iExec in 2025: Not Just “Blockchain Cloud,” But a Secret Weapon for AI and Your Data (Asked CEO Gilles Fedak – Mind Blown!)

Hi! Editor-in-Chief here. If you thought like I did 5 years ago that iExec (RLC) was just “Amazon but decentralized,” you’re in for a real shocker. I was amazed when I dug deeper. After talking with Gilles Fedak (Founder & CEO), it turns out the project has shed its skin like a snake. They used to sell computing power, but now… Well, read on.

First, a Summary for the Impatient (Like Me):

• Obsolete (2025): V3, IPFS as the main feature, Alibaba/IBM as key partners, “buy RLC on Binance.”
• Reality (2025): V5 with Confidential AI, focus on DePIN and data monetization, partners include NVIDIA, Intel, Coinbase, Revolut, the RLC token is the key to everything (staking, governance, liquidity).
• The Big Deal: iExec is now not a marketplace but an ecosystem where RLC is the lifeblood. If you have valuable data or want to use others’ AI without leaking secrets – this is your place.

Conversation with Gilles Fedak: From “Little Clouds” to the Core of Web3

Gilles, honestly? I reread your 2019 interviews about V3… Well, that’s outdated. The world moved on. How did iExec survive? And what drives you now?

Gilles: (Laughs) Survive? We thrived! In 2019, we were like a cool concept car – sleek, high-tech, but driving it to work? Tricky. The main mistake? Thinking people just wanted “cheap hardware.” Turns out, not quite. The truth in 2025: Value isn’t in gigaflops but in data and the ability to use it securely. That’s where we are now. Our V5 isn’t an upgrade – it’s a paradigm shift.

How iExec Differs from AWS (And Why It’s Awesome):

Imagine:

1. You have a super AI model trained on your secret data (healthcare, finance, personal). Selling it? Scary. Granting access? Suicide.
2. You have a task requiring that model but lack a supercomputer.

The old world: Risk your data or pay astronomical sums for a secure server. iExec in 2025: You upload an encrypted model to the network. A user pays in RLC, sends their encrypted data. The magic of TEE (Trusted Execution Environment – like an impenetrable vault inside the processor):

• Data and model only meet inside this “vault.”
• Computations run inside – nobody sees the model’s code or raw data.
• Output? Only the result (diagnosis, price prediction, risk analysis).
• You (model owner) earn RLC. They (user) get the result. The hardware provider (with TEE-compatible Intel/AMD processors) earns RLC too. Everyone wins, secrets intact. This is Confidential AI – our flagship feature. Honestly, I underestimated the demand, but it’s skyrocketing – especially in DeFi and healthcare.

Why This Took Off Now (Gilles’ Insights)

• AI isn’t the future – it’s now. But it hinges on data quality and privacy. iExec solves both.
• DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) is mainstream. People are ready to own infrastructure (hardware, sensors, GPUs) and earn crypto. Our network is ideal for their resources, especially for TEE tasks.
• RLC is no longer “just a token.” It’s now the ecosystem’s fuel (more below – this is crucial!).

iExec V5: Not “What” But “How” (And Why It’s Easy Even for Newbies)

Before, you needed an SDK and technical skills. Now – simpler:

• iApp Generator: Want your own “confidential” dApp? No need to code from scratch. Use templates for common tasks (data analysis, AI predictions). Customize it – and go. “It’s like WordPress for confidential computing,” jokes Gilles.
• Data Pools: Want to train models on diverse data without pooling raw datasets? Add your encrypted dataset to a pool. Algorithms learn from all data simultaneously, but nobody (even other dataset owners) sees your raw data. Gold for researchers. “Imagine hospitals wanting to train a model on patient data legally barred from sharing. Data Pools fix this,” explains Gilles.
• Bellecour Sidechain: Avoids clogging Ethereum mainnet and high gas fees. Our transactions run here – fast and cheap. Users? They just experience smoother operation.

