
Today we're introducing the Open Internet Protocol (OIP)—an open-source, decentralized protocol for building scalable, privacy-focused, and censorship-resistant social applications.

At Portrait, we've spent the past three years learning firsthand which decentralized technologies effectively scale and enhance user experience. These insights have directly informed OIP's design, focusing on simplicity, usability, and affordability. Our goal is to lower barriers for developers and provide users with seamless decentralized experiences.

OIP provides developers with the flexibility to register their own applications through the `OIPAppRegistry`, enabling custom interaction logic.

The [Open Internet Protocol](https://openinternetprotocol.com) will exist as a public good: independently, open-source and credibly neutral. It's important to note that OIP is not designed exclusively for Portrait.

## Why we separated OIP from Portrait

As the original protocol matured, it became clear that its design and capabilities could support many decentralized social applications beyond Portrait itself. We believe this positions OIP as a versatile foundation that can effectively address the growing demands of decentralized social applications at scale.

While Portrait must comply with regional regulatory requirements, OIP will remain independent and impartial—free from any single organization's control. This separation ensures Portrait can continue innovating and optimizing for user experience, while OIP serves as a reliable, open foundation for diverse decentralized applications.

## What happens next

OIP is currently in the process of migration as we finalize benchmarking and security assessments. We plan to fully migrate the Portrait protocol onto OIP in Q2.

Developers interested in exploring or contributing to OIP can get started by visiting [the official documentation](https://openinternetprotocol.com), following updates on [X](https://x.com/useopeninternet), or checking out the project on [GitHub](https://github.com/openinternetprotocol).

## A note on tokens

We've become aware of unofficial tokens claiming affiliation with Portrait. There is no official Portrait token at this time. Please exercise caution. While no immediate token launch is planned, we are carefully considering how incentives might support the long-term health and growth of the Portrait ecosystem.


Introducing the Open Internet Protocol


Today we're excited to announce the launch of the Portrait beta on testnet—the first step toward enabling true autonomy in everyday internet usage.

Over the past three years, our team has learned extensively about the technologies that empower genuine decentralization while still offering an intuitive user experience. Portrait embodies these insights, providing an accessible, expressive, and decentralized personal site for everyone.

Portrait represents the "New Internet"—a place designed for self-expression, ownership, and community-driven hosting, away from centralized control. By leveraging the power of decentralization, Portrait ensures your personal digital identity is truly yours.

## Getting started with Portrait

As part of our beta release, early adopters can create their Portrait for a one-time fee of $10. This fee helps maintain network stability, reduce spam, and supports the sustainability of a decentralized hosting infrastructure.

Creating your Portrait takes just minutes. Visit portrait.so to sign up, pick your name, and establish your corner of the decentralized web.

## Why decentralization matters

Today's web has become dominated by centralized platforms that dictate how you express yourself, control your content, and even monetize your attention. Portrait offers an alternative—built on open protocols that empower users with genuine control, transparency, and resilience.

Your Portrait isn’t hosted on centralized servers but across a global network of peers. Every user contributes to the resilience of the network by hosting each other’s content, ensuring your site remains accessible without reliance on any single entity.

## Testnet launch details

The Portrait beta is currently deployed on Base Sepolia testnet, providing a stable, low-cost environment ideal for testing and community feedback. We anticipate a full mainnet launch in Q4 after comprehensive testing and optimization.

During this beta period, we're actively tracking network participation and preparing for our innovative rewards system, expected to launch between Q3 and Q4. Early contributors and hosts during this period will unlock unique rewards beyond just access.

## Next steps and community engagement

We invite everyone to join the beta today—experiment, create, and help shape the future of the decentralized web. Your feedback is invaluable as we refine Portrait, ensuring it meets your needs for self-expression, autonomy, and digital sovereignty.

For developers and enthusiasts interested in the underlying technology, Portrait is powered by [the Open Internet Protocol](https://openinternetprotocol.com) (OIP), a fully open-source and credibly neutral framework designed for building decentralized social applications.

## Rewards

We’re already tracking hosting activity during the beta, with rewards set to launch later this year.

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Stay informed and engaged by visiting portrait.so, following updates on [X](https://x.com/withportrait), or joining our vibrant [Discord](https://discord.portrait.so) community.

Thank you for your continued support. The future of the web starts today—and it starts with you.


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Introducing the Open Internet Protocol

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Announcing Portrait Beta on Testnet