Vana

Vana describes itself as open data infrastructure for "human-grounded AI," built as a peer-to-peer network and open protocol for user-controlled data portability. Under the protocol, an individual owns the data they generate and grants access on their own terms; the access decision, the encryption behind it, and the payment for access are all handled as protocol-level concerns. Pooled confidential compute through DataDAOs is positioned as one application that builders may choose to run on top of the base protocol rather than a requirement.

The technical stack separates responsibilities across layers: an onchain protocol (DP RPC) covering identity, permissions, fees, Protocol-Governed Encryption, schemas, files and DLP contracts; a Vana SDK that runs under the user for encryption, decryption, permissions and identity; open-source, community-controlled data connectors that extract data per source; and convenience infrastructure (an RPC gateway and a Context Gateway offering OAuth and USD billing) operated by ODL. Users contribute either public web data or deeper authenticated data via a desktop app whose connector runs locally on the user's own device. A locally running Personal Server encrypts data and syncs only ciphertext to hosted cloud storage; decryption occurs only against an on-chain permission grant, and each read is recorded in an access log the user can review.

On the consumer side, Vana launched native iOS and Android apps in September 2025 that let users aggregate data across platforms, generate a personal data profile called a VIBE, join DataDAOs/Data Collectives, and earn VanaXP, a reputation and rewards system tied to connecting data sources, contributing to DataDAOs and participating in regional partner communities. The network also includes an EVM-compatible layer 1 blockchain, a VANA token, validators, data validator staking, and the VRC-20 standard for data-backed tokens. The Vana Foundation is described as the neutral steward of the network.