CryptoNews Podcast #504: Tom Trowbridge, Co-founder of Fluence Labs, on DePIN, DeAI, and Decentralized Storage/Compute
Dec 29, 2025
Tom Trowbridge, co-founder of Fluence Labs and a key figure in Hedera Hashgraph, delves into the fascinating world of decentralized systems. He highlights the evolution from centralized clouds to decentralized compute, explaining the innovative DePIN model and its potential for sustainable value creation. Trowbridge also discusses the importance of staking, token incentives, and transparency in crypto, advocating for on-chain revenue verification to nurture trust in the ecosystem. It's a thought-provoking look at the future of decentralized technology!
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How Hedera.com Was Acquired
- Tom negotiated the Hedera.com domain using his Dutch wife as a secret weapon.
- He bought the domain with cash and tokens after the owner had researched Hedera and wanted a case study.
DePIN Predated Its Name
- Tom joined the sector before the term DePIN existed because XS compute had clear real-world scale potential.
- He values projects where utility comes first and the crypto piece is secondary.
Monetize Stranded Compute Capacity
- Monetize stranded or unused compute capacity by connecting data centers to an open marketplace.
- This approach can be 20–70% cheaper than hyperscalers by paying providers above marginal cost of electricity.