DRIFE's Decentralized Revolution: A 2024 Recap

eatherXM Brings Weather to Solana Mobile 🌦️📱 WeatherXM, the community-powered DePIN weather network, has officially launched its mobile app on Solana Mobile, making it the first and only weather app in the Solana dApp Store. The app lets users check hyperlocal forecasts, explore real-time and historical data, and—if they’re station owners—monitor station health, track rewards, and see how their data powers global forecasts. By integrating directly into Solana Mobile, WeatherXM expands its reach to a mobile-native audience, blending practical utility with tokenized incentives. This move not only strengthens the visibility of DePIN projects in consumer apps but also highlights how blockchain can underpin critical real-world infrastructure like weather data.

In Q2 2025, Filecoin experienced a notable increase in network utilization, which rose to 32% despite a 13% decline in total storage capacity. This reduction was attributed to provider churn and the expiration of existing allocations. The demand for large-scale storage remained robust, with the number of onboarded datasets growing by 3% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to 2,416, and 864 of these datasets exceeding 1,000 TiB in size. Additionally, daily new storage deals surged by 25% QoQ, reaching 3.5 PiB per day. The launch of Proof of Data Possession (PoDP) in May 2025 introduced lightweight verification of stored data, enhancing the network's capabilities and supporting high-speed data availability through a new hot-storage tier. The introduction of Avalanche’s cross-chain data bridge in Q2 2025 further expanded Filecoin's ecosystem, allowing data availability on Avalanche chains and broadening cross-chain use cases. Filecoin's marketplace for data services, built on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), operates on a market-driven model where users negotiate storage deals with providers. The network employs cryptographic proofs like Proof of Replication (PoRep) and Proof of Spacetime (PoSt) to ensure reliable data storage, rewarding providers with FIL tokens for their participation. However, the total data stored through active storage deals fell to 1,100 PiB, down 11% QoQ, reflecting a strategic shift towards high-value, enterprise-oriented workloads. Despite the decline in overall active storage volumes, the average daily new storage deals increased, indicating a growing interest in Filecoin's offerings. The Network v25 upgrade, deployed in April 2025, improved deal efficiency and prepared the network for Fast Finality (F3), which significantly reduced transaction finality times. Furthermore, the market cap of FIL decreased by 13.1% to $1.6 billion, driven by a 17% drop in token price. Nevertheless, the ecosystem showed resilience with the growth of USDFC, a FIL-backed stablecoin, which reached a market cap of $301,000, indicating deeper integration within the DeFi landscape. Overall, Q2 2025 highlighted Filecoin's ongoing expansion and adaptation in a competitive market.

On September 1st, 2025, IoTeX, a blockchain platform focused on Real-World AI, announced the launch of Season 2 of "Crypto's Got Talent" (CGT), a community-driven competition aimed at identifying and supporting promising DePIN projects. Sponsored by 0G Network, the largest Layer 1 blockchain designed for AI, this season aims to blend entertainment with ecosystem collaboration and funding to foster Web3 infrastructure adoption. Applications for the competition opened in August, with the live show set to begin on September 8. The event will consist of eight to nine episodes, culminating in a livestreamed finale where around 25 selected teams will compete for milestone-based grants, ultimately leading to six funded winners. The first season of CGT was a significant success, garnering nearly 200,000 impressions and close to 3,000 community votes. Five standout projects received grants and are now making strides in various sectors, including electric vehicle charging, 3D mapping, drone detection, environmental data, and on-chain finance. Jing Sun, co-founder of IoTeX, emphasized the program's goal of highlighting builders addressing real-world infrastructure challenges, and with the backing of 0G, Season 2 is expected to be even larger and more impactful. Season 2 will maintain the unique format of public pitch rounds, video demonstrations, and a final showcase to determine winners based on innovation, execution, and real-world impact. Michael Heinrich, Co-Founder and CEO of 0G, expressed pride in sponsoring CGT, aligning with their mission to empower builders in the AI and Web3 space. Together, IoTeX and 0G aim to support teams that are advancing decentralized infrastructure and real-world AI applications, paving the way for a democratized future of intelligence.

