Render Network $RNDR

Democratizing GPU rendering through blockchain technology

Ksantini
9 min readJul 12, 2023

Overview — General Information

The RENDER ($RNDR) token is the native cryptocurrency of the Render Network, a decentralized network of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) that leverages blockchain technology to provide efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality 3D rendering services. The network connects users who require rendering services with those who can offer their GPU’s computational power, creating a marketplace that democratizes access to rendering resources. The $RNDR token serves as the currency for this network, enabling users to access rendering services and resources.

At the time of this writing, $RNDR token is listed on several major exchanges, including Binance, Coinbase, KuCoin, Huobi, MEXC, and BitGet, with a trading price of $1.90. The token boasts a market capitalization close to $700 million, while its fully diluted value reaches the $1 billion mark.

Introduction

The Render Network is a decentralized network that harnesses the power of blockchain technology to democratize access to high-quality 3D rendering services. The network, which was first conceptualized by Jules Urbach, the Founder and CEO of OTOY, Inc., operates as a marketplace connecting users in need of rendering services with those offering their GPU’s computational power.

The network’s native cryptocurrency, the $RNDR token, serves as the medium of exchange within this ecosystem, facilitating transactions and enabling users to access rendering services. Since its public launch in 2020, the Render Network has been on a continuous path of growth and innovation, with a strong commitment to community engagement and transparency. The Render Network Foundation, the governing body of the network, regularly releases updates on its roadmap and whitepaper, inviting community feedback and fostering a collaborative environment.

This report delves into the intricacies of the Render Network, exploring its technology, use cases, tokenomics, and future developments, providing a comprehensive understanding of its potential to revolutionize the rendering industry.

Before we dive deeper, let’s take a moment to appreciate the reach and capabilities of this groundbreaking technology. In a recent post, a video was shared demonstrating the power of the Render Network’s solution. The video showcases the impressive rendering capabilities of the network, providing a visual representation of the high-quality 3D rendering services that the Render Network offers.

Render’s solution

Rendering involves defining multiple models in a scene file containing objects in a strictly defined language or data structure. The scene file contains geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information describing the virtual scene. The rendering industry is grappling with the increasing complexity of rendering tasks. Current systems are limited in their capacity to handle these tasks efficiently and cost-effectively. This is where Render Network emerges as a solution to these challenges. By leveraging blockchain technology, Render facilitates rendering tasks in a decentralized manner. This approach aims to overcome the limitations of current rendering systems, providing a more efficient and affordable solution.

Technology and Infrastructure

While the Render Network is currently built on the Ethereum blockchain, there are plans in motion to transition to the Solana network. This move is motivated by performance and technical considerations.

The network’s rendering technology is powered by OctaneRender, a high-performance rendering software developed by OTOY Inc. The Octane Render software forms the backbone of this network. OctaneRender is renowned for its speed and quality, and it has been used by major film studios and streaming services like Netflix and HBO.

The network’s design allows for the efficient use of idle GPUs worldwide, thereby democratizing access to rendering power. The Render Network uses smart contracts to automate the rendering process. Users submit rendering requests, which are then processed by other users who have the necessary GPU resources. The completed renderings are returned to the network, and the users who processed the requests are rewarded with $RNDR tokens.

The Render Network is not only committed to providing high-quality and efficient decentralized rendering solutions but also expanding its use cases beyond pure rendering. With millions of frames rendered and hours of distributed GPU network uptime, the network has demonstrated its robustness and reliability.

Use Cases and Real-world Applications

The Render Network’s services are used in a wide range of industries, including film, gaming, architecture and advertising. The network’s rendering technology has been used to produce special effects for Marvel films, the credits for the series “The Last of Us,” and remastered versions of “Star Trek” films.

The Render Network also has potential use cases in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse. The network’s GPU resources could be used to generate high-quality 3D renderings for AI applications or to create immersive 3D experiences in virtual reality.

The Future of the Spatial Web: A Look at the Vision Pro and Holographic Mixed Reality Powered by Render provides a glimpse into the future applications, showcasing its potential to shape the future of the spatial web.

Two artist collectives, Machina Infinitum and GNOMMA, are examples of projects currently using the Render Network. Machina Infinitum, a project by Jesper Nybroe and Matteo Scappin, combines artistic experience with a passion for mathematics to create unique digital art. They have used the Render Network for projects such as the short film “Clouds are not spheres” for the Carrousel de Louvre. GNOMMA, a creative collective and fashion brand, aims to create a fashion multiverse, where their fashion accessories exist in both the physical and virtual universes. They are using the Render Network to create “phygital” assets, bridging the gap between physical and virtual realities.

Stills from Machina Infinitum’s “Clouds are not spheres”

Tokenomics and Distributions

The $RNDR token operates on a burn-and-mint model. Users can pay for rendering tasks in dollars, which burns the equivalent amount in $RNDR tokens. Tokens are then minted to reward the users who processed the tasks. This model aims to centralize the utility of the token within the network and create a sustainable economy.

