AIPIN replaces traditional one-time crowdfunding with “Device Activation Mining,” where AI devices become blockchain nodes that generate ongoing rewards based on contribution metrics like uptime and task completion.
Each activated device transforms from private property into a tokenized network asset, enabling users to stake EMC tokens, mine rewards, and participate in decentralized governance while using their hardware.
The protocol ensures verifiable contributions through unique activation codes, on-chain task recording, trusted oracles, and Trusted Execution Environment technology to prevent cheating and maintain reward integrity.
Discover how AIPIN transforms AI edge devices into mining nodes through blockchain technology. Learn about their innovative “Device Activation Mining” model that turns hardware ownership into decentralized, tokenized participation and rewards.
FOUNDATION AND CORE PHILOSOPHY
CoinRank: What was the initial motivation behind creating AIPIN? What prompted you to develop this entirely new protocol?
AIPIN Team: We founded AIPIN based on deep insights into the direction of artificial intelligence development. Today’s artificial intelligence is gradually moving from the cloud to the edge, with more and more intelligent agents independently operating in physical world devices and machines. As this trend accelerates, a key question emerges: How should we provide financial support for these autonomous intelligent machines and grant them ownership and governance structures?
Traditional crowdfunding models, such as Kickstarter, were once important avenues for hardware startup financing, but we found they have numerous limitations. Lack of transparency in fund usage, insufficient real equity protection for supporters, and users’ inability to continuously participate and share in the value created by product success. These limitations often reduce crowdfunding to one-time transactional behavior: supporters pay to pre-order products but cannot participate in subsequent development and returns.
Based on this, we conceived a new idea: Could we upgrade the “one-time funding for pre-purchase” model into a mechanism for long-term participation and shared benefits? This is the problem AIPIN aims to solve. We hope to create an entirely new protocol that makes supporters not only funders but also co-builders of the product ecosystem.
CoinRank: How does AIPIN’s “Device Activation Mining” model differ from traditional crowdfunding platforms?
AIPIN Team:Traditional crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter operate on a one-time transactional model—users contribute funds to pre-order a product, and once the product is delivered, the economic relationship between the supporter and the project essentially ends.
AIPIN takes a fundamentally different approach. Our “Device Activation Mining” model transforms the act of powering on a device into a permissioned, on-chain participation mechanism. Every device is registered on-chain and linked to a user wallet upon activation. From that moment, the device becomes a mining node in the AIPIN network. Users not only receive a functional AI device, but also obtain mining rights, governance potential, and long-term participation in the ecosystem.
This means the device is no longer just a gadget—it’s a tokenized, productive, and tradable asset. Users shift from being one-time buyers to becoming active stakeholders in a decentralized protocol.
CoinRank: Why do you believe AI edge devices need a decentralized ownership and governance model? What real-world problems does this solve?
AIPIN Team: This is a very crucial question. AI edge devices differ from traditional consumer electronics in that they possess the ability to continuously operate, autonomously execute tasks, and generate data and value. If we continue using centralized ownership and operation models, several core problems easily emerge: singular device value attribution, lack of user participation, disconnection between usage and benefits, ultimately affecting the formation and expansion of network effects.
Under traditional models, a device typically belongs to an individual or enterprise, with all generated data and benefits also belonging to that party. This prevents early supporters from sharing in the device’s growth value, and the lack of long-term interest binding between device manufacturers and users easily leads to low participation and retention situations.
AIPIN’s proposed decentralized ownership mechanism directly addresses this pain point. In our model, users become co-owners of device nodes through staking participation in device startup, not just “pre-purchasing products,” and receive economic returns during actual device operation. Each device is viewed as a network asset rather than private property, thus building long-term relationships between users and the network.
Additionally, this structure achieves incentive alignment: user returns are tied to device performance, and project success is positively correlated with user activity and device contributions. Everyone jointly promotes device performance optimization, actually forming more stable cooperative relationships than traditional business models.
Overall, decentralized ownership gives AI devices shareable, incentivizable, and scalable network value, and allows more people to participate fairly in AI network construction. This is exactly the new hardware distribution and collaboration model that AIPIN aims to create.
