1. What is Aethir?
Aethir is a cloud computing infrastructure platform that aims to be a GPU aggregation tool for users. Aethir Cloud is made up of a network of enterprises, data centers, miners, and retail GPU vendors. On the GPU computing demand side, Aethir is targeting enterprise segments across verticals such as AI Training, AI Inference, Gaming, and Virtual Devices (mainly phones).
Aethir provides a cloud platform designed with a special GPU framework to address high processing requirements. This architecture seamlessly integrates different GPU clusters into a unified network, significantly increasing cluster size and improving infrastructure reliability and resiliency.
This makes Aethir unique in consolidating geographically dispersed resources to tackle large-scale AI workloads, reducing dependence on cloud companies.
The total addressable market (TAM) for decentralized GPU computing is projected to be between $11.04 billion and $20.76 billion. This extensive market includes several key sectors:
- AI: Estimated at $7.1 billion to $14.2 billion, driven by the increasing need for affordable and scalable GPU resources for training and deploying complex AI models.
- Cloud Gaming: Valued between $1.97 billion and $3.28 billion, fueled by the demand for cost-effective, high-performance solutions to deliver immersive gaming experiences worldwide.
- Edge Computing: Another segment worth $1.97 billion to $3.28 billion, benefiting from the synergy between decentralized computing and the real-time processing needs of edge applications.
This substantial market potential highlights the advantages of decentralized platforms like Aethir:
- Cost Efficiency: Aethir offers a more affordable alternative to traditional cloud services, making high-performance computing more accessible.
- Security and Resilience: The decentralized nature of Aethir’s network enhances security and resilience, which is vital for applications requiring reliability.
- Technological Compatibility: Aethir’s infrastructure is designed to handle complex workloads in AI, gaming, and edge computing, providing a versatile solution across industries.
With its cutting-edge technology, strong financial support, and a comprehensive strategy to capture this vast market, Aethir is well-positioned for significant growth. As the demand for decentralized GPU computing rises, Aethir is not just capitalizing on this trend but also shaping the future of computing.
2. Structure of Aethir
At the heart of Aethir’s infrastructure is a sophisticated software layer that meticulously manages the allocation and utilization of GPU resources across its decentralized network. This proprietary system provides Aethir with a competitive edge, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness for its enterprise clients.
Understanding that one size does not fit all, Aethir offers diverse service models to meet various customer needs:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This model provides virtualized GPU instances, allowing clients to scale their computing resources as needed and pay only for what they use. It’s a flexible and cost-effective solution for businesses with variable workloads.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Aethir’s PaaS includes a comprehensive suite of tools and services for developing, testing, and deploying GPU-accelerated applications, simplifying the development process and reducing time to market for AI and machine learning projects.
- Bare Metal: For clients needing maximum control and performance, Aethir offers bare metal servers with direct access to dedicated GPU hardware, ideal for computationally intensive tasks like high-performance computing and large-scale simulations.
No matter the service model, Aethir ensures access to a high-quality GPU computing supply by partnering with reputable hardware providers and maintaining a robust network of nodes. This guarantees clients access to the latest GPU technologies and consistent, reliable performance.
Aethir’s commitment to quality and reliability is a cornerstone of its value proposition, making it a trusted partner for businesses looking to leverage decentralized GPU infrastructure. Consequently, Aethir’s client base includes some of the world’s largest telecommunications companies and top-tier gaming studios and publishers.
Aethir uses Arbitrum itself in its network structure, making the payment offering a better user experience with the $ATH token. Additionally, the network also records transaction information efficiently, solving important challenges such as scalability, transaction speed, and high fees in blockchain systems.
3. Business model
Aethir acts as a marketplace and aggregator, facilitating connections between supply-side participants such as node operators, GPU vendors, and users and organizations from fields such as AI, virtualized computing, cloud gaming, and cryptocurrency mining.
By providing institutional and retail users access to these computer resources, Aethir provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional web partners and competitors. Revenue generation in Aethir’s ecosystem follows a structured model, where a 20% service fee uses $ATH tokens for customer payments to vendors.
Additionally, as part of the sponsorship and activity program for indexers, Aethir receives 5% of the total annual $ATH token emission. To ensure fairness and competition, Aethir allocates 50% of the total $ATH tokens to incentives, benefiting node operators and providers, and ensuring an attractive APR for participation in the ecosystem, as well as the overall sustainability of the long-term ecosystem.
