Reply from Connect UnitedApr 4, 2025
Please see our reply below is sections with links to additional information and references.
“First impression: I wanted to see what blockchain tech they were using and see what it took to participate. But I couldn't find any info on the tech - there is no visible network/blockchain ledger”
Win (as well as the other associated projects) is a Layer 1 Blockchain with independent block explorers where all distribution transactions of native tokens are viewable on chain.
https://win.elevatescan.com/
The Native rewards can be bridged to ERC-20 tokens, which then can be traced via Etherscan, Dexscreener, CoinMarketCap and others.
https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/connect-united/
https://etherscan.io/token/0xb10cb07ca2cdac77fbb5707f6690301f9d036f45
The blockchains are independent and self governed by the node owners including on-chain voting:
Connect Disclaimer
Win nodes and the Win Blockchain are governed by a Distributed Governance Framework, which is distinct from and not solely controlled by Connect United DAO LLC. Any value derived from Win nodes and WIN Digital Rewards is likely to be uncorrelated with the success or failure of Connect.
WIN Blockchain Self Governance Interface: https://win.node-governance.io/governance
“Second try: Okay, so I'm told I can participate by having a node. So I attempt to find out what software is required to run a node and discover you can't actually host a node - you "buy them". Wait, what!? You can't actually host the node yourself? That's kind of point of a decentralised system. According to Connect, you buy virtual "nodes" that manage this unseen network that you just have to trust exists, using "blockchain" tech that nobody has any details on.”
You are buying a node software license that YES, you can absolutely host yourself.
You can also pay a third party VPS (Virtual Private Server) to host for you and some people to choose to do that because it is more user friendly but not required.
Here are the requirements to host it yourself on a local computer:
https://support.connectunited.com/hc/en-us/articles/4560894192923-What-devices-are-currently-supported-for-running-my-Win-Node-software
As far as the “‘blockchain’ tech that nobody has any details on”, see my above response.
“Third and final straw: Having had my friend invest significant funds, I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt - maybe it just looks suspicious but still has something to offer. So I watched some videos and read though some of the training material on the site. There was information on the blockchain and it seemed pretty accurate. Yet, I just couldn't find anything on how Connect United itself has anything to do with the blockchain. The marketing in the videos seemed to infer that Connect United is somehow a driving force behind blockchain technology or that it might bring it to the masses.
So I searched for evidence that Connect United is either contributing something to the technology stack or that one of their user facing products have some grounding or momentum. I failed to find _anything_ other than promises - all the software talked about in their offerings is "in early development".”
Not sure where you were looking but Connect has multiple user-facing blockchain-based products and services available in its shopping cart including videoconferencing subscriptions (through R-Link) and wellness app subscriptions (through Galvan).
“How can a decentralised system award value from its pool using arbitrary measurements like "making the world a better place", all while maintaining any sort of value? That's nonsensical.”
Through self-governance and the process of submitting proposals and community members voting on proposals, a decentralized entity or system can do whatever, they as a community, choose to do.
This includes a Charter that has been submitted by and voted on by community members, who are node owners.
https://win.node-governance.io/governance
