In Xtalks Episode 37 on 9 April 2024, Kody, Chief Experience Officer at Layer One X, alongside co-hosts Sam and Ina, dove into the gritty intersection of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) and real-world systems. With a powerhouse panel of Web3 builders, they unpacked ownership, data, and collaboration in a blockchain-driven future. X’s tech hiccups? Just a bump in the road—here’s the rundown.
The Lineup: DePIN Disruptors
Kody lined up a stellar crew: Batsy from Pipe GAL (regenerative finance DAO), Rob of Pipe (pre-IPO exchange for university IP), Mascot from Spirit Swap (Phantom DEX), Kevin of RW.inc (RWA tokenization), Dan from AllTrade (bridgeless trading), and Al of Koi (DePIN mining app). From tokenizing IP to gamifying driving, they brought big ideas.
Kickoff: What’s DePIN Ownership?
Kody fired the first shot: In a DePIN world blurring physical and digital, what does ownership mean? Batsy predicted mass tokenization—TVs, cars, everything as NFTs—driving adoption via CBDCs and stablecoins bridging fiat to Web3. Rob flipped it: tokenization beats traditional “ownership”—mortgages and leases don’t compare to a ledgered stake. It’s stronger, he argued, if the messaging lands.
Q2: Who Owns DePIN Data?
Next, Kody probed: Who controls DePIN’s flood of data—usage, behavior—and keeps it ethical, not a Web2 bidding war? Al shared Koi’s DAO twist—users co-own datasets, sharded across nodes for accountability. Batsy doubled down: Web3’s public ledger flips Web2’s zero-sum data grab, empowering devs and users alike. Rob stressed mission clarity—value isn’t just cash, it’s community impact.
Q3: AI Ethics in DePIN
Kody pivoted: Does AI in DePIN risk oversight loss? Batsy tackled bias—blockchain can scrub datasets clean via smart contracts, feeding fairer AI. No one’s Googling through noise here; it’s niche, precise data. Rob cautioned: ethics hinge on intent, not just tech.
Q4: DePIN Done Right
What’s working? Batsy spotlighted DIMO (car data markets) and Hivemapper (Web3 Google Maps)—user-driven, rewarding, and ripe for the Global South. Rob pitched a grand vision: a DAO rescuing Thames Water, turning billpayers into stakeholders, fixing infrastructure with community cash. Pipe’s university IP play fits that mold—impact over profit.
Q5: Gamifying DePIN
Kody asked: Can gamification juice DePIN? Rob played skeptic—solid foundations trump flashy UX early on. Batsy countered: DePIN’s already a game—DIMO rewards driving, Stepn (RIP) gamified jogging. Tokenized daily life hooks users naturally.
Q6: Cross-Chain DePIN
How do DePINs sync across chains? Rob preached collaboration—think early search engines, fragmented but ripe for unity. Web3’s a revolution; partnering beats isolation. Batsy added: permissionless ledgers (hello, Ethereum) let anyone plug in, stacking value without gatekeepers.
Spotlight: Pipe’s Big Swing
Pipe stole the show, shilling their April 15, 2025, mainnet launch. Batsy and Rob detailed a hybrid Web2-Web3 ecosystem: Pipe’s platform vets university IP (EV range boosts, tooth-regrowing DNA), while Pipe GAL’s DAO crowdfunds it via NFTs. No VC gatekeeping—retail investors grab stakes, associates earn shares vetting projects. Launching on eight EVM chains (Arbitrum to Ethereum), they’re eyeing Layer One X’s bridgeless tech to skip cross-chain hassles.
Wrap-Up: DePIN’s Dawn
Kody thanked the panel—Batsy, Rob, Mascot, Kevin, Dan, Al—for their fire. “Follow Pipe,” he urged, hyping their Discord and beta rewards. Layer One X’s interoperability? A perfect match for Pipe’s multi-chain dreams. Sam and Ina kept the chaos in check despite X’s lag.
Takeaway: DePIN’s Real-World Reset
This Xtalk nailed it: DePIN reimagines ownership, data, and power. Pipe’s DAO-driven IP play and Koi’s shard-smart data model show Web3’s edge—community over corporations. It’s not just tech; it’s a mindset shift. Next stop: a cleaner, fairer world, one block at a time.
