Exploring the Best DePIN Cryptocurrency Projects in 2024

GLIF, the largest DeFi protocol on Filecoin, has officially launched its governance token, GLF, and is distributing 94 million tokens through an airdrop. This distribution represents 9.4% of the total GLF supply, rewarding users who have engaged with the protocol by accumulating GLIF points. Initially, GLIF had planned to allocate 100 million tokens for the airdrop, but adjusted the number based on user participation. The remaining tokens will be returned to the community rewards pool for future distribution. GLF is currently focused on governance, but the team is developing a loyalty program inspired by airline miles, which will eventually offer additional benefits to token holders. As GLIF expands beyond Filecoin, it aims to support additional decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). The protocol allows FIL holders to earn rewards through liquid leasing, enabling them to lend tokens to Filecoin storage providers. These providers use FIL as collateral to offer storage services, and lenders receive rewards in return. Depositors in GLIF receive iFIL, a liquid leasing token that can be traded or utilized in other DeFi protocols while still generating yield. With over $102 million total value locked, GLIF has established itself as a dominant player in Filecoin's DeFi space and is now exploring similar systems for other DePINs. GLIF's expansion strategy involves discussions with various protocol foundations, focusing on user demand, technical feasibility, and economic risks. Many of Filecoin's storage providers are also significant miners across DePIN networks, leading to a trend of optimizing hardware for multi-chain contributions. By integrating with networks already supported by these miners, GLIF anticipates rapid scaling. Additionally, the team is exploring DePIN networks outside of storage, including those in the energy sector, and is open to adjusting their model or introducing new protocols to accommodate these networks. This strategic expansion reflects GLIF's commitment to innovation and adaptability in the evolving DeFi landscape.

Decentralized AI network iAgent has successfully raised $3 million in funding and launched its native token, $AGNT. The project aims to create a new ERC standard and has formed strategic partnerships with notable projects such as Base, LayerZero, Avalanche, Aethir, Arbitrum, and XAI Games. With the Token Generation Event (TGE) now live, iAgent is establishing a foundation for AI Agents to become verifiable digital assets that can be trained, validated, and exchanged transparently. The initiative focuses on enhancing the scalability and accessibility of AI models across various ecosystems, with products like the Visual Learning Model (VLM) designed to learn from real-world gameplay rather than traditional text-based methods. The VLM-powered AI is currently operational in games like Counter Strike 2, Off the Grid, and Citizen Conflict, where players have contributed over 25 TB of gameplay data. iAgent is also developing a new ERC asset standard to bring AI Agents on-chain, ensuring secure and interoperable digital assets that facilitate true ownership and trading. The AI Agent Marketplace is central to the iAgent ecosystem, allowing developers to list AI models for rental or sale, while businesses can purchase or integrate tailored AI solutions. Additionally, the iAgent DEV Hub provides developers with essential tools and a trustless AI validation framework to optimize AI models. As gaming serves as a primary use case for training VLM-based models, iAgent is introducing adaptive AI agents to enhance gaming experiences through AI-powered assistants, Smart NPCs, and predictive AI for in-game economies. The roadmap for iAgent includes the launch of the AI Agent Marketplace in April 2025, followed by the introduction of the ERC standard proposal and the AGNT-Hub. By Q4 2025, the protocol Testnet and main net will be launched, establishing a fully operational iAgent Protocol. The AGNT token will play a crucial role in powering AI training, trading, and governance participation, positioning iAgent at the forefront of the rapidly growing AI, gaming, and DePIN industries.

Messari, a prominent crypto research firm, has released its latest report titled "State of Helium Q4 2024," which provides an in-depth analysis of the Helium Network's growth, adoption, and operational advancements during the last quarter of 2024. The report highlights significant metrics, including a staggering 555% increase in offloaded data, totaling over 576 TB. This growth is attributed to the expansion of the DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) project, particularly in mobile and IoT network capabilities, showcasing Helium's robust performance in a competitive landscape. In Q4 2024, Helium Mobile experienced a 7% growth in subscribers, reaching over 124,000 users for its unlimited talk and text messaging service, with recent updates indicating this number has surpassed 150,000. The network also saw a 14% increase in mobile hotspots, totaling 24,800, while IoT hotspots grew by 20% to 32,900 following its migration to the Solana blockchain. Notably, partnerships with major telecom companies, such as Telefonica in Mexico, and the integration of Ameriband’s 100,000+ Data-Only Hotspots, have significantly enhanced Helium's coverage and operational capabilities across the U.S. The report also discusses Helium's strategic implementation of HIP 138, which aims to simplify its token structure by unifying under HNT. This change is designed to lower barriers for new participants by redistributing HNT emissions, with 70% directed to the MOBILE subnetwork and 30% to the IOT subnetwork. Furthermore, Helium's inclusion in Coinbase’s COIN50 index and a case study at Harvard Business School underscore its growing relevance in the DePIN sector. As Helium continues to innovate and collaborate, its role as a leader in facilitating global connectivity and supporting other DePIN projects solidifies its position in the blockchain ecosystem.