TECHNICAL MECHANISMS AND OPERATIONS
CoinRank: What happens when users activate a device and start mining? How are rewards earned?
AIPIN Team: Once a user activates the device using a unique code and links it to their wallet, it becomes a verified node within the AIPIN network. Users can then stake EMC tokens to enable its mining functionality.
From there, the system tracks a range of on-chain and device-side metrics—such as uptime, task completion rate, and interaction frequency—to calculate the device’s “contribution points.” Based on this, rewards are automatically distributed from the incentive pool.
These rewards may include platform tokens (such as $MUG), project-specific tokens, governance rights, or exclusive digital assets like NFTs. In essence, this mechanism operationalizes “use-to-earn” within the hardware economy.
You’re no longer just using a device—you’re operating a decentralized intelligent node. Every day of active use becomes part of your mining, participation, and earning journey.
CoinRank: In the AIPIN network, how does a device simultaneously serve as both a user’s tool and a network node? How is this dual identity balanced?
AIPIN Team: Viewing devices as network nodes is one of the core concepts of the AIPIN model. An AI device launched through AIPIN crowdfunding is no longer just sold hardware but an “edge intelligence node” with continuous output capabilities. While users use the device, it also executes tasks and provides services for the network, thereby generating economic value.
The “work” and “contributions” of devices vary by function. For example, household service robots can complete cleaning tasks, smart cameras can collect data and perform local recognition, and AI voice assistants can provide real-time interactive services. These behaviors are recorded by the system and contribution levels are calculated through preset algorithms, including device online duration, completed task numbers, and provided computational resources.
AIPIN aggregates contribution levels from all nodes and distributes tokens from the reward pool proportionally. The greater the contribution and the more real and useful the tasks, the more rewards received. Reward sources include project token reserves, device operation income, and platform incentive funds.
Additionally, to encourage long-term participation, users can choose to lock their received tokens to gain reward multiplier bonuses. Some devices also support API calls, subscription services, or data authorization methods to bring additional revenue, which is injected into the network to further incentivize participation.
This “device as node” mechanism not only enables users to earn while using but also forms a fair distribution system centered on contributions, promoting AIPIN network expansion and autonomy.
CoinRank: How do you ensure that device activities and contributions are verifiable? What technical measures prevent cheating or abuse?
AIPIN Team: AIPIN has adhered to a core principle from its design inception: user returns must be built on real, verifiable device contributions. To this end, we’ve constructed a complete verification closed-loop mechanism, from device activation and behavior recording to reward distribution, combining on-chain smart contracts with device-end protection measures to maximize prevention of cheating and abuse.
First is the device activation mechanism. Each device must be activated through a unique Activation Code and bound to the user’s wallet address, ensuring “one device, one miner” with no possibility of forgery or duplicate registration. After activation, devices gain eligibility to participate in contribution calculations and receive rewards.
Second, core data from device behaviors will be recorded on-chain or uploaded through trusted oracles. This includes task types, completion times, device IDs, etc. For example, if an AI smart speaker completes an effective voice recognition and uploads data, the system will bind this task to the corresponding wallet address and publish it on-chain, ensuring anyone can audit and verify.
The contribution-reward mechanism is strictly bound: devices only receive token rewards after completing real, effective tasks. If offline for extended periods, lacking data, or producing substandard output quality, their “contribution level” will drop to minimum or zero, naturally preventing returns.
To prevent data forgery, we will gradually introduce Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) and other security technologies to ensure critical tasks are tamper-proof at the hardware level. The platform also deploys behavioral analysis and anomaly detection systems to identify and screen potential cheating behaviors. Any nodes with abnormal data will be closely monitored by the system or project teams, with punishment measures applied when necessary, such as address banning or reward deduction.
*Curious about AIPIN’s roadmap and exclusive insights? Don’t miss our upcoming deep-dive interview!
〈CoinRank Exclusive: AIPIN Revolutionizes AI Hardware with Blockchain-Powered “Device Activation Mining” Protocol〉這篇文章最早發佈於《CoinRank》。