AMA RECAP: Navigating the New Era of Decentralized Infrastructure with Flux and Uquid

On May 17th, Uquid hosted an insightful AMA session that explored the future of decentralized infrastructure. The discussion featured representatives from Flux and Uquid, who shared their perspectives on the advancements and innovations in this space. Here’s a detailed recap and analysis of the session.

Key Takeaways

• Flux’s Vision for Decentralized Infrastructure: Flux aims to build a global decentralized cloud infrastructure that is cost-effective, resilient, and scalable.
• Impact of DePINs: Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) offer significant benefits over centralized systems, including reduced deplatforming risks and lower operational costs.
• Uquid’s Innovations in Web3 Shopping: Uquid is integrating blockchain technology to enhance e-commerce, focusing on accessibility, security, and interoperability.
• Future Plans for DePINs: Both Flux and Uquid are exploring ways to integrate DePIN technology to enhance their platforms further.

Detailed Recap

Introduction and Overview

The AMA began with a warm welcome to the audience and an introduction to the topic: “Navigating the New Era of Decentralized Infrastructure with Flux and Uquid.” The session featured key representatives from both companies who provided insights into their work and vision for the future.

Flux’s Vision for Decentralized Infrastructure

Flux has been a pioneer in the decentralized infrastructure space for seven years. Initially starting as a Bitcoin fork, Flux has developed a cloud-based solution similar to AWS. They have introduced FluxOS, which supports AI infrastructure and machine learning. With a decentralized network of 14,000 nodes spanning 78 countries, Flux offers a robust and scalable platform where users are rewarded in $Flux for their contributions.

The Impact of DePINs

DePINs are making infrastructure more accessible and resilient. Unlike centralized services like AWS, DePINs reduce the risk of deplatforming and lower costs. Flux’s decentralized management solution ensures redundancy by offering multiple instances for applications, making it a reliable and scalable option.

Comparing Flux with Centralized Cloud Providers

Flux is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to centralized cloud providers like AWS and Google Cloud. For example, Flux’s services are significantly cheaper, offering two virtual CPUs with 8GB RAM and 100GB storage at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, Flux provides greater redundancy and geographic flexibility, tailoring solutions to enterprise needs.

Uquid’s Vision for Decentralized Infrastructure

Uquid aims to make decentralized infrastructure accessible, secure, and sustainable. Their approach includes simplifying user interfaces, ensuring robust security measures, enhancing interoperability with various blockchain networks, and promoting sustainability through energy-efficient technologies.

Uquid’s Innovations in Web3 Infrastructure

Uquid is at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology into e-commerce. Their innovations include:

• Shop-to-Earn Platform: Rewards users with cryptocurrency for their shopping activities.
• NFT Marketplace: Allows buying, selling, and trading of digital assets.
• Buy Now Pay Later Feature: Provides flexible payment options with cryptocurrency and installment payments.
• $1 Shop Initiative: Offers high-quality items at low costs.
• These projects reflect Uquid’s commitment to revolutionizing e-commerce with blockchain technology.

Flux’s Recent Developments in DePINs

Flux is focused on simplifying the user experience to make decentralized infrastructure accessible to both Web2 and Web3 users. They are developing new products like Flux Runner and forming partnerships across various industries to expand their decentralized network. These efforts aim to make Flux a seamless and natural choice for cloud infrastructure.

Uquid’s Future Plans for DePINs

Uquid recognizes the potential of DePINs and is exploring ways to integrate this technology to enhance their platform’s scalability, security, and user experience. While detailed plans are still in development, Uquid is committed to aligning DePIN integration with their mission to provide a seamless shopping experience.

Conclusion

The AMA session provided valuable insights into the advancements and future directions of decentralized infrastructure. Flux is leading the charge with its decentralized cloud solutions, while Uquid is innovating in the Web3 shopping space. Both companies are exploring the integration of DePIN technology to further enhance their platforms, making this AMA a must-read for those interested in the future of decentralized technology.

You can read the full AMA text below, but please note that the language has been edited for better readability and may contain content inaccuracies!

1. Introduction and Overview of the AMA

[Catherine]

Hello and welcome, everyone! I’m Catherine, your host for today’s AMA session on UQUID’s X platforms. Today, we dive into a discussion on the topic “Navigating the New Era of Decentralized Infrastructure with Flux and Uquid.”