RLC Tokenomics 2025: Not Just “Buy and Wait for Moon” (Though…)

Forget 2019: “Buy RLC, hold, watch charts.” Now RLC is a utility tool within the ecosystem. Here’s how it’s actually used:

“RLC used to be a ticket to the marketplace. Now it’s the currency of a whole digital nation – our ecosystem,” says Gilles. “The more services built on iExec (50+ already), the more RLC demand grows – not for speculation, but for real utility.” Makes sense to me.

Who’s Already Onboard? (Partnerships That Genuinely Impressed Me)

• NVIDIA: Integrating their GPUs into our network for heavy Confidential AI tasks. Serious players believe in us.
• Intel: Deep collaboration on TDX (Trust Domain Extensions) – next-gen TEE. Our ecosystem + their secure hardware.
• Coinbase & Revolut: RLC featured in their “Learn & Earn” programs. New users discover iExec through top exchanges/neobanks – not noisy Telegram channels. “This isn’t just listing; it’s legitimacy for millions,” comments Gilles.
• DePIN Projects (Render, Filecoin, etc.): Mutual integration. Their resources + our TEE data protection. Synergy!

What’s Next? (Honestly Sounds Like Sci-Fi, But They’re Doing It)

1. ElizaOS: Think Siri or Alexa? Try an AI assistant that physically cannot leak your queries/history because it runs inside iExec’s TEE. Beta already testing.
2. RWA (Real World Assets) Gateway: Want to tokenize property or art? Needs confidential data verification (ownership, appraisal). iExec + TEE = trust + privacy.
3. Extreme Simplification: Goal: Any business (not just crypto-natives) can use iExec via a web interface with minimal learning. “Like AWS in 2006,” smiles Gilles.

Any Pitfalls? (Asked – Got Honest Answers)

• Competitors: Oasis, Phala, even big clouds (AWS Nitro Enclaves). “But our focus is on practical applications and the RLC ecosystem – not just tech. That’s key,” insists Gilles.
• TEE Complexity: Still feels like magic to laypeople. Needs simpler demos/case studies. “We work on this daily,” he says.
• Market Volatility: Crypto winter? Been there. iExec survived. “We’re building a useful product, not a financial pyramid. Crypto cycles are background noise,” philosophically.

How to Try iExec Yourself in 2025 (No Complex Code Needed):

1. Buy RLC: Not just Binance (though possible), but Coinbase, Kraken, or Uniswap V3 (better rates!). Start with any comfortable amount.
2. Stake Some: Via the iExec Portal or a trusted delegate. Earn passive income.
3. Try the iApp Generator: Portal → “Build” → “iApps.” Pick a template (e.g., “Secure Data Analysis”). Tweak settings. Run a test task (costs pennies in RLC). See results – zero risk/complex setup.
4. Follow Updates: Best via Discord (live team chat) or Twitter (@iEx_ec). Upcoming AMA with Gilles (June 6th!) – ask your question!

My Personal Take (After Talking to Gilles):

If iExec was an interesting experiment in 2019, in 2025 it’s a functional, in-demand tool. Data privacy/control is the internet’s #1 issue. They’ve hit the nerve. TEE tech is complex, but the team fights to make it accessible. RLC tokenomics finally has real utility beyond “buy/sell.”

Worth getting involved? If you believe data privacy and AI aren’t just hype but the future, yes, take a closer look. Try staking or building a simple iApp – it’s the best way to “get it.” Risks exist (as anywhere in crypto), but the project’s foundation is incomparably stronger. Personally, I’ve staked some RLC – let’s see what happens.

P.S. from Gilles: “We’re not just building technology. We’re building trust infrastructure for the new internet. If you care what happens to your data – welcome aboard. Let’s build this together.” Sounds lofty? Maybe. But after our talk, I’m inclined to believe him.

TL;DR (So You Don’t Forget):

• iExec V5 (2025) = Confidential AI + DePIN + RLC Utility.
• Essence: Secure computation with private data/AI models inside TEE (processor “vaults”).
• RLC: No longer just a token – now the ecosystem’s fuel (staking, LP, governance, vouchers).
• Partners: NVIDIA, Intel, Coinbase, Revolut – heavy hitters.
• How to try: Buy RLC → Stake / Provide liquidity → Play with iApp Generator.
• Future: ElizaOS (private AI assistants), RWA integration, mass-market simplification.