Nodle is a decentralized network that uses smartphones to provide IoT connectivity and services, rewarding users with NODL tokens for participating.

The Internet of Things is expanding rapidly, with projections indicating over 41 billion IoT devices by 2027, up from 8 billion in 2019. The need for device-to-cloud and device-to-device connectivity is growing at a similar pace. Traditional networks, managed by central entities, are costly and complex to deploy. High-density, short-range wireless networks using Bluetooth technologies face similar challenges. However, a new approach utilizes the capabilities of existing smartphones, spreading the costs among participants and repurposing existing infrastructure. This innovative solution is embodied by Nodle.

What is Nodle (NODL)?

The Nodle network was co-founded in 2017 by Micha Benoliel and Garrett Kinsman. Their goal was to create an economic and technical layer that rewards smartphones for performing tasks and democratize the crypto space by distributing tokens to many participants. Nodle’s vision is to build a decentralized data network that provides IoT connectivity and processes micropayments. This network leverages smartphones’ existing infrastructure, enabling decentralized edge computing and crowdsourced sensing without middlemen.

In 2016 and 2017, Micha and Garrett recognized that the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh architecture used in FireChat could connect millions of IoT devices. This incentivized mesh network model began to take shape as they realized the growing demand for IoT connectivity. After Micha sold Piperchain in mid-2017, he focused on developing Nodle. Meanwhile, Garrett returned to the US, which marked the beginning of their collaboration on this project.

In 2018, Jay Goldberg joined Nodle as CFO and Employee #3. Given his extensive background in the wireless industry, he was drawn to Nodle’s innovative approach. Jay had previously worked at Qualcomm as Head of Strategy for their ARM-based server division and spent over a decade as a wireless analyst on Wall Street, including significant experience in China. His expertise helped solidify Nodle’s financial and strategic direction.

Today, Nodle operates as a fully remote company with a team of 40 experts in cryptography, finance, operations, blockchain, wireless protocols, and mesh networking. The Nodle Network continues to evolve, aiming to provide robust IoT connectivity and reward users for their contributions to the network.

How Does Nodle Work? Architecture and Proof of Connectivity

The Nodle Network is designed as a decentralized physical infrastructure network that leverages smartphones to create a digital trust network. It uses the existing infrastructure of smartphones as nodes and base stations, creating a decentralized edge computing platform. The network’s architecture is built on Polkadot, ensuring energy efficiency, security, and high decentralization. The Nodle Chain, one of Polkadot’s leading parachains, supports the network’s functionalities. The network operates on the “Proof of Connectivity principle,” where mobile application developers and consumers enable their phones to provide resources like wireless radio and bandwidth. In return, they are rewarded with Nodle Cash. This system democratizes participation, allowing anyone with a smartphone to contribute to the network without needing specialized knowledge or investment.

The Nodle Network architecture involves multiple components connecting IoT devices to the cloud and generating NODL rewards. IoT devices or targets, equipped with simple Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chipsets, connect to the network through contributors such as smartphones acting as edge nodes. These contributors, individuals, app developers, or hardware manufacturers, embed the Nodle Software Development Kit (SDK) in their devices. This enables them to participate in the network and earn rewards. Once a user authorizes the Nodle SDK on their device, it becomes an edge node, joining the Nodle Network and providing local resources like BLE, Wi-Fi, GPS, CPU, and storage. Participation consumes little energy and requires minimal interaction from the user.

The network contributors interact with IoT devices, acting as gateways for the Nodle Network. Network clients, who pay for the network services, interact with it in return for the services provided by network contributors. The transactions are settled on the Nodle Chain by network collators, who maintain the distributed ledger and handle settlements between network members. These collators maintain a full node for the Polkadot Relay Chain and the Nodle parachain, ensuring the integrity and security of the network.

