In a market where many blockchain projects fade within a single cycle, XYO has quietly built one of the most durable infrastructures in the decentralized data space.
During DePIN Day Singapore, we spoke with Markus Levin, co-founder of XYO Network, about how the company evolved from a proof-of-location startup into a global data powerhouse.
Founded in 2018, XYO has grown into a network of more than ten million nodes, serving sectors that range from logistics and real estate to artificial intelligence.
Data as Infrastructure
At its core, XYO provides verified real-world data — information collected, validated, and anchored to the blockchain through a distributed system of devices.
The company began by focusing on location accuracy but has since expanded to include sensor, offline, and contextual data, all designed to increase the reliability of information flowing into modern AI models and digital services.
Unlike many blockchain networks built around speculation, XYO grounded its architecture in real-world utility. It now generates more than $9 million in annual revenue, supplying data to enterprises that rely on its precision for analytics, automation, and calibration.
Bringing Millions On-Chain
A key reason for XYO’s success lies in its approach to accessibility.
Through its consumer platform, Coin App, anyone can contribute data using a smartphone and receive reward points that can later be exchanged for XYO tokens or consumer products.
This design turned data contribution into an everyday action and attracted a mainstream audience.
Today, around 80% of network participants are first-time blockchain users, a rare achievement in the DePIN ecosystem.
The Dual-Token Engine
The XYO ecosystem runs on a two-layer token structure.
The original XYO token supports contributor rewards, governance, and staking, while the XL1 token powers the new XYO Layer 1 blockchain — serving as gas and protection for on-chain operations.
This model strengthens the network’s long-term stability: staking XYO to earn XL1 aligns incentives and maintains security as participation scales globally.
A Blueprint for the DePIN Era
Over seven years, XYO has evolved from a single proof-of-location concept into a cornerstone of the DePIN movement, bridging digital systems with tangible, verifiable data.
Its growth reflects a broader shift in Web3. By merging the economic discipline of a real business with the distributed strength of blockchain, XYO demonstrates how decentralized infrastructure can quietly reshape industries.
In a landscape where many networks seek meaning, XYO built one — and made it measurable.
