Building the Future of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks: A New Era with SEALSQ and The Hashgraph Association

Building the Future of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks: A New Era with SEALSQ and The Hashgraph Association

A few days ago, a strategic announcement was made: The Hashgraph Association and SEALSQ are collaborating to build the Future of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) on the Hedera Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Network. This partnership marks a significant leap forward in the integration of blockchain technology with physical infrastructure, promising to revolutionize the way we interact with our built environment.

Understanding Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN)

DePIN represents decentralized applications that utilize tokens to incentivize communities in constructing physical infrastructure networks from the ground up. These networks encompass sectors like mobility, electric vehicle charging, and telecommunications. While the concept has been around for years, a unified understanding and naming of DePIN has crystallized recently, heralding what many believe to be Web3’s moment to shine in the real world.

Decentralized applications (apps on blockchain networks) that use tokens (digital tokens and/or cryptocurrencies) incentivize people to crowdsource and build (get communities of people to find, fund, and set up) real-world physical infrastructure networks. These networks consist of real, connected machines, devices, vehicles, or robots that provide goods and services to people and machines in the real world. This Op-Ed delves into the intricacies of DePIN, providing insights into what could be the most exhilarating sector in the crypto space today.

The DePIN Business Model: Grassroots Innovation

DePIN is a business model that flips the traditional model on its head by allowing organizations to bootstrap their way to scale instead of needing to rely on huge amounts of upfront capital. It’s a bottom-up, grassroots approach that empowers communities to take control of their infrastructure development. DePIN is an industry focused on providing real-world services to people via real-world vehicles, robots, and devices, through the open, community-governed Web3.

DePIN signifies a global infrastructure revolution, governed by the many, not the few, enabling a new era of economic participation in the tangible world we all share. It’s a movement where every person can contribute to their community and earn for the services they provide. DePIN is the physical embodiment of the paradigm shift from corporate-controlled Web2 to community-owned Web3.

The Partnership: SEALSQ and The Hashgraph Association

SEALSQ Corp, a leader in semiconductor, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology development, is teaming up with The Hashgraph Association, a Swiss-based organization at the forefront of global digital enablement. This partnership aims to create a new digital asset on the Hedera Network, specifically tailored for the DePIN sector. The objective is to enable billions of internet-connected devices to autonomously engage in seamless data and currency exchanges, thereby fostering a robust machine-to-machine (M2M) economy.

SEALCOIN: The Heart of the Transactional Internet of Things (TIoT)

Central to this initiative is SEALCOIN, a hybrid payment and utility token designed to facilitate seamless data and digital asset exchanges among billions of internet-connected devices. Imagine a world where your smart home devices can autonomously pay for services like energy consumption and maintenance without any human intervention. This vision extends to various applications, including supply chain management, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and energy trading.

The introduction of a M2M Proof of Concept (PoC) is a significant milestone in this journey. Scheduled for mid-July 2024, this PoC will showcase the potential of SEALCOIN in enabling direct Service vs Payment transactions between machines, effectively removing intermediaries and streamlining processes.

SEALCOIN and SEALSQ Post-Quantum Semiconductors

SEALCOIN operates in tandem with SEALSQ's advanced post-quantum semiconductors, ensuring a high level of security and efficiency in all transactions. These semiconductors are designed to withstand the computational power of future quantum computers, which pose a potential threat to current encryption standards. By integrating SEALCOIN with SEALSQ's post-quantum technology, the network ensures that all data exchanges and transactions are protected against potential quantum threats. This integration not only secures the transactions but also enhances the overall performance of the M2M economy by providing robust, quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions.

A Vision for the Future

Kamal Youssefi, President of The Hashgraph Association, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “We are proud to have partnered with SEALSQ for the launch of such an innovative use case in the DePIN economy. The emergence of DePIN is a pivotal shift in the way physical infrastructure is designed, developed, and deployed. The Hedera network enables secure and seamless micropayments between all internet-connected devices and will further accelerate growth of the M2M DePIN ecosystem.”

SEALCOIN is poised to launch in Q4 2024 and will subsequently be listed on a digital asset exchange. This launch will introduce the Purchasing and Tokenization of Certificates (MVP), bridging a robust physical network to the secure digital infrastructure of the Hedera network.

The Promise of SEALCOIN

Carlos Moreira, CEO of SEALSQ, shared his vision: "Our vision with SEALCOIN is to redefine the boundaries of secured P2P transactions in both the physical and digital worlds. By cooperating with The Hashgraph Association on SEALCOIN, we are not just introducing another token; we are setting the stage for a future where transactions and services in the digital space are seamless, secure, and efficient. Our efforts to validate an M2M PoC, the upcoming platform launch, and the strategic listing on a digital exchange are all steps toward realizing this vision. We are excited about the future and invite the community to join us on this journey."

In conclusion, the collaboration between SEALSQ and The Hashgraph Association heralds a new era for DePIN and the broader blockchain ecosystem. As SEALCOIN prepares to make its debut, the world watches in anticipation of a future where digital and physical infrastructures are seamlessly integrated, bringing unprecedented efficiencies and innovations to our everyday lives. This grassroots revolution empowers communities, driving a shift from corporate control to community ownership, and marks the beginning of a new era of economic participation and innovation.