info_tfgrid/collections/tfgrid3/ecosystem.md

![](tfcoop_intro.png)

# Ecosystem

ThreeFold aims to be a decentralized organization.

## TF Farmers

Farmers connect computers to our new Internet to provide storage and compute (CPU, GPU) capacity and make it available over the Mycelium network to all participants. Currently, over 1000 farmers host TFnodes. Farmers earn rewards by providing capacity, earning 50% on sold capacity if they register with the TF Cooperative marketplace (from 3.14+). Starting in Q2 2024, farmers will have to do KYC. See [Farming Rewards](farming_reward.md) for more info

## Network Bridgers (Provider)

- Make a bridge between the old and new Internet 
- Provide bandwidth to TFGrid 
- Todo: formalize manual and description of how to become a Network Bridger

## TF Farming Pools (NEW Q2 2024)

- Help farmers to be more effective
- Training & Support
- Improve uptime and provide authenticity

The aim is to improve the service level and uptime of farming on TFGrid:

- Activities
  - Deliver a service level to the community
  - Provide support for the TF Nodes (e.g. replace nodes and make sure the power is okay)
  - Bandwidth providing for TF Nodes (connect network nodes to high speed Internet networks)
  - Manage the pricing in line with uptime, performance, etc. for all farms and nodes
  - Optional: sell TF Nodes
- Business model
  - The Farming Pool collects all farming rewards for all the Nodes and redistribute the farming rewards minus a margin for the farming pool
  - There needs to be a contract (terms and conditions) between the farming pool and the farmers
- Service level
  - A service level needs to be defined and shared with the rest of the world
  - The T&C contracts can be arranged in OurWorld Digital Freezone if applicable
- TF Dubai is **granting** the required tooling & information for this service


## TFNode Suppliers

- Build and sell TFNodes to our participants
- Minimal service/support needs to be delivered
- Often part of Farming Pools or related to it

## TF Cooperative

- Our governance layer (DAO tooling can be extended)
- Everyone is part of the Cooperative
- The Cooperative directors will build this organization to streamline our expansion
- Gives everyone a voice and environment to operate from 

### Details

- [TF Coop](tfcoop_intro.md) is a cooperative with the goal of streamlining how the ecosystem works together and to help create their own digital future
- TF Coop needs 9 directors to get started. Check the forum for more info soon.
- TF Coop recieves income from utilization and possibly from its members in the future.
- Every user of the TFGrid in the future will have to be a member.

## TF Validators + TF Guardians

**Guardians:**
- Protect the network
- Provide governance
- Keep all relevant services up and running to allow the TFGrid to function

- Guardians run a TF Validator which has all of the components that are required for the TFGrid's decentralized components to function
- We need 9 guardians, each [guardian](guardians.md) has to be technical to run this full tech stack
- [Read more on validators](validators.md)
- TF Guardians don't vote: they run super important infrastructure and need to validate the soundness of the tech being used

## TF Dubai

- TF Dubai is the original company out of which the project was started
- TF Dubai is now developing commercial services and products on top of the TFGrid
- TF Dubai is a big sponsor for the TFGrid and will continue to be
- TF Dubai wants to handover the day to day management to the TF Cooperative and the digital tools that have been created such as the forum, websites, manuals etc.

## OurWorld Digital FreeZone

- OurWorld Holding owns 100% of TF9 and TF Dubai and is in the process of creating a Digital FreeZone in Zanzibar.
- This Digital FreeZone allows us to structure digital assets and some of our future digital Projects

## TF9 

- TF9 (previously TFTech) is a company in Belgium.
- TF9 is developing the technology behind the TFGrid and is 100% committed to keeping all of this software opensource
- TF9 will license the software to organizations (governments, countries and enterprises) that need commercial support and customizations
- See their website: [https://tf9.io](https://tf9.io)
- TF9 has been a big sponsor of the ThreeFold ecosystem


## Expanded Ecosystem

### Service / Solution Providers

- They create and provide solutions and/or services on top of the TFGrid
- Customers of these solutions pay in INCA (providing value to our mutual credit currency)
- Each solution has T&C
- Each solution needs to be supported
  
### Technology Providers

- Create opensource technology that can be used in the TFGrid
- Grants might be available to reward technology providers
- TF9 is an example of a technology provider

### DePIN Partners

Our team is in active discussions in search of a party (company, project, community) who will support our launch into the DePIN world. This party (or parties) will:

- Actively promote our project in the DePIN space. 
- Explain our tokens and integrate with other currencies
- Integrate with the rest of the DePIN ecosystem
- Organize community growth
- Organize grants for the rest of the community
- Grow value for the whole ecosystem and let it "FLOW"