Dear Aleph Cloud community,

We’re excited to announce that the Aleph Cloud blog has officially migrated from Medium to our own internal platform!

Why the move?

• Greater flexibility: Our new blog gives us more creative freedom to share in-depth stories, technical insights, and company updates tailored to your interests.
• Improved experience: Enjoy a faster, more seamless reading experience with easier navigation and exclusive content.
• Direct connection: Engage with us directly, leave feedback, and be part of our growing cloud community.

>>> Visit our new blog

What’s next?

All articles, announcements, and thought leadership pieces will now be published exclusively on our internal blog. We’ve already launched several new articles you won’t want to miss!

Visit our new blog

We invite you to explore the new Aleph Cloud blog, bookmark it, and join the conversation. Your support and engagement have been invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our journey together in our new digital home.

Official Links​​

• Web: https://aleph.cloud
• Forum: https://community.aleph.cloud
• Github: https://github.com/aleph-im
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aleph_im
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aleph-im
• Telegram: https://t.me/alephcloud
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleph_cloud/
• Discord: https://discord.com/invite/alephcloud
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Aleph_im/

New Aleph Cloud blog was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

• An exclusive long-term partnership enables Aave Chan Initiative also known as ACI to manage their Core Channel Nodes in order to develop their expansion in decentralized node management DeFi applications.
• ACI is the primary delegate and service provider for the Aave DAO, and has been responsible for half of Aave Improvement Proposals (AIP) since 2023.

Aleph.im decentralized physical infrastructure powering Twentysix Cloud, announces today the launch of a long-term partnership with ACI, the leading Delegate and Service provider of Aave DAO.

ACI established in 2023 is a key player in the Aave protocol. As the primary delegate of the Aave DAO, they actively vote on proposals and provide services to turn ideas into concrete solutions. Their governance mission prioritizes growth and risk management to ensure the robustness of the Aave DAO ecosystem and the prosperity of the Aave protocol.

This partnership between aleph.im and ACI will enable new contributors to expand our decentralized cloud and enhance our presence in the DeFi industry. Already utilized by DAOs and dApps for storing metadata, backup storage, and enhancing user privacy, ACI is now empowered to enhance its governance framework.

Marc Zeller, CEO and Founder of ACI, explains:

This new partnership with aleph.im is part of the development of the ACI and our intention to provide new services alongside our main mission with Aave DAO.

We are excited that aleph.im has made significant improvement in decentralized computing and AI for DeFi as we see it as a useful public tool that can be leveraged by many of the applications that are here today as well as it perfectly fits today’s narrative.

From today, stakers will be able to profit from ~5% APY on ALEPH through ACI Core Channel Node.

About Aave-Chan Initiative

Established in the dawn of 2023, the ACI stands as one of the driving force behind the Aave protocol. We amplify your voice within the Aave DAO community and want to lead by example, catalysing progress with a steadfast focus on results. Our Commitment As the primary delegate of the Aave DAO, we’re committed to action, not just words. We actively vote on proposals and, as service providers, we wield the code to turn these ideas into tangible solutions, advancing the Aave ecosystem. Our governance mission prioritises growth and risk management, ensuring the robustness of the Aave DAO ecosystem and the prosperity of the Aave protocol.

Website: https://www.aavechan.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AaveChan

Thank you and keep in touch.

Join our live conversation on our Telegram Community Chat.

🌴 Linktr.ee | 🌐 Website | 🗞 Blog | 📄 Papers | 🐦 Twitter | 💬 Telegram |💼 Linkedin | 💻 GitHub | 📒 Dev Docs | 🤖 Reddit

ACI join forces with Aleph.im to become a Core Channel Node operator was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Like Bitcoin halving, the Compute Resource Nodes rewards will be cut in half starting March 21st 2024. This halving policy aimed to counteract inflation by maintaining scarcity on ALEPH emission. But it also comes with greater computing resources allocated to the network.

What is happening?

Compute Resource Nodes are decentralized computing infrastructure components that form a vital part of the aleph.im network. These nodes work collectively to provide distributed and secure computing power, storage, and other resources to users and applications on the platform.

In return for their contributions, node operators are rewarded with ALEPH tokens, creating an incentive system for maintaining a healthy and robust ecosystem.

On Thursday 21st of March 2024, we are operating an halving on the rewards for running a Compute Resource Node (CRN) in order to maintain scarcity as a counterbalance to inflation and to promote the quality of service and the network’s resilience.

The aleph.im network relies on a peer-to-peer architecture, where compute resource nodes communicate with each other to share information and coordinate tasks. This architecture ensures that the network remains resilient against single points of failure, as the removal of one node does not impact the overall functioning of the system.

How will it impact users?

The halving have no impact on users of Twentysix Cloud or stakers. However if you operate a Core Channel Node you will be able to link up to 5 CRN instead of 3 previously.

Here is the new distribution for CRN owners:

• From 3 to 5 CRNs linked = 100% of rewards
• 2 CRNs linked = 90% of rewards
• 1 CRN linked = 80% of rewards
• 0 CRN linked = 70% of rewards

How is this affecting ALEPH?

While the halving reduces rewards for Compute Resource Node owners, it equally lowers the supply of new coins without reducing the demand. As we think it will have a positive effect on the supply and the demand for new ALEPH, we can’t predict the impact of the price of ALEPH.

The initial reward was between 2500 to 3000 ALEPH per month for running a CRN. Presently the reward is around 1200 to 1500 ALEPH.

What does CRN owners need to do?

If own CRNs make sure to get in touch with CCNs operators in order to get your node linked. We recommend using our dedicated Telegram channel “Node Operators” to get in touch with other node owners.

At the moment of writing this article, aleph.im network is composed of:

• 93 Core Channel Nodes
• 419 Compute Resource Nodes
• 2130 CPUs
• 7.62 TB of RAM
• 108 TB of HDD

As a result we expect to seamlessly add support for GPU on the network in the coming months.

Thank you and keep in touch.

Join our live conversation on our Telegram Community Chat.

🌴 Linktr.ee | 🌐 Website | 🗞 Blog | 📄 Papers | 🐦 Twitter | 💬 Telegram |💼 Linkedin | 💻 GitHub | 📒 Dev Docs | 🤖 Reddit

CRN halving and what you need to know was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Developers are constantly pushing boundaries, seeking innovative solutions to build a more secure, scalable, and accessible applications. This collaboration leverages Twentysix Cloud to empower Shutter’s Keypers, the guardians of transaction fairness within the network. By harnessing aleph.im’s robust and user-friendly decentralized cloud solutions, Shutter unlocks a new era of accessibility and efficiency for its nodes Keypers.