In addition to this, $RNDR has a clear distribution and unlock schedule, which provides transparency to its holders and maintains the token’s integrity. The RNDR Distributions and Unlocks post provides detailed information about this distribution schedule, shedding light on the token’s economic model.

Community growth, network expansion, partnerships and collaborations

The community of the Render Network has been experiencing steady growth, and the network itself has been expanding to accommodate a broader range of use cases. The Layer 1 Network Expansion, as detailed in this medium post, is a significant step towards this goal, enabling the network to handle more transactions and accommodate more users. The community’s growth is further facilitated by the Resource Acquisition and Allocation for Core Team and Grants, which ensures that the necessary resources are properly allocated to fostering innovation and development within the network.

The Render Network has established partnerships and collaborations with several major companies. Its rendering technology, OctaneRender, has been integrated into millions of Apple devices, and the network has worked with tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. The Render Network is also connected to major film and streaming companies like Warner Brothers and Netflix, who have used OctaneRender to produce some of their biggest productions.

Additionally, the Render Network has integrated its services with popular game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, as well as 3D modeling and animation software like Houdini, Blender, and Cinema 4D.

Market Analysis and Metrics Update

$RNDR token occupies a promising position in the market and shows potential for substantial growth. The competitive analysis and recent metrics updates offer valuable insights into the token’s market performance. With a clear roadmap and a strong community backing it, Render is poised to make a significant impact in the rendering industry and beyond. The Q4 2022 — Q1 2023 Metrics Update provides a comprehensive overview of the token’s recent market performance, highlighting its growth potential.

In Q1 2023, the Render Network saw steady network usage, with a total of 2,119,813 frames rendered, representing a 2% growth over Q4 2022. The network expanded its use cases and improved key features for scaling the network, including progress on native Cinema4D and multi-render support, more robust ORBX exporting tools, a key interim milestone facilitating running Stable Diffusion prompts directly from the Render Network creator portal, and development on a new AI assisted rendering suite previewed at GTC 2023.

New Developments

The Render Network has introduced several new developments since the last whitepaper. These include the introduction of the Render Network API and SDK, which allows users to build commercial third-party applications on top of the Render Network. The network has also expanded its support for third-party render engines, with integration of Maxon’s Redshift currently in development.

The Render Network has also embraced the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), recognizing the unprecedented demand for computational resources that AI applications generate. Through the Render Network SDK, developers can leverage the network’s decentralized GPUs for AI compute tasks. Developers could use the network to create a wide range of AI applications, from generating high-quality 3D renderings to creating photorealistic holograms. The Render Network plans to expand its services and play a key role in the development of the metaverse. The network’s GPU resources could be used to render virtual worlds, and its technology could become a key infrastructure of the metaverse.

A new significant development is the implementation of the Request For Compute (RFC) process. This process allows users to submit proposals outlining the main goals, technical requirements, and potential benefits of enabling specific compute use cases on Render Network’s infrastructure. The submitted proposals are evaluated, and selected projects gain access to work one-on-one with the Render Network Foundation Team to optimize job-processing demands. This initiative not only demonstrates the network’s commitment to expanding its services and catering to a wider range of computational needs, but also represents a proactive step towards directly engaging with customers interested in the diverse use cases supported by the Render’s compute network.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Render Network and its $RNDR token represent a promising development in the rendering industry. By leveraging the power of blockchain technology, it has created a decentralized network that democratizes access to high-quality 3D rendering services. And new developments, such as the introduction of the Render Network API and SDK and the implementation of the Request For Compute process, demonstrate the network’s commitment to expanding its services and directly engaging with its users. These initiatives, along with the network’s robust technology and infrastructure, position the Render Network to play a pivotal role in the future of the rendering industry and beyond.

The network’s technology, partnerships, and future plans suggest that it has the potential to become a major player in the industry. As the network continues to evolve and expand, it will be interesting to watch its journey and the impact it will have on the rendering industry and the broader digital landscape.

Author’s Note & Disclaimer

At the time of writing and publishing, I do not hold a position in $RNDR.

It is crucial to note that the information contained herein should not be construed as financial advice. It is presented for informational purposes only, aiming to equip potential investors with a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Investing in cryptocurrencies and other forms of digital assets involves a high degree of risk, and there is always the potential for loss. Therefore, potential investors should undertake their own rigorous research and due diligence before making any investment decisions related to the Render Network or any other cryptocurrency.

The dynamics of the cryptocurrency market are complex and constantly changing, and the value of digital assets can fluctuate widely. As such, it is essential to approach any investment decision with caution and a clear understanding of the risks involved. Always remember the golden rule of investing: never invest more than you can afford to lose.

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Ksantini

Analyst. Researching consensus algorithms. Writing about blockchain, payments, DeFi & AI. With an interest for geopolitics and history.