Edge network operators manage fleets of edge nodes, ensuring their performance and preventing fraud. Network developers build custom applications that rely on or run on top of the network. Nodle service providers create services that interact with the Nodle Chain, enabling non-crypto applications, businesses, or organizations to connect with the network. These service providers create an abstraction layer that allows web2 services to interact with the network, facilitating easy integration and monetization.

Source: nodle network whitepaper

The Nodle Chain, a core component of the network, handles payments via the NODL token and manages interactions between different network participants. The NODL token is used to pay for network fees, connect devices, and reward edge nodes for their services. Additionally, the token serves governance purposes, allowing participants to influence network decisions. Future developments include support for smart contracts, enabling developers to create Nodle network applications that run on the Nodle Chain. This will open new use cases and improve the cost-efficiency of IoT applications.

Proof of Connectivity

Proof of Connectivity is a fundamental mechanism in the Nodle Network, ensuring that connections and data transmissions are verified and trustworthy. This mechanism leverages smartphones and their existing capabilities to create a decentralized network that verifies real-world data. Users participate by enabling their phones to act as nodes, providing resources such as wireless radio, bandwidth, and sensor data. In return, they receive Nodle Cash, which incentivizes participation and ensures a robust and reliable network. The Proof of Connectivity mechanism ensures that the connections made and the data transmitted are genuine, creating a secure and trustworthy network environment.

The process begins with mobile applications that integrate the Nodle SDK, allowing users to connect their smartphones to the Nodle Network. Once connected, these phones act as edge nodes, detecting and transmitting data packets known as “noodles.” These packets are comparable to beacons and are transmitted through the network of nodes. The first few nodes that detect a new packet are rewarded, with the reward amount varying based on the packet’s value. The Nodle Network has a validation protocol that ensures the order of arrival of these beacons, maintaining the integrity of the data transmission process.

Proof of Connectivity enables various use cases, including IoT validation via Bluetooth signals and the attestation of photos and videos. By verifying the connectivity and data transmission, the Nodle Network can support applications requiring high data integrity and security. This includes tracking foot traffic, managing events, and facilitating sponsored activities. For example, businesses can pay users in NODL for visiting their locations, with the proof of connectivity established through a smart device or QR code. Event organizers can use the network to enhance attendee experiences by airdropping digital goodies and rewards.

Participants in the Nodle Network are rewarded based on their contributions, with each coin’s proof of work stored on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) and linked to the blockchain. This ensures transparency and accountability in the reward distribution process. The Nodle Chain, integrated with Polkadot as a parachain, provides the underlying infrastructure for managing these interactions, ensuring security and scalability.

Proof of Connectivity transforms data verification and transmission within a decentralized network. By leveraging smartphones, the most commonly distributed technology globally, Nodle creates a democratized network where anyone can participate and be rewarded. This approach enhances the network’s robustness and expands its potential applications beyond traditional IoT scenarios. Through secure and private digital connections, Nodle connects physical entities, whether devices or people, creating a versatile and scalable network for the future.

Source: nodle network whitepaper

Nodle Use Cases

Nodle leverages smartphones to create a decentralized network that connects IoT devices, providing innovative solutions across various industries. By using the existing infrastructure of smartphones, Nodle enables seamless connectivity and data transmission for a range of applications. Here are some key use cases of the Nodle Network:

• IoT Device Connectivity: Nodle facilitates the connection of IoT devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. This is particularly useful for tracking and monitoring assets, ensuring real-time data collection and transmission without the need for expensive and complex infrastructure. For instance, logistics companies can use Nodle to monitor the location and status of shipments in real time.
• Smart City Applications: Nodle’s network supports smart city initiatives by enabling data collection from various sensors and devices spread across urban environments. This includes environmental monitoring, traffic management, and public safety applications. By collecting and transmitting data efficiently, Nodle helps cities optimize resource usage and improve residents’ overall quality of life.
• Proof of Location and Event Verification: Businesses and event organizers can use Nodle for location-based services and event verification. For example, retailers can incentivize foot traffic by rewarding customers with NODL tokens for visiting their stores. Event organizers can verify attendee presence and distribute digital rewards, such as NFTs or discounts, to enhance the event experience.

