Network3 Announces New Local Large Language Model (LLM) Feature

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.

IoTeX Secures Investment from Animoca Brands IoTeX, a leading blockchain platform specializing in transforming real-world data into collective intelligence for AI, announced a significant investment from Animoca Brands. This partnership also involves Animoca Brands becoming a network validator and ecosystem partner for IoTeX. Since 2017, IoTeX has been instrumental in providing infrastructure for AI and blockchains by utilizing real-world data from machines and decentralized physical networks (DePINs). The platform supports over 100 projects and 40 million devices in various sectors such as mobility, robotics, energy, and healthcare. With substantial funding from investors like SamsungNext, Draper Dragon, and more, IoTeX's network facilitates AI's access to real-time data, enabling autonomous interactions with the physical world. The company's core infrastructure, including its Layer 1 blockchain, ioID decentralized identity, $IOTX token, and Quicksilver AI data framework, empowers developers to create impactful AI models and applications. Strategic Partnership for AI Innovation Animoca Brands' investment and strategic involvement mark a significant milestone for IoTeX, reinforcing its position in the AI sector and accelerating the adoption of Web3-powered AI applications. This collaboration aims to tap into the multi-trillion-dollar market for AI and real-world data. By supporting IoTeX's expansion in Asia and globally, Animoca Brands will leverage its network and industry expertise to drive innovation at the intersection of blockchain, decentralized infrastructure, tokenized assets, and AI. As a network validator for IoTeX, Animoca Brands will enhance the security, decentralization, and sustainability of the network, ensuring a robust foundation for future Web3 and AI applications. The partnership signifies a crucial step towards unlocking the full potential of decentralized infrastructure, as stated by Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, and Raullen Chai, co-founder and CEO of IoTeX. Empowering AI with Real-Time Physical Data Founded in 2017, IoTeX plays a pivotal role in providing blockchain infrastructure that integrates real-time physical data to empower AI systems. With a focus on enabling intelligent systems to operate in real-time physical environments, IoTeX's technology bridges the gap between blockchain and AI, offering opportunities for real-world AI applications. The collaboration between IoTeX and Animoca Brands signifies a significant advancement in the realm of AI innovation, aiming to drive the next phase of Web3 and AI development.

Aethir, a decentralized compute network, has recently entered into a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), specifically its Endless Games and Learning Lab. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as it is Aethir's first venture with an educational institution. The primary goal of this partnership is to launch a pilot scheme that will explore scalable, real-world applications of applied AI within game-based learning environments. ASU is renowned for its innovation and patent achievements, making it an ideal partner for Aethir's ambitious project. The Endless Games and Learning Lab plans to utilize Aethir's distributed AI compute platform to facilitate applied research, student-led development, and interactive learning experiences. Aethir is also contributing up to $3 million in network credits to support this initiative. The first projects stemming from this collaboration are anticipated to commence in the 2025–2026 academic year. Aethir's network boasts over 435,000 containers of virtual GPU-powered hardware across more than 90 countries, including significant presences in Singapore, the US, and Hong Kong. Mark Ollila, the director of ASU’s Endless Games and Learning Lab, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that it enables the scaling of their ambitions through a high-performance, globally distributed AI infrastructure. He emphasized the vision of making educational AI and game-based learning accessible and meaningful. Aethir’s chief revenue officer, Paul Thind, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential for AI and edge computing to unlock new avenues for learning, creativity, and collaboration among students and researchers alike.

In recent weeks, the TAO price has garnered significant attention as Bittensor continues to lead discussions in the AI-driven cryptocurrency sector. Despite a strong social sentiment surrounding the project, the price dynamics reveal ongoing challenges. Currently, the TAO price is navigating a critical phase, caught between bearish pressure and the potential for recovery. Market conditions indicate that while social engagement is high, with 24.8K posts and 3M interactions reported in just 24 hours, this enthusiasm is not yet reflected in the price action. The recent performance of TAO has been concerning, with a decline of 1.2% in the last 24 hours and over 23% in the past month. The price chart indicates that TAO has struggled to generate positive momentum amid a weak broader market. Resistance levels between $460 and $480 have proven to be significant barriers, and in August, TAO fell below the critical support level of $358, shifting the trend towards bearish sentiment. Currently, the token hovers around the $320 support level, with risks pointing towards a potential retest of $301. Looking ahead, the Bittensor price prediction remains cautious in the short term, as bears may target deeper corrections towards the $200 support. However, the long-term outlook for Bittensor remains optimistic due to its role in decentralized AI infrastructure. The unique design of rewarding distributed computing power with TAO tokens continues to attract long-term believers. If the broader cryptocurrency market rebounds, it could shift sentiment positively, allowing TAO to stabilize and potentially recover, with bulls eyeing the $490 level as a target for the year ahead.