IoTeX has officially announced the launch of Crypto’s Got Talent (CGT) Season 2, a competition aimed at showcasing and funding high-potential decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) projects. Sponsored by 0G Network, this season is set to kick off on September 8, featuring 25 teams competing across eight to nine episodes. The previous season garnered nearly 200,000 impressions and successfully supported five innovative projects spanning various sectors, including energy, mapping, drone technology, environmental data, and finance. The CGT competition is designed to blend entertainment with ecosystem collaboration and real funding opportunities to foster Web3 adoption. Applications for the competition opened in August, and the event will culminate in a live finale. The selected teams will compete for milestone-based grants, with six winners receiving funding. Additionally, the program will provide 4-6 months of post-competition support to help projects scale and achieve measurable outcomes. Jing Sun, co-founder of IoTeX, emphasized the need for innovative DePIN projects and expressed confidence that Season 2 will be larger and more impactful. Michael Heinrich, CEO of 0G Network, expressed pride in sponsoring the CGT competition, highlighting its alignment with their mission to empower AI and Web3 builders. IoTeX, founded in 2017, currently supports over 100 projects and 40 million devices across various sectors, including mobility, robotics, energy, and health. The platform's infrastructure enables access to verified real-time physical world data, which is crucial for AI systems and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Furthermore, IoTeX has been officially listed on CF Benchmarks, allowing banks and asset managers to create regulated products with IOTX.

The DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) sector is experiencing significant transformation in 2025, with projects like Moonchain ($MCH) leading the charge in redefining blockchain's interaction with real-world data. As both institutional and retail investors seek robust opportunities in the crypto space, Moonchain's strategic integration with the Binance Alpha ecosystem positions it as a prime candidate for early-stage capital allocation. This article delves into Moonchain's unique value proposition, its alignment with Binance Alpha's institutional-grade infrastructure, and its potential to surpass traditional DePIN projects such as Helium and Filecoin. Moonchain sets itself apart by monetizing real-world data through an innovative Initial Hardware Offering (IHO) model. Unlike previous DePIN projects that depended on niche hardware, Moonchain collaborates with consumer tech brands like JBL and CyberCharge to distribute mining devices at no upfront cost, thereby democratizing access to decentralized infrastructure. This model not only lowers entry barriers but also capitalizes on the increasing demand for AI-driven data generation, a trend propelled by the rise of IoT devices and wearable technology. The project's native token, $MCH, functions as a multi-faceted utility asset, facilitating staking for network security, governance participation, and transaction fee discounts, thus fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem. The listing of Moonchain on Binance Alpha on September 3, 2025, marks a significant milestone, as Binance Alpha has emerged as a launchpad for high-conviction projects with strong institutional backing. The platform's dual airdrop for Alpha Points and GT holders ensures early liquidity and user acquisition, while its impressive daily trading volume and active user base indicate robust institutional interest. Moonchain's partnership with Binance Alpha not only enhances liquidity but also aligns with its long-term goals of cross-chain interoperability and deflationary token models. Analysts believe that Binance Alpha's validation of projects with real-world utility, such as Moonchain's AI Value layer, could significantly accelerate adoption beyond mere speculative trading, making it a compelling investment opportunity in the evolving DePIN landscape.

The Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) is gaining traction in the technology and blockchain sectors. By leveraging blockchain technology and token incentives, DePIN platforms enable individuals to collaboratively build and manage physical infrastructure. This innovative approach not only enhances infrastructure efficiency but also allows participants to earn rewards through token systems. Here, we explore five leading DePIN platforms that are transforming infrastructure usage: Helium Network, Filecoin, Render Network, Akash Network, and The Graph. Helium Network stands out as a decentralized IoT network that provides wireless connectivity for IoT devices. Users can contribute by setting up wireless hotspots, which facilitate communication for these devices, and in return, they earn HNT tokens. Filecoin, on the other hand, focuses on decentralized data storage, allowing users to rent out their unused storage space and earn FIL tokens. Render Network offers a platform for users to rent their GPU processing power for graphics rendering, rewarding them with RENDER tokens. Similarly, Akash Network provides a decentralized cloud computing service where users can lease their computing resources and receive AKT tokens in return. Lastly, The Graph serves as a decentralized data indexation service for decentralized applications (dApps), allowing users to earn GRT tokens for their indexing services. These platforms exemplify how blockchain can facilitate decentralized and efficient physical infrastructure. However, potential participants should conduct thorough research and understand the associated risks before engaging in these opportunities, as the crypto market is known for its volatility and unpredictability.