Solana

On December 10, Abu Dhabi will host the 14th edition of DePIN Day, a significant event that focuses on decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). This year, the event coincides with Solana Breakpoint, an annual gathering that showcases the dynamic Solana ecosystem. As the industry rapidly evolves, DePIN Day serves as a dedicated platform for founders, operators, and investors to collaborate and innovate in real-world infrastructure. With Solana at the forefront of this movement, Abu Dhabi emerges as the ideal location for builders and the broader community to unite. Organized by Fluence and supported by Impossible Cloud Network, this edition of DePIN Day aims to highlight the transition of decentralized compute, storage, wireless connectivity, mobility systems, and sensor networks from experimental ideas to tangible infrastructure. The event will feature prominent voices from the ecosystem, including leaders from Fluence, Impossible Cloud Network, and Aethir, who will share their insights on the intersection of hardware, cryptoeconomics, and large-scale network coordination. The focus will be on high-quality discussions and practical experiences that can help scale real-world networks globally. DePIN Day has established itself as a premier conference series dedicated to exploring the rise of decentralized physical infrastructure networks. With over 13 editions held globally, it has become a vital meeting point for thousands of builders, venture capitalists, and protocol teams shaping the future of infrastructure. Supported by over 150 leading ecosystem partners and amplified by various media outlets, DePIN Day continues to play a crucial role in the DePIN movement, fostering collaboration and innovation in the sector.

On December 10, Abu Dhabi will host the 14th edition of DePIN Day, a pivotal event in the realm of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). This year's gathering coincides with Solana Breakpoint, an annual event that showcases one of the most vibrant ecosystems in Web3. The significance of DePIN Day is underscored by the rapid evolution of the industry, as founders, operators, and investors seek collaborative opportunities to innovate and enhance real-world networks. With Solana positioning itself as a leader in DePIN, Abu Dhabi serves as the ideal venue for builders and the Solana community to convene and share insights. The event is organized by Fluence and supported by Impossible Cloud Network, aiming to highlight the transition of decentralized computing, storage, wireless connectivity, and sensor networks from theoretical concepts to tangible infrastructure. A diverse lineup of speakers, including industry leaders such as Tom Trowbridge from Fluence and Mark Rydon from Aethir, will provide valuable perspectives on the intersection of hardware, cryptoeconomics, and large-scale network coordination. The focus of DePIN Day will be on high-quality discussions and practical experiences that can drive the capital formation necessary for scaling real-world networks globally. DePIN Day has established itself as a premier conference series dedicated to the advancement of decentralized physical infrastructure. With over 13 editions held in various global cities, it has become the leading meeting point for the DePIN movement, attracting thousands of builders, venture capitalists, and protocol teams. Supported by more than 150 ecosystem partners, including Helium and Polygon, DePIN Day is set to amplify the discourse around how crypto-incentivized systems are reshaping global infrastructure. The event promises to be a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of decentralized networks.