Understanding Shutter: Preventing frontrunning and MEV using Threshold cryptography

Shutter tackles a critical issue plaguing blockchains: frontrunning and MEV. Frontrunning occurs when miners exploit their knowledge of upcoming transactions to gain an unfair advantage. This disrupts the integrity and efficiency of the network. Shutter combats this issue through a clever approach called threshold cryptography. Transactions are encrypted before submission, making them invisible to miners until authorized decryption by a distributed group of nodes called Keypers. These Keypers play a vital role in ensuring the fairness and security of transactions on Shutter.

However, traditionally, running a Shutter Keyper node has required a dedicated local server. This setup, while secure, can be a barrier to entry for some Keypers who may lack the necessary resources or technical expertise for server maintenance.

How Twentysix Cloud empowers Shutter Network’s Keypers?

Aleph.im steps in as the ideal solution. It provides Twentysix Cloud a powerful, open-source, and decentralized cloud infrastructure. Our tools suite offers a compelling alternative to traditional cloud providers like AWS or Google Cloud, with a key advantage: decentralization.

Data storage, business logic execution, and other functionalities happen on a distributed network of independent nodes, eliminating the risks associated with centralized servers. Additionally, Twentysix Cloud boasts several other features that make it a perfect fit for Shutter Network:

• Cross-chain capabilities: Twentysix Cloud can interact with different blockchains, facilitating seamless integration with Shutter Network’s infrastructure.
• Scalability: The decentralized nature of aleph.im’s network allows it to handle varying demands placed on Keyper nodes.
• Security: By leveraging a distributed network, aleph.im enhances the overall security of the Shutter Network’s Keyper system.

A symbiotic collaboration between DePIN and DeFi

The collaboration between Shutter and aleph.im unlocks a range of benefits:

• Accessibility: Shutter Keypers with limited resources can now participate in the network by running their nodes on Twentysix.cloud. This eliminates the need for a dedicated server, making it easier for individuals to contribute to the network’s security.
• Increased Efficiency: Aleph.im’s infrastructure offers a more reliable and user-friendly environment for Keyper operation compared to local servers. This can lead to smoother network functioning.
• Enhanced Security: The decentralized nature of Aleph.im adds another layer of security to the Shutter Network’s Keyper system, making it more resistant to potential attacks.

The integration process itself is designed for ease of use. Shutter Keypers can choose between two deployment options on Twentysix.cloud:

• Automatic Node Selection: This option assigns a node automatically and requires holding $ALEPH tokens.
• Manual Node Selection: Keypers can choose a specific node and pay with a stream of $ALEPH tokens on the Avalanche blockchain.

A Stepping Stone Towards a Decentralized Future

The strategic collaboration between Shutter and aleph.im represents a pivotal leap towards a future characterized by robust security and pervasive decentralization within the blockchain realm. By adopting aleph.im’s decentralized infrastructure, Shutter empowers its Keypers — the custodians of transaction fairness. This translates to a fortified Keyper network, bolstering the integrity of the entire protocol. This collaboration paves the way for a paradigm shift, enabling DeFi and other blockchain-powered applications to grow in a truly decentralized and secure cloud.

About Shutter:

Shutter employs threshold encryption with a Distributed Key Generation (DKG) mechanism to achieve base layer neutrality, information symmetry, and accessibility. Shutter has developed a protocol to prevent malicious MEV on the Ethereum ecosystem using threshold encryption-based DKG. The same protocol is also used in other applications, such as providing shielded voting for voting systems. The free, open-source software protocol has been initially developed by brainbot, which has been involved in Ethereum since March 2014.

Website: https://shutter.network/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/project_shutter

About Twentysix Cloud

Twentysix Cloud is a cross-chain cloud solution powered by the aleph.im decentralized network, which offers developers access to databases, computing power, and file storage. It ensures operational resilience for applications, particularly in AI, DeFi, and gaming industries. Since 2020, its marketplace Instances and Micro-Virtual Machines have provided scalable, high-performance resources across various blockchains.

Website: https://twentysix.cloud
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwentySixCloud

Thank you and keep in touch.

Join our live conversation on our Telegram Community Chat.

🌴 Linktr.ee | 🌐 Website | 🗞 Blog | 📄 Papers | 🐦 Twitter | 💬 Telegram |💼 Linkedin | 💻 GitHub | 📒 Dev Docs | 🤖 Reddit

How we help Shutter to integrate with Twentysix Cloud? was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

• An exclusive long-term agreement will allow KRYPTOSPHERE® students to manage their own Core Channel node in order to develop their professional and academic projects.
• KRYPTOSPHERE® becomes the second student association to partner with aleph.im, offering students in France and on partner campuses around the world the opportunity to develop innovative applications.

Aleph.im peer-to-peer decentralized cloud announces today the launch of a long-term partnership with KRYPTOSPHERE®, the largest student association dedicated to the development and adoption of Web3.
Students and alumni of KRYPTOSPHERE® around the world are now able to develop projects and applications thanks to their own Core Channel Node set up by the association, and benefit from staking rewards for future hackathons or professional projects.

Aleph.im deploys a decentralized physical infrastructure through its Core Nodes around the world, thus strengthening the decentralization of its cloud with a new operator. Since its creation in 2019, aleph.im has continued to grow and is facing an increasing demand for cloud computing, particularly in the development of artificial intelligence.

KRYPTOSPHERE® is the second largest student association to partner with aleph.im after Epitech student association POC. In January, aleph.im also launched Twentysix Cloud, its suite of tools and cloud solutions including storage, computing, indexing, and VRF.
We have also revealed in January our partnership with Superfluid and Avalanche to enable crypto payments.

This partnership between aleph.im and KRYPTOSPHERE® will allow students to deepen their academic research and access resources that have become essential for creating innovative applications.

Jonathan Schemoul, CEO and co-founder of aleph.im, explains:

This partnership marks a new step in our journey to enable students and future entrepreneurs to develop their projects on an open-source cloud that respects private data. KRYPTOSPHERE® is present in a network of world-renowned schools and the birthplace of many of France’s most iconic and prestigious startups. It is also where the new generations of developers and entrepreneurs are found.

France is experiencing one of the fastest-growing markets in Web3 development; We are aware that demand in the AI market is growing rapidly, which is why we are accelerating our development in the use of open-source models. This partnership will benefit students as well as all users and companies using aleph.im’s infrastructure by strengthening the decentralization and governance of our peer-to-peer cloud.

🌐 Join: KRYPTOSPHERE® Core Channel Node

About KRYPTOSPHERE®

KRYPTOSPHERE® is the first and largest student association in France and Europe dedicated to training the next generation of leaders in Blockchain, AI, and Fintech. Founded in 2017 at Kedge Business School Marseille by four students, the association is present on 21 campuses in France, including Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Lyon, and even London. With more than 800 active members and over 2,000 alumni, it aims to train and support students who wish to learn more about Web3 technologies.

