⚖️YOM vs Aethir

In the rapidly evolving decentralized cloud gaming space, YOM and Aethir have emerged as two competing platforms offering node-based solutions for game streaming and infrastructure decentralization. While both platforms share the goal of democratizing access to GPU resources, their approaches, pricing, and long-term value propositions differ significantly. This comparison provides an in-depth analysis of YOM and Aethir across key factors such as pricing, revenue models, sustainability, and tokenomics.

Node Pricing and Accessibility

One of the most crucial factors when evaluating decentralized node opportunities is the entry cost, which significantly influences adoption and network expansion.

Aspect

YOM

Aethir

Average Floor Price

$99 per node

~$3451 per node (estimated)

Node Delegation

Yes

Yes

Hardware Requirements

Flexible (plug-and-play or self-hosted)

Unclear, potentially restrictive

Key Takeaways:

  • YOM offers an affordable entry at just $99 per node, making it highly accessible to a broader audience and reducing barriers to participation.

  • Aethir, in contrast, has a significantly higher estimated node floor price (~$3451), which may deter many potential operators from entering the ecosystem.

  • Both platforms support node delegation, enabling users to earn passive income without technical expertise, but YOM’s lower costs make delegation more attractive and scalable.

Revenue Model and Earnings Potential

For node operators, the primary concern is consistent and sustainable revenue generation.

Aspect

YOM

Aethir

Monthly Earnings Potential

$35 - $131 (based on demand and workload)

$0/month (at present)

Revenue Source

External revenue from studios/advertisers

Token incentives only

Depletion Risk

No (ongoing revenue model)

Yes (limited token supply)

Key Takeaways:

  • YOM provides tangible external revenue streams from studios, brands, and broadcasters, ensuring a steady income of $35 - $131 per node based on network saturation and workload allocation.

  • Aethir currently lacks external revenue inflows, with node rewards purely dependent on pre-allocated tokens from their supply, posing a sustainability risk.

  • YOM’s earnings potential is market-driven, while Aethir's model relies on finite token reserves that may deplete over time, reducing long-term operator incentives.

Tokenomics and Sustainability

A sustainable tokenomics model is critical for ensuring long-term growth and value appreciation for node operators and investors.

Aspect

YOM

Aethir

Token Model

Deflationary (burns on usage)

Inflationary (staking, airdrops)

Reward Staking

Yes

Yes

Implied Node FDV (3 Years)

Uncapped: ~$75M (25K nodes)

Capped: ~$450M (75K nodes)

Current Token Rewards FDV

$YOM = $45M (1x)

$ATH = $3.000M (66.6x)

Key Takeaways:

  • YOM employs a deflationary token model, where 5% of every transaction is burned, ensuring the circulating supply decreases over time, thereby increasing scarcity and potential value appreciation.

  • Aethir’s inflationary model relies on staking and airdrops, which can lead to long-term dilution and decreased token value as more tokens enter circulation.

  • YOM offers an uncapped growth potential, whereas Aethir’s model is capped, limiting opportunities for further expansion.

  • Aethir's current FDV is highly inflated, making it 66.6 times larger than YOM’s, which may pose a significant risk for long-term sustainability.

Operational Longevity and Rewards Stability

Sustainability and reliability of node operations over time are crucial for ensuring long-term profitability and network participation.

Aspect

YOM

Aethir

Free Token Airdrop Farming

No

15% of token supply allocated

Depletes Over Time

No

Yes

Key Takeaways:

  • YOM focuses on long-term utility and revenue generation, avoiding token depletion issues by tying rewards to real-world usage.

  • Aethir’s model depends heavily on a finite supply of tokens, which will eventually be depleted, leading to uncertainty for node operators.

Ecosystem Value and Utility

The long-term success of a decentralized cloud gaming network depends on its ability to attract users, content creators, and investors.

Aspect

YOM

Aethir

Node Utility

Nodes actively stream games

Nodes do not stream games

Revenue Model

FIAT-based income from gaming partners

Purely token-based model

Market Positioning

Gaming-focused with an expanding ecosystem

Unclear, potentially speculative

Key Takeaways:

  • YOM nodes provide real utility by actively streaming games, attracting external clients and revenue.

  • Aethir nodes currently do not stream games, focusing instead on speculative token rewards without a clear external revenue pipeline.

  • YOM's strong positioning within the cloud gaming sector ensures its relevance in a rapidly growing market.

In summary, YOM provides a practical, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for decentralized cloud gaming, while Aethir’s model poses significant long-term risks due to high entry costs, lack of real-world utility, and inflationary tokenomics.

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