George Buynea, CEO of IPSX platform IPSX: the user can decide when he needs IP

Modern Internet is hard to imagine without domain names, but it is impossible to imagine without IP addresses. Someone needs a standard dynamic address from an Internet provider, someone needs an IP registered in Arizona, and someone needs thousands of different addresses with one set for research. Answering such needs is not always easy.

The creators of the blockchain platform for IP-sharing IPSX believe that the process of exchanging and renting addresses should be easier and more accessible, and IPSX is their solution. The task of this platform is to provide a convenient and profitable solution to those who want to rent unused addresses, find IP by specific criteria, or simply get additional profit.

The editors of BlockchainJournal talked to George Bunea, the IPSX platform CEO and asked a few questions about the platform, IP addresses and the Internet.

FL: How did the idea of an ecosystem for IP sharing come about?

In 2011, the co-founders of IPSX, Sergiu and Javier, launched a platform for data mining and SEO tools GeoRanker. There we found a big problem with the liquidity of IP addresses. To collect data, you need a huge amount of IP and it was very hard to get them. In addition, the administrative burden of renting an address through traditional providers is high. No company could provide us with thousands of IP that we needed for normal operation. Instead, we had to request addresses in small portions from different suppliers.

The inefficiency of this approach is even more pronounced in traditional business due to legal contracts and slow international payments. Without taking into account the cost of the procedure for obtaining IP can take weeks.

On the other hand, there are, for example, data centers with a large number of unused IPs, which only add monthly cost to owners. Without a convenient solution for sharing or renting addresses, data centers are actually losing a new and simple source of profit. IPSX seeks to provide such a solution and allow data centers to cut costs and make profits from idle IP addresses.

FL: Why did you choose the blockchain? Have you considered any other technological solutions for your platform?

Integrating the blockchain with the IP Exchange platform is the best solution to the problems that we discovered while working with IP providers. Unlike many others, we are not a blockchain solution looking for problems. We found a problem, and the blockchain was the best solution.

Problems like manual contract processing are best solved through automated smart contracts. Traditional businesses that work with traditional fiat currencies should include factors such as non-payment, bank fees, and so on. And again the nature of blockchain payments solves the problem.

Although we still intend to start work as a traditional centralized business, we see an almost infinite number of ways to increase the trust, value and security of IPSX using the blockchain and decentralization. In addition, in the future we may open up the possibility of switching to a fully decentralized model, which will allow the community to become more involved in the IPSX ecosystem.

FL: What is the most difficult thing about building such a platform?

The most difficult thing at the moment is to find the right balance between research with the creation of prototypes and, in fact, the release of working products. Blockchain technology still has flaws that need to be addressed, such as scalability and ease of use. It is necessary to explore the best ways to implement this technology in order to provide a convenient work product.

FL: Often, the IP addresses provided by VPN providers are blocked due to some actions of previous users. What if the user gives his IP in rent and the address is blocked due to the tenant's actions? Does ipsx have a solution for such problems?

Yes, we have a mechanism to prevent such actions. First, thanks to the blockchain's capabilities, we will conduct a log of exchange between those who request addresses (requesters) and those who provide them (providers). Secondly, we will implement the rating mechanics. It will consist of two elements: an automatic rating compiled by the system and a user rating where requesters and providers give each other ratings. Thus, unscrupulous requesters will be denied access to offers. Third, we offer different types of filters for providers so that they can restrict the use of addresses (for example, a provider may prohibit the use of their addresses for Facebook or Google). Finally, our support department will be able to help unlock the IP if it is still blocked.

FL: How to be dynamic IP users? Can they participate in the ecosystem? How?

Yes, they will be able to participate. It is only necessary to implement a simple mechanism for checking the change of the IP address on the provider side and synchronize it with the change of the proposed address on the platform.

FL: Aside from the analog VPN system, what are the main advantages of IPSX for a regular Internet user?

We are opening a new level of flexibility in terms of price and terms we offer. The user can decide himself when he needs an IP, from where and how much he is willing to pay for it. If there is no suitable offer, you can create a custom offer so that the potential provider can provide the right conditions. I do not know of other such projects.

FL: Can you tell us a little about the existing regulation and, possibly, legal liability related to the assignment and use of IP addresses?

There is no specific regulation for IP addresses. However, from the point of view of the company, we are closely monitoring compliance with all existing legislation and even possible new regulations. Many things need to be taken into account: GDPR and personal data, cryptoregulation, information security of users, their assets, international sanctions and countries where economic activity is limited.

FL: In your white paper, you mention that solutions like TOR can lead to problems with responsibility. What are these problems and how does your platform solve or avoid them?

The most obvious problem when using the TOR network is that you never know what your IP address was used for. The first level of security is the history of using IP, which we store in encrypted form in the blockchain. You will always have the opportunity to prove that your IP was used by someone else for a certain period of time.

FL: In countries like China, Turkey, Russia and others, the use of VPN services is either prohibited or restricted. Can IPSX be banned by these states?

This is possible. We cannot predict exactly how different jurisdictions will treat IPSX. However, as I have already clarified, we are closely monitoring the legislation and intend to fully comply with all regulatory standards. It is also important to note that in the long term, we plan to become a decentralized system not only at the technological level, but also at the level of the corporate structure and business model. This is a completely new approach for regulators and industry participants, and there are no answers to all potential questions yet. Time will tell.

FL: According to your white paper, IPSX works in conjunction with third-party VPN services. Do you plan your own VPN solution, separate or integrated with IPSX? Can you recommend specific solutions?

Yes, we plan to add a decentralized VPN service on top of the IPSX platform.

I can not say something definite about the specific decisions on the market. My recommendation would be to build your own VPN server using open source VPN solutions. This is the best solution if you want to have full confidence that your traffic is not recorded by a third-party provider. OpenVPN is a good open-source solution, and setting up a server takes from several hours to several days to learn, depending on technical knowledge.

FL: Returning to one of the previous questions, do you have a technical solution for jurisdictions where VPN services are completely prohibited?

As I said above, the best solution is to create your own VPN server or several servers scattered around the world. But this is not just a solution for everyone, and I did not check every VPN service on the market, so I can’t tell a particular provider.

FL: There is a possibility that soon the Internet of Things will move much further than smart lighting and heating systems. This may lead to an increase in demand for IP addresses or the introduction of new types of identifiers instead of IP. How do you see the role of the IPSX platform in this not too fantastic future?

It would be good to integrate smart devices with IPSX and make of IP part of the ecosystem. We are working on potential partnerships in this direction. As soon as news appears, we will publish everything.

FL: What is the probability that the Internet protocol itself will change and in the future we will have another Internet?

There are many companies that work on solutions and protocols that could offer a qualitatively new level of decentralization. However, I do not think we will see new base protocols in the near future. Those that already exist work quite well, but we can see a new layer of decentralization on top of the existing protocols.

FL: Are there reasons for tightening IP-related regulations in terms of security, accountability, etc.?

I do not see any specific reasons for introducing new or tightening existing rules. The current rules are quite well defined and implemented by central authorities and registrars. We have a series of 10 blog posts where we explain how the Internet works and how it works. If someone is interested in such topics, pay attention to these materials.

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