About Twentysix Cloud

Twentysix Cloud is a cross-chain cloud solution powered by the aleph.im decentralized network, which offers developers access to databases, computing power, and file storage. It ensures operational resilience for applications, particularly in AI, DeFi, and gaming industries. Since 2020, its marketplace Instances and Micro-Virtual Machines have provided scalable, high-performance resources across various blockchains.

Website: https://twentysix.cloud
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwentySixCloud

Thank you and keep in touch.

Join our live conversation on our Telegram Community Chat.

🌴 Linktr.ee | 🌐 Website | 🗞 Blog | 📄 Papers | 🐦 Twitter | 💬 Telegram |💼 Linkedin | 💻 GitHub | 📒 Dev Docs | 🤖 Reddit

Kryptosphere® partners with Aleph.im to become a Core Channel Node operator was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Frequently Asked Questions about aleph.im, for stakers, node operators and liquidity providers in one place.

| ALEPH STAKING |

1. Where can I stake my $ALEPH?

https://account.aleph.im/

2. What is the minimum number to stake and receive rewards?

10,000.00 $ALEPH

3. Why is there a minimum required to stake?

Because of gas fee issues. If we allowed smaller stakers we will have way more distribution targets and it will cost a lot to the project. And even if we went to a claim system with merkle tree root claims it would cost a lot to claim every epochs that are a few days apart, it wouldn’t make sense for small stakers.

4. Is there a staking tutorial?

https://medium.com/aleph-im/aleph-im-staking-guide-9b82264968be

5. What are the staking tokenomics for stakers?

https://medium.com/aleph-im/aleph-im-staking-go-live-part-2-stakers-tokenomics-663164b5ec78

6. How can I monitor how many rewards I received so far?

You can look at your etherscan history. You can also use portfolio monitoring apps such as Rotki.

7. Is it possible to stake with less than 10,000.00?

At the moment you can’t stake with less than 10,000.00 $ALEPH, but some companies provide staking like Meria (centralized).

8. How many ALEPH will I get for staking?

Check out the calculator in the top section of the web app: https://account.aleph.im/

9. Are my funds safe when I stake?

Staking on aleph is completely non-custodial. Your tokens never leave your wallet, and there is no vesting or lock up period.

10. How much does it cost to stake?

While staking is only possible on Ethereum, staking is GASLESS, meaning it’s free, you simply sign a message (not a transaction).

11. Can I stake on another blockchain than Etherum?

It is currently not possible. We will inform the community when this functionality will be available.

12. How long does it take to stake?

Almost instantaneous.

13. If I staked then deposited more in an address do I need to restake?

No, it’s automatically added to your stake.

14. Is there a required lock up period to stake?

No, there is no lock up required.

15. Can I unstake when I want?

Yes, you can unstake and restake whenever you like. You can even withdraw or send your tokens without unstaking (but you’ll lose your staking rewards).

16. When are the staking rewards paid?

Up to 10 days, depending on the gas cost.

17. What wallets do you recommend for staking?

We recommend Rabby, Metamask, Coinbase wallet, MeW.

18. Can I use TrustWallet?

Yes, by connecting via Wallet Connect

19. What if I want to stake in multiple nodes?

You can stake on the node of your choice, then choose any other node and stake your ALEPH on it. The total amount of your tokens will be split among all the nodes you have staked on.

20. Which node is it recommended to stake on?

The more nodes that are active, the more ALEPH stakers receive, but also the more secure the network is. It’s up to you to chose a node and verify that it’s always active.

21. Is there currently a cap on node staking for a single node?

No. There is currently no cap on the maximum amount staked on a node. However, the more nodes that are active, the more ALEPH stakers receive, but also the more secure the network is. So it would be best to maximize the number of active nodes.

22. Does a node with more staked tokens reward its stakers less?

No. For stakers, the total amount staked in a node doesn’t change their reward. However, the more nodes that are active, the more ALEPH stakers receive, but also the more secure the network is. So it would be best to maximize the number of active nodes.

23. Does a node with more staked tokens receive more reward?

No. The node owner does not earn more tokens if there are more tokens staked on his/her node.

24. Can I stake with the NULS or NEO variant of the ALEPH token?

No. You must swap either of these at swap.aleph.im to the ERC-20 variant and stake the ERC-20 variant of the token.

25. Can I swap my soALEPH to ALEPH V2 token?

If you still have soALEPH you can’t swap them for ALEPH token anymore since April 2022. You can find further informations here.

26. What is Twentysix Cloud?

Twentysix Cloud is a cross-chain cloud solution powered by the aleph.im decentralized network, which offers developers access to databases, computing power, and file storage. It ensures operational resilience for applications, particularly in AI, DeFi, and gaming industries. Since 2020, its marketplace Instances and Micro-Virtual Machines have provided scalable, high-performance resources across various blockchains.

| LIQUIDITY AND PAYMENT |

27. Where can I buy ALEPH to get to the 10,000 required to stake?

ALEPH token (ALEPH v2) are available on:

• Coinbase, KuCoin, Gate, LATOKEN, MEXC
• Ethereum: Uniswap
• BNB Chain: Pancakeswap
• Avalanche: TraderJoe
• Solana: Raydium

28. I do not have the minimum tokens for staking and do not want to buy more, what can I do?

You can become a liquidity provider on a decentralized exchange, like Uniswap, TraderJoe or Pancakeswap.

29. What is Pay-As-You-Go?

Pay-As-You-Go, or PAYG, offers a new way to pay for the resources you use on the aleph.im network, eliminating the need to hold or stake $ALEPH.

30. Do I have to pay for storage or computing on Ethereum?

No. PAYG is only available on Avalanche c-chain at the moment. You can find more informations here.

31. Where can I find ALEPH contracts on different blockchains?

• Ethereum: 0x27702a26126e0b3702af63ee09ac4d1a084ef628
• BNB Chain: 0x82d2f8e02afb160dd5a480a617692e62de9038c4
• Avalanche: 0xc0Fbc4967259786C743361a5885ef49380473dCF
• Solana: 3UCMiSnkcnkPE1pgQ5ggPCBv6dXgVUy16TmMUe1WpG9x

| NODE OPERATORS |

32. What is the minimum required hardware to run a Core Channel Node?

• 32 GB ram minimum; 64 GB ram recommended
• Recent CPU with at least 4 cores
• 100 MB upload bandwidth minimum (ideally 1 GB)
• 4+ TB HDD or SSD (ideally with at least the system on an SSD)

33. Is there a tutorial to setup/register a node and become a node operator?

Yes, please visit: https://medium.com/aleph-im/aleph-im-node-registration-guide-ea2badb84e75

34. Is there a more detailed technical presentation for node operators?

Yes. You can visit our official documentation: https://docs.aleph.im/

35. What are the staking tokenomics for node operators?

Please visit: https://medium.com/aleph-im/aleph-im-staking-go-live-part-1-core-channel-nodes-and-node-operators-97bfcd43157d

36. Does a node with more staked tokens get more rewards?

No. Once a node reaches 500K staked on it, it starts receiving rewards. For instance, having 1M tokens staked on it does not give it more rewards.

