Grass (getgrass)

Background and History

Grass was launched in 2023 by Wynd Network with the goal of decentralizing web data collection, particularly for training AI models. The project quickly gained traction, amassing over 2 million users and securing $4.5 million in funding from prominent investors such as Polychain Capital and Tribe Capital. Grass is built on the Solana blockchain, leveraging its high-speed and scalable infrastructure to efficiently handle large volumes of data.

Key Features and Technologies

Decentralized Web Scraping

Grass enables users to participate in decentralized web scraping through a browser extension or mobile app. By contributing unused internet bandwidth, users help collect real-time data, which is then validated and stored across a network of decentralized nodes. This model ensures transparency, security, and fair compensation for contributors.

GRASS Token and Incentives

The GRASS token is integral to the ecosystem, functioning both as a reward mechanism and a governance token. Users earn GRASS tokens for their data contributions, which can be traded or utilized within the Grass ecosystem. To date, Grass has distributed over 10 million tokens through various reward strategies, including staking and node operation.

AI Model Training

Grass plays a critical role in democratizing access to high-quality data necessary for training large language models (LLMs) and other AI systems. By decentralizing the data collection process, Grass empowers smaller AI labs to compete with larger, more resource-rich entities.

The Grass Data Ledger and ZK Processor

Grass has developed a unique Layer 2 solution on Solana, featuring the Grass Data Ledger and the ZK Processor. The Data Ledger stores all datasets scraped by the network, complete with metadata that ensures the provenance of each dataset. The ZK Processor, meanwhile, enables secure and scalable processing of data, ensuring that it can be stored and verified on-chain without overwhelming Solana’s throughput capacity.

Usage and Applications

Grass’s decentralized model allows it to gather and validate data used for training AI models across multiple industries. The design of the platform ensures that the data remains accessible and verifiable, mitigating biases in AI systems and preventing monopolistic control over web data.

GRASS Governance Token

Overview

The GRASS token also functions as a governance token, enabling holders to propose and vote on key decisions that shape the future of the network. This decentralized governance model ensures that the network remains community-driven and aligned with its users’ interests.

Tokenomics and Airdrop Strategy

Grass’s tokenomics strategy includes distributing tokens through airdrops and staking rewards. In 2024, Grass executed an airdrop to over 500,000 users based on their activity, such as data contributions and node uptime. Future airdrops are planned to further incentivize user engagement and expand the network.

Notable Events

2023

• December 2023: Seed Funding and Early Expansion
  • Grass secured $3.5 million in seed funding, bringing its total investment to $4.5 million. This round was led by Polychain Capital and Tribe Capital, with participation from Bitscale, Big Brain, and others. The funding was used to expand Grass’s network infrastructure, enhance its data verification processes, and grow its user base, which exceeded 2 million active contributors by the end of the year.

2024

• March 2024: Initial Airdrop and Token Launch

  • Grass conducted its first major airdrop, distributing tokens to over 500,000 users based on their contributions, such as data contributions and node uptime. This event was pivotal in expanding the network’s user base. Shortly afterward, the GRASS token officially launched, becoming central to the platform’s governance and reward systems.

• Early 2024: Public Release of the Grass Data Ledger and ZK Processor

  • Grass launched its Layer 2 scaling solution on the Solana blockchain, introducing the Grass Data Ledger and ZK Processor. The Data Ledger permanently stores datasets scraped by the network, while the ZK Processor secures and verifies metadata on-chain. This development significantly enhanced the integrity and scalability of AI models trained on Grass data.

• 2024: Snapshots and Governance Evolution

  • Throughout the year, Grass conducted multiple snapshots to evaluate user contributions and activity levels, which were crucial for distributing governance tokens. These snapshots played a key role in shaping the platform’s governance model, enabling GRASS token holders to vote on important decisions, including protocol upgrades and network policies.

• 2024: Data Wars and Grass’s Role

  • Grass positioned itself as a significant player in the ongoing “Data Wars,” where access to public web data is increasingly restricted by major platforms. By offering a decentralized alternative, Grass empowered users to collect and monetize their data, challenging traditional data monopolies. The platform’s approach contrasts sharply with the restrictive practices of companies like Twitter and Reddit, which have limited data scraping to control access to their content.