Nigeria-based WiCrypt Network has received a $150,000 grant from technology giant Microsoft. This fund injection is targeted at “expanding collaboration and enhancing productivity” within its #DePIN development chain, the company announced on its X channel. DePIN stands for decentralised physical infrastructure networks. They are blockchain protocols that follow a decentralised approach to build, maintain and operate infrastructure in the physical world.

WiCrypt recently launched its WiFi hotspots on the Peaq blockchain, a protocol specialized for building both decentralised applications (dApps) and decentralized physical infrastructure, through self–sovereign multi-chain machine identities. Two months ago, the company announced its expansion to Arbitrum, a leading layer 2 technology based on Ethereum.

Founded by Aronu Ugochukwu, who also serves as the CEO of Xend Finance, WiCrypt leverages existing physical infrastructure like Wi-Fi routers and access points in public spaces such as cafes, restaurants, and hotels. This approach creates a decentralized network of internet access points, allowing users to connect securely and privately. The WiFi hotspots empower parties to share their internet connection while mining the WiCrypt Network Token ($WNT).

WiCrypt says its decentralized network ensures internet connectivity in a distributed manner, leveraging existing infrastructure rather than relying on centralized internet service providers. This approach holds the potential to expand internet access in areas where traditional connectivity options may be limited or expensive, aligning with WiCrypt's mission to foster accessible and decentralized internet connectivity.

Wicrypt claims it has over 1200 hubs, operates in 95 cities globally, and has an expanding user base of over 40,000 users globally. Online Wicrypt hotspots can be found on this mapping system.

Photo credits: Leon Seibert on Unsplash