Recently researching the DePIN project Roam, which ranks first in node numbers on DePINscan!
First of all, I can clearly tell everyone that the project party is planning something!
The project is not far from TGE, and PiPi is currently looking for ways to acquire low-priced chips while researching Roam's business and development roadmap, which should become one of the projects to track long-term.
This post is divided into three parts: 1. Basic information about the project; 2. How to obtain 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 bike-sharing model, where no centralized company manages these facilities, but ordinary people purchase and deploy the equipment themselves, earning token rewards by completing tasks. For example, in the Helium network, ordinary people can buy and set up wireless routers to provide network coverage, and the profits generated by the devices go directly to the device owners, just like everyone can become a small 'telecom operator'.
ℹ️ DePINscan is a platform that tracks and analyzes data from decentralized physical infrastructure network projects, and it is currently the most popular DePIN data visualization tool, used 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 is about sharing networks and utilizing idle networks to generate revenue.
In the last cycle, Roam issued NFTs through the Binance NFT platform, but has not issued tokens, and NFT diamond hands have been waiting for a long time, the harvest season is about to come!
The disclosed amount of financing information is currently two transactions, totaling $7 million, respectively in 2022 and 2024. Investors include Anagram, Volt Capital, Synergis, Comma3 Ventures, and IoTeX.
In April 2024, Roam also received an investment from Samsung Next. Samsung is the largest conglomerate in South Korea, and according to Bloomberg, in 2024, Samsung's economic contribution to South Korea accounts for more than half. The investment arm of Samsung has also invested in well-known projects such as Arbitrum, SUI, and LayerZero.
Roam's main products currently are routers and eSIMs. The routers not only provide basic routing functions but 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 the Roam official website, the number of Roam nodes has exceeded 1 million, and the number of users has surpassed 1.7 million.
Carefully check the map of DePINscan nodes, and you will see that the map of Korea is particularly bright and densely packed with nodes. Combined with Samsung's investment background, this can also be understood! (It feels like Roam's WiFi can be used everywhere in Korea, haha.).
➤ How to Obtain Chips:
Currently, Roam is still in the stage of accumulating users, and there are several ways to obtain low-priced or even free chips.
Participating in the Roam ecosystem can earn future token incentives, which involve the App, router products, NFTs, and several digital items. Through different combinations, there are various ways to earn chips.
The Roam App is the core of the entire ecosystem and is almost a must-download. The invitation code you can use is PiPi's: 54474150.
1. Free Chips
Download the Roam App, complete the registration and login (earn 50 Points), complete a series of tasks, and participate in the construction of the Roam ecosystem to earn Points and Stickers.
Mandatory Task: Share your WiFi to the Roam network (earn 100 Points), and check in daily (there is no limit to the number of daily check-ins at different locations, each time earning 10 Points and 1 Sticker).
Daily Tasks: There is a Quest module in the app, which is the daily task section. Currently, there aren't many tasks, and to earn high points here mainly relies on inviting friends; successfully inviting one can earn 30 points.
Activity Tasks: The top of the app's homepage has an activity bar that can be clicked to see all activities, which can be selected to participate based on your own conditions. Currently ongoing is a Christmas event (complete tasks to enter a lottery for Points, Stickers, eSim data, and router rewards).
Basically completing the mandatory tasks also allows you to conveniently complete the activity tasks, which can be seen as killing two birds with one stone.
Points: Used for later burning to exchange for ROAM token rewards.
Stickers: Used for burning Points as a bonus. The design of Stickers is somewhat like card games, with levels and set designs. Indeed, humans cannot escape collecting and opening blind boxes; they also want to cut into the bubble mart.
Oh, by the way, if there's a demand 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.
The router costs 499U, and activating it for the first time can directly earn 3000 Points, with daily mining yielding 60 Points, and daily check-ins can earn 150 Points.
Calculating, you can mine 210 Points per day. According to some institutional financing information, the payback speed is about three months (found in other materials, not necessarily accurate).