On March 17, 2025, Liquid Mercury announced a strategic partnership with dVIN Labs to create a global order book for trading tokenized wine on the dVIN Protocol. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the wine industry by leveraging blockchain technology to enhance transparency and liquidity in wine investments. By utilizing decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, dVIN addresses challenges related to authenticity and provenance, which have historically limited wine investment to a select group of affluent individuals. The new platform is set to democratize access to investment-grade wine, transforming it into a scalable asset class for both retail investors and institutions. Liquid Mercury will provide white-labeled platforms for dVIN's channel partners, enabling individual investors to easily access wines from various winemakers and exclusive selections stored in bonded warehouses worldwide. The partnership aims to aggregate regional marketplaces into a cohesive global order book, utilizing advanced trading technology to ensure optimal pricing for buyers and sellers. David Garrett, co-founder and co-CEO of dVIN, emphasized the potential of the $300 billion investment-grade wine market, stating that their goal is to make wine investment as straightforward as investing in stocks or cryptocurrencies. Tony Saliba, CEO of Liquid Mercury, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the company's commitment to unlocking wine as an investment asset for a broader audience. He noted that their technology is well-suited for creating new digital marketplaces, tapping into the growing trend of investing in cultural assets. With the dVIN Protocol, which combines data, DeFi, and tokenization, the partnership is poised to bring the wine market on-chain, addressing issues of authenticity, price transparency, and supply chain efficiency, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive investment landscape in the wine sector.

Ambios Network is revolutionizing environmental monitoring through its decentralized platform that collects real-time air quality data. By leveraging low-cost sensors, Ambios enables transparent data sharing with various stakeholders, including data marketplaces and AI platforms. The upcoming launch of the $AMBIOS token in Q1 2025 on the Solana blockchain, with a capped supply of 1 billion tokens and halving-based emissions for mining, marks a significant milestone for the project. This transition from Algorand to Solana, completed in late 2024, aims to enhance throughput and reduce costs, allowing for efficient microtransactions across its network of over 50,000 users and 8,000 sensors, positioning Ambios among the top decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). The decentralized approach of Ambios Network offers numerous advantages over traditional environmental monitoring systems. By deploying thousands of citizen-hosted air quality nodes, the platform achieves cost efficiency and extensive coverage, capturing hyperlocal data that centralized systems often miss. The incentivization model rewards individuals for hosting sensors and contributing data, fostering community engagement and long-term participation. Furthermore, the scalability of Ambios allows for democratized access to environmental data, enabling various industries to utilize this information for better decision-making in urban management and public health. Ambios Network's partnerships with notable entities, such as Best Western and CMG Companies, showcase its real-world applications in enhancing indoor air quality and operational efficiency. As the platform prepares for its Token Generation Event (TGE) and continues to expand its ecosystem, it stands to tap into a multi-billion dollar market for accurate environmental data. The strategic migration to Solana not only improves operational efficiency but also positions Ambios to leverage the growing DePIN ecosystem, ultimately benefiting both the community and the environment.

Bitcoin's recent decline below $83,000 has marked a continued downturn in the cryptocurrency market, yet some altcoins are defying the trend with impressive gains. Notably, Ancient8 (A8) has experienced a remarkable surge of 160% in just 24 hours, climbing from a low of $0.09628 to $0.259. This significant price movement can be attributed to Bithumb's earlier listing of A8, a major South Korean exchange, which seems to have created a delayed positive effect as investor interest in the token grows. Market analysts have identified three primary factors contributing to A8's rise: increasing global attention, higher adoption rates, and a mix of strong holders alongside new market entrants. Interestingly, there have been no substantial project developments that could clarify the sudden price increase, indicating that market sentiment is playing a crucial role in this altcoin's performance. In addition to A8, Apu Apustaja (APU) has also made headlines by climbing 85% over the past day, reaching $0.0002479 from $0.0001325. This meme coin has gained traction on social media platforms, although, like many of its counterparts, it lacks fundamental updates to justify its price surge. Meanwhile, ROAM Token has seen a 41% increase, moving from $0.136 to $0.1917, bolstered by its recent milestone of 2 million global nodes. Despite these bright spots, the broader crypto market remains under pressure, with Bitcoin and Ethereum both experiencing declines, reflecting ongoing selling pressure across major cryptocurrencies.