We have an exciting lineup of speakers from UQUID and Flux, who are leading the way in decentralized infrastructure.

From Flux, we have Richard Lofthouse from the Business Team, and from UQUID, we have Ms. Lola from the Business Development Team.

Richard and Lola, would you like to say a quick hello to our listeners?

[Richard — Flux]

Yes, thanks for having me on, my name is Richard Lofthous. I work in the business team for Flux, so I look after risk and also data science as well as business. I’m fairly across different areas but yeah it’s really good to be here. We’re growing at the moment and as you say we’re sort of the AWS of blockchain and have been going for seven years now. We’ve got 14,000 nodes and we’re a major influence and growing deep in space as well.

[Lola — Uquid]

it’s pretty decent to be here today with all the speakers and Catherines and I hope that we will have the great AMA ahead

2. Can you provide a brief introduction to your companies and explain your vision for the future of decentralized infrastructure (for Flux’s Speaker)

[Catherine]

Thank you, Richard and Lola, for the warm greetings. Let’s dive right into our discussion.

Our first question is for Richard from Flux. Richard, can you provide a brief introduction to Flux and explain your vision for the future of decentralized infrastructure?

[Richard — Flux]

Flux has been building sort of decentralized infrastructure for a long time now so we we’ve been going for seven years, we sort of switch for a folk from bitcoin originally but we run sort of a cloud base solution similar to AWS , so we’ve got Dockers on, we’ve also got new project products on the way called FluxOS which is sort of AI computer as well for hosting AI infrastructure machine learning and structure

But our sort of strength is that we’re worldwide. We’re a decentralized network so we’ve got about 14,000 notes going across I think now looking at 78 countries. These are run by sort of our decentralized administrators which are people running instructions for us at home. They provide the resource and in return for that they get $Flux.

And then we can basically host any application on top of that. So it can be any coding language, it’s code diagnostic so as long as it can be dockered then it can be run as well. So yeah we’re doing a lot in space at the moment. We’re building out very quickly but we are truly worldwide. I’ve seen goes all over the world as well.

3. Talking about DePINs, what do you think about this crypto narrative? How do you see the impact of DePINs on the market? (for Flux’s Speaker)

[Catherine]

Thank you, Richard, for those comprehensive insights. It’s exciting to see how Flux is leading the charge in decentralized infrastructure.

Now, let’s dive into our next question. Richard, talking about DePINs (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks), what do you think about this crypto narrative? How do you see the impact of DePINs on the market?

[Richard — Flux]

Well it may make it far more interesting , it makes it easier so it also offers a lot of benefits as well. So at the moment if you go through a centralized density, there’s always that risk of deplatforming. So if you go through Google or AWS, it can be deplatform now. If you run through Flux , if you’re so wireless did you launch your application. It’s up there with you won’t be deplatform obviously not lawless. We’ve got to make sure that there’s nothing sort of nefarious going on the network.

But it basically means you can launch anything with this and we’re also a lot cheaper because we don’t have the instruction sort of cost of having these centralized data servers. So everything that we don’t have that sort of huge cost of having to manage and maintain it because like that’s done for us by the decentralized sort of nature of the network. Sort of nature of the network so our FDM which is our sort of management solution also makes sure we’ve got inbuilt redundancy as well.

So when you launch on sort of other cloud providers, you’ll get one instance but with Flux you’ll get three instances. So you’ve got that build in redundancy and capability to grow as well so it’s fully scalable.

4. How does Flux position itself in the market against centralized cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud? What advantages does a decentralized approach offer that centralized solutions cannot match?

[Catherine]

Thank you, Richard, for those insightful thoughts on DePINs. It’s fascinating to see the potential of decentralized physical infrastructure networks and their impact on the market.

Now, let’s move on to our next question.

Richard, how does Flux position itself in the market against centralized cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud?

What advantages does a decentralized approach offer that centralized solutions cannot match?

[Richard — Flux]

So obviously with that negation of course we can offer our services for far cheaper than AWS at the moment. So I thought I’d give you a comparison for like two virtual CPUs like 8 gigabytes, maybe hundred gigabytes of storage which includes like full bang bangs as well so nothing’s limited. Where about eight dollars and eight cents compared to if you look at Google they’re probably about hundred and seventy six dollars, AWS were about $79 were a tenth of the cost.

