Being enthusiastic about the tech world doesn’t necessarily mean that you know EVERYTHING… we get it. DevSpeak, because sometimes the jargon day to day can all start feeling a little bit alphabet soup.
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about DePIN. An anecdotal and unscientific sampling of coworkers has revealed that it’s likely many of you reading this (also) have no idea what DePIN stands for or means.
DevSpeak is here to save the day! This series is your chance to get just a teeny bit of insight into some techie lingo here and there. Even if you’re not going to single-handedly engineer the next era of tech breakthroughs, hopefully some small window into developer culture gives you a much better understanding of the world as a whole!
DePIN, Defined
DePIN (usually pronounced `Dē-Pǐn), is short for DEcentralized Physical Infrastructure Network. These are systems organized across a physically distributed network – allowing for storage, sharing and other cooperative use of resources without any one entity controlling the system itself.
DePINs share work across a network of computers to accomplish tasks that would otherwise require a physical server infrastructure. Unlike traditional remote networks, these systems allow participating nodes to work together without any centralized organization, while maintaining standards through protocols established on the network itself.
MONDAY MORNING ALPHA THREAD!
Ok guys, let's talk #DePin since apparently, when I look at hashtags, we are heading into a #DePINSummer.
Modern DePINs frequently rely on blockchain technology to ensure that individual nodes in the network play by the rules or do their part. A blockchain naturally creates verifiable accountability for all users of the DePIN, whereas on-chain assets can provide incentives for users to continue supporting the network.
Constant Evolving Technology
If this concept sounds familiar, that’s because it’s exactly what the Gala Node Ecosystem has been doing for years. We’d love to claim credit for the idea of distributed networks, but it goes back way further than us.
Digital resources have been shared remotely by networks for a long time. Remember torrents? Those were utilizing your bandwidth to facilitate downloads… working with other people hosting the same file, you’d each be providing part of the file. This created a network with scalability bound only by its user base.
DePIN evolved fast from those early days. Organizations like IPFS came along and made the world rethink what was possible from decentralized networks. Today, IPFS has created a truly global peer-to-peer network that has become one of the key foundations for the modern internet.
The Gala Node workloads actually operate through IPFS protocols. Each innovation in the chain of progress is required for the next step.
To summarize: A DePIN is a network of physical devices sharing resources, yet physically separated from each other.
These systems can have governance rules, or simply protocols that mandate incentives and punishments for non-compliance. DePINs are often the basis for blockchain ecosystems, but not always. Sometimes a DePIN is just an off-chain, decentralized system.
Still confused? Let’s try a couple examples.
Imagine you want to host a platform that contains all the best cat videos in the history of the internet, preserved for posterity and human viewing pleasure. You start gathering up cat videos (mostly from your hypothetical cats, Mittens and Meowth), then find yourself buying an awful lot of physical storage. No problem, you can just call that big box hosting service… cats love boxes!
Now you’ve got Tb of cat videos, you want to get them to the world that needs them! But… people REALLY love cat videos. You quickly find your apartment stuffed full of server boxes running your growing platform. Hey wait! Doesn’t the big box corporation also have data servers? Yay! Boxes!
Eventually, you have your cat video empire… but pretty much only by the grace of the big box company. Instead of handing control over the culturally indispensable cat videos and data over, you could have involved a DePIN with sustainable incentives… ensuring your cats aren’t controlled by a dog-loving company.
Hmmm… maybe that was more confusing… let’s try something simpler.
There are miners for Bitcoin all over the world. Those miners all contribute work to the network, which uses that computational power to encrypt the next block. Some Bitcoin miners are massive facilities and some are individuals with a few extra machines. Regardless, each of these individual miners is technically a node in a DePIN.
Bitcoin miners don’t receive a paycheck from a central office. They don’t have to keep up with amending company bylaws or sign contracts… Bitcoin provides incentives to miners who write the last block directly from its inherent protocols. It is a self-sustaining DePIN, with each miner a node.
Hopefully those “practical” examples eliminated some confusion for you!