37. Can I use the same address for both node operator and staker?

No. You must act as staker and node operator from the different addresses.

38. In case of downtime, what happens to the node rewards?

The reward will slowly go down, you have an uptime score that goes from 0 to 100, the longer you are offline the lower you get. We might introduce a system where the node gets dismantled if the score stays at 0 for too long

39. I have setup a node and I am still waiting for more tokens to be staked on it how can I get more stakers?

We encourage you to engage with the community through our telegram chat to get more stakers on your node.

40. Things to consider before migrating to a new server/provider, if it becomes necessary for the operator?

You need to set up the new node, wait for it to be synced correctly, and then change your multiaddress to the new host. You can then discard the old server.

— OFFICIAL LINKS —

Aleph

Web: https://aleph.im
Forum: https://community.aleph.im
Github: https://github.com/aleph-im
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aleph_im
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aleph-im
Telegram: https://t.me/alephim

Twentysix Cloud

Web: https://www.twentysix.cloud/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/twentysixcloud

Aleph.im ultimate F.A.Q was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Please find the English translation below.

TL;DR:

• BNB Chain hosted an AMA in their French Telegram channel to discuss Aleph.im development in the DePIN industry
• Moshe gave insights about decentralized cloud computing and AI
• Announcing the launch of Twentysix Cloud and GPU support.

Questions

BNB Chain : L’objectif de cette présentation est de démystifier les DePIN en mettant en avant le savoir-faire français. Comme on le sait le Web3, c’est un monde qui évolue très vite avec plein de nouvelles narratives qui émergent. Aujourd’hui on va parler de la narrative DePIN pour « Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network » ou « Réseau d’Infrastructure Physique Décentralisée ». Une technologie qui a pour objectif de mettre un terme à la « sharing economy ». Avant de commencer, je te laisse nous présenter ton parcours, ton projet et ses succès.

Jonathan : Je suis Jonathan Schemoul, autrement connu sous le nom de Moshe Malawach sur Twitter et Telegram. J’ai été développeur pendant pas mal d’années, j’ai travaillé dans de grands groupes (banques, etc.), et ai aussi lancé quelques startups, tant dans le web2 que dans l’IoT.
J’ai créé aleph.im en 2018/2019, lorsque je me suis rendu compte, en tentant de créer des applications web3 (qui n’avait pas encore ce nom) qu’il manquait du stockage et du computing décentralisé pour aller avec. Je me suis alors attelé à faire un cloud décentralisé: c’est devenu aleph.im.

BNB Chain : Est-ce que tu peux nous expliquer ce que sont les DePIN et leur intérêt ?

Jonathan : C’est un terme assez récent qui n’existait pas encore quand on a créé aleph.im. Je pense qu’il fallait catégoriser l’ensemble des entreprises qui développent des projets dans un même écosystème. On englobe de très nombreux protocoles sous cette bannière. Mais pour faire simple un DePIN correspond à une infrastructure physique que l’on décentralise. Sur laquelle on peut créer, développer ou que l’on peut tout simplement utiliser directement sans passer par des entreprises traditionnelles. Dans le cas d’aleph.im, nous sommes une alternative à AWS, Azure ou Google Cloud. Ce qui est l’infrastructure physique (DePin) que l’on décentralise, ce sont les serveurs.
Concrètement, ni aleph.im, ni les personnes qui détiennent des Core Channel Nodes ne peuvent changer les données qui transitent dans le cloud. Quand youtube s’est mis à bannir du contenu relatif à la crypto cela ne pourrait pas se produire avec une version décentralisée ou le contenu n’est pas régi par un algorithme, idem avec lorsque le data center d’OVH a brûlé à Strasbourg et que l’ensemble des sites internet hébergés sont tombés offline, ce type de problème aurait pu être évité avec un cloud 100% décentralisé lorsque les noeuds sont dispatchés de partout dans le monde permettant de maintenir les sites en ligne.

BNB Chain : Quelle est la différence entre un RWA et un DePIN ?

Jonathan : Les RWA correspondent aux real-world assets autrement dit, des biens tangibles ou financiers que l’on peut tokéniser. Aujourd’hui il y a une véritable demande pour ce type de produits. Il y a des entreprises qui permettent depuis quelques années déjà de tokeniser de l’immobilier par exemple, et demain tout pourra l’être. Du point de vue des DePIN cela rajoute une couche supplémentaire de sécurité. Les metadata de ton titre ne sont plus stockées sur un cloud centralisé mais fragmentées, chiffrées et horodatées.

BNB Chain : Comment tu vois les DePIN dans 5 et 10 ans. Ultra bullish sur cette techno ?

Jonathan : Oui clairement bullish. Quand on parle de DePIN on parle de séparer les infrastructures des entreprises qui les contrôlent aujourd’hui. Je vais prendre un exemple concret: quand ce sera généralisé, fini les cas où un développeur de jeu arrêtera les serveurs d’un jeu quand il n’est plus rentable: les joueurs pourront payer eux-même ces frais. Dans 5 à 10 ans je verrai ces technologies partout. Plus d’IoT qui s’arrête quand le fabricant n’en veut plus, plus de services restreints au bon vouloir de leur créateurs.

BNB Chain : Cette technologie a un grand potentiel, à part le cloud computing ou le storage, quelles sont les autres catégories de DePIN ?

Jonathan : Il existe plusieurs catégories pour les DePIN, elles-mêmes avec des sous-catégories. Aujourd’hui on inclut un très grand nombre de projets et d’entreprises sous cette nouvelle étiquette. Entre le storage et le computing on va également trouver les indexers, les VPN, les CDN, les réseaux sans fils (WIFI), l’IOT ou encore les énergies renouvelables.

BNB Chain : Comment travaillez-vous avec BNB Chain?

Jonathan : Actuellement le token ALEPH est présent sur la BNB Chain (et également sur Ethereum et Solana): Il est possible de bridger ses ALEPH de la BNB Chain a Ethereum pour faire du staking par exemple. On peut également signer des messages du réseau aleph.im avec un wallet de la BNB Chain, hold des tokens ALEPH pour avoir du service ou envoyer des messages aleph.im directement depuis la BNB Chain (oracles inverses). Le support de la BNB chain sera bientôt ajouté à notre interface de gestion de cloud: console.aleph.im. Nous travaillons également à une interopérabilité avec Greenfield.

