Deciphering MetaBlox

Forward the Original Title: MetaBlox Rises Formidably, Surpassing Helium Mobile with Its “Global Distributed WiFi Network”?

At first glance, the concept of a “user-driven global distributed WiFi network” may remind one of Helium, given that decentralized wireless networks have always been a niche scenario closely aligning with the global users’ immediate needs, with Helium leading the way.

However, the most aggressively emerging contender recently is the new star, MetaBlox—crossing the significant milestone of over 70,000 nodes, ranked second globally on DePINscan, almost equivalent to nearly seven times the number of Helium 5G wireless network nodes.

Behind this lies MetaBlox’s ambition to use a decentralized method to assist the Global Broadband Alliance (WBA) in building a global distributed wireless WiFi roaming network: providing global users with free, enterprise-grade secure WiFi roaming services, ensuring users can easily obtain stable network connections, no matter where they are.

“user-driven global distributed WiFi network”

As the only Web3 project within the Global Broadband Alliance (WBA), MetaBlox aims to break the boundaries of traditional WiFi networks, constructing a global WiFi open roaming network, seamlessly connecting various WiFi nodes, allowing users to access different WiFi without repeated logins or reconnections.

Its technological core is based on Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and Verifiable Credentials (VCs) of Web3 technology, extending the adoption of this technology in three key dimensions: optimizing service processes, reducing deployment barriers, and expanding the user base:

It allows for a virtuous cycle of network construction initiated by token incentives, controlling the deployment and expansion of the global distributed wireless access network, and generating valuable “3W” data—detailing who is connecting, when, and where.

This eliminates the cumbersome steps users currently face during local or international travel, including repeated logins, reconnections, password sharing, and redundant registration, enabling us to easily obtain stable network connections anywhere.

Moreover, users on MetaBlox’s WiFi routers can not only achieve hardware mining rewards but also earn rewards by participating in network co-building or completing other tasks through the MetaBlox App. Since this network also serves Web3 scenarios, users might also have the opportunity to receive airdrop rewards from supported SocialFi and DeFi applications.

Additionally, the MetaBlox network complies with strict privacy protocols and regulatory standards, striving to create an environment conducive to explosive growth in Web3 native applications and user base.

In summary, MetaBlox is a Web3 network protocol aimed at breaking the boundaries of traditional WiFi networks, granting users the ability to connect and roam across global public WiFi networks through DIDs and VCs, and establishing a unified global WiFi open roaming network, seamlessly connecting different WiFi nodes.

MetaBlox’s Technological Advantages

DIDs and VCs

Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) enable verifiable, decentralized digital identities representing any type of entity; Verifiable Credentials (VCs) allow users to autonomously decide whether to share personal resources, and under what circumstances and manner to share them.

Together, they provide users with a secure and reliable connection method—users can verify their identities in any WiFi network that supports WBA OpenRoaming and MetaBlox’s self-built nodes, whether in shopping malls, office buildings, or public areas, enabling them to search, connect, and use the network.

The Only Web3 Participant in WBA

As previously mentioned, MetaBlox is the only Web3 participant in the World Broadband Alliance (WBA), alongside traditional renowned enterprises like Boingo and Cisco.

This grants it support from the WBA, thereby allowing MetaBlox to expand globally without geographical restrictions, with the number of supported WiFi roaming nodes already exceeding 3 million.

Second Global Rank in DePINscan Wireless Communication Nodes

For projects dedicated to building a global distributed WiFi network, the number of nodes is a direct battleground.

Taking the leading project Helium as an example, as of the time of writing, Helium has deployed over 980,000 hotspots, covering more than 190 countries, including 393,004 IoT hotspots and 11,059 mobile 5G network hotspots.

MetaBlox also covers more than 100 countries/regions, including Europe, America, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, etc., initially forming a broad decentralized WiFi network.

According to DePINScan, it currently has 73,580 nodes (mobile communication), ranking second globally in the number of wireless communication track nodes, nearly seven times the number of Helium’s wireless network nodes mentioned earlier.

Meanwhile, MetaBlox’s router with Web3 features, WiFi 6, has completed testing and is now available for pre-sale at a price of $500. Combined with the online WiFi product “MetaBlox Official App” (users can use the currently supported global WiFi roaming services for free and participate in the construction of the MetaBlox network through the app), it can achieve simultaneous drainage of software and hardware.

This dual incentive of software and hardware is expected to further help MetaBlox accumulate the infrastructure and wireless network resources of Web3 global roaming WiFi, thus continuing to promote the growth of its global distributed WiFi network.

Furthermore, according to official disclosures, 447,000 mPoints (see the economic model below) were destroyed in the first week of the social feature release, equivalent to 25% of the total issuance, which also indirectly proves the popularity of its social features and the activity level of platform users.

