Drones, not satellites, might power the next generation of maps and spatial AI.

In this episode of Fully Diluted, Messari’s Dylan Bane sits down with Alec Wilson, COO of Spexi and founding contributor to LayerDrone, to break down how their DePIN-powered drone network is creating a standardized, ultra–high-resolution imagery layer of the Earth.

They cover:

- Why drone imagery (1–3 cm per pixel) can beat both satellites and planes

- How Spexi software and LayerDrone’s web3 incentives coordinate thousands of pilots into a single data network

- Lessons from paying contributors in fiat first — and why they’re adding a token model now

- Real-world demand from Amazon, Uber, Niantic, Esri, and governments for better geospatial data

- The challenges of B2B sales, crypto optics, and being “too early” with frontier tech

- What to expect from LayerDrone’s upcoming TGE, mainnet launch, and global expansion

00:00 – Introductions

07:48 – Why Token Model

11:38 – DePIN Learnings

16:26 – Growth & Demand

26:57 – Future Plans

30:46 – Expansion Regions

31:20 – How People Can Join

31:54 – Conclusion

Hosted by Dylan Bane of Messari

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This episode and its contents do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Messari, Inc. Hosts and guests may hold cryptocurrencies discussed in this content. This content is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as investment advice. You should conduct your own research, and consult an independent financial, tax, or legal advisor before making any investment decisions. Nothing contained in this content is a recommendation or suggestion, directly or indirectly, to buy, sell, make, or hold any investment, loan, commodity, or security, or to undertake any investment or trading strategy with respect to any investment, loan, commodity, security, or any issuer. This content should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security or commodity. Messari does not guarantee the sequence, accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information provided in this content.