BNB Chain : Est-ce qu’il y a un lien entre le cloud computing et le storage ou vous souhaitez simplement vous positionner sur les 2 marchés ?

Jonathan : Le cloud computing repose largement sur la capacité de stocker, gérer et accéder aux données via des serveurs distants hébergés sur Internet, plutôt que sur des serveurs locaux ou des dispositifs de stockage personnels. Pour lancer une machine virtuelle, il faut une image système, et du code à faire tourner: c’est de la data. Le stockage de données est une composante fondamentale du cloud computing, offrant une infrastructure flexible et évolutive pour gérer une large gamme de besoins en matière de données pour les entreprises et les utilisateurs individuels. Aleph.im offre une alternative décentralisée aux modèles de cloud computing traditionnels, avec des avantages en termes de sécurité, de coût, de performance, et surtout d’interopérabilité puisque notre cloud est 100% blockchain agnostic (que ça soit sur la BNB Chain, Solana, Tezos, Ethereum, Avalanche ou Cosmos).

BNB Chain : Quel est le coût de stockage sur aleph.im, comparé au cloud storage d’Amazon par exemple ?

Jonathan : Niveau coût de stockage, aujourd’hui, ce n’est pas comparable: il faut “hold” des tokens ALEPH pour avoir du stockage, il ne sont pas consommés. Avec le pay-as-you-go (consommation à l’usage, soit en token ALEPH, soit en stablecoin) qui arrive d’abord pour le computing, mais pour la data ensuite, il en sera autrement.
Pour le computing, le coût des instances sera dès le lancement du pay-as-you-go plus bas que celui des instances d’AWS.

BNB Chain : Est-ce que vous n’avez pas peur que ça devienne l’endroit idéal pour stocker des sites bien sombres de vente d’armes ou de drogues ?

Jonathan : C’est une question légitime, qui relève principalement du fantasme. Bien que le réseau soit 100% décentralisé, les individus et entreprises qui gèrent des Core Channel Nodes (les nœuds qui permettent au cloud de fonctionner de manière décentralisée) auront la possibilité de blacklister les demandes qui pourraient leur nuire en hébergeant des sites louches. Si vous allez sur ce type de sites, vous verrez qu’ils sont principalement hébergés localement où dans des pays avec des juridictions peu regardantes.

BNB Chain : Pour conclure, aurais-tu des big updates ou des news intéressantes à partager avec la communauté?

Jonathan : Nous avons une grosse annonce de prévue cette semaine concernant le projet TwentySix sur lequel nous travaillons depuis plusieurs mois.
Dans les mois qui vont suivre nous allons déployer ce qu’on appelle les Confidential VMs sur notre cloud: Une machine virtuelle ou VM utilise le chiffrement pour protéger les données en cours de traitement, offrant ainsi un niveau de sécurité accru pour les données sensibles stockées dans notre cloud.
Nous allons permettre l’accès à plus de ressources pour le computing grâce à l’intégration de GPU (ou cartes graphiques) principalement pour l’usage de l’IA générative. D’ailleurs, en parlant d’IA generative, le projet libertai.io propose une IA décentralisée basée sur le réseau aleph.im et des modèles libres. Essayez-le! Soit en parlant avec @liberchat_bot ici sur telegram, soit sur chat.libertai.io (et vous pouvez connecter votre wallet BNB chain). C’est une des seules IA vraiment décentralisées: lors de l’inférence, c’est à la dire lors de la génération de texte, c’est les Computing Resource Nodes (CRN) du réseau aleph qui répondent. Libertai utilisera évidemment les VM confidentielles lorsqu’elles arriveront pour une confidentialité accrue (une IA qui gère des clés privées pourrait lancer des transactions elle-même, sans intermédiaire de confiance!).

Official Twentysix cloud website: https://www.twentysix.cloud
Official Twentysix Cloud Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwentySixCloud

English translation

The objective of this presentation is to demystify DePINs by highlighting French know-how. As we know, Web3 is a world that evolves very quickly, with many new narratives emerging. Today, we are going to talk about the DePIN narrative for ‘Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network’, a technology that aims to put an end to the ‘sharing economy’. Before we begin, I’d like you to introduce us to your journey, your project, and its successes.

I’m Jonathan Schemoul, otherwise known as Moshe Malawach on Twitter and Telegram. I have been a developer for many years, working in large organizations (including banks) and launching several startups in both Web2 and IoT. I founded aleph.im in 2018/2019 upon realizing, while developing early Web3 applications (a term not yet coined then), that there was a lack of storage and decentralized computing to support them. This led me to create a decentralized cloud solution, which ultimately became aleph.im.

BNB Chain: Can you explain to us what DePINs are and their benefits?

Jonathan: It’s a fairly recent term that didn’t yet exist when we created aleph.im. I believe categorizing all companies developing projects in the same ecosystem was necessary. We encompass many protocols under this banner. But to put it simply, a DePIN corresponds to a physical infrastructure that is decentralized. It enables us to create, develop, or use services directly, bypassing traditional companies. In the case of aleph.im, we are an alternative to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. The physical infrastructure (DePIN) that we decentralize consists of servers. Concretely, neither aleph.im nor the people who own Core Channel Nodes can change the data passing through the cloud. When YouTube started banning content related to crypto, this could not happen with a decentralized version where the content is not governed by an algorithm. Similarly, when the OVH data center in Strasbourg burned, causing all hosted websites to go offline, this type of problem could have been avoided with a 100% decentralized cloud. In such a system, nodes dispersed worldwide would allow the sites to remain online.

BNB Chain: What is the difference between RWA and DePIN?

Jonathan: RWAs correspond to real-world assets, in other words, tangible or financial goods that can be tokenized. Today there is a real demand for this type of product. For instance, there are companies that have enabled the tokenization of real estate for several years, and in the future, this could extend to virtually everything. From the point of view of DePINs, this adds an additional layer of security. Your title’s metadata is no longer stored on a centralized cloud, but is instead fragmented, encrypted, and timestamped.

BNB Chain: How do you see DePINs in 5 and 10 years. Ultra bullish on this techno?

Jonathan: Yes, definitely bullish. When we talk about DePIN, we are talking about separating infrastructures from the companies that control them today. Let me give a concrete example: once generalized, there will be no more instances of game developers shutting down servers for unprofitable games. Instead, players will have the option to bear these costs themselves. In 5 to 10 years, I envision these technologies being ubiquitous. No more IoT devices that stop functioning when the manufacturer decides so, and no more services restricted by the goodwill of their creators.

Thomas: This technology has great potential, apart from cloud computing or storage, what are the other categories of DePIN?