‘DePIN’ Your Understanding
Unlike some other jargon that we’ll talk about, DePIN isn’t necessarily a complex topic that we need to just brush the surface of. It’s actually pretty simple… a bunch of machines that are not physically together doing work together with no central hub. This one isn’t rocket science… it’s just a new enough idea to not always be intuitive.
This idea is going to continue to grow over the next few years. The idea of DePIN is that no individual controls the network… the network itself makes those decisions. Advancements in AI could help power a new revolution of DePIN and with it true democratization of digital spaces.
DePIN is something that you probably interact with on a daily basis. We hope you not only understand the word a little better from this edition of DevSpeak, but also are a little more aware of the systems around you that are marvels of modern ingenuity.
We’ll see you next time to demystify another tech concept! Enjoy the DePIN world!
Please join us in welcoming the latest Signature Edition drop from N8TIVE, a dynamic talent emerging from South East London with roots deeply entrenched in Nigerian culture.
With a growing portfolio of Hip Hop Afrobeats on Gala Music, N8TIVE is releasing his third NFT track, “Yung Warrior,” at 12pm PT, Thursday, March 28th.
A Fusion of Cultures and Sounds
N8TIVE’s musical tells a story of the power of diverse influences to shape a singular, groundbreaking sound. Growing up in a melting pot of cultures, his early days in the choir laid the foundation for a passion that would see him explore and blend genres ranging from afro-fusion to grime and R&B. Artists like Fela Kuti, Kanye West, and Skepta have all played a part in honing his sound—a sound that’s as much about rhythm and melody as story and soul.
“Yung Warrior”: A Tale of Resilience
“Yung Warrior” is a narrative woven from the threads of N8TIVE’s personal history and his family’s legacy. It’s a call to rise above adversity, dedicated to those who face the world with courage and tenacity. Through his compelling vocal delivery, N8TIVE shares his journey of encouragement, identity and the unyielding spirit of a warrior. The song promises to be an anthem of empowerment, blending captivating hooks with lyrical dexterity.
Experience “Yung Warrior”
We’re looking forward to the release of “Yung Warrior” and the impact it will have on listeners. Dropping exclusively on Gala Music, this Signature Edition NFT offers fans a chance to own a piece of N8TIVE’s evolving legacy–one marked by resilience, rich heritage and the boundless potential of afro-fusion sounds.
Join the Journey
The Signature drop of “Yung Warrior” marks a milestone in N8TIVE’s career and in the rich tapestry of global web3 sounds available on Gala Music. As we await its release tomorrow at 12pm PT, let’s ready ourselves to be part of this unique musical experience.
Check out N8TIVE’s previous Gala Music drops at the links below:
“SE” – Legacy Drop 7/13/23 – STILL AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
“Spirit” – Legacy Drop 9/5/23 – STILL AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Don’t Miss Out
Join us on this musical journey with N8TIVE, and let’s celebrate the power of music to inspire, encourage and unite. Remember, the track drops at 12pm PT on Thursday, March 28th—Only 100 copies of the Signature Edition reward enabled track will be available!
On the heels of the massive GALAthon hackathon event we hosted during GDC 2024, the crypto world is paying close attention to Gala. Today we’re continuing in our march toward web3 connectivity and blockchain mass adoption by announcing another awesome strategic partnership that will level up GalaChain in the realm of esports.
The GalaChain ecosystem is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Miracle Play, the web3 esports tournament platform working to revolutionize the cross chain world of competitive web3 gaming.
Miracle Play will soon begin integrating GalaChain, Gala’s purpose-built blockchain, into its multi chain network, further solidifying Gala’s commitment to empowering creators, players, and developers in the web3 space and establishing GalaChain’s presence as a key player in blockchain backed esports.
Miracle Play leverages blockchain technology to ensure fairness, transparency, and a novel “Skill to Earn” (S2E) revenue mechanism. This platform allows gamers across the globe to host and participate in tournaments on their preferred blockchain networks, including the soon-to-be-integrated GalaChain. Whether you’re a PC enthusiast, a mobile gamer, or a console veteran, Miracle Play offers an inclusive platform that transcends traditional gaming boundaries to explore what web3 can do for the world of competitive esports.
