peaq, the layer-1 blockchain for DePIN and Machine RWAs, announces the expansion of its genesis node pool as some of Europe’s top enterprises and research bodies unveil their peaq nodes. Bertelsmann Investments, Deutsche Telekom, Lufthansa Innovation Hub, and Technical University of Munich (TUM) have launched their peaq nodes, helping to secure the home of DePIN. With a combined valuation of over $170 billion across their respective holding companies, these entities will help to keep peaq operational as the network reveals the exclusive pilot version of its Enterprise Adoption program, which will work as the bridge between the DePIN sector and enterprises around the world.
Enterprise adoption is crucial for the DePIN sector, in a variety of ways — from onboarding Web2 companies as customers for the real-world services they provide to forging ties with hardware manufacturers and operators. This makes any connections with leading established companies a vital bridge that can enable further adoption and growth. In the long run, such adoption will benefit everyone, from companies who get to streamline their budgets to everyday people who get to do more with their devices and enjoy the security and privacy of Web3-backed services.
“We are happy to join peaq’s genesis pool and help bring its vision of a DePIN-powered Economy of Things to life,” says Jan Rettel, SVP at Bertelsmann Investments.
To bolster the DePINs building on its blockchain, peaq is unveiling the pilot version of its Enterprise Adoption program meant to connect DePIN visionaries with the leading global business entities. The enterprises joining the program will get regular ecosystem updates from peaq as well as intros to DePINs that could help them reach their business objectives. Enterprises will also receive regular strategic consulting sessions on leveraging the DePIN model to their benefit and opportunities to join early funding rounds by DePINs on peaq. More updates on the program are to follow in the future.
“peaq has clearly established its lead in the DePIN segment and we are happy to join it with a live genesis pool node,” says Dirk Röder, Head of Web3 Infrastructure Solutions, at Deutsche Telekom MMS.
As peaq builds bridges with the enterprise world, four major European entities are setting up their peaq genesis nodes, helping to secure the network. Bertelsmann Investments, a leading global venture firm supporting visionary entrepreneurs around the world with more than €1.9bn invested across the globe. Deutsche Telekom MMS is the IT arm of Deutsche Telekom, one of Europe’s largest telecom companies. Lufthansa Innovation Hub is the key driver for innovation for Lufthansa Group, focusing on cutting-edge technologies and digital business models. TUM is one of Germany’s leading universities for research and teaching in natural sciences, engineering, and management. Running the node will be the team of the DSS Endowed Professorship of Entrepreneurial Finance, part of its School of Management.
“The DePIN model has interesting potential when it comes to supporting infrastructure for the airline industry, such as sourcing community-gathered flight tracking data. We are looking forward to seeing and supporting avionics-focused projects such as Hyperway and Wingbits,” says Steffen Boller, Tech Lead at Lufthansa Innovation Hub.
At its genesis, peaq’s active node pool is limited at 32, based on the token stakes backing each node, including both the operator’s and their delegators’ tokens. The node pool is open to anyone to participate, with nodes run both by enterprises, professional infrastructure providers and community members, and the active pool will be gradually expand as the network grows. The delegators — community members who stake their tokens in support of their chosen nodes — get a share of the node rewards from the nodes they support.
“DePIN is Web3 living up to its full potential and moving real-world markets and economies on blockchain. It is a fundamental shift in how we manage connected infrastructures, and peaq is ideally positioned to connect this revolution with the enterprise and scholarly worlds,” says Professor Paul Momtaz, holder of the DSS Endowed Professorship of Entrepreneurial Finance at Technical University of Munich’s School of Management.
“Enterprise adoption is crucial for DePIN, and what we see here is a sign of wider enterprise interest for this promising segment,” says Leonard Dorlöchter, co-founder of peaq. “Bertelsmann Investments, Deutsche Telekom, Lufthansa Innovation Hub, and Technical University of Munich are some of the most forward-thinking and innovative entities in the EU, and we’re thrilled to see them join the genesis pool, providing reliable and secure infrastructure for peaq’s runtime.”
“DePIN business models are characterized by their real-world economic impact. The interest of leading enterprises in peaq’s enterprise adoption program underlines the unique opportunity to make Web3 applications tangible,” says Martin El-Khouri, Head of Ecosystem at EoT Labs, the company developing peaq as an open-source blockchain. “The program serves as a bridge between DePINs on peaq and the world’s leading enterprises to address challenges and opportunities relevant today. Enterprises will benefit from access to tangible business cases and collaborations, and get access to strategic investment opportunities.”
