CEO Arie Trouw on XYO’s Long Game in DePIN and the Future of Verified Data

Before decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) entered the spotlight, XYO was already working on trustless, real-world data validation.

We recently spoke with Arie Trouw, Co-Founder and CEO of XYO, about the network’s transition to a layer-1 (L1) blockchain, its role in bridging Web2 and Web3, and how XY Labs is exploring tokenized real-world assets (RWA).

From Proof-of-Location to L1 Infrastructure: XYO’s Origin Story

BeInCrypto: XYO started as a proof-of-location network and is now a full-fledged layer-1 (L1) blockchain designed for the decentralized data economy. Can you walk us through this transition? 

Arie Trouw: Originally, XYO’s focus was on verifying geospatial data using Bound Witnesses to provide location validation. But as we saw the broader potential of blockchain and decentralized networks, it became clear that we needed to expand beyond location.

The transition from a proof-of-location network to a full-layer blockchain like XYO Layer One was driven by our desire to build a decentralized, trustless system for data validation at scale. Even though the XYO technology stack is excellent at making data immutable and sovereign, it did not provide a way for data nodes to exchange value fully trustlessly.  XYO Layer One allows data nodes to consume or provide data and services and natively provide or take payment for this exchange.

BeInCrypto: What key technological breakthroughs enabled XYO to scale from a location-based protocol to a foundational blockchain for trustless data validation?

Arie Trouw: We focused on data sovereignty, scalability, and trustless validation, while also looking at multi-chain interoperability. XYO Layer One incorporates decentralized computation and storage, and customizable privacy layers. 

These innovations allow us to support not only geospatial data but also data from a variety of industries, such as AI, DeFi, and Web2 systems. This helps to bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized ecosystems.

How XYO Has Been Building DePIN Since Day One

BeInCrypto: XYO was building DePIN long before the term became popular. What makes your approach to decentralized data different from newer projects entering the space?

Arie Trouw: XYO has been focused on decentralized data and proof of origin since day one — even before “DePIN” became the term it is today. While other projects are just beginning to experiment with these concepts, we’ve been working on cryptographic data validation and sovereign data ownership for years. We built our foundation around trustless, verifiable data from the start, not relying on centralized aggregators or intermediaries.What sets us apart is the depth of decentralization we’ve achieved. XYO has a mature, expansive network of nodes that independently verify and validate data, keeping it tamper-proof and cross-compatible across multiple ecosystems. 

With the introduction of XYO Layer One, we’re working towards truly sovereign decentralization, and we’ve differentiated ourselves by enabling modular smart contract execution, roll-up scalability, and customizable privacy layers. This allows us to support the most demanding use cases — from AI to Web2 — without compromising on trust or decentralization.

BeInCrypto: How does XYO ensure the integrity and reliability of data, particularly for AI, DeFi, and enterprise systems?

Arie Trouw: XYO ensures data integrity through cryptographic proof and decentralized consensus. Our node network verifies data independently, which makes it tamper-resistant and trustworthy. With XYO Layer One, we’ve made that data interoperable across multiple domains.

In AI, verified real-world data helps reduce model poisoning and improves decision-making. In DeFi, our trustless location and asset verification can reduce fraud in collateralized lending. Enterprises are using XYO for everything from supply chain tracking to regulatory compliance and real-world asset tokenization—where auditability and trust are non-negotiable.

Web2 Meets Web3: XYO’s Blueprint for a More Transparent, Data-Driven World

BeInCrypto: Many blockchain projects struggle with enterprise adoption due to integration challenges. XYO aims to bridge Web2 and Web3 by allowing traditional businesses to leverage decentralized data. How does XYO simplify this process for enterprises?

Arie Trouw: This is why we introduced the concept that eventually became known as DePIN to the world in 2018. To foster mass adoption.XYO simplifies Web2-Web3 integration for enterprises by providing trustless, cryptographically verified data that can seamlessly integrate with existing business systems. Unlike many blockchain projects that require enterprises to fully transition to Web3 infrastructure, XYO allows businesses to leverage decentralized data without overhauling their current workflows. 

XYO Layer One enhances interoperability through modular smart contracts, roll-up scalability, and customizable privacy layers—allowing enterprises to adopt blockchain-based validation without compromising on data security, compliance, or sovereignty. Data remains immutable and verifiable across both Web2 and Web3 interfaces, ensuring accessibility without sacrificing integrity.

BeInCrypto:  What are the biggest hurdles in Web2-Web3 interoperability, and how is XYO addressing them?

Arie Trouw: The biggest hurdles in Web2-Web3 interoperability include data silos, regulatory concerns, and the complexity of blockchain adoption. 

XYO addresses these by offering sovereign data ownership, ensuring enterprises maintain control over their data while benefiting from decentralized verification. 

Additionally, plug-and-play API solutions and middleware support make integration with legacy systems frictionless, allowing businesses to access real-time, tamper-proof data without the steep learning curve of blockchain implementation.