Jonathan: DePINs encompass several categories, each with its own subcategories. Today, we include a very large number of projects and companies under this new label. In addition to storage and computing, we also find indexers, VPNs, CDNs, wireless networks (WIFI), IoT, and even renewable energies.

BNB Chain: How do you work with BNB Chain?

Jonathan: Currently, the ALEPH token is present on the BNB Chain (as well as on Ethereum and Solana). For example, it is possible to bridge your ALEPH from the BNB Chain to Ethereum for staking. You can also sign messages from the aleph.im network with a BNB Chain wallet and hold ALEPH tokens for service. Additionally, you can send aleph.im messages directly from the BNB Chain, utilizing reverse oracles. BNB chain support will soon be added to our cloud management interface: console.aleph.im. We are also working on interoperability with Greenfield.

BNB Chain: Is there a link between cloud computing and storage or do you simply want to position yourself in both markets?

Jonathan: Cloud computing relies heavily on the ability to store, manage, and access data via remote servers hosted on the Internet, rather than on local servers or personal storage devices. To launch a virtual machine, you need a system image and code to run, which essentially constitute data. Data storage is a fundamental component of cloud computing, providing flexible and scalable infrastructure to handle a wide range of data needs for businesses and individual users. Aleph.im offers a decentralized alternative to traditional cloud computing models, with advantages in terms of security, cost, performance, and above all, interoperability, since our cloud is 100% blockchain agnostic, whether on the BNB Chain, Solana, Tezos, Ethereum, Avalanche, or Cosmos.

BNB Chain: What is the cost of storage on aleph.im, compared to AWS for example?

Jonathan: In terms of storage costs today, the model is incomparable: users need to ‘hold’ ALEPH tokens to access storage, but these tokens are not consumed. The scenario will change with the introduction of the pay-as-you-go model, which entails consumption per use, payable either in ALEPH tokens or stablecoin. This model will first be applied to computing, and subsequently to data. Upon the launch of the pay-as-you-go model, the cost for computing instances will be lower than that of AWS instances.

BNB Chain: Aren’t you afraid that it will become the ideal place to store very dark sites selling weapons or drugs?

Jonathan: This is a legitimate question, which is mainly fantasy. Although the network is 100% decentralized, individuals and companies that manage Core Channel Nodes (the nodes that allow the cloud to operate in a decentralized manner) will have the ability to blacklist requests that could harm them by hosting shady sites. If you go to this type of site, you will see that they are mainly hosted locally or in countries with less restrictive jurisdictions.

BNB Chain: To conclude, do you have any big updates or interesting news to share with the community?

Jonathan: We have a big announcement planned this week regarding the TwentySix project that we have been working on for several months. In the coming months, we will deploy what are called Confidential VMs on our cloud. These virtual machines use encryption to protect data being processed, thereby providing an increased level of security for sensitive data stored in our cloud. We will enhance our computing resources by integrating GPUs (graphics processing units), primarily to support the use of generative AI. Moreover, speaking of generative AI, the libertai.io project offers decentralized AI based on the aleph.im network and free models. Try it, either by speaking with @liberchat_bot here on Telegram, or on chat.libertai.io (where you can also connect your BNB chain wallet). It is one of the few truly decentralized AIs. During inference, or text generation, the Computing Resource Nodes (CRN) of the Aleph network are the ones that respond. Naturally, Libertai will adopt confidential VMs upon their arrival to enhance confidentiality. This is particularly crucial for an AI that manages private keys, as it could initiate transactions independently, without a trusted intermediary!

Official Twentysix cloud website: https://www.twentysix.cloud
Official Twentysix Cloud Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwentySixCloud

Thank you and keep in touch.

Join our live conversation on our Telegram Community Chat.

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Aleph.im & BNB Chain AMA [🇫🇷/🇬🇧] was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Twentysix Cloud is an all-in-one, decentralized cloud marketplace, powered by aleph.im’s Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN). This launch marks a significant step in bridging decentralized cloud solutions with the growing demand for computing resources.

Paris, France — Friday January 26, 2024 — Aleph.im announces the launch of its innovative hub. Twentysix Cloud is a decentralized cloud marketplace offering a full range of blockchain-based storage, compute engine, indexing, and AI solutions for businesses and applications. By leveraging the aleph.im network, Twentysix Cloud ensures a secure, resilient, and transparent user experience. It sets a new standard for modern cloud infrastructures, utilizing tens of independent nodes worldwide.

The decentralized design of Twentysix Cloud meets the evolving needs of businesses and developers. It provides a versatile environment for a wide range of applications, empowering users through a robust architecture that seamlessly connects on-chain and off-chain data, eliminating centralized points of failure.

Twentysix Cloud now operates on a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) model, offering users the flexibility to pay only for the resources they use. This approach leads to lower costs due to the distributed nature of resources. Payments can be made in ALEPH, the native token of the network, or in stablecoins. This system, which charges by the millisecond, leverages Avalanche C-chain and Superfluid for optimal payment solutions.

“We’d like to welcome Twentsix Cloud powered by Aleph.im into the Avalanche ecosystem. The team’s Pay-As-You-Go model is an example of what can be created by harnessing the speed, power, and flexibility of Avalanche to build unique products for optimal payment solutions.”
Nadim Chamoun, Sr. BD Associate at Ava Labs

Twentysix Cloud is enhancing its integration with EVM blockchains like Avalanche to facilitate global streaming payments. This enhancement enables a seamless Pay-As-You-Go payment system that operates effortlessly across node operators, who contribute to maintaining and securing the network independently.

Jonathan Schemoul, co-founder and CEO of aleph.im, shared, “Twentysix Cloud offers a wide range of products for companies who wish to use an alternative solution to traditional cloud services. Until today, our users needed to hold or stake tokens to use our solutions. With the introduction of our Pay-As-You-Go model, we’re excited to onboard more businesses and developers, providing easy access to a full Web3 cloud platform. Our product will incorporate DeFi components to facilitate stablecoin transactions and include fiat gateways to enhance ease of use.”

Jonathan added, “Our mission is to contribute to the open-cloud industry as a whole and drive innovation across the space, providing new ways to build, deploy, and scale more effective models for AI. By opening this technology, we are offering decentralized AI’s virtual agents and conversational AI products to all who wish to use it, in a confidential way.”

In addition to its advanced capabilities, Twentysix and aleph.im are GDPR compliant. This ensures that stakers’ personal data remains secure, and they retain ownership of their uploaded documents and metadata. These are stored on Twentysix Cloud’s decentralized storage across 80+ core channel nodes, and 250+ compute resource nodes.

For all Compute Resource Node owners you will need to update it in order to enable Pay-As-You-Go:

• Have IPv6 Egress configured and working
• Add a STREAM REWARD ADDRESS on both your node account page and the settings file.