If the information is true, then 3,000 + 210 * 90 = 21,900 = 499U, 100 Points is worth 2.27U.
This means that on the first day of getting free chips, by registering an account and sharing WiFi information, one can earn about 3.6U (160 Points) in chips, enough for a bowl of pig's trotter rice!
As a router, the price is indeed very high, with tax it comes to 558.88U, but if considered as a mining machine, the valuation is different.
There should be some discount channels, still inquiring about it. If everyone has enough budget, they can consider it; PiPi is hesitating.
The official website also has two types of loan purchase methods that have not yet opened: one is to pay a 30% deposit, and after receiving the router, the mining earnings will be prioritized to repay the remaining 70% unpaid; the other is to pledge 4 SOL, and also repay with mining earnings first, then return 4 SOL. This method is still quite Web2 and is a way to attract users.
➤ Field Expansion:
In the above information, you can basically understand what Roam is doing, what the background is like, and how to participate in Roam's ecosystem and share in the benefits.
Next, let's talk about some points that PiPi has noticed.
Roam has the investment from Samsung, which has penetrated almost every corner of South Korea. In the Chinese-speaking world, people might only know about their phones, but Samsung's business coverage is very broad, including finance, real estate, consumer products, industrial manufacturing, etc.
PiPi boldly guesses that the large number of Roam nodes in Korea is likely boosted by Samsung, and it may also be that Roam is developing too well and has caught Samsung's eye.
In any case, Samsung can increase Roam's market share in Korea.
And in the Web3 field, when mentioning Korea, one might think of the great atmosphere for cryptocurrency trading; the tokens listed on two Korean exchanges have performed well. Is it possible for Roam to launch on a Korean exchange?
Additionally, here’s something related to WiFi networks:
Roam is one of the 15 important partners in the wireless broadband alliance OpenRoaming™ and the only Web3 project!
When using public WiFi, people often encounter various troubles—either searching for a signal for a long time, needing to enter a password, or sometimes having to fill out a bunch of registration information, not to mention the constant worry about network security.
The OpenRoaming™ program was created to solve these everyday annoyances. You can think of it as a 'universal WiFi pass'; as long as you authenticate once with the Roam App, your device will automatically connect to the network anywhere that supports this technology, just as your phone smoothly switches signals between different base stations.
For example, you might be at a coffee shop in the morning, go to a mall at noon, and hit the gym in the evening. With this 'pass', you won't have to worry about WiFi connectivity; your phone will automatically take care of everything. Doesn't that sound particularly convenient?
This wireless broadband alliance is like the 'United Nations' of the global WiFi industry, containing industry giants like AT&T and Cisco.
For a Web3 project to join such a luxurious lineup is like a startup gaining recognition from top players in the industry; this recognition is significant for Roam.
It not only proves the technical strength of the project, but also means that there is a future opportunity to cooperate 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 will be for users, which is why Roam's Web3 WiFi sharing model has particular development potential.
It is not a castle in the air, but has already gained recognition from the traditional technology industry.
This undoubtedly will also drive large-scale adoption of Roam in the DePIN WiFi field and promote the large-scale adoption of Web3, which is the DePIN narrative that PiPi looks forward to the most.
❚ Finally, in the upcoming 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 perfecting the interoperability of WiFi/network economy in blockchain.
2. Ecosystem Upgrade: The Roam App will launch version 2.0, bringing more rewards and services; launching Roam Growth and Roam Growth Plus to enhance the utilization of user networks and devices, providing more opportunities and benefits; launching Roam OS and a new generation of mining machines to transform router mining machines into smart terminals, providing better network services. The combination of hardware devices and software OS will also launch the Roam Innovator Hub to provide a friendly platform for developers and creators, supporting the development of the Roam ecosystem.
3. Community and Project Incubation: Launching DAO community governance to involve holders in Roam's future planning; launching Discovery community to incubate and support projects through community means.
🔔 Stay focused on Roam, actively participate in its ecosystem, and strive to obtain more chips!