MetaBlox’s Token Economics

In terms of token systems, MetaBlox adopts a dual-token mechanism (the loyalty token mPoints and the ecosystem governance token) plus MetaBlox NFT. Through a precisely designed economic model, it ensures the construction of an open wireless network ecosystem where all participants can obtain transparent and equitable incentive rights from the ecosystem.

Dual-Token Mechanism and MetaBlox NFT

Among these, mPoints are at the core of the entire token economy. Users can earn mPoints through various activity indicators, including participating in network contributions, direct purchases, and exchanges from merchants collaborating with MetaBlox.

They also have their own use and consumption scenarios within the MetaBlox ecosystem—they can circulate freely within the MetaBlox ecosystem, for example, used for purchasing third-party application services, accessing data generated by the network, etc.

Meanwhile, MetaBlox’s ecosystem governance tokens are obtained through the staking and destruction of mPoints, community activities, airdrops from the project side, etc., with their main uses including participating in community governance and exchanging for mPoints.

Furthermore, the MetaBlox Foundation has also directly issued MetaBlox NFTs bound to specific mining equipment. Holders can obtain governance token rewards through staking NFTs, and this NFT also grants holders special community status.

In a nutshell, the exchange relationship among these three tokens is multilevel: mPoints can be exchanged for MetaBlox governance tokens through staking and destruction, and MetaBlox NFTs can also obtain governance tokens through staking.

Economic Model

MetaBlox has meticulously designed its mining coefficient, such as the dynamic adjustment mechanism for mining difficulty, to ensure that token release is directly linked to the network status. This design not only protects miners’ income during market adversities but also encourages them to provide network services in high-traffic areas, accelerating network deployment.

Overall, MetaBlox’s token economic model encompasses multiple dimensions:

Token Rewards and Incentives: MetaBlox motivates users to earn mPoints token rewards by providing network services and validators validating network quality. These rewards support users’ contributions, thereby enhancing the network;

Token Burning and Supply Management: The token economic model includes a burning mechanism where mPoints are destroyed when used for specific purposes or under certain conditions, helping to control supply volume and enhance token scarcity;

Staking and Rewards: MetaBlox’s token model also involves a staking mechanism, where users can stake and destroy mPoints to receive MetaBlox governance tokens, encouraging users to support the network’s development and construction in the long term;

Social and Network Effects: MetaBlox platform supports various Web3 social applications, promoting user participation through geographical location-based social interactions and activity rewards, enhancing network effects. These activities also contribute to the destruction of a certain number of tokens;

In essence, MetaBlox’s token economic model aims to support and motivate the network’s development and users’ active participation by rewarding contributors, controlling supply, incentivizing long-term supporters, and fostering network effects.

MetaBlox Team and Investment Background

After gaining a deep understanding of MetaBlox’s vision and its advantages in building a global WiFi network, the project team and investment background behind MetaBlox also allow us to further understand MetaBlox.

According to official disclosures, the main members of the MetaBlox team are located in Canada, with the seed round led by the well-known North American institution Synergis, and includes notable investment institutions and leading projects in the industry such as Collab+Currency, DePIN Labs, SNZ, Harmony, and NFT Tech.

Previously, in November 2023, the Wanxiang Blockchain Lab and HashKey Capital jointly launched the Web3.0 innovation incubation platform Future3 Campus, which announced the second cohort of the DePIN track with 8 selected teams, including MetaBlox.

Moreover, its official website shows that its partners and clients include top-tier entities such as Intel and the Linux Foundation.

Roadmap and Airdrop Activities

It’s worth noting that the official announcement disclosed MetaBlox plans to issue governance tokens in the second quarter. On February 6th, MetaBlox also launched its first round of ecological token airdrop activities:

The event runs from 13:00 on February 6th, 2024, to 13:00 on February 26th, 2024, Beijing time. During the event, users can complete tasks by adding WiFi nodes, inviting friends, and WiFi check-ins to earn airdrop token quotas.

Currently, the participation threshold for ordinary users in the airdrop activities is relatively low, requiring only the addition of two WiFi hotspots, the invitation of two new users to register, and five check-ins to meet the conditions, and it inherently features check-in mining.

After all, narrative is always one of the core driving forces in the development of Web3 projects. From a macro perspective, MetaBlox perfectly fits the narrative of DePIN and SocialFi (or large-scale adoption of Web3):

It provides decentralized wireless network services, which belongs to the most typical and popular subfield in the DePIN track, producing market-focused star projects like Helium;

Its wireless network services allow ordinary users to convert to Web3 users while using free WiFi services, achieving a breakthrough;

With the upcoming launch of governance tokens, social activities and incentive mechanisms will gradually take shape. The continuous development of the MetaBlox ecosystem and community could foster a positive and virtuous cycle with more users and a more convenient network distribution, which is highly anticipated.

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