The vision of the MiraclePlay Universe is ambitious and transformative—aiming to unite gaming communities from different blockchain networks into a cohesive, competitive environment. By showcasing the unique characteristics and technological advancements of each blockchain, Miracle Play aspires to create a mega-tournament that not only entertains but also educates and bridges various gaming communities.
The Backbone of Tomorrow’s Esports
The coming integration of GalaChain into Miracle Play is more than a technical enhancement; it means that GalaChain’s massively scalable capabilities will be put to the test and ultimately demonstrated to the professional gaming world. $GALA is CertiK branded as the most secure altcoin in the entire world, which is evidence of the unmatched security that GalaChain will provide to competitive gamers from all over the world.
Miracle Play shares our vision of a more secure web3 future and we are excited to work with them in the coming months and years to make that vision a reality. With its capacity to handle the intricate requirements of modern online games, GalaChain is poised to significantly enhance the Miracle Play experience, offering players and tournament organizers an unparalleled level of efficiency, reliability and security.
The Future of Esports and Mass Adoption
This partnership is a leap toward the mass adoption of web3 technologies in the gaming sphere. As esports continue to grow in popularity and captivate audiences worldwide, integrating cutting-edge blockchain solutions like GalaChain presents a golden opportunity to reshape the landscape of competitive gaming. This collaboration will enrich the esports experience through GalaChain tech while asligning with Gala’s mission to onboard a billion users to web3 empowerment.
Join the Revolution
We invite the greater Gala community to explore the vast possibilities of Miracle Play and GalaChain. Discover the future of esports and be part of a movement that’s setting new standards in gaming, tech and community empowerment. Learn more about Miracle Play and engage with the vibrant community through the links below. website, Discord, blog, and social media platforms.Miracle Play website Miracle Play Discord community Miracle Play blog Miracle Play on X
This is the future, where ownership is real and the physicality of an object, idea or asset is less important than what it represents.
At Gala, we empower people to own their content through web3 tech. Thanks to the innovations of GalaChain, users can actually own the content they interact with. This revolutionary idea was first explored in finance and entertainment… but as demonstrated by the recent GALAthon hackathon event during GDC 2024, its applications are limited only by imagination.
Vast amounts of users and resources are already flowing through web3 ecosystems, and this is just the beginning. Still, many newcomers underestimate the risks of the space, as well as the enhanced security that true responsibility for one’s assets demand.
You shouldn’t have to trust faceless corporations to protect your interests. You should, however, have the skills and knowledge to trust yourself when the power is in your hands.
Only YOU can ensure your web3 safety!
Welcome to the Guardian Papers
From our staunch desire to both protect and empower members of our beloved community, the Guardian Papers were born. Through this series of articles on the responsibility of ownership, security guidelines and red flags, we hope to empower our community with something more valuable than any physical or digital asset: education.
We want each of you to have the tools to effectively avoid the scams that can unfortunately still be found lurking in the corners of the Web3 world. We utilize blockchain systems for their unmatched security potential, but there will always be people who make it their life’s work to prey on the under informed, the gullible or – worst of all – the generous. This is a frontier. Frontiers have heroes… but they also have villains.
Understanding and staying ahead of the bad actors is an important part of doing your own research or due diligence– phrases you’ll continue to hear over and over in the web3 world. In this world, your money is no safer than your wallet, your wallet is as safe as your private keys, and your private keys are nothing short of sacred to you. Lose your firm, secure grasp on any of these things and your assets may be as good as gone. This is decentralization. There is no big bank ready to protect you and replace funds that were taken fraudulently. It’s all on you. The power is with the people.
Almost anyone can enjoy all the empowerment of the web3 space… as long as they also understand and accept the responsibilities.
Trust Yourself
Do not let these warnings make you afraid, but instead rise to the challenge of practicing basic security measures to keep your stuff safe! You are more capable of protecting yourself than any corporate bank, but you will have to spend some time and energy taking this power and responsibility into your own hands. This is still totally new, and we all have to learn new habits and routines.
