A Device-First Economy

A Device-First Economy

We built web-first.
We built mobile-first.
Now comes device-first.

There are billions of connected devices around the world, from industrial sensors to personal gadgets. Most of them are underused. They perform their primary function and then sit quiet, generating no additional value. That’s not sustainable in a digital economy that demands efficiency.

Volm’s thesis is simple: unlock that value by connecting devices directly to blockchain networks.

Why device-first matters

The cloud model centralizes value. Device-first decentralizes it. Instead of sending all data upstream to be monetized by third parties, devices themselves can become economic participants. They generate proofs of their activity, secure them on-chain, and receive rewards directly.

A new role for manufacturers

This also changes how hardware is built. With Volm’s edge compiler and lightweight node integration, OEMs can ship devices that are “yield-ready” from the moment they leave the factory. Imagine a smart fridge that not only keeps food cold but also earns a return for its owner. Imagine city infrastructure that pays for its own upkeep through continuous yield.

Sustainability through economics

The incentive loop is powerful. More devices online means more proofs, which means more yield, which funds the deployment of even more devices. It’s a positive cycle that could accelerate the adoption of robotics and IoT at unprecedented scale.

This isn’t a distant vision. It’s the logical next step after cloud computing and mobile apps: a world where devices don’t just serve us, they sustain themselves through verifiable economic participation.

The device-first economy is already being built. Volm is one of the builders.