Pearl

Pearl is the native cryptocurrency of the Pearl network, a layer-1 blockchain developed by Pearl Research Labs. The network uses a Proof-of-Useful-Work consensus mechanism in which selected artificial intelligence computations also contribute to blockchain mining.

Pearl’s mining process is based on matrix multiplication, a mathematical operation used throughout AI inference and training. The protocol modifies these calculations so that a GPU can produce an AI result and generate cryptographic proof of computational work during the same process. Miners submit these proofs to compete for the right to add blocks and receive newly issued PRL.

The blockchain is based on Bitcoin’s protocol and uses an unspent transaction output model. It has been adapted to support Pearl’s mining proofs, variable-length block certificates and zero-knowledge proofs intended to prevent private model weights or input data from being disclosed during verification.

PRL has a maximum supply of 2.1 billion coins. Its smallest unit is one hundred-millionth of a PRL, known as a grain. New coins are distributed through block rewards according to a gradually declining emission schedule rather than periodic halvings. Pearl targets an average block interval of 194 seconds.

PRL is used as the monetary unit of the Pearl blockchain. It can be transferred between users through the network’s UTXO-based transaction system.

The coin is issued to miners that produce valid Proof-of-Useful-Work certificates and add blocks to the chain. These rewards compensate miners for contributing computational work and provide the economic incentive supporting network security. Miners can also collect transaction fees from payments included in their blocks.

Pearl is designed so that AI service providers can mine PRL while carrying out compatible inference or training workloads. The initial implementation focuses on integer matrix multiplication and includes a plugin for the vLLM inference framework. The project plans to extend the protocol to additional data formats and AI workloads, though these upgrades remain subject to further development and testing.

The whitepaper also discusses a possible future compute marketplace in which the network could verify completed computational work and settle related agreements. This is presented as a potential extension rather than a current function of PRL.

Pearl was created by Pearl Research Labs, the organisation that published the network’s whitepaper and open-source protocol implementation. The company develops the blockchain, mining software, wallet infrastructure and supporting research behind its Proof-of-Useful-Work system.

Omri Weinstein is identified by Pearl Research Labs as its co-founder and chief executive officer. Cryptography researcher Rafael Pass has also contributed to Pearl’s economic research, including analysis of how useful-work mining may affect network security and the cost of computation.