But we also offer a greater redundancy as well so our node and infrastructure are tailored across our three tiers so we go all the way to an enterprise solution which goes on enterprise grade and people may want to locate the wrap in a certain place so we are also offered your location. So we’ll actually allow you to locate your instruction wherever you want in the world.

So you might want a node in America, Canada or Asia. And then if you’ve got all three locations that also gives you the benefit of redundancy as well.

5. As a leader in Web 3.0 shopping infrastructure, what is your vision for the future of decentralized infrastructure? (for Uquid’s Speaker)

[Catherine]

Thank you, Richard, for outlining those advantages in detail. It’s clear that Flux offers unique benefits that can significantly enhance the way we think about cloud infrastructure.

The resilience, cost efficiency, and democratization of access are particularly noteworthy.

Now, let’s hear from our UQUID representative. Ms. Lola, as a leader in Web 3.0 shopping infrastructure, what is your vision for the future of decentralized infrastructure?

[Lola — Uquid]

Hello again, everyone! I’m Lola from the Business Development team at UQUID. Thank you, Catherine, for the question.

At UQUID, our vision for the future of decentralized infrastructure revolves around creating a seamless and inclusive shopping experience leveraging blockchain technology.

Our approach focuses on several key areas:

Firstly, we aim to make decentralized infrastructure accessible to everyone by simplifying user interfaces and providing educational resources.

Secondly, we are committed to robust security measures to protect user data and transactions, ensuring a trustworthy platform.

Thirdly, we strive for seamless interoperability with various blockchain networks, enhancing the user experience.

Additionally, we focus on building sustainable infrastructure by optimizing for energy efficiency and using environmentally friendly technologies.

Moreover, we are dedicated to fostering a vibrant community for collaboration and continuous improvement of our platform.

Lastly, decentralized infrastructure allows us to offer services globally, without the limitations of traditional banking systems, supporting a diverse and inclusive user base.

By focusing on these areas, UQUID aims to transform the e-commerce landscape with decentralized infrastructure, making shopping more secure, efficient, and accessible for everyone.

6. Could you share some of the latest innovations or projects Uquid has been working on that enhance Web3 infrastructure? (for Uquid’s Speaker)

[Catherine]

Thank you, Lola, for sharing UQUID’s visionary approach to decentralized infrastructure. It’s inspiring to see how UQUID is pushing the boundaries to enhance accessibility, security, and sustainability in the Web 3.0 shopping space.

Next, we’d like to hear about some of the latest innovations or projects UQUID has been working on that enhance Web3 infrastructure. Ms. Lola, could you share some updates on these developments?

[Lola]

Certainly, Catherine. At UQUID, we are constantly innovating to enhance Web3 infrastructure and improve user experience. Here are some of our latest projects and innovations:

We launched a Shop-to-Earn platform that rewards users with cryptocurrency for their shopping activities, integrating blockchain technology with e-commerce to motivate digital currency use.

We’ve expanded into the NFT space, creating a marketplace for buying, selling, and trading digital assets, integrating NFTs into our existing e-commerce ecosystem.

To provide more flexible payment options, we introduced the Buy Now Pay Later feature, allowing purchases with cryptocurrency and installment payments, catering to both crypto and fiat users.

We formed partnerships with over 65 major industry players to enhance payment versatility, security, and user comfort, providing a seamless shopping experience.

Additionally, we launched the $1 Shop initiative, offering high-quality items at low costs to make shopping more affordable in the crypto world.

Lastly, we continuously integrate Web3 technologies, leveraging smart contracts, DeFi solutions, and other blockchain innovations to enhance our platform’s functionality.

These projects reflect our commitment to revolutionizing e-commerce with blockchain technology, making it more accessible, secure, and rewarding for our users.

7. Can you share some recent developments or achievements by Flux in the realm of DePINs? (for Flux’s Speaker)

[Catherine]

Thank you, Lola, for those exciting updates. It’s impressive to see how UQUID is continually innovating to enhance Web3 infrastructure and provide new opportunities for users.

Next, let’s hear from Richard about Flux’s recent developments and achievements in the realm of DePINs. Richard, could you share some insights on this?