On December 10, Abu Dhabi will host the 14th edition of DePIN Day, marking it as the global epicenter for decentralized physical infrastructure. This event coincides with Solana Breakpoint, an annual gathering that showcases one of the most vibrant ecosystems in Web3. The increasing prominence of DePIN Day signifies a pivotal moment in the industry, where founders, operators, and investors are eager to collaborate and innovate in real-world networks. As Solana solidifies its role as a hub for DePIN, Abu Dhabi emerges as the ideal venue for the convergence of physical infrastructure builders and the Solana community. Organized by Fluence and supported by Impossible Cloud Network, this edition of DePIN Day will highlight the transition of decentralized computing, storage, wireless connectivity, and sensor networks from theoretical concepts to tangible infrastructure. The program features notable speakers from the ecosystem, including Tom Trowbridge from Fluence and Raj Karan from io.net, who will share their insights on the intersection of hardware and cryptoeconomics. The event aims to foster high-quality discussions and share practical experiences from teams actively deploying these technologies, emphasizing the capital formation necessary for scaling real-world networks globally. DePIN Day has established itself as a premier conference series dedicated to Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, uniting key players from various sectors, including wireless, energy, and storage. With over 13 editions held globally, it serves as a vital meeting point for builders, VCs, and protocol teams shaping the future of infrastructure. Supported by over 150 ecosystem partners and amplified by media outlets like CoinDesk and The Block, DePIN Day continues to be a cornerstone of the DePIN movement, driving innovation and collaboration in the industry.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a no-action letter to Fuse Crypto Limited, the developer behind Fuse Energy, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) project built on the Solana blockchain. This letter provides essential regulatory clarity, confirming that the project's native FUSE token, also known as the ENERGY token, does not require registration as a security under U.S. securities laws, provided it is offered and sold according to the specifications outlined in Fuse's application. Fuse Energy incentivizes users to engage with a decentralized energy grid through its mobile app, allowing users to earn FUSE tokens by performing tasks such as reducing energy consumption during peak hours and generating solar power. The SEC's decision marks a significant shift towards a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment under the leadership of new Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce. Legal experts highlight that no-action letters serve as a form of regulatory cover, assuring projects that they will not face immediate enforcement actions for potential securities violations. The DePIN sector, valued at over $24 billion, views this as a potential blueprint for utility tokens linked to real-world actions, with Fuse's token design focusing on consumptive use rather than speculation. This approach aligns with SEC expectations and could enhance the adoption of green energy initiatives. In another development, Rekt Brands Inc., the company behind the crypto-native beverage Rekt Drinks and its $REKT token, has announced a $2 million partnership with GameSquare Holdings, the parent company of esports giant FaZe Clan. This partnership will prominently feature Rekt branding on FaZe Clan's esports jerseys, marking a strategic entry into gaming culture. GameSquare will utilize its extensive media network to promote Rekt Drinks and the $REKT token, further integrating gaming with crypto. This collaboration aims to enhance Rekt's visibility in the esports domain, potentially increasing engagement with younger audiences. CEO Ovie Faruq emphasized the partnership's goal of expanding Rekt's community-driven movement globally through gaming connections.

Lit Protocol has successfully concluded its staking contest and is now focused on launching the Naga v1 Mainnet, expected to be operational by the end of the year. This new mainnet will introduce several enhancements, including a faster and more scalable threshold algorithm for ECDSA signing, support for various threshold signing schemes, and improvements in robustness and reliability. Additionally, a new simplified payment model and a Javascript SDK (v8) will facilitate easier integration with Lit products. Users will also have the capability to securely migrate their keys from the previous Datil Mainnet, making the transition to Naga seamless for developers. In parallel with the Naga launch, the Vincent ecosystem is undergoing significant upgrades. The Vincent Yield app has surpassed $500,000 in Total Value Locked (TVL), showcasing its growing popularity among developers. Current updates include the introduction of Hyperliquid capabilities and Solana support, with more features like the Abilities 2.0 specification set to enhance user experience. Furthermore, Vincent app developers will benefit from automatic fee collection, retaining 90% of the fees generated from user transactions, thus incentivizing app development within the Vincent framework. A notable innovation is the introduction of the veLITKEY model, which merges retroactive goods funding with a vote-escrow token system. This model allows LITKEY token holders to vote on Lit Apps for rewards, fostering a community-driven approach to project development. Features of this model include a veNFT representation of locked stakes, liquid staking options, and a monthly voting epoch that incentivizes participation. As these features roll out, they promise to enhance the ecosystem's engagement and sustainability, paving the way for a robust community around Lit Protocol's offerings.

In 2025, Solana's decentralized finance (DeFi) sector has experienced significant growth, despite a market correction that saw its total value locked (TVL) decrease from $13.2 billion to $8.83 billion. Notably, the number of locked SOL tokens reached a record high of 69.23 million, indicating strong user engagement. The decline in dollar value, amounting to $4 billion, highlights the volatility in the market, yet the ecosystem continues to thrive due to innovative segments such as tokenization, stablecoin yield, and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). The leading protocols contributing to this growth include Jupiter and Kamino, each boasting over $2 billion in TVL. Jupiter has evolved into a comprehensive DeFi exchange platform, offering a range of services from lending to prediction markets, while Kamino has introduced a swap feature to complement its on-chain lending focus. Additionally, Jito supports DeFi integration across Solana and has a TVL of $1.8 billion. Other notable players in the ecosystem include Sanctum, Marinade, and Raydium, all of which have surpassed $1 billion in TVL, showcasing the diverse offerings within Solana's DeFi landscape. The growth of Solana DeFi can be attributed to its cost-effectiveness and speed compared to Ethereum, with transaction costs being approximately 99% lower. This advantage has attracted users looking for efficient DeFi solutions. However, Ethereum maintains a higher level of investor trust, and upcoming upgrades may help it close the gap with Solana. As the DeFi space continues to evolve, the interplay between these two ecosystems will be crucial in shaping the future of decentralized finance.