DePINs: Key to Crypto Mass Adoption, Says XYO Co-founder
Decentralized physical infrastructure networks, or DePINs, remain a trending topic in the Web3 arena this cycle. Although the technology has existed for several years, it has recently garnered renewed enthusiasm as bullish sentiment returns to the cryptocurrency market. DePINs enable ordinary individuals to contribute their physical resources, such as hard drive space or bandwidth, to support a broader decentralized network. One notable project in this space is XYO, where users store data for clients and earn cryptocurrency in return.
In the 38th episode of a podcast, hosts Jonathan DeYoung and Ray Salmond engage with Markus Levin, co-founder and head of operations at XY Labs, the developers behind the XYO protocol. Levin presents a compelling argument that DePINs have the potential to enhance the reliability of artificial intelligence and have already made significant strides toward widespread cryptocurrency adoption. This conversation marks the first in a series of in-person interviews conducted at the Consensus 2024 conference.
Levin highlighted the issue of AI models “hallucinating,” or producing erroneous information as fact. He contended that DePIN systems like XYO, which provide verifiable data provenance, could act as a defense against such misinformation. “The problem with hallucination is that the underlying data is often incorrect. The AI doesn’t know which data to trust. What we do is offer certainty around that data,” Levin explained. He emphasized the importance of knowing the origin and transfer path of data, particularly in critical areas such as medical information.
“Consider a simple question like a chicken soup recipe; the relevancy might not be as significant,” Levin noted. “When dealing with medical data, such as determining the best treatment plan for a patient, it’s crucial to ensure that the data’s source is reliable.” This level of data integrity is something he believes DePINs can uniquely provide, offering a higher standard of trust and accuracy in AI-generated outputs.
When asked about the current excitement around DePINs and whether it constitutes a market bubble, Levin firmly stated that “there’s definitely no DePIN bubble.” He suggested that DePINs are merely at the early stages of a long growth trajectory. Levin acknowledged the existing enthusiasm but argued that the hype is justified as DePINs are scalable and meet genuine client needs. “Other projects want to enter this space because it genuinely works,” he said.
Levin highlighted the success of long-established projects and compared them to the emerging reliability of DePIN. “While some successful projects exist, those that have consistently proven themselves over time are few. DePIN, Builds real business models,” Levin asserted. He emphasized that DePINs have demonstrated their viability and scalability, making them attractive to various stakeholders in the Web3 ecosystem.
When asked if a DePIN protocol could be the game-changing app leading to mass adoption, Levin responded confidently, “We built it.” He cited impressive user statistics, noting that “80% of our users are non-crypto people, and 95% of them convert to crypto people. We’ve onboarded more than 7 million individuals.” This data supports his belief in the potential of DePINs to drive widespread adoption of blockchain technology.
Levin concluded with an optimistic vision, stating, “We want blockchain to be ubiquitous, and DePIN can really make that happen.” His confidence in the transformative impact of DePINs is evident, underscoring their potential to facilitate mainstream acceptance of decentralized technologies.
To delve further into Levin’s insights — including XYO’s approach to data privacy, the distinctions between DePIN and the Internet of Things, and other details — the full episode is available on ’s Podcasts page, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Be sure to explore ’s comprehensive lineup of other shows for more engaging content.
29 thoughts on “DePINs: Key to Crypto Mass Adoption, Says XYO Co-founder”
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7 million users and growing. DePINs like XYO are proving their worth!
Jonathan and Ray, amazing episode! 🎙️ The potential of DePINs is truly exciting, and Levin breaks it down so well. 🛠️🧠
Incredible episode! DePINs’ potential to democratize resource contribution is huge.
AI and DePINs? Such a powerful combination! The future is looking bright.
Levins confidence in DePINs is well-founded. This episode sold me on their long-term potential.
Using ordinary people’s bandwidth and hardware sounds like exploitation masked as innovation.
Yet another bubble waiting to burst. This feels eerily similar to previous crypto fads.
This episode is a must-listen! DePINs could truly revolutionize how we store and trust data.
I’m sorry, but this all sounds like overhyped tech that hasn’t proven anything substantial yet.
XYO’s success is so inspiring. 7 million users onboarded? Unreal! 🚀👥
The emphasis on data integrity is so important. DePINs like XYO are setting new standards!
Great to hear DePINs arent just a bubble. Real, innovative tech with massive potential!
Hearing about DePINs onboarding non-crypto users to crypto is inspiring. This is the adoption path we need!
The way Levin articulates the importance of data provenance in AI is spot on. DePINs FTW!
7 million users onboarded? Probably a huge chunk of them are inactive or forced conversions.
Markus Levins vision aligns perfectly with the future of blockchain. DePINs can indeed be ubiquitous!
What a compelling discussion! DePINs are definitely not a bubble, and Levin’s evidence is convincing.
Amazing to know that DePINs can enhance AI reliability. Levin really knows his stuff!
The idea of DePINs sounds cool, but I have yet to see any real-world application where it actually matters.
The talk about data privacy and security sounds good but implementing it universally? I’m not buying it.
Great podcast, guys! DePINs are indeed the future and Markus Levin’s vision makes it even clearer. 🎧🎤
How reliable can DePINs be if they’re based on random peoples hardware? Seems like a recipe for disaster.
What an impactful episode! DePINs can bridge the gap between ordinary users and Web3. 🌉🌐
In love with this concept! DePINs are the game-changer we’ve been waiting for. 🔄🌐
If 80% of users are ‘non-crypto people,’ how are they ensuring security and trust?
Talk about data integrity and AI hallucinations is just smoke and mirrors. Where’s the proof that DePINs solve these issues?
Listening to Levin talk about XYO and DePINs was so enlightening. This tech is here to stay! 💡📡
Forcing people to convert to crypto to participate? Sounds like another way to pump numbers artificially.
Wow, Markus Levin makes a strong case for DePINs! Loving the idea of crowd-sourcing physical resources. Go XYO!