Google teams up with buzzy blockchain video network Theta

Blockchain-based streaming video platform operator Theta Labs announced that it has added Google Cloud as a network validator alongside today’s Theta Mainnet 2.0 launch.

Google is the latest company to join Theta’s Enterprise Validator Program, which also includes Binance, Blockchain Ventures, and Japanese company gumi Cryptos. Thanks to the partnership, any Google Cloud user can now deploy a Theta node via the Google Cloud Marketplace.

“Distributed ledger technology enables new business models that potentially transform the global digital economy, including the media & entertainment industry,” said Google Cloud Developer Advocate Allen Day, in a release. “We’re impressed by Theta’s achievements in blockchain video and data delivery. We look forward to participating as an enterprise validator, and to providing Google Cloud infrastructure in support of Theta’s long-term mission and future growth.”

Google Cloud, however, will not hold or stake any Theta tokens itself as part of this deal. "Google Cloud is operating a Theta validator node as part of our partnership," a Google Cloud spokesperson told Decrypt. "Theta will stake the required tokens to Google’s validator node from its own holdings and on Google’s behalf."

Theta’s decentralized streaming technology spreads the bandwidth burden across users. Viewers share their excess bandwidth with other users and earn TFUEL tokens as a reward, providing what Theta Labs says is higher-quality video while also minimizing the expense and infrastructure needs for video providers.

Theta Labs’ technology is currently used for streaming platforms such as esports/gaming-centric Theta.tv. The latter allows streamers to earn a share of TFUEL, plus website and blog operators can earn TFUEL by hosting Theta.tv streams on their websites. Theta.tv streams are also now embedded in the Samsung Daily feed across 75+ million Samsung Galaxy S smartphones.

According to the Theta Labs website, there are currently 12 live enterprise validator nodes as of this writing, along with 425 Guardian nodes and more than 2,200 edge cacher nodes. Guardian Node operators can stake Theta tokens to assist with the two-layer consensus model and earn TFUEL as a reward.

The Theta token has seen a 239% rally over the last 30 days according to CoinGecko, as of this writing, perhaps in part due to announced partnerships with companies such as Samsung, World Poker Tour, and gumi. TFUEL, meanwhile, has risen 536% over the last 30 days.

Editor's note: This article was updated after publication to include additional comments from Google Cloud clarifying that will not hold or own any Theta tokens itself as part of the new arrangement.