All technical informations regarding the Pay-As-You-Go feature are available on our official GitHub.

Website: https://twentysix.cloud
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwentySixCloud

About Twentysix Cloud

Twentysix Cloud is a cross-chain cloud solution powered by the aleph.im decentralized network, which offers developers access to databases, computing power, and file storage. It ensures operational resilience for applications, particularly in AI, DeFi, and gaming industries. Since 2020, its marketplace Instances and Micro-Virtual Machines have provided scalable, high-performance resources across various blockchains.

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Aleph.im launches Twentysix Cloud: The most advanced marketplace for decentralized cloud computing was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

What is DePIN?

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) challenges traditional infrastructure models by decentralizing the development and maintenance of physical infrastructure. This paradigm shift is not just theoretical; it’s a practical reimagining of how we build and interact with the physical components of technology.

DePIN represent an innovative convergence of blockchain technology with physical infrastructure. It is a framework where the development, operation, and maintenance of physical infrastructure — such as servers, sensors, and connectivity devices — are distributed among a network of individual contributors instead of being centrally managed. This decentralized approach is facilitated and incentivized through blockchain technology, leveraging token economics to motivate participation and ensure secure, transparent operations.

The components of DePIN

DePIN consists mainly of four components:

1. Physical Infrastructure: This involves the tangible, real-world components like servers, sensors, and connectivity hardware. These are essential for building out the network’s physical presence and capabilities.
2. Offchain Compute Infrastructure: This refers to the middleware required for processing real-world data before it’s integrated into the blockchain network. It’s crucial for managing and interpreting the data collected by physical infrastructure.
3. Blockchain Architecture: Blockchain serves as the foundational technology for decentralized infrastructures, providing a decentralized and secure ledger. It’s key for maintaining device registries and underpinning the network’s token economy.
4. Token Incentives: Tokens are used both as a reward mechanism to incentivize network participants and as the currency within the network’s economy. This incentivization is central to motivating contributors to build and maintain the network.

The advantages of DePIN

Enhanced security:

• Decentralization: The decentralized nature of DePIN inherently enhances security. Unlike centralized systems where a single point of failure could compromise the entire network, decentralized systems are more resilient to attacks and breaches.
• Blockchain Technology: The use of blockchain technology ensures that all transactions and data exchanges are transparent and immutable. This creates an environment where alterations or unauthorized access are easily detectable and preventable.
• Example: IoTeX’s Ucam, a home security camera that only the user can access, is a prime example. Data is secured on the blockchain, ensuring privacy and preventing unauthorized access​​.

Improved efficiency:

• Reduced Overhead and Costs: By leveraging community resources for infrastructure development and maintenance, DePIN networks can operate with significantly reduced overhead and costs compared to traditional centralized models.
• Rapid Deployment and Scaling: The crowdsourcing model allows for quicker deployment and scaling of infrastructure, as it does not rely on a single entity for resources and development.
• Example: Projects like Libertai.io, which is a a decentralized open-source AI running without the need for centralized infrastructure deployment​​​​.

Resilience against failures:

• Distributed Nature: The distributed architecture of DePIN provides high resilience against systemic failures. If one node or component fails, the rest of the network continues to function without significant disruption.
• Self-Healing and Redundancy: Many DePIN systems are designed to be self-healing, with built-in redundancies that ensure continuous operation even when individual components fail.
• Example: Sensor networks in DePIN, like those used for environmental monitoring or smart city applications, exemplify this resilience. With sensors distributed across a wide area and decentralized data processing, the network remains operational and reliable even if some sensors are compromised or fail.

What Is the Flywheel of DePIN?

The DePIN Flywheel effect is a vital outcome of effective tokenization. As usage of the network increases, so does the demand and value of its tokens. This increase in value acts as a powerful incentive, encouraging both existing and new participants to contribute more to the network. Contributions can range from adding physical infrastructure to developing applications or maintaining operations. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle: as the network grows and becomes more valuable, it attracts more users and contributors, further propelling its growth and development. A prime example of this effect can be observed in aleph.im network, where users are rewarded with tokens for hosting and maintaining nodes. The expanding network coverage increased the utility and demand for the tokens, drawing more participants to contribute to the network’s expansion.

However, the long-term sustainability of this flywheel effect hinges on the continuous delivery of real value and utility by the network. It is not just about expanding in size but also in the quality and diversity of services offered. Managing the token economy is a delicate balancing act; it is crucial to provide the right level of incentives without causing inflationary pressure on the token or diluting its value through excessive issuance. Moreover, DePIN projects must be agile in adapting to changing market dynamics and regulatory landscapes to ensure that their tokenomics remain robust and relevant.

In essence, tokenization and the DePIN Flywheel effect form the core of how decentralized physical infrastructure networks operate and evolve. By effectively leveraging these mechanisms, DePIN presents a compelling alternative to traditional centralized infrastructure models, marked by enhanced participation, efficiency, and resilience.

How aleph.im contributes to the DePIN ecosystem?

Aleph.im’s Current Role and Contributions

Our network offers decentralized cloud solutions, including computing and storage solutions, which are fundamental components of any DePIN. Aleph.im solutions enable decentralized applications and various businesses to store and manage data securely and efficiently, without relying on traditional, centralized cloud providers.

Another significant contribution of aleph.im is its focus on interoperability and cross-chain functionalities. In the DePIN context, this is crucial as it allows various decentralized networks and devices to communicate and interact seamlessly, regardless of the underlying blockchain technology. This interoperability is vital for the scalability and widespread adoption of DePIN, as it ensures compatibility and enhances the overall utility of the decentralized infrastructure.

Furthermore, aleph.im is actively involved in providing decentralized database services. This aspect is crucial for DePIN, as managing vast amounts of data generated by decentralized networks requires robust, secure, and scalable database solutions. Aleph.im’s decentralized databases offer an alternative to traditional databases, which are often vulnerable to central points of failure and security breaches.

Future Plans and Visions

Looking ahead, aleph.im has ambitious plans for further integrating and contributing to the DePIN ecosystem by integrating GPU support. One of the key future initiative is to expand its decentralized computing. This expansion will not only provide more resources for DePIN projects but also enhance the overall efficiency and reliability of AI, Libertai.io.

By providing developers with easy-to-use tools, documentation, and support, aleph.im aims to encourage more innovation and development within its ecosystem. This initiative will lead to the creation of new dApps and services that leverage its layer infrastructure, driving further growth and diversity in the ecosystem.

Conclusion

The exploration of DePIN opens a window into a future where infrastructure is not only smarter but also more equitable, efficient, and resilient. DePIN reimagines traditional models by embedding decentralization at the core of physical infrastructure, harnessing the power of blockchain technology, and leveraging token economics for incentivization and governance.

