a new way of distributing benefits for Web3 in this world. We can use this sentence to explain many tracks, as the traditional market structure has basically solidified. In some tracks where there are public listings, we may still be able to participate in sharing dividends through buying stocks.

The problem is that many companies after going public are already markets that have completed early benefit distributions.

The token economy of Web3 has broken through this wall, and moreover, many protocols' concepts are not castles in the air.

Speaking of Roam, the hardware facilities it provides can genuinely offer network connectivity.

Able to actually supply resources + tangible downstream demand + token incentives = a reasonable DePIN supply-demand market.

Therefore, this model based on distributed routing is not a false demand. It can provide reasonable economic incentives to the supply and connection parties of regional networks in an era where network accessibility is very common (the supply of resources is definitely the main part of the distribution).

2. Roam's supply and demand design🔻

The model design of DePIN is nothing more than one party supplying resources and another party using resources, while the party providing infrastructure services for this resource market will be responsible for incentives.

Roam follows the same logic, establishing a public WiFi network through hardware facilities, envisioning a scenario where users within the network can seamlessly connect to different WiFi networks without needing to activate mobile data in areas with the most comprehensive coverage under the same standard equipment.

However, in the face of decreasing network costs, a distributed wireless network is not its core highlight. In the Web3 market, under a business model where users can use it without barriers, security and privacy are always a strategic goal that will not go wrong.

The wireless network community built by Roam creates a decentralized, secure, and user-friendly enterprise-level WiFi experience.

Moreover, in terms of supply design, Roam's WiFi service will be free for users. In the future, this cyclical resource supply side will continuously capture the user base that lays a solid foundation in the launch phase by optimizing and integrating the latest WiFi technology, enhancing security, and reducing costs.

3. Roam product suite🔻

Roam has been operating for a few years and is expected to officially TGE next year. Until now, it has provided several products related to supply and demand:


(1) WiFi Supply: Roam Baker MAX30/Roam Rainier MAX60

These are two hardware devices, serving as resource supply links in the Roam economic cycle, priced at 199 and 499.

Rainier MAX60 serves as the foundational infrastructure for the network, while Roam Baker MAX30 is more like a version of a light node.

I won't elaborate on the product details, as I'm not focused on this area; everyone just needs to understand:

➠ Roam Baker MAX30 = light node;

➠ Roam Rainier MAX60 = full node;

➠ More expensive products definitely have more features, more distribution of benefits, and stronger resource performance.

(2) Connecting upstream and downstream: Roam APP/WiFi map

This is a platform that connects supply and demand links; if the two types of hardware facilities above are sellers, then this platform is [Taobao]. To purchase resources, you need to visit this 'Taobao' to search for the suitable 'products' for you. It provides a hotspot map covering the entire network for you to search for available networks.

In addition, your 'consumer rebates' on this platform also need to be obtained through this platform, and you can also earn points by accessing personal WiFi networks through this platform. In other words, participating in Roam's network economy does not necessarily require purchasing hardware.

Thus, a basic Roam economic cycle has been formed through these two hardware + one software.

(3) Roam eSIM

Roam eSIM is the latest feature released in the Roam application in September 2024. It is a product aimed at individuals that allows purchasing global data (which I think is a bit expensive) for roaming, but smartphones in mainland China generally do not support eSIM functionality.

➠ In the latest related developments, Roam launched a promotion in November offering 1GB of free data. Users can download the latest version of the Roam App and enter the redemption code [Roamtheworld] to receive 1GB of global data for free.

I think the biggest highlight of this product is that users can collect free eSIM data by logging into any hotspot listed on the Roam WiFi map.

Then, this accumulated data will be converted into usable eSIM data, allowing you to stay connected easily no matter where you are, which sounds much cooler than just purchasing data...

(However, only 5 MB of data can be collected for each location, which is somewhat like some treasure hunting games...)

4. Summary🔻

Overall, in terms of operating mechanisms, Roam adopts a token incentive approach to subsidize operators’ investments and hardware deployments. Such token rewards will provide economic support and certain investment returns for operators.

As time goes on, the network scale expands, gradually achieving economies of scale. The combination of lower unit economic costs and broader coverage theoretically helps attract more users to participate in the network, bringing more revenue to operators.

This is a major reason why Roam's economy currently seems not to have formed a cycle, somewhat similar to a subsidy model to expand its own scale, ultimately achieving self-sufficiency in the network.

Details on this aspect can be synchronized after the formal TGE.