The ICPanda DAO has announced the activation of vetKeys, one of Internet Computer’s more technical features, through Proposal 137151. With this, end-to-end encrypted keys derived directly on-chain are now live on the dMsg.net platform.
The vetKeys rollout marks a major feature release for the dMsg.net project, which will also generate DMSG tokens and for community engagement. The platform’s Proof of Link (PoL) system is central to how users earn DMSG tokens. It rewards users for establishing verified connections, making it quite different from most meme coin setups which tend to rely on hype rather than usage.
The mechanics of PoL are relatively simple: to begin, users register a username on dMsg.net, which activates their profile page. From there, rewards kick in when someone visits the profile and initiates a message. The user then accepts the message request to complete the connection, and in doing so, earns mining rewards. However, the system is designed to prioritise quality over quantity—only one reward is generated per unique user connection.
The reward system follows a halving model. Initially, each new verified link earns the user 1 DMSG. That amount halves every 21 million blocks until rewards eventually reach 0.0001 DMSG. Mining ends once block height 293,999,999 is reached, with the total supply set to cap at just under 42 million tokens—specifically 41,997,436.32. There are no pre-mined tokens, which is rare in the meme coin space and gives dMsg.net a more grassroots feel.
The cost to participate is tied to PANDA, another token within the ICP ecosystem. Registering a username requires at least 100 PANDA, and setting up a message channel will cost 10 PANDA. These requirements may help prevent spammy activity and encourage users to think more carefully about their engagement on the platform.
DMSG is built on the ICP blockchain using a 34-node subnet. The ledger canister address is ocqzv-tyaaa-aaaar-qal4a-cai, while the index canister can be found at qc6wh-6yaaa-aaaap-anuza-cai. The token uses 8 decimal places and maintains a strict supply cap of 42 million, aligning with the design principles of transparency and predictability.
While dMsg.net was initially viewed by many as a meme coin experiment, the integration of vetKeys gives the platform a utility-focused edge. Enabling encrypted communication, backed by on-chain key derivation, makes it possible for users to maintain privacy and security without stepping outside the ICP ecosystem. This may be of interest to developers and projects exploring decentralised messaging with a crypto-native incentive layer.
However, questions remain around whether end-to-end encryption will be enough of a driver for sustained adoption. ICPanda DAO will likely be keeping an eye on usage data, as the platform’s engagement-based mining model depends on users creating authentic, consistent connections—not just one-off rewards farming.
There’s also the broader issue of visibility. Despite its technical promise, dMsg.net still sits in a fairly niche corner of the crypto space. Without major marketing efforts or partnerships, the PoL model might struggle to scale beyond its current community. That said, the simplicity of the user flow—visit, message, accept, reward—could appeal to crypto users tired of complicated staking systems or gas-heavy chains.
The combination of memecoin branding with real on-chain encryption is a curious one, but perhaps that’s the point. The crypto space continues to reward experiments that mix playfulness with technical rigour, and dMsg.net seems to be walking that line quite consciously. Whether vetKeys become a standout feature in ICP’s expanding toolset will depend not just on the tech, but on the community’s willingness to use it beyond mining rewards.
As for ICPanda DAO, enabling vetKeys may help reinforce its broader reputation within the ICP ecosystem. While meme coins often come and go, those that attach themselves to infrastructure and deliver functioning services tend to hang around longer—and with more loyal communities.
With vetKeys now live and PoL mining in full swing, the next few months may reveal whether dMsg.net’s mix of anonymity, simplicity, and reward is the kind of formula that can grow quietly rather than flash briefly. It’s a different kind of meme coin story—less spectacle, more slow burn. Whether that works depends, as always, on what the users actually do with it.