The web2 world encouraged us to focus on simplicity and trust in the financial system. The convenience of cash transfer apps, debit cards and anytime/anywhere banking have taught us that money can move quickly and smoothly behind the scenes with little effort on our part. While highly convenient, it is easy to forget that this system requires trust of countless entities who are essentially strangers to you. With web3 tech, we are rapidly moving toward eliminating the need for trust. When trust is removed from the equation, a scammer’s power over victims is vastly reduced. You have the power to fight bad actors, you just need to learn to use it!
Owning crypto may not require you to trust a bank, but you must always trust yourself. You must trust yourself to never lose your seed or recovery phrase. You must trust yourself to take careful and deliberate actions when trading, transferring, purchasing, bidding, etc. You must trust yourself to follow the income tax laws of your country, realizing that while only you can hold yourself responsible, others will certainly hold you accountable.
Be a Watchdog
We understand that there will always be those who take advantage of anything with value. Become vigilant. Pay attention to the actions of those around you. Help your early adopter peers by watching their backs. These impersonators, imposters, phishers and frauds will always pollute the most successful blockchain communities. Their power will be continually reduced as web3 evolves toward its true potential. There is a constant battle between those here to engage with blockchain systems in the correct ways and those that are just here to try and take from others.
The Reality of Scams
Focus on protecting yourself and your fellow community members through open communication. Enhanced community looking out for each other… that’s making sweet and delicious lemonade out of some really bitter lemons.
Scammers and cheaters are not going anywhere, but the more people we can empower throughout the world, the fewer people will be driven to these types of malicious activities… and the more we’ll all be able to protect ourselves and each other. Doesn’t it feel good to be part of the solution for the big problems?
Within the Gala team, there are ongoing and passionate conversations about the importance of building a road for our growing community that is always safer and straighter than the one before. We’re proud to have been rated the most secure altcoin in the world, but there’s always room for improvement.
Upcoming Papers
This article is merely an introduction to the Guardian Papers series, which will be published over the coming weeks and months to ensure basic security information is available to all newcomers to the Gala community.
Each relatively short article will have the intention of raising awareness to a specific security concern, but these articles are far from the whole story. We encourage every one of you to always stay vigilant and informed, and please, do your own research.
Stay tuned and stay safe!
Our mission of empowerment is becoming a reality, and as any friendly neighborhood Gala community moderator would tell you, with great power comes great responsibility.
Get ready for a new drop from fan favorite TIHANE, a Polynesian Croatian sensation blending the worlds of exotic melodies and vintage soul into a mesmerizing musical experience. Her latest track, “Magic,” drops its Signature Edition on March 27th at 12pm PT.
Born in California and raised in Hawaii, TIHANE has journeyed far beyond the shores of her upbringing. Her adventures have taken her from the vast expanses of Kenya, where she spent a decade absorbing the local culture and sounds, to the rhythmic heartbeats of West Africa, all the while maintaining a profound connection to the West Coast of America. TIHANE’s music is a symbol of her culturally rich background, seamlessly weaving the Pacific Islander spirit with Eastern European neo-soul.
Her past collaborations stretch across the globe, involving producers from East and West Africa, creating a unique and universal tapestry of sound. TIHANE’s voice, shaped by years of recording with Grammy Award-winning writers/producers and performing across continents, truly stands out in the world of web3 music.
Symphony of Soulful Grooves
“Magic” is more than just a song; it’s a journey. Inspired by the vibrant Amapiano movement of South Africa and joined by Ghanaian artists Enam and KC Beatz, TIHANE has crafted a track that bridges the gaps between continents and cultures. The song is a hypnotic blend of soulful uptempo flows and dreamy deep house rhythms, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the fusion of sounds that span from West Africa to the Polynesian Islands.
Join us in celebrating the release of “Magic” on Gala Music. Set your reminders for March 27th at 12pm PT for an opportunity to own a piece of TIHANE’s musical world. Listen now and let the magic of her music transport you to a place where every note tells a story, and every rhythm invites you to dance.
Tune in on the Gala Music app for a special live performance from TIHANE just 3 hours after the “Magic” track drop:
