APIS Blockchain Platform Enables Cross-chain Masternode Investment

I recently stumbled across a project called APIS which they refer to as a 'masternode mediation platform'.

The platform is designed to enable any user access to investments into the incentivized network running across all blockchain platforms that run masternodes. These “Masternode Networks” can be part of Proof of Stake (PoS) or Proof of Work (PoW) based blockchains.

Masternodes are the nodes in these types of blockchain network that perform specific functions beyond simply relaying transactions and securing the network through the consensus process (PoW or PoS). These functions can be hosting specific distributed applications that are available to all users in the blockchain or providing blockchain related services.

Masternodes receive incentives for the contribution they make to these causes, meaning that investing in master nodes can provide a passive income. Masternode networks exist in many live blockchain platforms, including DASH and PIVX.

However, setting up a master node in a given blockchain network is out of reach of most people since it often requires substantial capital and intricate software engineering. Also in some networks there is a minimum number of coins that investors need to possess, which is prohibitive for most individuals. For example, the minimum amount required to form a DASH masternode is 1,000 DASH coins (equivalent to USD 760,000). On STRATIS, you require 25,000 coins (equivalent to USD 1,700,000).

Right now there are services on offer where you can pool your money with other people into individual master nodes, that funds both the infrastructure costs and the purchasing of blockchain currency as capital for qualifying for masternode status.

However, the investment must be done on an individual master node basis on a single blockchain each time.

The APIS business model instead appears to be to run a platform based on the Ethereum public-chain that allows individual and corporate players to invest in a selection of masternodes across multiple blockchains, via a single coin. This enables more widespread participation in masternode investments and allows a convenient, safe and accessible way to diversify risk and reward across those blockchains.

APIS says that they aim to become the first currency of masternode coins.