#### What is Mysterium? Mysterium, represented by the MYST token, is an open-source ecosystem that aims to make the internet borderless and accessible for all. It provides a suite of protocols, tools, and [Web3](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/crypto-education/glossary/web3) infrastructure that allows users and developers to safeguard their online anonymity and ensure equal access to information. Mysterium operates on a permissionless, [peer-to-peer](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/crypto-education/glossary/peer-to-peer) network, enabling anyone to become a [node](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/crypto-education/glossary/node) and rent their spare internet resources, such as bandwidth or IP address, in exchange for [cryptocurrency](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-cryptocurrency). This network is designed to be tamper-proof, anonymous, and encrypted, offering superior usability, stability, and speed compared to similar platforms. #### How does Mysterium work? Mysterium works by allowing users to turn their devices into nodes and rent their spare internet resources. The network uses the MYST token for frictionless peer-to-peer micropayments. If you're using the VPN, you can pay with MYST token, and if you're a node (provider of the VPN service), you receive MYST. Mysterium has designed its own unique micropayments infrastructure, the Hermes [protocol](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-a-protocol), to facilitate these fast, anonymous, and censorship-resistant transactions. In 2022, Mysterium aims to integrate the IQ Protocol, developed by PARSIQ, to power the Mysterium Delegation Pool, a solution that allows holders to [stake](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-staking) MYST and earn rewards in DAI [stablecoin](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-a-stablecoin). #### What are the potential use cases for Mysterium? Mysterium's Network-as-a-Service lays the groundwork for a variety of enterprise-level services to be built, including its flagship product, the Mysterium VPN. Developers and entrepreneurs can build private, censorship-resistant tools, and businesses can make their products globally accessible and secure. The technology is fully compatible with both Web2 and Web3 platforms and can be integrated with VPNs, proxy services, [DeFi](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-defi) [wallets](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-a-crypto-wallet), browsers, search engines, data scraping solutions, and streaming apps. This integration aims to build censorship-resistance into the apps we already use, making Mysterium a versatile tool for maintaining online privacy and freedom. #### What is the history of Mysterium? Mysterium was launched with a token sale that raised $14 million CHF. The project has since developed a unique ecosystem that combines protocols, tools, and Web3 infrastructure to make the internet more accessible and anonymous. Mysterium's network is powered by its permissionless, peer-to-peer network, which allows anyone to become a node and rent their spare internet resources. The project's flagship product, the Mysterium VPN, is available for Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux, with iOS support planned for 2022. Mysterium has also designed its own unique micropayments infrastructure, the Hermes protocol, and plans to integrate the IQ Protocol in 2022.