Global data transfer has exceeded even the wildest expectations of a decade ago, with more than 4.66 billion people today connected to the world-spanning network. But with more and more people online, data privacy has become a huge question mark hanging over this success. Platforms like HOPR are specifically geared towards making sure that data transferred online, whether individual or at a corporate level, is protected at all times from prying eyes. 

But providing privacy should be rewarded. To reflect this the platform now offers staking services for its native HOPR token. Not content with a standard staking scheme, HOPR has drawn on its experience in gamified events to create a new way to earn: completing tasks like testing will earn participants NFTs, which can be linked to staking wallets to boost APY. Boosts are cumulative, so active users can create a whole new passive earning source for themselves.

Staking on HOPR

HOPR will enable staking services of its token by the end of July. HOPR token holders will be able to earn up to 18% APR if they agree to lock their tokens for a 175-day cycle.

Users can increase their farming profits further by staking HOPR enabled NFTs. The unique tokens can be earned easily by taking part in the different bounties, beta testing and other promotional activities. There is no upper limit to the APY with NFTs and users can stake as many unique tokens as they can earn.

Data Privacy Woes

The internet was designed as a data-sharing network that will allow the free flow of information between users. Over the years, faster speeds, cheaper and more reliable services have matured the global network to a point where we can't imagine living without it today. But the free flow of information comes with a very dark side: the cost of privacy.

It was only a few years ago that the Cambridge Analytica scandal rocked the world. A data mining company in the UK used private data of individuals which it got off of Facebook and illegally targeted people around the world in an attempt to influence political outcomes. The extent to which they succeeded is debatable, but it paved the way for a new wave of targeted influence based on harvested metadata.

While data privacy issues like this surface every now and then, the fact is that there is no privacy online. Each app you use and each platform you visit gathers information on you. They build behavior profiles and then sell off this data without your knowledge. Google and Facebook know you better than your family does.

HOPR Makes Data Private

HOPR is a layer-zero blockchain protocol that allows anyone to build on it to ensure that all their communication is completely private. No outsider or unauthorized person can view the data or linking metadata, offering a complete level of privacy.

While cryptocurrencies and blockchain networks offer anonymity, they are primarily geared towards the privacy of transactions. HOPR goes a step further and offers privacy for any communicable data. HOPR achieves this by sending encrypted data through multiple "hops". This way only the sender and receiver know who sent it, and what data it contains.

HOPR Token Features

The HOPR token is much more than another cryptocurrency. It serves three main purposes within the HOPR ecosystem:

• Payment: To send data privately using the network, users need to pay for the transaction using the HOPR token.
• Node Staking: HOPR can be staked in a HOPR node and validate transactions within the network. Validating transactions earn node owners transaction fees.
• Voting: As a DAO HOPR gives users the right to take part in the development and operational activities of the platform.

The current six-month incentivization scheme is a stepping stone to the full node staking which will keep everyone's data private. It will launch at the end of July and run until late January.