From enhancing security to improving efficiency, and from demonstrating resilience against failures to fostering community-driven growth, DePIN stands at the forefront of a significant shift in how we conceive and interact with infrastructure today.

Aleph.im’s contribution to this evolving ecosystem underscores the importance of decentralized services in supporting and advancing DePIN. With its focus on decentralized computing, storage solutions, and cross-chain functionalities, aleph.im is not just a participant but a catalyst in the DePIN landscape. Aleph.im will play a crucial role in shaping this dynamic field, paving the way for a future where decentralized infrastructure is the norm, not the exception.

References

1. https://review.stanfordblockchain.xyz/p/32-depin-decentralized-physical-infrastructure
2. https://depinhub.io/projects/aleph
3. https://www.bnbchain.org/en/blog/the-rise-of-depin-and-its-impact-on-web3
4. https://www.coingecko.com/learn/depin-crypto-decentralized-physical-infrastructure-networks
5. https://iotex.io/blog/what-are-decentralized-physical-infrastructure-networks-depin/
6. https://messari.io/crypto-theses-for-2024

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A beginner’s guide to Decentralized Physical Infrastructure was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

This year’s roadmap from aleph.im is not just a list of targets but a blueprint for innovation in DePin (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure). This detailed roadmap aims to dissect the technical aspects and strategic implications of each element in this year’s development. From enhancing GPU support in Virtual Machines to the integration of Oracle and the deployment of Confidential Virtual Machines, aleph.im’s agenda is set to address critical needs in decentralized computing while paving the way for new industry standards.

XXVI

Is it a code name for a meme or something bigger? Will you be able to decipher 26 like a true detective?

Pay-as-you-Go

AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure typically operate on a pay-as-you-go model, where users pay for the resources they consume. This model offers flexibility and scalability, as costs are directly linked to usage.

Our approach is to implement a similar structure in a decentralized environment to provide more transparency and lower costs due to the distributed nature of resources. This system will involve payment streams, in our native token $ALEPH and stablecoins, enabling users to pay for exactly the amount of computing or storage resources they consume, by the millisecond. We are working with a dedicated blockchain and payment stream protocol to offer the best stream solution at a lower cost.

Additional explanation: When a payment is made to rent computing resources, the CRN chosen receives 80% of the payment allocation whether it is in $ALEPH or in stablecoins. The remaining 20% is used as a protocol fee, going to the aleph network to keep incentivizing node operators, pay for network development and other exciting things. If the payment was made in stablecoin then it is automatically converted in $ALEPH to the network.

Example n°1: A user rents computing resources to the CRN “ABC” for a total of $100 paid in $ALEPH. The stream distributes 80$ in $ALEPH to the CRN operator and 20$ in $ALEPH goes to the network.

Example n°2: A user rents computing resources to the CRN “XYZ” for a total of $100 paid in $USDC. The stream distributes 80$ in $USDC to the CRN operator and 20$ in $USDC automatically converted in $ALEPH and goes to the network.

Oracle

Developing an oracle has meant creating a system that not only fetches data from external sources but also indexes this data, making it easily accessible and usable for decentralized applications. This enhancement has significantly improved the dApp ecosystem on aleph.im by providing reliable and efficient access to real-world data.

In 2023, we successfully launched our reverse oracle, which allows data to flow from blockchains to the aleph network, essentially functioning as the opposite of a traditional oracle that imports external data into the blockchain.

This year, we are launching our advanced oracle that fetches data from multiple sources, further enhancing reliability and reducing the risk of manipulation. Paired with our decentralized cloud solutions, we plan to increase the security for Real World Assets (RWAs) on-chain.

GPU support for Virtual Machines

Centralized Clouds like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure offer robust GPU support for virtual machines, catering to high-performance computing tasks like AI, ML model training, inference, and graphics rendering.

Incorporating GPU support in Aleph.im’s decentralized Virtual Machines will make high-performance computing tasks more accessible in the decentralized space. It will democratize access to high-powered computing resources, potentially at a lower cost due to the decentralized nature of resource allocation. GPU support in aleph.im’s VMs will significantly enhance the network’s capabilities for handling compute-intensive tasks like AI, machine learning, and complex data processing. This is especially pertinent given aleph.im’s focus on decentralized AI, as seen in projects like Libertai.io.

IPFS on Virtual Machines executors

Compute Resource Nodes currently rely on [Core Channel Nodes / other nodes on the network] to obtain the files required to run Virtual Machines. Running their own IPFS node locally, tuned to their requirements, will significantly enhance the reliability, the security and the flexibility of data transfers in the decentralized network.

Confidential Virtual Machines

Aleph.im offers a range of computing solutions, including on-demand and persistent virtual machine instances, and soon confidential VMs. A key aspect of these confidential VMs is their ability to run with fully encrypted and isolated memory, storage, and execution. This means that the data processed within these VMs is protected from external access, including from the host system. This level of security is crucial for applications that handle sensitive data or require a high degree of privacy. The decentralized framework not only adds a layer of security through its inherent design but also promotes trustlessness in the system. Users can process data without having to place trust in a central authority, as is the case with traditional cloud services. Aleph.im’s decentralized nature will offer additional benefits in terms of enhanced security and trust minimization.

We also emphasize ease of use in our cloud solutions, offering a user-friendly interface for setting up and managing these VMs, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.

We are actively working on confidential computing for aleph.im meaning that it will support confidential AI inference: no one, not even the node operator will be able to see what is being passed to or generated by a model.

Network Health Status Page and Dashboard

This service typically offers a comprehensive dashboard and status pages for the network, ensuring transparency about system performance and issues. A network health status page for aleph.im will serve a similar purpose, providing transparency about the decentralized network’s status. This will be critical for trust and reliability, as users will monitor network health in real-time, which is vital for decentralized infrastructure.

New EVM chains supported

Supporting new EVM chains indicates expanding compatibility with different blockchain protocols. This will enhance aleph.im’s utility in the broader blockchain ecosystem, allowing more dApps and services built on various EVM-compatible chains to integrate and operate on aleph.im’s platform, especially in the gaming industry.

GeoLocalisation and selection for Storage and Compute Resource Nodes

Centralized Clouds offer region-specific data centers, allowing users to choose where their data is stored and processed for reasons like latency and legal compliance.

Aleph.im’s approach to implement geolocation for storage and compute nodes in a decentralized network will be a significant step. It will allow users to select nodes based on geographic location, optimizing for latency and adhering to data sovereignty laws, which is particularly relevant in scenarios where data needs to remain within specific geographical boundaries and hardware features.

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Aleph.im 2024 Roadmap was originally published in Aleph Cloud on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.