Decentralised AI compute IDE reshapes incentives

io.net unveils new tokenomics for resilient AI infrastructure

In a bid to stabilise and expand its decentralised ai compute ecosystem, io.net has introduced a redesigned tokenomics framework aimed at long-term sustainability.

On the back of rapid growth since June 2024, io.net has launched the Incentive Dynamic Engine (IDE), a fundamental overhaul of its economic design. The network, which offers access to tens of thousands of GPUs, has already supported over $20 million in compute leases, delivering low-cost access to AI innovators and researchers worldwide.

Moreover, the new model is built to align incentives between hardware providers, users and investors. It aims to prioritise more reliable income flows for GPU providers, predictable pricing for users and stronger long-term health for the overall network.

From inflationary DePIN incentives to sustainable markets

To date, io.net has followed a tokenomics structure similar to peer DePINs (Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks). However, that legacy design mainly rewarded initial usage, introduced constant inflationary pressure and left the network exposed to sharp market swings.

Concerns about the circular financing that underpins much of AI hardware and compute are increasingly widespread. That said, persistent uncertainty has discouraged further capital deployment into ai model training hardware and related infrastructure, limiting the pace of innovation.

According to io.net, an open and trustworthy market for compute that directly matches any hardware provider with any user is essential. Such an approach should enable investors, hardware manufacturers and other stakeholders to commit capital confidently, supporting durable investment in artificial intelligence. The new Incentive Dynamic Engine tokenomic framework is designed to support exactly this outcome.

IDE as foundation for the next phase of growth

io.net frames IDE as the crucial foundation for its next growth cycle. The company argues that the industry now faces a stark choice between centralised hyperscalers backed by opaque circular finance, or genuinely open and decentralised markets for compute.

“We are at a crucial juncture for AI: either continue with centralised hyperscalers underpinned by obscure, circular finance, or build decentralised, open markets for compute,” the team stated. Moreover, they stressed that current DePIN structures are “not fit for purpose” in their existing form.

In their vision, the Incentive Dynamic Engine will underpin the first reliable and open compute network that accurately aligns incentives. After its roll-out, IDE should allow startups, researchers and enterprises to develop and deploy AI systems on io.net for the long term, without relying on traditional cloud providers.

Addressing adoption barriers with transparency and trust

Despite enterprise concerns over the availability and cost of compute, adoption of decentralised networks remains limited. However, io.net argues that one of the main obstacles has been the lack of clear linkage between GPU supply and demand across many blockchain-based infrastructure platforms.

That gap has often undermined confidence in the reliability of these networks. In response, io.net is positioning the Incentive Dynamic Engine, combined with its commitment to detailed network transparency, as a solution to restore trust and provide predictable infrastructure performance.

The company contends that network transparency and trust are as important as raw hardware capacity. By exposing how incentives work and how workloads are matched to GPUs, io.net aims to make its infrastructure more attractive for enterprises evaluating alternative compute providers.

Global GPU network aligned around a unified objective

The launch of IDE brings io.net’s global network of GPUs, spread across more than 130 countries, into a framework explicitly focused on maintaining an open and resilient decentralised ai compute network. This international footprint is intended to support both geographic redundancy and competitive pricing.

Furthermore, the new approach to a depin tokenomics model is designed to reduce income volatility for GPU providers. It also seeks to reward genuine utilisation over speculation for investors, while offering a more dependable compute backbone for end users.

For infrastructure operators, that means improved gpu providers income stability. For AI developers, it could translate into a more robust decentralised compute marketplace that scales with demand rather than short-term hype cycles.

Community review and implementation timeline

The revised tokenomics proposal has been released to the io.net community in the form of a litepaper. There will be an open feedback period running until February 27, during which community comments will be actively reviewed and incorporated where appropriate.

Following this consultation, a final version of the IDE design is scheduled for publication on March 31. The implementation of the redesigned tokenomics on the live network is planned for Q2 2026, giving participants time to evaluate and prepare for the new structure.

In summary, io.net’s Incentive Dynamic Engine aims to transform how decentralised compute networks coordinate hardware, capital and workloads, with the long-term goal of delivering a more stable and scalable open market for compute.