Xield Protocol
Xield Protocol project overview
The potential of the Web3 gaming market continues to grow. It is through games that new users enter the crypto industry, leading to the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies. However, most computers do not utilize their full computing potential 100% of the time, even when used for gaming, despite being equipped with powerful graphics processors.
Could the DePIN direction potentially become even larger than gaming?
DePIN (Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks) β refers to decentralized physical infrastructure networks. This term is used to describe the application of blockchain to launch and maintain decentralized networks of hardware, such as sensors, networking devices, or personal computers.
Xield Protocol β is a decentralized gaming overlay infrastructure supported by DePIN.
The project offers an innovative infrastructure at the intersection of GameFi and DePIN, aiming to connect users' gaming computers into a single DePIN network.
Gaming overlay β is a translucent window, similar to a widget, that displays additional information on top of the game without altering the original game mechanics.
Xield Protocol demonstrates an entirely new approach to DePIN:
- the project uses gaming overlays to create the largest network of gaming devices, unlocking new revenue opportunities for gamers and developers.
- aims to attract a vast number of gamers into the ecosystem, providing them with a steady, stable income and contributing to the development of the DePIN gaming economy.
Xield Protocol offers 3 monetization options for overlays:
- DePIN Overlay β monetization of unused computing power, memory, and bandwidth of gaming computers.
- Yield Overlay β integrating DeFi features like staking and yield farming into existing gameplay.
- Social Overlay β enhances user engagement in games through analytics and social trading, while also increasing gaming rewards.
Example of a DePIN overlay in the popular Web2 game Counter-Strike
During gameplay, the power of the graphics card is not fully utilized. The gamer's computer becomes a node, i.e., a computing unit that helps decentralized blockchain networks operate or provides resources for AI tasks. The player will earn passive income until they turn off their computer.
Example of a Yield Overlay in the popular Web3 game Axie Infinity
The owner of characters not involved in battles can stake them. This will bring an additional income of 8.12% per year based on the value of their Web3 asset. Other players can rent the character for a fee, providing the owner with additional income.
Xield Protocol will earn both from staking character commissions and receive commissions from corporate clients for using the DePIN network.
Partnerships
Since implementing such a large-scale initiative requires significant effort, Xield Protocol has numerous partners: 25 gaming projects, 4 DePIN platforms, and 8 DeFi platforms:
- Xen Gaming, based in the U.S., with over 30 million players;
- STAN, with over 10 million players;
- leading esports platforms: 100 Thieves ΠΈ NGR;
- KAP Games (Hivemind), with a portfolio of over 100 games;
- Polygon Studios and Immutable, which will allow overlays to be integrated into games on their blockchains, giving Web3 gamers even more earning potential;
- Sony blockchain (Sonychain) to develop partnerships with games for the Japanese market.
Key benefits offered by Xield Protocol's overlay technology
- For gamers β additional earning opportunities through the use of DePIN + GameFi + DeFi.
- For companies β access to unused computing power from gaming devices worldwide.
- Seamless integration in the form of a simple switch to the overlay in any game.
Team
The American team (of Indian origin) consists of 25 developers based in California, New York, and Chennai. They have extensive experience in blockchain technology, decentralized finance, and game development.
- Ganesh Ram β Co-Founder and CEO.
An experienced entrepreneur and investor in over 20 crypto projects. Founder of several startups β Fantasy League 365 and Creatheist. He has vast experience in strategy and consulting. One of the leaders of the Indo-American Association.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganeshram-gunalan/ - Harish Karthik β Co-Founder and COO.
Over ten years of experience in the tech sector, including leadership roles in various Fortune 500 companies. Skilled in managing engineering teams and bringing projects to market. At Duracell, he scaled an engineering team of 100 professionals, overseeing the successful product launch. He has built several decentralized applications (Dapps) from scratch and is involved in developing scalable Dapps.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harishkarthikg/ - Siddharth Jaiswal β Head of Development, Chief Strategy Officer.
Over 14 years of experience in business research and strategic consulting in client management and project implementation in industries such as finance, Web3, and e-commerce. He interacts with global clients, advising on market entry strategies, business plan analysis, and cost-profit evaluations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaiswalsiddharth/ - Kumaraguru Mani β Product Director.
Over 13 years of experience in consulting and technology. He has advised on technical solutions and operational improvements for P&G and Amazon. He participated in building and scaling several fintech startups and implemented over 10 tech products in banking, telecommunications, Big Data, and gaming. He has expertise in using gamification to enhance user engagement and retention.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumaraguru-mani/ - Ritesh Verma β Blockchain Architect, CTO.
With 11 years of experience in technology, including 7 years in Fortune 500 companies and 4 years in Web3 startups. He is an expert in blockchain solutions for large companies.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritesh-v-50a7614a/
Investors
The lead investor of the project β the American investment fund Borderless Capital.
- Borderless Capital β a venture fund based in Miami. It has been investing in Web3 infrastructure projects, business applications, and new cryptographic protocols since 2015.
Portfolio: Algorand, FileCoin, Kraken, Polkadot, Polygon, Raydium, LayerZero, Wormhole.
Projects invested with Insider Club: Tanssi, Zoth, Folks.
The fund sees potential in Xield and has invested $1.25 million in the project.
Borderless Capital developed the tokenomics for the project, and one of the fund's co-founders became an advisor to Xield. - Other investors in the project include: Animoca Brands, Mechanism Capital, Blockchain Founders Fund and LongHash Ventures.
Token Utility
$XLD β the primary token for transactions, used to support its overlay platform and partners' DePIN networks.
- reducing project fees for active token usage;
- increasing profits for long-term holders and staking;
- governance token, allowing holders to propose protocol changes and vote on significant issues related to the project's development.
Tokenomics
- Token ticker: $XLD
- Total supply: 500 million
- Network: Ethereum
- Our round: Seed (project valuation in this round β $35 million)
- Token price: $0,07
- Conditions: TGE 5%, 6-month cliff, then linear unlock over 15 months.
- TGE: Autumn 2024
Negotiations are underway for listing on ByBit and OKX exchanges.
The market makers for the project will be GSR and Web3Port.
Social networks & links
π Website: https://www.xield.io/
π» Documentation: https://docs.xield.io/
π» X(ex.Twitter): https://x.com/Xieldio
π» Telegram: https://t.me/+VCe9z4koOZA4NjI1
π» Blog: https://www.xield.io/blog/
π» LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xield-protocol/
Why was the Xield Protocol project selected for #portfolio_InsiderClub?
- The demand for the new direction created at the intersection of DePIN and GameFi:
According to DFC Intelligence, there are about 1.86 billion PC gamers worldwide, growing annually by over 1.5% (30 million users per year). All these resources are not fully utilized, so by engaging and combining them, Xield Protocol will build the largest DePIN network in the world. - The project is supported by many partners: 25 gaming projects, 4 DePIN platforms, and 8 DeFi platforms.
- High readiness and demand at this stage: >1.5 million gaming devices, a community of >50,000 members.
- Strong team: experience at Amazon, Duracell, P&G, and Fortune 500 companies (the list of the 500 largest U.S. companies by revenue).
- Attractive conditions: the price and terms of the Seed round match those of the previous Pre-Seed round, which included Borderless Capital and Animoca Brands.