[Richard — Flux]

Yeah sure, and I think going back to the last one a lot about UI and user experiences is key to what we’re building as well as look. So if you want to bring on more users, people don’t care about sort of how you get that doubt but it’s more the journey. it’s more like how do we make it more accessible for everyday users to come onto the system.

So we’ve done a lot of that over the last sort of few months to last few years to simplify the entire system so not just for Web3 users but for web2 users as well. We flip the block box a little bit, we want our products and our offerings to feel like a simple solution. Looking at like a 3 click deployment, looking at making fiat payments so you can pay fiat , you can pay for your stripe, you can pay for your Paypal.

I’m making all these different options available to the customer so it won’t even seem like it’s a web 3 product or deep in products. It’s just a cloud infrastructure product so you can host on us and make that simpler and make the entire journey simpler along the line but we’re still doing a lot of that but that’s our current sort of focus as well.

So as well as when we bring on our new products, our new products are gonna be to that standard where it’ll just seem like a natural interface. It’s not sort of like a Dapp system, it’s not it’s not complex, it’s what you’re ready to use. So when you come to a sort of launch word press on like a lot of websites use WordPress at the moment. we’re doing a lot of work in the background to bring that offering but also Wordpressor is allowing us to do many other things so sort of three click deployments of date spaces sort of my SQL date spaces.

I’ve also a big opportunity for us now and that’s just growing so more and more data can be decentralized in order to start a decentralized network and that’s what we’re aiming for to grow the adoption. But with sort of people can be on board and existing users spreading the word obviously and we’ve got that piece going on. But that’s also got synages with every other projects along the road so anybody can run on Flux

That’s the meaning of it. anybody can get an application, have a credit card, have a simple deployment, so you can choose what you want and that’s the beauty of it. you’ve got that cost you pay for it and then it results to Flux. And everything runs on Flux , so everything’s driving our our network and I instruct you forward and and as you do that more users come on board so more people want to to be involved in the ecosystem

So we’ve recently started sponsoring two American football teams in the UFL with high viewship numbers soI think one of the teams got like 1.2 million viewers and everybody has just seen one on Flux as a traditional web2 can do. It does an entire marketing effort that goes into making these developments move forward.

And as we do that and we’re pushing our products, we’re pushing our services, we’re making it make a seamless transition from a start seeing things as: Is it crypto? what does this do? But into a traditional cloud infrastructure world and I think that’s the way to tackle it. Because otherwise people will probably get disillusioned “or I’ve got to buy flux on an exchange” That’s probably about 14 steps too many from most people just want to be able to launch an application, submit it forward and the works done for them.

But we’re also offering sort of like money services as well. So we’ve got partners looking at that come from within the Flux community to sort of helpers make up our sort of service like workpress similar. We’ve got products that’s coming up in about 30 days called “Flux Runner”. They’re doing sort of a managed work resolution for us. and we’ve got lots of other things in the pipeline to support customers going forward.

8. What are Uquid’s future plans for supporting DePINs? (for Uquid’s Speaker)

[Catherine]

Thank you, Richard, for those detailed insights. It’s exciting to see the progress Flux is making in the realm of DePINs and the impact of these innovations on the broader Web3 ecosystem.

Next, we’d like to hear from Ms. Lola about UQUID’s future plans for supporting DePINs. Ms. Lola, could you share some insights on this?

[Lola]

Thank you, Catherine. At UQUID, we recognize the potential of DePINs

However, it’s challenging to share detailed plans at this stage as everything is still under discussion and planning.

That said, I can provide a brief glimpse into some of our considerations. We are exploring ways to integrate DePIN technology to enhance our platform’s scalability, security, and user experience.

This includes potential collaborations with DePIN projects and expanding decentralized payment options.

Our goal is to ensure that any integration of DePINs aligns with our commitment to providing a seamless and secure shopping experience. While details are still being worked out, we are excited about the possibilities and look forward to sharing more concrete plans soon.

9. Flux is the highlighted project that utilizes the Proof of Useful work consensus mechanism. How do you see Flux’s solutions impacting the broader Web3 ecosystem, and what are your long-term goals? (for Flux’s Speaker)

[Catherine]

Thank you, Lola, for providing those insights. It’s clear that UQUID is thoughtfully considering the integration of DePIN technology and its potential benefits.

