Orchid Protocol (OXT) is a cryptocurrency that aims to create a decentralized virtual private network (VPN) and incentivized peer-to-peer privacy network. It facilitates secure, private, and censorship-resistant online communication by allowing users to purchase bandwidth from a global pool of service providers.
Orchid Protocol works by enabling users to buy bandwidth from providers using OXT tokens. Providers stake these tokens to register their nodes in a decentralized directory on the Ethereum blockchain. Users are connected to providers based on the amount of OXT staked, utilizing a nanopayment system for transactions. This system sends probabilistic tickets representing tiny amounts continuously as users browse, reconciled approximately once a week on the blockchain.
Orchid Protocol can be used for decentralized VPN services, providing privacy and security solutions by giving users full control over their network connections. It is suitable for decentralized marketplaces due to its nanopayment capabilities and holds potential in privacy-focused VPN services, cybersecurity, and internet freedom initiatives. The protocol's multi-chain strategy enhances interoperability, making it relevant for blockchain interoperability and cross-chain transactions.
Orchid Protocol was founded by a team including Dr. Steven Waterhouse, Brian Fox, Jay Freeman, and Gustav Simonsson, with development beginning in 2017. The project aimed to create a decentralized bandwidth marketplace to offer secure internet access. A security audit was conducted by ConsenSys Diligence in 2019. The project's code is open-source, available on GitHub, and uses established transport protocols like WebRTC. Orchid has developed a decentralized VPN with probabilistic nanopayments, evolving its technology and growing its market presence as a privacy-centric internet access solution.