PlayFi Collaborates with Industry Leaders to Advance Gaming Ecosystem with AI and Blockchain

Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech) has recently joined Theta's academic partner network, adopting the Theta EdgeCloud Hybrid platform to enhance its research capabilities. The BrAIn Lab, led by Assistant Professor Seong-Eun Kim, focuses on pioneering research at the intersection of neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and artificial intelligence. Their work includes advanced signal processing, biometrics, and neural engineering, with applications in medical device development and AI techniques for detecting health anomalies. The lab's innovative approach has garnered international recognition, with recent publications accepted at prestigious conferences and awards for their contributions to the field. The Theta EdgeCloud Hybrid platform is described as the world's first decentralized hybrid GPU solution, integrating thousands of community-run NVIDIA GPUs alongside enterprise-grade A100 and H100 GPUs, as well as AWS's advanced AI chips. This unique combination allows researchers at SeoulTech to conduct a wide range of experiments, from lightweight anomaly detection to extensive deep learning models. Prof. Seong-Eun Kim emphasized that this flexibility accelerates their research in brain-inspired AI and medical diagnostics, while eliminating infrastructure bottlenecks that often hinder innovation. Mitch Liu, CEO and Co-Founder of Theta Labs, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting that the hybrid GPU platform is the largest of its kind, capable of supporting both community and enterprise-level computing needs. This partnership not only enhances SeoulTech's research capabilities but also positions the institution as a leader in brain-inspired AI, neural signal processing, and biomedical innovation. Founded in 1910, SeoulTech has established itself as a premier institution in Korea, focusing on engineering and technology-driven research, with a strong emphasis on practical education and impactful scientific advancements.

Karia Samaroo, the founder and CEO of xTAO, has been vocal about the necessity for decentralization in artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent interview, he emphasized that the current centralized nature of AI, predominantly controlled by major tech companies, poses significant risks. Samaroo draws parallels between Bittensor, a decentralized AI ecosystem, and Bitcoin, highlighting that both aim to eliminate centralization risks. By decentralizing AI, Bittensor allows for a more open and transparent system where users can access and contribute to AI models without the constraints imposed by a single authority. Samaroo points out that the Bittensor network operates as a “worldwide web of AI,” encompassing various subnetworks that address different challenges within the AI stack. This interconnectedness not only enhances scalability but also fosters an environment of open innovation where AI engineers can experiment and monetize their models freely. Unlike traditional AI models that require individuals to navigate through corporate hierarchies, Bittensor empowers users to directly engage with the network, thereby promoting a more inclusive and rewarding ecosystem. Furthermore, Samaroo discusses how decentralized AI can compete with data-rich models from big tech firms. By incentivizing crowdsourced data collection, decentralized networks can potentially match or exceed the quality of datasets controlled by major companies. He also addresses concerns regarding safety and bias in AI outputs, explaining that Bittensor incorporates validators to monitor and ensure the quality of outputs. This decentralized governance model allows participants to adjust incentives based on performance, fostering a system that is more representative and accountable to its users. Ultimately, Samaroo believes that decentralized AI can provide a fairer and more transparent alternative to the current centralized models, aligning better with user needs and expectations.

The cryptocurrency market has recently experienced a surge, particularly in AI and DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) tokens, which have captured the attention of traders. Among the standout performers is Aethir (ATH), a decentralized GPU cloud platform that has seen its price skyrocket by 67% in just 24 hours, reaching a market cap of approximately $470 million. This impressive growth can be attributed to a significant partnership with OpenLedger, enhancing Aethir's enterprise-level integrations. Additionally, a collaboration with Arizona State University for AI research has further solidified its position in the market, highlighting the increasing demand for GPU utilization in real-world applications. Worldcoin (WLD), another notable player, has also made headlines with a remarkable 130% increase over the past few days, driven by the launch of its Anonymized Multi-Party Computation (AMPC) upgrade. This new technology allows users to verify their identities anonymously, addressing privacy concerns that have surrounded the project since its inception. As a result, WLD has gained substantial support from both traders and privacy advocates, with analysts predicting a potential push towards the next resistance level at $2.5. The growing interest in AI-driven projects has provided a favorable backdrop for Worldcoin's rally, suggesting that the AI meta may be gaining traction once again. Lastly, Ultima (ULTIMA) has experienced a strong rally fueled by positive updates regarding its financial services network and token utility. After a period of consolidation, the price surged over 44%, reflecting traders' optimism about the project's future. Currently holding steady at around $6.8K, Ultima is seen as quietly building momentum for its next breakout. Meanwhile, Bitcoin Hyper is making waves in the presale market, combining Bitcoin's trust with meme coin energy and offering attractive staking rewards. As the crypto landscape evolves, these projects are at the forefront of the ongoing transformation, capturing the interest of investors and traders alike.

