XaaS
cloud model
XaaS stands for Everything as a Service, a delivery model where any digital resource ÔÇö from software to hardware access, financial protocols, or even governance ÔÇö is provided on-demand via the internet. Originally a Web2 concept, XaaS has expanded into Web3 with offerings like Staking as a Service (StaaS), Blockchain as a Service (BaaS), and Mining as a Service (MaaS).
Use Case: A DeFi user who doesnÔÇÖt want to manage nodes or private keys can use a XaaS platform to stake assets, earn yield, and participate in governance through simplified, hosted services.
Key Concepts:
- StaaS ÔÇö Delegated staking infrastructure offered via third-party services.
- BaaS ÔÇö Enterprise-grade blockchain development kits or hosted ledgers.
- DePIN ÔÇö Physical networks (like Helium) accessed as tokenized infrastructure services.
- Tokenized Services ÔÇö Functions once controlled by SaaS now decentralized via tokens.
Summary: XaaS in Web3 extends the flexibility of the service model into decentralized systems ÔÇö enabling modular access to staking, mining, node hosting, and infrastructure without technical setup. While it improves ease of use, it also introduces trade-offs in sovereignty and custody.
| XaaS Type | Function | Web3 Example |
|---|---|---|
| StaaS | Outsourced staking services | Lido, Rocket Pool, Everstake |
| BaaS | Hosted blockchain infrastructure | Amazon QLDB, Kaleido, Alchemy |
| MaaS | Remote mining & hashpower renting | NiceHash, Compass Mining |
| DePIN | Physical infrastructure as a tokenized service | Helium, Render Network, Akash |