Nosana

Nosana is a decentralized GPU compute marketplace on Solana that connects AI developers who need GPU resources with node operators who have idle GPU capacity. The protocol focuses specifically on AI inference workloads — running trained AI models in production — rather than training, positioning itself as a decentralized alternative to centralized inference providers. The AI inference market is massive and growing rapidly. Every ChatGPT response, every AI-generated image, every automated content moderation decision requires GPU compute for inference. While model training gets most of the attention, inference actually accounts for 80-90% of total AI compute spending. Nosana targets this enormous market by providing affordable, decentralized GPU access for running AI models at scale. Nosana's marketplace operates on a simple model: GPU node operators connect their hardware to the Nosana network and earn NOS tokens for completing compute jobs. AI developers and companies submit inference workloads through the Nosana API or dashboard, specifying the GPU requirements and model to run. The protocol matches jobs with available nodes, handles execution, and ensures quality through a verification system. The protocol supports a wide range of GPU types from consumer-grade gaming cards to professional data center GPUs like NVIDIA A100s and H100s. This diversity allows the marketplace to serve different price points and compute requirements. Developers can specify minimum GPU requirements for their workloads, ensuring compatibility with their models. Nosana runs on Solana, using the blockchain for job escrow, payment settlement, and reward distribution. The NOS token serves as the payment and staking currency — node operators stake NOS to participate in the network (providing economic security against misbehavior), and developers pay for compute in NOS. Solana's speed ensures jobs are matched and settled quickly. The protocol has been gaining traction in the Solana ecosystem as part of the broader DePIN movement. By decentralizing GPU inference, Nosana aims to reduce the AI industry's dependence on a handful of centralized cloud providers, creating a more resilient, competitive, and accessible compute infrastructure. The team has partnerships with several AI projects and continues to expand GPU supply and supported workload types.