KEY FACTS: Planck, an infrastructure protocol, has launched a layer-0 blockchain to serve as a decentralized foundation for AI applications, particularly for decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs), aiming to reduce AI compute costs by up to 90% compared to centralized cloud services. The Planck Network leverages a $230 million global network of GPUs, rewarding operators with native tokens based on proof of connectivity and proof of delivery, and has generated $1.5 million in revenue since February 2025 through its hourly, on-demand GPU rental model. Planck’s blockchain supports Web3 principles, enabling scalable, cost-effective, and secure AI development, with potential to disrupt the $4 billion GPU-as-a-service market, projected to reach $32 billion by 2034.
Source: Planck/ X
Planck Unveils Layer-0 Blockchain for Decentralized AI
Planck, an infrastructure protocol, has launched a layer-0 blockchain designed to serve as the backbone for decentralized AI networks. Announced on Tuesday, July 30, 2025, this ambitious initiative aims to accelerate advancements in both emerging technology sectors by providing a robust, decentralized infrastructure for AI applications, particularly those tied to decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). With a network of global processing units valued at $230 million, Planck is positioning itself as a key player in the race to decentralize AI compute power, challenging the dominance of centralized tech giants like OpenAI and Google.
The Planck Network’s layer-0 blockchain is engineered to act as a foundational infrastructure for AI-driven applications, offering a decentralized alternative to traditional cloud-based services. Unlike layer-1 or layer-2 blockchains, which often focus on specific applications or scaling solutions, a layer-0 blockchain provides the underlying framework for interoperability, enabling multiple networks to operate cohesively. This design makes it particularly suited for supporting the complex, resource-intensive demands of AI systems.
Planck’s blockchain is tailored to support DePINs, which integrate hardware, token-based incentives, and distributed processing to create decentralized alternatives to centralized resources. Planck leverages a global network of graphics processing units (GPUs) to democratize access to high-performance computing, a critical component for training and deploying advanced AI models. The company claims its decentralized approach can reduce costs by up to 90% compared to traditional cloud services, addressing one of the most significant barriers to AI development: the prohibitive expense of centralized compute resources.
The launch comes at a time when the AI sector is experiencing explosive growth, driven by advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI. However, the reliance on centralized cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud has created bottlenecks, with high costs and limited access to GPUs stifling innovation for smaller players. Planck’s layer-0 blockchain seeks to address these challenges by creating a decentralized marketplace for compute resources, where GPU operators are rewarded with the protocol’s native token based on proof-of-connectivity (machine uptime) and proof-of-delivery (actual utilization).
Since February 2025, Planck has generated $1.5 million in revenue, primarily from renting out GPU power through its hourly, on-demand model. This approach not only undercuts the pricing of traditional cloud providers but also aligns with the growing demand for flexible, cost-effective compute solutions. According to Precedence Research, the GPU-as-a-service market reached $4 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23%, reaching $32 billion by 2034. Planck’s entry into this market positions it to capitalize on this trend while advancing the decentralization ethos of Web3.
Planck is not alone in its pursuit of decentralized AI solutions. Other blockchain projects, such as Bittensor and Fetch.ai, are also exploring ways to integrate AI with decentralized technologies. Bittensor focuses on decentralized machine learning, enabling collaborative model training across a distributed network, while Fetch.ai facilitates the creation of autonomous AI agents on its decentralized platform. Despite this competition, Planck differentiates itself through its layer-0 approach, which prioritizes infrastructure scalability and interoperability, and its emphasis on DePINs, which combine physical hardware with blockchain incentives
Additionally, Planck faces competition from other GPU infrastructure providers like Vast.ai, CoreWeave, and Lambda, all of which are capitalizing on the ongoing AI chip shortage. The scarcity of high-performance GPUs, driven by surging demand for AI training, has created a lucrative market for compute providers. Planck’s decentralized model, however, offers a unique value proposition by eliminating reliance on centralized data centers and enabling a global network of contributors to provide compute power.
Planck’s blockchain is designed to generate protocol revenue through multiple streams, including transaction fees, software development kit (SDK) usage, and developer tooling. This diversified approach ensures the protocol’s sustainability while incentivizing participation from both developers and GPU operators. Operators who contribute compute resources to the network are rewarded with Planck’s native token, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem where incentives align with network growth and utilization.
The proof-of-connectivity and proof-of-delivery mechanisms ensure that rewards are distributed fairly based on the availability and performance of contributed hardware. This model not only encourages participation but also ensures that the network remains reliable and efficient, addressing common challenges in decentralized systems such as node downtime or inconsistent performance.
The launch of Planck’s layer-0 blockchain adds to the trend of movement within the cryptocurrency industry to apply Web3 principles to AI development. As AI becomes increasingly integral to industries ranging from finance to healthcare, concerns about data privacy, security, and centralized control have grown. Blockchain technology, with its immutable ledger and decentralized architecture, offers a potential solution to these challenges, enabling secure, transparent, and verifiable AI systems.
For example, blockchain-based AI applications can enhance data provenance, ensuring that the data used to train AI models is authentic and traceable. This is particularly critical in an era where deepfakes, misinformation, and data manipulation are growing concerns. Projects like Bloq, led by co-founder Jeff Garzik, have proposed using Bitcoin’s blockchain for data anchoring to provide a permanent, tamper-proof record of data origins, further highlighting the synergy between blockchain and AI.
Planck’s focus on DePINs also taps into the growing trend of tokenizing physical infrastructure, such as compute resources, to create decentralized networks that rival centralized providers. Plank combines hardware with blockchain-based incentives to create a scalable, resilient infrastructure that can support the next generation of AI applications.
So far, the convergence of AI and blockchain is gaining momentum, with the market for AI-blockchain integration projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2031. This growth is driven by the potential for AI to enhance blockchain functionalities, such as optimizing smart contract execution, detecting fraudulent transactions, and improving network scalability. Conversely, blockchain provides AI with a decentralized, secure infrastructure that mitigates risks associated with centralized data storage and processing.
Planck’s success will depend on its ability to scale its network, attract developers, and maintain cost advantages over competitors. The company’s focus on DePINs and its layer-0 architecture provide a strong foundation. With its $230 million network of global processing units and a revenue model that incentivizes participation, Planck is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for AI infrastructure.
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