Supply-side users deploy and maintain hotspots which provide wireless coverage. Demand-side users use the wireless network for data transfer. Users pay a fee for data transfer (demand-side user) and a fee for hotspot related transactions (supply-side user). Hotspots receive inflationary rewards (token incentives).

Helium is a protocol for building and using decentralized wireless infrastructure. Helium was founded by Shawn Fanning, Amir Haleem & Sean Carey and launched in 2019.

HNT holders own and govern the protocol. They currently receive all of the total data transfer and transaction fees paid by users (revenue). Helium’s investors include a16z, Multicoin Capital, Alameda Research, etc.