Sentinel dVPN Hits 19K Daily Users, Surpasses 500K Installs

Sentinel’s decentralized VPN (dVPN) saw over 19,000 users connect in a single day, marking a new record for the project. The team confirmed the figure via its official X account on Friday. That one-day spike marks the highest traffic the Sentinel-powered dVPN ecosystem has ever handled. It reflects the growing demand for internet privacy tools, especially those built without centralized control.

The stat includes users from multiple apps that tap into Sentinel’s peer-to-peer VPN network. These apps allow anyone to share or access bandwidth through a decentralized marketplace, without relying on central servers.

500K Installs and Counting

Sentinel also announced it has now crossed 500,000 total downloads across Android and iOS. While the project didn’t break down installs by region or platform. It did confirm the milestone includes both its own apps and third-party clients built on the Sentinel network.

The install count shows how far the project has come since its early testnet days. And while some traction may have come from crypto-native circles. The recent growth hints at broader appeal, even among users unfamiliar with blockchain tech.

What’s Driving the Growth?

Unlike traditional VPN services, Sentinel runs on a decentralized architecture. Anyone can become a node operator, and users choose their exit nodes directly. That setup has drawn users seeking more transparency and control,  particularly in regions facing surveillance or censorship.

The spike on July 17 doesn’t appear tied to any specific external event. But usage often climbs during global moments of unrest, outages, or online restrictions. With geopolitical tension rising in several regions, demand for open internet tools continues to build.

DePIN Momentum Builds

Sentinel is one of several players in the growing DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) space. These projects aim to replace traditional internet infrastructure, like VPNs, file storage, or computing, with community-run alternatives.

With over 500K installs and a record user day behind it, Sentinel seems to be gaining momentum. The next test will be whether it can keep users engaged, grow its node network, and stand out in a crowded DePIN market. For now, the latest numbers suggest a real shift: more users want privacy,  and they’re willing to try new tools to get it.