Salad.com and Golem Network Launch Decentralized GPU Cloud Infrastructure Trial

Salad.com has entered a strategic partnership with Golem Network to explore whether decentralized computing infrastructure can support large-scale GPU workloads. The collaboration will involve engineering trials to map Salad’s commercial cloud traffic through Golem’s permissionless compute layer. The primary goal is to evaluate the scalability and reliability of decentralized infrastructure for high-demand tasks like AI inference and 3D rendering.

Salad, which operates a GPU cloud platform with global infrastructure, currently manages a complex system of centralized billing and reward distribution. By integrating crypto payments and decentralized execution, Salad aims to reduce operational costs and streamline settlement processes. The partnership aligns with Salad’s broader strategy to explore DePINs as a complementary infrastructure model.

Golem Network, one of the earliest decentralized computing protocols, will allow Salad to test how its compute layer can handle enterprise-grade traffic. Initial tests will begin with a single customer’s transactions before scaling up. The collaboration aims to validate whether DePINs can offer a transparent and cost-efficient alternative to traditional cloud models.

Why the Move Happened

Salad began evaluating DePIN protocols in the third quarter of 2025, identifying Golem as the most compatible with its existing architecture. The move reflects a broader shift in the tech industry toward hybrid and decentralized infrastructure models. As demand for GPU resources grows, especially in AI and drug discovery, companies are seeking more efficient ways to manage and distribute computational power.

Golem’s permissionless compute layer is designed to enable resource-sharing across decentralized networks. Salad’s CTO highlighted the technical overlap between Golem’s architecture and Salad’s current operations. This alignment supports Salad’s goal of integrating crypto payments and improving compute orchestration.

What Analysts Are Watching

Market analysts are tracking how this trial could influence broader cloud computing trends. With global data processing and hosting services expected to grow at a 20.6% annual rate from 2025 to 2032, the integration of decentralized infrastructure could offer new efficiency gains for enterprises.

The trial also raises questions about the economic incentives for adopting DePINs. By using Golem’s native token (GLM), Salad can eliminate significant middleman fees in its current infrastructure. This shift could improve its margin profile or allow Salad to reduce pricing in a competitive GPU market.

Industry observers are also looking at how Salad’s public dashboard will provide real-time updates on the trial’s progress. This transparency may help build trust in decentralized infrastructure as a viable alternative to traditional cloud models.

Key Implications

This partnership could reshape how cloud computing services are structured, particularly for workloads that require high computational power. If successful, the trial could demonstrate how DePINs and crypto payments can reduce operational overhead and increase accessibility for global users.

Salad’s CEO emphasized the shared vision of making advanced computational power more widely accessible. By leveraging underutilized devices, both Salad and Golem aim to democratize access to GPU resources for a broader range of users.

The results of this trial could influence how other cloud providers approach decentralized infrastructure. As AI and machine learning continue to drive demand for GPU resources, the integration of DePINs may become a key competitive advantage.

Updates on the trial will be publicly available at stats.salad.com. This real-time visibility will allow stakeholders to track performance metrics and assess the long-term viability of decentralized infrastructure for enterprise applications.