# Background Context

To understand why OEM licensing monetization matters so much, we have to look at how technology ecosystems historically scaled.

* Qualcomm & ARM: Instead of selling chips directly to every consumer, they licensed their chip architectures (Snapdragon, Cortex) to device manufacturers. This OEM model meant every phone, laptop, or IoT device was built with their IP at the core.
* Microsoft Windows: Instead of convincing every consumer to install DOS/Windows, Microsoft signed OEM agreements with PC makers. When you bought a PC, the OS was already pre-loaded.
* Google Android: Instead of selling Android directly, Google licensed it for free to OEMs. They captured the market because Android was the default software environment for most devices.

Volm Network can follow the same path: by making its compiler, light node, and vault hooks part of the default firmware/software stack of devices from the moment they leave the factory. The OEM channel removes end-user friction and scales Volm Network by the thousand-unit shipment rather than by individual user onboarding.
