This week on the DePINed Podcast, host Tom Trowbridge welcomes Jason Brink, co-founder and CEO of Datagram, to unpack one of the boldest takes in the space: most DePINs don’t work.
Brink, a long-time builder in blockchain infrastructure, believes too many networks rely on speculative token models without solving real-world problems. In contrast, Datagram focuses on what he calls “production-grade DePIN” — real compute, real users and real demand.
From onboarding millions of unaware Web2 users to supporting enterprise-grade communications, Datagram flips the script on how decentralized infrastructure is supposed to scale.
Building a Protocol-to-B2B-to-Consumer Pipeline
Datagram operates a high-performance decentralized network for UDP video/audio calls, with TCP services for storage and app hosting coming soon. Think of it as a decentralized AWS alternative, battle-tested by enterprise users across Southeast Asia.
- Over 400 active B2B customers (many in government and academia)
- Real-time conferencing tech that rivals Zoom and Google Meet
- Up to 10,000 participants per call — no centralized chokepoints
- 70–90% cheaper than traditional cloud or comms infrastructure
And the kicker? Every token used for Datagram services is burned. No emissions games. No shady accounting. Just real demand driving real token value.
Making Other DePINs Actually Work
Datagram wants to help fix the entire DePIN space. That’s why they created the Datagram Core Substrate: a plug-and-play module that other DePIN projects can integrate to handle uptime/usage tracking, on-chain reputation, and even token distribution.
Projects using the Core Substrate can:
- Track real usage and uptime across their network
- Get analytics via an on-chain dashboard
- Let their node operators earn Datagram tokens by routing real traffic
The model is opt-in and open. It enables interoperable networks and allows DePIN projects to tap into Datagram’s existing demand. In return, Datagram gets more routing capacity and better latency. Everyone wins.
Tokenomics
Let’s talk economics. Datagram’s token model is built for sustainability:
- 100% of usage revenue (from fiat-paying customers) is used to buy and burn tokens
- Node rewards are split: 75% uptime, 25% usage-based (with a gradual shift toward usage)
- Token emissions follow a long-tail decay curve
- No extractive fees, no token sell pressure from the protocol
Operators who contribute valuable compute and bandwidth are rewarded accordingly. Node location and hardware matter. Cheap VPS farms on AWS? Not going to cut it.
Beyond Voice: What’s Next
Datagram’s ambitions go far beyond conferencing:
- Decentralized AI inference already live
- VPN service approved on Google Play & iOS App Store
- Future plans for container orchestration, hosting, and other AWS-like primitives
Think of it like this: if AWS was reborn on decentralized rails, Datagram would be the operating system.
Final Thoughts
Jason doesn’t care about hype. He cares about building things that work. From his early experiments in disaster relief with stablecoins (yes, before Tether), to building 85% of IPFS routing capacity at Gala Games, to launching a deep tech infra startup in Southeast Asia — his track record shows a focus on utility.
Datagram is a continuation of that mindset: infrastructure that serves real users, solves real problems, and scales where others stall.
About DePINed Podcast
DePINed is a podcast exploring the frontier of decentralized physical infrastructure, hosted by Tom Trowbridge, co-founder of Fluence. Each episode features in-depth conversations with founders, builders, and investors who are shaping the future of real-world Web3 networks.
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