New Blockchain Tokens Offer Opportunities Amid Crypto Lull

In a recent analysis by Phoenix Group and LunarCrush, Chainlink (LINK) has emerged as the leader in social engagement among decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) projects. With a remarkable 15,200 engaged posts and 3.6 million interactions within a 24-hour period, Chainlink significantly outperformed its competitors, showcasing a vibrant community discussion around its protocol. This high level of engagement not only cements Chainlink's position at the top but also reflects the growing interest in decentralized infrastructure solutions. Following Chainlink, Bittensor (TAO) secured the second position with 9,700 posts and 876,800 interactions, indicating strong community momentum despite being far behind Chainlink. The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) rounded out the top three with 4,200 posts and 300,600 interactions, demonstrating steady traction among its user base. Other notable projects like Arthera (ATH), which recorded 3,000 posts and 475,700 interactions, also showed significant community response, highlighting the diverse engagement levels across the DePIN landscape. The rankings also featured smaller projects such as Grass and Dione, which, despite lower posting activity, managed to attract considerable interactions, indicating a growing interest in emerging networks. The data underscores a trend where social metrics are becoming essential indicators of project momentum, as they reflect how well these projects resonate with their communities. As the DePIN sector continues to evolve, the increasing engagement from both established and emerging tokens suggests a vibrant future for decentralized infrastructure initiatives.

At the recent Token2049 Singapore event, a significant milestone was achieved in the realm of artificial intelligence with the launch of the Real-World AI Foundry. This initiative, spearheaded by IoTeX and a coalition of leading partners, aims to create an open ecosystem dedicated to developing Real-World Models (RWMs). Unlike traditional AI systems that rely on static historical data, RWMs are designed to utilize live, verified data from various sources such as machines, sensors, and people. This innovative approach promises AI that not only predicts outcomes but also perceives, adapts, and acts responsibly in real-world scenarios. The Real-World AI Foundry is supported by a diverse group of Alignment Partners, including notable names like Vodafone, Blockchain Association, and Filecoin, among others. These partners are committed to establishing shared standards for Real-World AI, focusing on governance, data standards, and deployment frameworks. The initiative is guided by three core principles: grounded in verified data, open to contributions from anyone, and human-centered to ensure accountability and societal benefits. This collaborative effort aims to create RWMs that evolve continuously with real-time data, making them essential for industries where accuracy and adaptability are crucial. As AI technology increasingly integrates into critical sectors, the need for dynamic and trustworthy systems has never been more pressing. Raullen Chai, Co-Founder and CEO of IoTeX, emphasized that AI must transition from static predictions to dynamic actions that are rooted in reality. The Real-World AI Foundry represents a collective endeavor to bridge this gap, fostering collaboration among data providers, infrastructure operators, and researchers. By doing so, it aims to accelerate innovation and create universally trusted AI solutions that align with human values and needs, marking the dawn of a new era in artificial intelligence.

On October 2nd, the crypto landscape witnessed a significant event with the launch of DoubleZero's mainnet beta version and the simultaneous listing of its native token, 2Z, on major exchanges such as Binance, Bybit, and Upbit. This unprecedented speed in listing led to a remarkable market response, with 2Z's trading volume surpassing $1.4 billion within 24 hours and its market capitalization soaring to over $2 billion, placing it among the top 100 crypto assets. The project received notable backing from the Solana ecosystem, including a historic "No-Action Letter" from the U.S. SEC, which confirmed that the distribution of 2Z did not require registration as a security, alleviating compliance concerns for exchanges. DoubleZero's founding team is composed of industry veterans, including Austin Federa, co-founder and CEO, who previously played a pivotal role at the Solana Foundation. This strong leadership, combined with a unique narrative that introduces a new protocol category called "N1" (Network 1), positions DoubleZero strategically within the blockchain space. The N1 protocol aims to create a dedicated high-speed network for existing blockchain networks, avoiding competition with traditional Layer 1 and Layer 2 protocols. This innovative approach not only targets the crypto sector but also has potential applications in various fields requiring distributed networks, such as content delivery and real-time gaming. Despite its promising launch, DoubleZero faces challenges in maintaining market momentum. The token's price has struggled to sustain growth post-launch, partly due to its high initial valuation and the absence of a community airdrop, which has led to criticism regarding its perceived disconnect from retail investors. The project's focus on institutional-level infrastructure may limit broader consumer engagement, making it more appealing to businesses rather than individual users. As DoubleZero continues to develop its B2B operations, its long-term success will hinge on its ability to bridge the gap between institutional and consumer markets, ensuring that it can maintain relevance in the evolving crypto landscape.

