DRAIN

Decentralized Runtime for AI Networks

An open protocol for trustless, streaming micropayments between AI consumers and providers.

ERC-8190: This protocol is being formalized as an Ethereum standard — Payment Channels with Signed Vouchers. The ERC defines the minimal interface for unidirectional payment channels using EIP-712 signed vouchers, complementary to ERC-8183 (Agentic Commerce).

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                           1000 AI REQUESTS                                   ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║                                                                              ║
║   DRAIN              │  Per-Request Payments (x402, etc.)                    ║
║   ─────              │  ────────────────────────────────                     ║
║   2 transactions     │  1000 transactions                                    ║
║   ~$0.04 gas         │  ~$20+ gas                                            ║
║   0ms latency        │  2-5 sec per request                                  ║
║   1 wallet popup     │  1000 wallet popups (or API key)                      ║
║                                                                              ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Why DRAIN?

Existing decentralized AI protocols require holding volatile tokens, creating speculation dynamics that overwhelm utility. Meanwhile, 78% of the world lacks credit cards, and AI agents can't have bank accounts.

DRAIN fills this gap: stablecoin micropayments without tokens, complexity, or intermediaries.

| Problem | DRAIN Solution | |---------|----------------| | Token volatility | USDC-only, predictable pricing | | High fees | ~$0.02 per tx on Polygon (varies: $0.015-0.025) | | AI agents can't pay | First-class programmatic support | | Credit card barriers | Permissionless crypto access |

Overview

DRAIN enables permissionless, pay-per-token AI inference without intermediaries. Users open payment channels with USDC, stream requests to any compatible provider, and settle on-chain only when needed.

Core Principles:

• Minimal – The protocol defines only what's necessary
• Permissionless – Anyone can be a provider or consumer
• Trustless – Cryptography replaces trust
• Immutable – No admin keys, no upgrades, no fees

How It Works

DRAIN is like a prepaid card for AI: deposit USDC, use it across requests, withdraw the remainder.

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        Off-Chain (Fast & Free)                   │
│                                                                  │
│    Consumer                                      Provider        │
│        │                                   

... [View full README on GitHub](https://github.com/kimbo128/DRAIN#readme)