Now, let’s move on to our final question for today. Richard, Flux is the highlighted project that utilizes the Proof of Useful Work consensus mechanism. How do you see Flux’s solutions impacting the broader Web3 ecosystem, and what are your long-term goals?

[Richard — Flux]

So our infrastructure we tend to run till death so it’s not recycled every three years which a lot of sort of if you go to a data center they’ll update the their software, their hardware every 3 years still ship it all out and that that causes a lot of e waste but you you probably don’t need to do that for the vast majority of applications but also the running of the network .

So as mine is everything is driven around efficiency in terms of costs so when people run GPUs to minor networks. They’re actually trying to make that electricity the most efficient to give the output and a lot of that is actually done via renewable energy resources because it makes it more cost efficient and it’s the same that’s happening across the board with bitcoin mining .

If you look at that a lot of people are moving towards renewable resources so I know a lot of instructions there but we are off that availability as well. But having the hardware to have more than one use as well so RGPUs they’ll be able to go into the proof of use of work — model half the network already is. So everything that is provided in terms of decentralized compute that’s already working as a proof of use work model but the next stage is for us to to bring on the GPUs to take some of the additional sort of resources that that people are using to mine.

So in the future you’ll have a GPU that mine in Flux as a cryptocurrency or it could be one of the one of probably 10 or 20 layers on blockchains. But when it comes across and you get, I picked to stop doing that consensus but start doing it on AI models rendering image processing. All those sorts of things make the network more efficient and give you customers the output they need when they need it and how they need it.

They can use those uh for as long as they want so that’s sort of transition towards that. So we’re looking at bringing on every last piece and every last bit of infrastructure into a proof of use work model which helps us grow. It also helps us to take advantage of what’s coming in the future so people want these resources very much either the screaming for the resources and even the data centres. There’s a lot of work there that was part of the Nivedere Inception program as well.

So I think when you look at the video and that what they’re doing we sort of a lot of the bigger cards and all those sorts of graphical compute will also have those resources to bring into our network to also boost our offering across the board so it it makes a very exciting time to be moving into this space as we as we grow our software as well so we’re also looking at B2B solutions. But we also help other deepened networks so we’ve got streamer nodes running on us so we’re actually running a lot of sort of 7 or 8% of the stream network on our network as well.

And then you’ve got research you’ve got other projects that are running on us. everything we’re doing including the partnerships we’re making is moving this sort of decentralized data aspect forwards and that’s what we’re looking forward to in bridging a lot of our partnerships coming up as well.

10. End of AMA

[Catherine]

Thank you, Richard, for those comprehensive insights into Flux’s use of the Proof of Useful Work consensus mechanism and your long-term goals. It’s exciting to see how Flux is paving the way for more efficient and impactful blockchain solutions.

As we wrap up today’s AMA session, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to both Richard from Flux and Lola from UQUID for sharing their valuable insights and updates with us. Your contributions have provided us with a deeper understanding of the innovations and future directions in decentralized infrastructure and Web3 technologies.

To our audience, thank you for joining us. We hope you found this session informative and inspiring.

Stay tuned to our platform for more updates and future AMA sessions. Richard and Lola, would you like to say a final goodbye to our listeners?

[Richard — Flux]

I just wanna say thanks for inviting us, it’s been a great space. Wish everybody a happy Friday. If you want to uh check us out you can find us at runonflux dot Io. everything’s there you can find our Telegram. you can find our Twitter so Run On Flux as well. if you want to follow me you can follow me at TSN Crypto my name is Richard Lofthouse um and it’s been really good speaking to you all and it’s been a pleasure to sort of learn learn a little bit more about Uquid and how you’re moving forwards

[Lola]

Of course I want to send my appreciation for all the audience today to taking your time and hearing about our sharings and of course I want to send the appreciations for Richard as well your sharing is really interesting and definitely take a look at the link and also your page Run On Flux what Flux doing right now as well and lastly thank you Catherine for keeping us on the tracks on such insight for AMA and hope that we all can share the virtual stage again in the near future.

[Catherine]

Thank you both. Once again, thank you to all our speakers and listeners. We look forward to seeing you at our next AMA session. Have a wonderful day!