In the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in determining the success of various projects. As the U.S. moves towards clearer regulations under the leadership of Donald Trump in 2025, decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenization initiatives are gaining traction, particularly through the GENIUS Act. A notable development in this space is the rise of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePin), which have amassed over $16.9 billion in assets, with projects like Bittensor, Render, and Filecoin emerging as frontrunners. Solana, in particular, is becoming a hub for many DePin projects, which could significantly shape the future of the sector due to recent regulatory advancements. At the forefront of these developments is DoubleZero, a DePin platform focused on enhancing Solana's scalability by optimizing data transfer between validators. The platform aims to achieve an impressive throughput of 1 million transactions per second (TPS) by leveraging underutilized private fiber-optic links. DoubleZero's commitment to regulatory compliance was underscored when the SEC issued a no-action letter on September 29, 2025, effectively approving the programmatic distribution of its 2Z tokens. This letter indicates that the SEC will not pursue enforcement actions against DoubleZero, provided the token functions solely as a utility and does not qualify as a security under the Howey Test. The SEC's no-action letter has been met with enthusiasm within the crypto community, as it sets a precedent for future projects seeking regulatory clarity. Legal experts view this as a significant milestone that could facilitate compliant token distributions in the U.S. Crypto-friendly SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has expressed optimism about this guidance, suggesting it allows for further innovation in the sector. The positive reception of this ruling is echoed by Helium, a decentralized wireless network, which sees it as a victory for DePin initiatives. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, the implications of these developments for platforms like DoubleZero and Helium could foster a new wave of innovation in the crypto space.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a significant "no action" letter regarding the DEPIN (decentralized physical infrastructure networks) sector, specifically addressing the distribution of Double Zero's 2Z token. This letter indicates that the SEC will not pursue enforcement actions against the token's distribution, affirming that the programmatic transfers described do not fall under the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act. This clarity is expected to encourage participation in DEPIN networks without the looming concern of regulatory repercussions. Double Zero operates a low-latency DEPIN that utilizes underutilized physical fiber to enhance blockchain performance by mitigating traditional network frictions. In exchange for their contributions, participants in the network will receive the 2Z token. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce emphasized that DEPIN tokens should be viewed as incentives rather than investment contracts, suggesting that classifying them as securities could hinder the growth of decentralized service networks. This perspective aligns with the SEC's recent trend of categorizing certain crypto tokens as non-securities, which has positively impacted market sentiment. Following the SEC's announcement, the DEPIN sector experienced a notable surge, with the overall market size increasing by 3% to reach $34 billion. Several projects, including Zebec Network, Helium IOT, and Dynex, saw significant gains, reflecting the optimism surrounding regulatory clarity. This marks the third instance where the SEC has classified a category of crypto tokens as non-securities, following similar decisions for proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems earlier this year. As Double Zero prepares to transition from testnet to mainnet, the regulatory environment appears increasingly favorable for DEPIN initiatives.

In a significant move within the cryptocurrency landscape, two biotech firms are set to launch new Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) after successfully raising a combined total of $402 million in private placements. These funds will be utilized to acquire substantial amounts of Aethir (ATH) and Binance Coin (BNB). The first firm, Predictive Oncology, has raised approximately $344.4 million, making it the first Nasdaq-listed company to stack Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) tokens. Aethir, the second firm, focuses on providing GPU-as-a-service solutions for AI, gaming, and cloud workloads, positioning itself as a pivotal player in the decentralized infrastructure space. Dan Wang, co-founder and CEO of Aethir, highlighted the partnership's significance, referring to it as the establishment of the world’s first Strategic Compute Reserve. This initiative not only positions Aethir as a digital asset treasury but also enhances its operational capabilities to support a global infrastructure layer for AI. The investment structure includes two concurrent private placements, one involving cash investments and the other in-kind contributions of ATH, which will expedite Aethir's access to its business-focused GPU AI infrastructure. In addition to Aethir, Applied DNA Sciences is pivoting to become a BNB DAT with an allocation of up to $58 million for private investment in public equity. The firm plans to change its ticker to BNBX and has already secured $27 million in commitments, with potential for an additional $31 million. This strategy involves integrating actively managed decentralized finance protocols and Binance ecosystem-specific strategies, marking a shift from traditional passive staking methods. As the third publicly listed BNB DAT, Applied DNA Sciences aims to drive superior cash flow and returns while maintaining the flexibility and transparency that institutional investors require.