Transition to a People-Backed Internet

LayerEdge, the decentralized verification protocol leveraging zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, has announced a transformative roadmap that expands its vision from a Bitcoin-backed internet to a people-backed internet. This shift, detailed in a recent X article, unravels edgenOS, a revolutionary system designed to turn everyday devices into verification nodes, democratizing trust and security across multiple blockchains.

With the EDGEN token now available for preview on CoinMarketCap, LayerEdge is poised to redefine decentralized infrastructure.

From Bitcoin-Backed to People-Backed: A New Vision for Decentralized Verification

LayerEdge initially gained attention for its innovative approach to aggregating ZK proofs and anchoring them to Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work (PoW) security, enabling scalable and cost-effective verification for decentralized applications (dApps). However, the project’s latest announcement marks a significant evolution.

“When LayerEdge began, we anchored aggregated zk proofs to Bitcoin’s security. That foundation remains. But our vision has outgrown the limits of any single chain,” the LayerEdge team stated.

The new vision centers on a people-backed internet, where millions of devices, like smartphones, laptops, and more, contribute computational power to verify cryptographic proofs. This distributed verification network, powered by edgenOS, aims to create a scalable, trust-minimized infrastructure that supports not only Bitcoin but also leading blockchains like Ethereum and Solana.

By enabling everyday users to participate as verifiers, LayerEdge is democratizing access to blockchain security and unlocking new use cases for decentralized technology.

Turning Devices into Verification Nodes

EdgenOS is the bedrock of LayerEdge’s vision, transforming cryptographic verification. Unlike traditional blockchain networks that rely on specialized validators or miners, edgenOS allows any device to become a verification node.

“Your smartphone, laptop, or any device running edgenOS becomes a verification node. You contribute idle computational power. You earn rewards. You help secure the internet,” the X article read.

The process is streamlined and efficient:

• Every 10 minutes, edgenOS generates one aggregated proof from distributed verification across its network.
• Daily, 144 of these proofs are recursively merged into a single anchor proof.
• Multi-chain security ensures that each anchor proof is committed daily to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and other blockchains, leveraging their consensus mechanisms for immutable record-keeping.

This approach reduces verification costs by aggregating thousands of ZK proofs into a single, compact proof, which is then settled on-chain. With its edgenOS initiative, the protocol aims to achieve stability by distributing verification tasks across millions of devices. Most importantly, this is done without sacrificing security, making it a cornerstone of its people-backed internet.

EdgenOS Browser Extension and Alpha Mainnet

LayerEdge’s post outlines a multi-phase rollout, with Phase 3 marking a critical milestone. Set to launch soon, Phase 3 includes the release of the edgenOS browser extension, the Alpha Mainnet launch, and the activation of a full reward system. Later in 2025, LayerEdge plans to complete its mainnet rollout, achieve full multi-chain integration, and expand its verification ecosystem with desktop and mobile apps.

The edgenOS browser extension will allow users to easily integrate their devices into the LayerEdge network, contributing computational power and earning EDGEN tokens as rewards. The EDGEN token, recently listed for preview on CoinMarketCap, serves as the protocol’s native utility token, used to pay for verification processes and incentivize network participants.

The Alpha Mainnet launch will enable developers to begin building applications on LayerEdge, leveraging its scalable verification infrastructure. The full reward system will further incentivize user participation, aligning economic incentives with the network’s growth. By the end of 2025, LayerEdge aims to establish a robust ecosystem that supports a wide range of decentralized applications.

Powering Next-Generation Applications with Decentralized Verification

LayerEdge’s people-backed internet is designed to enable a new class of applications that were previously impractical due to scalability and cost constraints. The protocol’s ability to aggregate and verify ZK proofs at scale opens up several use cases:

• AI Verification: Ensuring the integrity of AI models and training data through cryptographic proofs, enabling trustless AI applications.
• DePIN Networks: Securing decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) with ZK proofs, supporting applications like IoT and distributed energy systems.
• Enhanced Blockchain Security: Adding an extra layer of verification to existing blockchains, improving their resilience and trustworthiness.
• zkApps: Powering privacy-preserving applications with scalable ZK proof validation, enabling secure data sharing and computation.
• Decentralized ZK: Democratizing ZK proof verification by distributing it across millions of devices, reducing reliance on centralized validators.

The Road to Mainnet

The protocol’s vision is centered around building a community-driven ecosystem. The protocol’s incentivized testnet, launched in January 2025, attracted over 500,000 unique verified users who processed more than 1 billion verification operations.

The Proof-of-Humanity (PoH) system, integrated with zkPass and smart contracts for Human Passport issuance, ensures that participants are genuine, reducing the risk of Sybil attacks. Users who passed PoH during the testnet phase are automatically eligible for future rewards, while others can register interest via the LayerEdge dashboard.

As LayerEdge prepares for its mainnet launch, it is encouraging users to join the people-backed internet by downloading the edgenOS browser extension and participating in Phase 3. “This evolution changes everything. You’re not just using LayerEdge—you’re powering it,” the team emphasized.

Conclusion: A New Era for Decentralized Infrastructure

The introduction of edgenOS marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of decentralized technology. By transitioning from a Bitcoin-backed to a people-backed internet, LayerEdge is redefining how trust and verification are achieved in the blockchain space. With its scalable, cost-efficient, and secure infrastructure, LayerEdge is poised to become a cornerstone of the next generation of decentralized applications.

As the protocol moves toward its mainnet launch and multi-chain integration, it invites users and developers to join a movement that empowers individuals to secure the internet.. With edgenOS and the EDGEN token leading the way, LayerEdge is paving the path to a more decentralized and inclusive digital future.