The convergence of on-chain AI agents and decentralized data infrastructure is reshaping the Web3 landscape, creating a new paradigm where autonomous systems optimize physical and digital resources. This shift is driven by DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks), which leverage blockchain incentives to coordinate distributed hardware and services. As of 2025, the DePIN sector has surpassed $50 billion in market capitalization, with over 350 tokens representing compute power, storage, wireless connectivity, and energy grids. Strategic investors are now prioritizing projects that integrate AI-driven automation, decentralized data validation, and cross-chain interoperability to unlock scalable, real-world applications. The DePIN ecosystem has matured rapidly, with projects like Helium (HNT), Filecoin (FIL), and Render (RENDER) leading the charge. Helium’s transition from a community-driven LoRaWAN network to a 5G infrastructure model demonstrates the sector’s evolution, while Filecoin and Render address decentralized storage and GPU rendering, respectively. In the compute domain, IoTeX is pioneering secure, privacy-preserving AI processing through Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), enabling enterprises to outsource sensitive workloads without compromising data integrity. Ethereum and Solana have emerged as dominant ecosystems for DePIN projects, hosting numerous top-tier initiatives that underscore the importance of technical efficiency in scaling decentralized infrastructure. AI agents are now integral to DePIN’s value proposition, automating tasks like demand forecasting, resource allocation, and predictive maintenance. For example, IoTeX’s Quicksilver AI framework processes 1,700 daily requests, enabling autonomous decision-making in energy grids and mobility systems. These agents enhance DeFi and DAOs by optimizing returns and streamlining decision-making processes. Investors should focus on projects that combine technical innovation with real-world utility, such as IoTeX and Aethir Cloud’s GPU-as-a-Service model. The DePIN sector is poised for further growth, but risks include regulatory uncertainty and competition from centralized providers. Strategic allocations to projects like IoTeX and Aethir will be essential for long-term growth in this evolving landscape.

The second season of Crypto’s Got Talent, organized by IoTeX, focuses on decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) that are revolutionizing real-world applications of blockchain and IoT. This season highlights startups that are innovating infrastructure through these technologies. The first season garnered nearly two hundred thousand impressions and successfully financed five initiatives in energy, drone delivery, and mapping. IoTeX aims to accelerate the global adoption of DePIN by tapping into untapped talent, serving as a bridge between advanced blockchain technology and intelligent real-world devices. DePIN, which stands for decentralized physical infrastructure networks, decentralizes tangible resources like WiFi hotspots, energy grids, and sensors. These assets are contributed by individuals worldwide, who are rewarded with tokens and shares in ownership. IoTeX provides the necessary infrastructure for this ecosystem, supporting over 50 DePIN projects on its blockchain. This platform ensures secure and efficient processing of real-world data from connected devices, making DePIN networks transparent, trustless, and scalable. Notable examples include Envirobloq, which monitors environmental data, and Drop Wireless, which enhances broadband connectivity using IoTeX. The introduction of IoTeX 2.0 marks a significant advancement in the DePIN ecosystem with its modular platform design. It enhances core functionalities such as identity management and off-chain computing, while W3bstream serves as a crucial tool that links IoT devices with smart contracts through zero-knowledge proofs. This integration not only lowers entry barriers but also fosters innovation, targeting mass adoption and simplifying interactions with physical devices. Furthermore, IoTeX envisions the fusion of AI with DePIN, enabling intelligent networks that enhance the autonomy and responsiveness of applications in healthcare, energy, and robotics, ultimately transforming the operational landscape of AI in the physical realm.

The convergence of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) and artificial intelligence (AI) is witnessing a significant transformation, particularly through strategic partnerships like that of IoTeX and 0G Network. As the need for verifiable real-world data and scalable infrastructure intensifies, these collaborations are foundational in ushering in a new era of Web3 innovation. The partnership exemplifies a forward-thinking approach, co-hosting "Crypto’s Got Talent Season 2" to identify and fund 25 DePIN startups, with six winners receiving milestone-based grants and ongoing support. This initiative builds on the success of Season 1, which funded projects in energy, mapping, and environmental data, showcasing a clear trajectory toward scaling real-world applications. IoTeX’s Quicksilver framework, which processed 1,700 daily requests in July 2025—a 70% increase from the previous month—demonstrates its expanding AI capabilities. This framework facilitates real-time AI applications by connecting DePIN devices with machine learning models, enabling autonomous decision-making in sectors like mobility and energy. Additionally, the Unify Protocol enhances the discovery and validation of physical-world data, crucial for AI systems that rely on trustless, real-time inputs. User-facing innovations such as ioPay’s binoAI democratize access to DePIN insights, allowing users to query on-chain data directly within their wallets, while multi-agent collaborations signify a shift toward autonomous AI networks. IoTeX’s strategic alliances with HashKey Exchange and Animoca Brands further solidify its position as a bridge between DePIN and institutional-grade infrastructure. The AI Ecosystem Center in Hong Kong, launched with HashKey, promotes regulated digital asset development and the tokenization of real-world assets, including EV charging station management via IoTeX’s blockchain. Furthermore, cross-chain expansions into Solana, Ethereum, and Base enable interoperable DePIN networks, aligning with broader industry trends. IoTeX’s recent funding round and increasing daily request volume for Quicksilver reflect strong investor confidence, making this partnership not just a collaboration but a blueprint for the future of DePIN and AI, addressing scalability, trust, and real-world applicability challenges.