Nodle’s decentralized network, powered by smartphones, offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for various connectivity needs. Its unique approach enables a wide range of applications, making it a valuable tool for businesses and organizations leveraging IoT and smart technologies.

What is the NODL Coin?

NODL is the utility token powering the Nodle Network for IoT connectivity. Its total supply counts 8.6 billion units, of which 3.6 billion are already in circulation (May 2024).

The NODL Coin rewards participants who contribute to the network by leveraging their smartphones as nodes to provide connectivity for IoT devices. This unique approach allows Nodle to utilize existing infrastructure, making it cost-effective and efficient. NODL tokens represent the value of the contributing devices’ bandwidth, computing, storage, and Bluetooth capabilities. The Nodle Chain, built on Polkadot, settles network incentives and contracts using NODL, ensuring secure and efficient transactions.

The total supply of NODL tokens is fixed at 21 billion. Approximately 8.4 billion tokens were initially minted on another chain before migrating to the Nodle Chain in 2020. The remaining tokens are periodically issued to reward network participants, including edge nodes, network operators, and collators, based on their contributions. The issuance follows a predictable S-curve, gradually decreasing as the network grows and demand for its services increases.

The treasury for Nodle serves several key objectives. It aims to incentivize third-party developers with grants to accelerate the network’s development. These grants will support building services on the network, such as asset tracking, digital witnessing, and geo-localized NFTs, and infrastructure for the token ecosystem, including gateways, explorers, and governance dashboards. Additionally, the treasury will subsidize early network usage, such as hackathons and IoT startups, and support B2C apps like the Nodle Cash app. Another objective is to create awareness around Nodle to stimulate usage, maintain the coin’s value, and educate users, developers, and businesses. Lastly, the treasury will secure a reserve for a future DAO to oversee the network’s development.

Souce: nodle.docs.com

NODL tokens also play a crucial role in the network’s governance. Token holders can vote on significant changes and upgrades to the Nodle Parachain, ensuring a decentralized and community-driven approach to network development. Additionally, the Nodle Chain supports smart contracts and interoperability with other blockchain networks, further expanding its utility and potential applications.

In summary, the NODL Coin powers the Nodle Network by incentivizing participation, facilitating transactions, and enabling governance, all while leveraging the ubiquitous presence of smartphones to create a decentralized IoT connectivity solution.

Nodle Main Features

Nodle is a decentralized network designed to connect IoT devices through the power of smartphones, creating a versatile and scalable system. Below are its main features:

Nodle IoT

The Nodle IoT network monetizes hardware and IoT devices by leveraging smartphones. By harnessing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and existing internet connectivity, the Nodle network creates a cost-effective, wide-reaching, and precise system for connecting IoT devices. The network uses a Proof of Connectivity™ algorithm to incentivize participants, enabling connectivity and data transfer for various devices, from pallets and vehicles to sensors and cameras. This innovative approach allows real-time data collection and operational efficiencies in various industries.

Source: nodle network whitepaper

Nodle App

The Nodle App transforms smartphones into nodes within the Nodle Network. By installing the app, enabling Bluetooth, and sharing location data, users help transmit data from nearby Bluetooth devices, earning NODL tokens as a reward. The app prioritizes privacy, security, and power efficiency, making it an unobtrusive way for users to contribute to the network. The collected data, which includes geolocation and specific device information, is securely sent to the device owners. Users can easily track their earnings and contribution metrics directly within the app.

Source: nodle.com

Click App

Click is the world’s first digital trust network, empowering creators and consumers to authenticate media content on the blockchain. Using Click is simple: capture media with the Click App, swipe to sign and authenticate it, and share your authenticated content. Click’s auto C2PA certification ensures the authenticity of photos and videos. This innovative app has numerous use cases, such as sharing authenticated event images on social media, aiding reporters in finding genuine content, and enhancing public safety, journalism, and education by ensuring the credibility of shared media. By transforming how media is trusted and verified, Click plays a crucial role in combating misinformation and fostering trust in our rapidly evolving digital world.

