The Rise of DePin Networks in the Crypto World

Akash, a decentralized compute project founded by Greg Osuri, has announced plans to deprecate its current Cosmos SDK-based chain and migrate to a new network that can better secure its operations. This decision marks the beginning of a public evaluation process for potential candidates both within and outside the Cosmos ecosystem. While the specific destination chain has not yet been disclosed, Osuri emphasized the importance of strong security, a vibrant community, deep liquidity, and growth potential in selecting the new home for Akash, which will maintain IBC compatibility. Originally launched as a Cosmos appchain, Akash operates a decentralized marketplace that connects AI and cloud buyers with independent providers of GPU and compute capacity. The recent Mainnet 6 upgrade introduced Nvidia GPUs, allowing users to benefit from lower costs compared to traditional centralized cloud services. Osuri also reassured users regarding staking concerns, indicating that while staking may appear to be disappearing, it is actually evolving into a more advanced model. He mentioned that Solana is a strong contender for Akash's new network, but the team will be cautious in making their final decision. This shift to a new base-layer represents a significant architectural change for a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). Osuri's criteria for the migration reflect a broader search for scalable solutions as demand for AI compute rises. The Block's data indicates that DePIN is becoming a multi-billion-dollar asset class, with web3 cloud and AI compute identified as leading segments. However, challenges such as hardware access, network scalability, and regulatory uncertainties remain. The Akash team has not set a timeline for the migration, but they plan to engage the community in an open discussion about the trade-offs involved in the decision-making process.

In the third quarter of 2024, IoTeX has made significant strides in the DePIN sector, reinforcing its leadership position within the ecosystem. The highlight of this quarter was the launch of IoTeX 2.0, which features a modular infrastructure designed to support verifiable DePIN data. This upgrade aims to facilitate the development of DePIN projects by lowering barriers and accelerating growth. Additionally, IoTeX has formed strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as OKX, Solana, and Polygon, further enhancing its visibility and influence in the blockchain space. The network has also seen a surge in activity, with over 218 projects built on IoTeX, including 51 dedicated to DePIN, and a substantial increase in on-chain transactions and staking activities. The IoTeX ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth, with daily on-chain transactions rising to 26,100—a 107% increase from the previous quarter. This growth is complemented by the successful completion of funding rounds by various projects within the ecosystem, such as Network3 and Nubila. The diversity of projects, ranging from AI-driven initiatives to weather oracles, showcases the vibrant potential of the IoTeX platform. Furthermore, IoTeX's DePIN Surf Accelerator program has launched its second phase, selecting nine innovative projects that are set to make a significant impact in the DePIN landscape. Looking ahead, IoTeX is poised for an exciting final quarter of 2024, with plans for the launch of core products like ioID and W3bstream, which will enhance the verification and interaction capabilities of DePIN devices. The upcoming Get GOATed Season 2 event aims to attract new community members and projects, offering substantial rewards to participants. As IoTeX continues to expand its ecosystem and partnerships, it remains committed to driving the adoption of DePIN technology, paving the way for a decentralized future where smart devices and real-world data seamlessly integrate with blockchain solutions.

The Grass Foundation is an innovative project that operates as a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) on the Solana blockchain. It enables users to earn passive income by sharing their extra bandwidth, which is utilized for the development of artificial intelligence tools. With over 2 million active users, the platform has garnered attention, but it has also faced skepticism due to various scams impersonating the project. This article aims to clarify the legitimacy of the Grass airdrop and provide a comprehensive guide for interested participants. The Grass airdrop functions similarly to other DePIN projects, rewarding users for their contributions of bandwidth. Participants can earn Grass Points by installing the Grass App or a web extension, which can later be converted into GRASS tokens. To be eligible for the airdrop, users must have a compatible device and a legitimate wallet address. However, the system is vigilant against fraudulent activities, and any detected misconduct may result in penalties, including the withholding of tokens. Despite the project's rapid growth and backing from reputable investment firms, users are advised to ensure they are accessing the official Grass website to avoid scams. The Grass Foundation has successfully conducted multiple airdrop campaigns, distributing a total of 100 million GRASS tokens to eligible participants. With the recent launch of its mainnet, the airdrop remains active, and the process for claiming Grass Points has been simplified. Users can easily withdraw their earnings by directing the system to transfer GRASS tokens to their wallets. While the Grass Foundation appears to be a legitimate project, potential participants should conduct their own research to verify its authenticity and understand the risks involved in the airdrop process.

