What is Roam?

Roam is a decentralized WiFi network built on the Solana blockchain, belonging to the DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) sector. Roam incentivizes users to share their idle WiFi resources through token rewards, creating a distributed wireless network that spans the globe. By leveraging blockchain technology, Roam aims to break the centralized monopoly of traditional telecommunications, reduce network access costs, and enhance coverage, achieving a more decentralized, secure, and extensive wireless network.

Since its establishment in 2021, Roam has expanded to over 140 countries, deploying more than 1.21 million devices, making it one of the largest DePIN networks globally. Users can connect to 2.1 million OpenRoaming hotspots through the Roam App and enjoy low-cost global data services without the need for a physical SIM card.

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Why is Roam Needed?

The traditional telecommunications industry primarily relies on centralized Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These providers must invest substantial capital to build base stations, resulting in high user fees and limited access to stable services in remote areas. Additionally, centralized network architectures are prone to single points of failure; if a central node encounters issues, it can lead to widespread network outages. From a user privacy perspective, the monopolistic model leaves users with little autonomy over network resources, exposing them to data privacy risks.

Roam’s DePIN model incentivizes individual participation in network construction through a token economy, creating a “shared network economy”: users can earn rewards by contributing bandwidth, while end-users can access the network at lower costs. By aggregating idle bandwidth, Roam can build its OpenRoaming network, which offers automatic connection services at millions of locations worldwide, enabling seamless roaming between global networks.

Roam also provides a rare level of data privacy protection through its blockchain credential system. This system utilizes Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and Verifiable Credentials (VCs) to ensure the security and privacy of user data, establishing a secure authentication layer for the entire network.

From an industry trend perspective, this model not only optimizes resource utilization but also promotes the integration of Web3 with physical infrastructure, aligning with the explosive growth of IoT and AI devices that demand distributed networks. Compared to traditional telecom services, Roam’s distributed model is more resilient and censorship-resistant, making it particularly suitable for remote areas or markets with weak network infrastructure.

OpenRoaming Network

Roam’s OpenRoaming network is the core of its seamless global connectivity. This network allows users to switch freely between WiFi hotspots worldwide without repeated authentication or login processes.

Any WiFi login at a Roam OpenRoaming hotspot (or local network) is executed by blockchain nodes, which verify the user’s decentralized identity credential (DID) during the mining process. When a user connects to a specific node, all Roam routers work together to validate their DID credential. Smart contracts automate the execution of network incentive mechanisms; when users share network bandwidth, smart contracts automatically reward them based on predefined rules. Additionally, smart contracts can manage the permissions and qualifications of network nodes, ensuring that only eligible nodes can participate in the network’s operation and maintenance.

As a result of the mining process, users earn points that can later be redeemed for $ROAM tokens.

Roam’s recently launched global smart eSIM service further enhances its seamless roaming capabilities. This service allows users to switch networks across different countries without changing physical SIM cards. This not only provides convenience for users but also offers a solution for the global deployment of IoT devices.

Privacy Protection

Privacy protection is another significant innovation that Roam offers to its users. The privacy protection mechanism of Roam is based on its blockchain credential system, primarily utilizing Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and Verifiable Credentials (VCs). This system is designed to ensure that users can effectively protect their personal information’s security and privacy when connecting to the network.

Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) are one of the core components of Roam’s blockchain credential system, mapping users’ real identities to their digital identities. Users can verify their identities in various application scenarios through DIDs without relying on traditional identity verification methods. This approach not only enhances users’ control over their identities but also reduces the risk of identity theft.

Verifiable Credentials (VCs) are another essential component of this system. VCs are digital credentials that can prove a user’s identity to routers and other devices without disclosing specific personal information. For instance, when a user attempts to connect to a WiFi hotspot, Roam’s routers will verify the user’s DID credential, ensuring the authenticity of the user’s identity. This process effectively protects user privacy, avoiding the risk of sensitive information leakage during the connection.

Roam’s blockchain credential system not only safeguards user identities but also provides a secure authentication layer for the entire network. This means users can securely connect to WiFi hotspots worldwide without exposing personal information.

Funding Background

On March 26, 2024, MetaBlox (the predecessor of Roam) announced the completion of a $5 million strategic funding round at the end of 2023, led by Anagram and Volt Capital, with participation from Comma3 Ventures, ECMC Group, Awesome People Ventures, Stratified Capital, DePIN Labs, Future 3 Campus, IoTeX, ZC Capital, and JDI.

Roam Tokenomics

Token Utility

Roam’s native token is $ROAM, positioned as a utility token:

• Mining Rewards: Users can earn $ROAM mining incentives by contributing WiFi sharing, operating mining nodes, and data storage. Mining node operators can achieve long-term passive income through Roam’s economic model.
• Point Redemption: Roam employs a dual-layer economic system of points (Roam Points) and tokens ($ROAM). Users can burn points to redeem $ROAM, with the market determining the conversion rate to ensure token stability.
• Transaction Fees: Services such as eSIM data purchases, CDN resource consumption, and NFT transactions require payment in $ROAM tokens.
• Staking Mechanism: Mining node holders can stake $ROAM to increase mining rewards. The amount staked determines the weight of their computing power and grants benefits such as traffic discounts, priority connection rights, and advertising revenue sharing.
• Governance Mechanism: $ROAM holders can vote on economic parameter adjustments, ecological development directions, and optimization of the burning mechanism.

Token Distribution

The maximum supply of ROAM is 1,000,000,000 tokens, distributed as follows:

• 60% for mining rewards
• 28% for investors
• 12% for the team