Golem Network (GLM): The OG DePIN Platform Facilitating Decentralized Trading of Computing Power

Golem Network, an Ethereum-based app, enables decentralized trading of computing resources. Conceptualized in 2014, it’s the oldest widely-known DePIN platform.

Golem Network (GLM) is a decentralized application (DApp) that facilitates the flexible trade of computing power and resources over a blockchain network. It is an early example of the DePIN (decentralized physical infrastructure network) concept, which has seen increasing adoption in recent years. Here's an overview of Golem Network and its role in the DePIN landscape.

Origins and Evolution of Golem Network

The origins of Golem Network can be traced back to late 2014, when programmer and blockchain enthusiast Piotr Janiuk shared his initial idea for a decentralized computing power marketplace during a gathering of blockchain technology visionaries and enthusiasts in Berlin. The concept was further refined and developed over the following years.

In 2016, the Golem Network project was officially founded by Golem Factory. The project's Ethereum mainnet was launched in April 2018 to support the affordable and flexible trade in computing capacity between resource requesters and providers. Golem Network quickly became a viable alternative to the more expensive and centralized cloud computing services offered by Web 2.0 companies.

Golem's native token, initially known as GNT, played a central role in facilitating the trade in computing power on the network. Over time, the project also introduced several updates and expanded its ecosystem to include various DApps and solutions that streamlined resource sharing, enabled AI applications and even offered crypto portfolio management.

For instance, the DeML project emerged as one of the first machine learning (ML) algorithm training solutions that leveraged Golem's distributed computing capacity. Another innovative DApp within the Golem ecosystem was Emeth, also known as Blockchain Automations, a decentralized finance (DeFi) solution for automated portfolio management.

Golem Network's Role in DePIN

DePIN projects like Golem Network have gained traction as a response to the increasing demand for hardware capacity across many industries. Applications in areas like AI, ML and rendering often require access to significant computing power, which can be obtained either through centralized cloud services or decentralized networks like Golem.

Golem Network was among the first DePIN projects to launch their products. The platform's decentralized approach and the capacity to handle resource-intensive tasks made it a good fit for many applications, especially in the early days of DePIN. As a result, Golem Network was once considered one of the top DePIN platforms by market capitalization.

However, as the DePIN sector matured and new players entered the scene, competition also intensified. By early September 2024, Golem Network had dropped to 16th place in the DePIN market cap rankings. Despite this shift in market position, Golem remains a historically significant project in the blockchain industry.

Golem Network's Key Features and Projects

There are two main types of network actors on Golem: computing resource consumers, called Requestors, and resource suppliers, aptly named Providers. Requestors specify their requirements by filling out a task template in which they indicate the kind of hardware resources they need.

Meanwhile, Providers join the network and offer their services to complete the tasks submitted by Requestors. In most cases, you don't need to run a high-powered machine to act as a Golem Requestor. Any laptop or desktop with relatively modern specifications can be used to provide services on Golem Network.

Providers earn rewards in GLM tokens for their resource contributions and are free to set their own rates for these contributions. Naturally, the rates set by Providers are one of the variables used by Requestors in their selection process.

In addition to the rates charged, other selection factors frequently used by Requestors include the number of processor cores offered, the Provider's reputation and history of performance, and the urgency of the task.

While Golem doesn't require particularly onerous hardware specifications, some minimums that Providers must meet include a Linux machine with the x86-64 architecture and the nested virtualization option enabled in the machine's basic input/output system (BIOS). These basic requirements apply to standard CPU capacity sharing.

Since early 2024, Golem Network also offers GPU capacity sharing, specifically tailored for AI use cases. Providers who would like to provide GPU power to the network must meet higher minimum requirements, including more advanced specifications for storage and video cards.

Golem GPU/AI

In early 2023, Golem Network floated the idea of GPU capacity-sharing as a proof of concept (PoC). Since early 2024, the project has begun to offer the decentralized trade in GPU power to support resource-intensive AI computations.

As the AI field within the blockchain industry experiences explosive growth rates, many DePIN projects have launched their AI-focused products. Golem Network hasn't remained indifferent to these developments, introducing its updated GPU/AI road map in early 2024.

The project aims to offer several dedicated solutions for AI applications. Among these are Modelserve AI and Golem-Workers. Modelserve AI is a platform to let AI developers affordably run their models at