BeInCrypto: XYO has a unique approach to bringing in non-crypto users to its ecosystem. Can you elaborate on why XYO’s mobile app model works and how it enhances network participation? Additionally, how do the incentives within the ecosystem drive long-term engagement and sustainability?

Arie Trouw: At XYO, we make crypto accessible by integrating easy, everyday actions, like surveys, offline data collection, or even commuting, into our ecosystem through COIN. 

COIN allows anyone to participate without technical knowledge. The rewards structure, like earning XYO tokens and other incentives, keeps users engaged long-term by tying their efforts to real, tangible value, which strengthens the network. This model fosters sustainability by creating a cycle of active participation and growth, even during market downturns.

Security, Scalability, and Scale Beyond the 8 Million Node Network

BeInCrypto: With over 8 million nodes, XYO is one of the most widely distributed blockchain networks. How does this level of decentralization enhance XYO’s security and scalability?

Arie Trouw: As with most blockchain networks, having many nodes allows for multiparty validation, randomized work selection and redundancy of data collection.  This critical mass is required for a network to be robust such that a single player can not dominate or control the system.

The wide distribution of XYO’s 8 million nodes ensures there are no single points of failure, making the network resilient to attacks and manipulation. This decentralization is key to secure and efficient data validation. It allows for data to be independently verified across a vast array of nodes, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of data without bottlenecks.

BeInCrypto: As XYO continues to grow, what strategies are in place to ensure the network remains efficient and resilient against potential threats?

Arie Trouw: We’re actively working on scalability with roll-ups and modular smart contracts, which help optimize transaction throughput while preserving integrity. Our evolving consensus mechanisms and adaptive node incentives are central to keeping the network efficient and resilient, ensuring trustless, tamper-proof data flows at scale as we expand.

Tokenizing Equity and Pushing RWA Forward with XY Labs

BeInCrypto: XY Labs—the company behind XYO—tokenized its shares and became one of the first blockchain firms to enter public markets. What did that process teach you, and where do you see RWAs heading in blockchain?

Arie Trouw: Tokenizing shares was a huge learning experience for us. It gave us a clear look at how we can bridge traditional finance with blockchain—especially when it comes to regulatory compliance, making shares more accessible to investors, and managing liquidity. But beyond the challenges, it really showed us the power of blockchain to bring more transparency, streamline transactions, and allow more people to participate in equity markets.

For us, as a team, it also gave us deep expertise in how blockchain can work alongside real-world financial systems. It seems like real-world assets are increasingly moving toward tokenization, offering benefits like fractional ownership, instant settlement, and improved market efficiency. With it, we’ll see new models for capital formation and broader access to investment opportunities.

As blockchain adoption grows, we’re going to see it reshape how capital markets work, making investments more accessible while still keeping things secure and compliant. We believe that tokenized securities are the future of TradFi and we wanted to be at the forefront of the RWA segment of DePIN.

What’s Next for Decentralized Data and XYO’s Role in It

BeInCrypto: XYO recently introduced XL1, its new blockchain and dual-token model. What prompted this transition, and how does XL1 complement the original XYO token?

Arie Trouw: The introduction of XL1 was a natural next step in our evolution. XYO Layer One required a token designed specifically for high-frequency, high-throughput activity—and that’s XL1. It handles gas fees, smart contract execution, and other daily operations on the blockchain. But crucially, it doesn’t replace the original XYO token—it works with it.

XYO remains the root of the system. It’s the token used for operations outside of XYO Layer One, and it’s used for staking XYO Layer One. It’s through staking XYO that XL1 is earned. That design creates a powerful feedback loop: to participate in the network, you stake XYO and receive XL1, which is then used to power activity on the chain. As more people use the network, more XYO gets locked in staking, creating long-term alignment between activity and value.

So adopting a dual-token system wasn’t just about launching a new token—it was about ensuring XYO’s tokenomic power long into the future. With XL1, we’re not just scaling—we’re evolving, and doing it in a way that keeps the XYO token at the center of everything.

BeInCrypto: Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of decentralized data validation and DePIN adoption? What role will XYO play in shaping this landscape, and what major milestones should we expect from XYO in the near future?

Arie Trouw: Decentralized data collection, validation and processing allow companies and individuals to access data that may otherwise be unavailable to them on a level playing field at a cost that is determined by an open market.  It also allows the owners and collectors of data to receive the maximum benefit for providing their services without the opaque middlemen that now exist in Web2 data systems.  It is a win-win for both the consumers and the producers of data and services of the vital physical infrastructure that has become an absolute necessity for modern day life.The future of decentralized data validation and DePIN continues to evolve as industries recognize the increasing need for trustless, verifiable data, especially in areas like AI, finance, and real-world applications. The shift toward sovereign data ownership and cryptographic proof is contributing to reducing reliance on centralized intermediaries.

At XYO, we’re focused on building scalable, interoperable infrastructure that enables businesses and developers to leverage decentralized data seamlessly. With XYO Layer One, along with enhancements like new staking mechanisms and deeper Web2 integration, we’re working towards expanding network utility, increasing adoption, and further reinforcing XYO’s role in trustless data verification.