The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a significant transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal force in innovation. Numerous projects are now integrating AI with blockchain technology, aiming to enhance their services and structures. Notable examples include VIRTUAL and THETA, which are adapting their platforms to leverage AI capabilities. This convergence is creating unique investment opportunities, particularly for projects that demonstrate strong utility. Among these, DeepSnitch AI stands out, currently in its presale phase, offering tokens at an attractive price of $0.01841, with potential for substantial returns as the market evolves. The blockchain AI sector is anticipated to grow exponentially, with projections indicating a 25-fold increase over the next decade. By 2034, the crypto AI market is expected to reach $46.9 billion. Projects like THETA are already utilizing AI to optimize video streaming, while VIRTUAL provides a user-friendly protocol for creating AI agents. Even Bitcoin miners are capitalizing on AI to diversify their revenue streams. This synergy between AI and cryptocurrency underscores the increasing significance of AI technologies within the crypto ecosystem, validating the notion that AI tokens represent the future of the market. As demand for AI solutions continues to reshape the landscape, projects that effectively integrate AI are gaining prominence. DeepSnitch AI, with its unique presale offering, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, attracting significant investments from whales who recognize its potential for high returns. The project's innovative approach to democratizing market insights through real-time alerts and risk identification makes it an appealing opportunity for investors seeking the next big breakthrough in the crypto space. With a low entry price and a promising future, DeepSnitch AI could very well be the hidden gem that investors are looking for.

Grayscale, a leading digital asset manager, has made a significant move in the cryptocurrency space by filing Form 10 with the SEC for its Bittensor Trust ($TAO). This filing marks the initial step toward becoming a reporting company under U.S. securities law, which could potentially reduce private placement holding periods from 12 months to 6 months. If successful, this would facilitate public trading on OTC markets and bolster institutional confidence in AI-driven crypto assets, paving the way for broader adoption of Bittensor’s decentralized AI network. The announcement was made via Grayscale's official X account, emphasizing the importance of increased accessibility, transparency, and regulatory standing. Should the SEC approve the Form 10, the Bittensor Trust will be required to file quarterly, annual, and current reports, similar to public companies. This level of transparency is expected to enhance investor trust in $TAO, the native token of Bittensor, which incentivizes AI model contributions through cryptocurrency. Grayscale's intent to seek public quotation of Bittensor Trust shares on OTC Markets further indicates its commitment to regulatory compliance and market legitimacy. The timing of this filing is particularly strategic, as AI-related tokens have seen significant growth, attracting both speculative and institutional interest. Bittensor operates as a decentralized AI marketplace, allowing developers to train models and earn $TAO based on performance. The trust provides institutional investors with a regulated investment vehicle to gain exposure to AI infrastructure without the complexities of managing data centers. Following the announcement, $TAO experienced a surge in trading volume, with analysts predicting continued bullish momentum as Grayscale's compliance efforts progress, potentially leading to increased liquidity and market activity for the token.

Barry Silbert, the founder of Digital Currency Group (DCG), has launched Yuma Asset Management, a new fund aimed at investing in artificial intelligence (AI) networks, particularly focusing on the Bittensor platform. Initially seeded with $10 million, Yuma is designed to support early-stage teams developing decentralized AI infrastructure. Silbert expressed a renewed excitement about the potential of Bittensor, stating that it represents a significant utility in AI, distinguishing it from what he terms as speculative "AI pretenders." The fund aims to provide institutional investors with structured exposure to the convergence of crypto and AI technologies. Silbert's enthusiasm for Bittensor is rooted in its ability to deliver practical applications, such as BitMind, a tool that identifies deepfake images. This focus on utility serves as a counterpoint to numerous crypto projects that he believes lack substantive technology and are merely capitalizing on the AI hype. Yuma's fundraising strategy is tailored for high-risk investors, targeting wealthy individuals and institutions willing to embrace the potential for total loss in exchange for the chance of monumental gains. The fund's structure is designed to appeal to institutional capital, with comparisons being drawn to established market indices like the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average. The launch of Yuma comes at a pivotal moment following a tumultuous period for DCG, which has faced regulatory challenges, layoffs, and fraud allegations in the wake of the FTX collapse. This strategic move not only signifies Silbert's return to the forefront of the crypto landscape but also reflects a broader shift in the crypto-political climate post-presidential election. With Bittensor's market valuation currently around $3 billion, Silbert's ambition for Yuma appears to be both bold and calculated, aiming to harness the potential of AI in the evolving crypto ecosystem.