Aethir is a web3 counterpart of companies like Xbox, which provides cloud gaming. Aethir could provide a better cloud gaming experience with better latency, and game developers could also potentially leverage their games on Aethir’s cloud. Aethir will make revenue in their token by selling cloud resources.
Node Operators in the Aethir Ecosystem have many ways to generate revenue, divided into three types of rewards:
- Service fee: Compute buyers or parties must pay a service fee to buy computing power. Payments are converted into $ATH, with 80% of the fees going to Node Operators and the remaining 20% Aethir will receive on the platform.
- Proof of Rendering Work: Token incentives are provided to node operators as an additional reward for completing computing tasks in the ecosystem. This incentivizes supply-side entities to join Aethir’s ecosystem and provide valuable computing and processing work. BProof of Rendering Work is exclusively distributed to containers upon completion of computing tasks.
- Proof of Capacity: Compute Providers receive Proof of Rendering Capacity to prove their readiness to provide computing services. Even without active work, providers receive rewards to incentivize participation in the ecosystem, thus minimizing the risk of participation.
Aethir operates in three main areas, with the same business model applicable to all three areas:
- Cloud Gaming Model: Catering to the growing cloud gaming industry, Aethir provides compute resources optimized for gaming experiences.
- AI Model: Aethir’s platform provides specialized infrastructure for AI applications, allowing users to harness the computing power needed to train and infer complex AI models.
- Virtualized Compute Model: Focusing on virtualized computing, Aethir provides flexible and scalable computing resources, suitable for a variety of applications and workloads.
4. Tokenomics
The main token in the project’s ecosystem is $ATH which serves as the main currency for transactions in Aethir. This includes: payment support for AI applications, cloud gaming, and virtualized computing. Additionally, $ATH plays a role in governance, staking, security, and quality assurance.
Basic information of $ATH token:
- Total supply: 42,000,000,000
- Network: Arbitrum
5. Project development team
Aethir currently has more than 29 members led by CEO Mark Rydon, Mark has held important roles at NOTA Platform, Flux Capital, Gaas LTD, Kulture Athletics, Inc., and Bechtel Corporation. There are also other members such as:
- Daniel Wang – Co-Founder and CBO: Previous roles at IVC (Joint Venture Partner), YGG SEA (CIO), Riot Games (International Publishing Executive), Riot Games – China (Director operating).
- Kyle Okamoto – CTO: Kyle served as CEO & General Manager at Ericsson’s IoT, Automotive and Security businesses, CEO of Edge Gravity and Director of Networks at Verizon Media.
- Paul Thind – CRO: Paul previously co-founded and served as CEO at Triggerspot Inc, and was a consultant at Creadits and Trick Studio.
6. Business tractions
The whole game of computing is resource-aligned. The more resources you have, the better growth you’ll have. Since AI companies have a higher demand for H100s, if you have thousands of them, you’re in a good position. Aethir had committed to allocating 1000 to IoNet, and that’s the highest commitment so far by any DePin project to IoNet.
As the demand for GPU computing continues to surge, Aethir’s unique value proposition, robust financial outlook, and comprehensive GPU management tools position it as a leader in the decentralized infrastructure market. Whether a business seeking to harness the power of AI, a gamer looking for a seamless cloud gaming experience, or a developer exploring the possibilities of edge computing, Aethir offers a solution that can unlock new levels of efficiency, performance, and accessibility.
Recently, on July 16th, Aethir announced that $36M ARR puts it at number 13 for all crypto revenue. Also, this is revenue generated outside of solely crypto Aethir has amassed clients ranging from some of the largest telecommunications companies in the world to top-tier gaming studios and publishers.
7. Closing thoughts
Aethir stands at the forefront of a transformative shift in cloud computing, harnessing the power of decentralized GPU resources to meet the growing demands of AI, gaming, and edge computing. Its innovative infrastructure, robust business model and strategic use of the $ATH token create a compelling ecosystem that not only addresses current market needs but also anticipates future challenges.
As Aethir continues to expand its reach and capabilities, it is poised to redefine the landscape of high-performance computing, offering businesses and developers a powerful alternative to traditional cloud services. The future of computing is decentralized, and Aethir is leading the way.
The information provided in this article is for reference only and should not be taken as investment advice. All investment decisions should be based on thorough research and personal evaluation.