ConnectX

ConnectX is an enterprise toolkit designed for locating and connecting Bluetooth devices globally. Nodle aims to connect the next trillion devices using its network, leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) through phones to create an interactive IoT ecosystem. ConnectX provides low-power, low-cost connectivity, ideal for assets that can’t support expensive or power-consuming methods like cellular or Lora. Built on Nodle’s delay-tolerant network of phones, ConnectX ensures secure, private, and interoperable connections. It offers open-source APIs, a mobile SDK for on-site coverage, a dashboard for device provisioning, and comprehensive documentation and support for enterprise customization.

ContentSign

ContentSign provides enterprise-level image, video, and document verification, ensuring your data remains untampered, unbreakable, and trustworthy. As AI and manipulation reshape media, proving authenticity is essential. ContentSign uses cryptographic-based digital watermarking to provide irrefutable proof that images, videos, and documents haven’t been altered from their original state.

ContentSign is an end-to-end solution for content provenance and authenticity. It allows customers to track the origins and editing history of digital content. Industries such as insurance, legal, finance, journalism, and education can benefit from ContentSign’s tamper-proof solution to verify the authenticity of important digital assets, ensuring confidence and accuracy in their decisions.

NFT Minting Tool

The NFT Minting Tool allows NODL token holders to efficiently generate and distribute multiple NFTs. This tool simplifies the process, enabling creators to share links or QR codes for recipients to claim their NFTs. Use cases include minting commemorative NFTs for events, boosting participation in loyalty programs, and distributing unique digital assets. The tool integrates seamlessly with the Nodle network, bridging the gap between web3 and real-world applications. Additionally, the tool supports automated distribution, making it convenient for large-scale campaigns and marketing efforts.

Source: docs.nodle.com

Nodle SDK

The Nodle SDK allows app developers to integrate Nodle’s capabilities into their applications, enabling passive crypto earnings through smartphone connectivity. The SDK uses Bluetooth Low Energy to locate and connect nearby smart devices, transforming phones into IoT hotspots. It operates with minimal impact on user experience, using very little CPU and data while maintaining high privacy standards. The Nodle SDK empowers developers to monetize their apps without ads or user data collection. Additionally, it enhances app functionality by providing real-time data for asset tracking and other IoT applications.

Source: nodle.com

Nodle leverages the widespread use of smartphones to create a decentralized network for IoT connectivity and data transfer. With features like the Nodle IoT network, Nodle App, NFT Minting Tool, and SDK, Nodle provides innovative solutions for a connected world.

Is NODL a Good Investment?

NODL has potential due to its innovative approach to leveraging smartphones for IoT connectivity, creating a decentralized network that rewards participants with crypto earnings. The growing IoT market presents significant opportunities for NODL’s adoption and utility. However, the competition in the blockchain and IoT sectors is intensifying, with many projects vying for dominance. As with any investment, it is essential to consider both the potential for growth and the competitive landscape. Evaluating the project’s unique value propositions and market positioning is crucial before making investment decisions.

How to Own NODL?

To own NODL, you can use the services of a centralized crypto exchange. Start by creating a Gate.io account, and get it verified and funded. Then you are ready to go through the steps to buy NODL.

News on Nodle

On May 21, 2024, Nodle announced a strategic partnership with Hayden AI to enhance data security on its official blog. Nodle will deploy its ContentSign authentication technology to strengthen Hayden AI’s chain of custody process for traffic enforcement. This partnership aims to ensure the integrity of evidence collection through blockchain, providing a verifiable record for each event captured. Micha Benoliel, CEO and Co-founder of Nodle, highlighted the significance of combining AI and blockchain to develop innovative smart city applications, improving lives for social good.

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