nkN

NKN, or New Kind of Network, is a blockchain-based decentralized network infrastructure project that aims to enable a global data transmission network built on peer-to-peer routing. It seeks to allow devices to share bandwidth and network resources, with participants rewarded for relaying traffic and providing connectivity.

Technically, NKN combines a peer-to-peer routing layer with a blockchain-based token economy. Nodes operate as relays and data channels are established across the network to forward traffic between endpoints. The system is designed to support NAT traversal and multi-hop routing, enabling devices behind firewalls or behind NATs to participate. The open-source software runs on common platforms and can be integrated by developers to build decentralized applications and services that require distributed transport or edge connectivity.

Economy and governance: The network's native token, NKN, is used to pay for bandwidth and data transmission and to compensate node operators for relaying traffic. Token issuance, consensus mechanisms, and governance specifics are described in project documentation, with participants contributing computing and network resources in exchange for tokens.

Applications and ecosystem: NKN has been associated with use cases such as decentralized VPN and content delivery, IoT connectivity, and secure data transmission. The project emphasizes openness and interoperability, encouraging developers and enterprises to deploy on its network.

History: The project originated with a white paper and open-source software, released in the late 2010s, and has since grown a community of node operators and developers worldwide. It aims to provide an alternative transport layer for the internet that reduces reliance on centralized telecommunications infrastructure.