Latest DePIN AI News

Theta EdgeCloud has introduced a significant enhancement by enabling Theta Fuel (TFUEL) billing for its services. This change positions TFUEL as the primary payment method for EdgeCloud, mirroring its role for the thousands of global Edge Nodes that support the network. Users opting to pay with TFUEL tokens will benefit from a 5% discount on their service fees, which encompass AI inference and training, video livestreaming, and future video/game rendering functionalities. This strategic move not only incentivizes the use of TFUEL but also strengthens its integration into the broader Theta ecosystem. The adoption of EdgeCloud has seen remarkable growth, particularly within academic institutions in the United States and South Korea. Notable universities such as the University of Oregon, Korea University, and Yonsei University are leveraging EdgeCloud's hybrid cloud GPU infrastructure to propel AI research forward. This trend highlights Theta's dedication to fostering academic innovation by providing vital computational resources for complex AI projects. Additionally, corporate clients like Jamcoding, a leader in e-learning coding platforms, are utilizing EdgeCloud to address critical AI applications, including computer vision and large language model training, further embedding EdgeCloud into the Theta token economy. While the support for USD remains essential for attracting Web2 customers, the Theta ecosystem is designed to function as a decentralized economy, where fiat transactions are converted into TFUEL purchases. This ensures that all EdgeCloud activities contribute to the on-chain economy of Theta, even when initiated by non-crypto users. With the recent launch of EdgeCloud Mobile, the potential for integration with the 3.9 billion Android devices worldwide opens new avenues for AI applications. As the AI market is projected to grow significantly, the core payment structure of EdgeCloud will ensure that TFUEL and the Theta token economy remain central to its operations.

Manta Network has recently announced a strategic partnership with Aethir, a prominent decentralized cloud infrastructure provider. This collaboration aims to deliver high-performance GPU access to applications within the Manta Network ecosystem, significantly enhancing scalability and cost-efficiency. The partnership is particularly beneficial for resource-intensive applications in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming, where performance and cost are critical factors. By leveraging Aethir's capabilities, Manta Network seeks to optimize the performance of applications while reducing operational costs, making it an attractive option for developers. For developers building on the Manta Network, this partnership opens up new avenues for innovation. They can now utilize Aethir's DePIN stack, which provides scalable and affordable high-performance computational power. This is especially advantageous for applications that require intensive processing, allowing developers to access robust computing resources without incurring the high expenses typically associated with centralized cloud services. The ability to expedite research and development will enable faster market entry and innovation, ultimately enhancing the overall performance of applications within the Manta Network ecosystem. Aethir stands out as a pioneer in decentralized GPU-as-a-service platforms, specifically designed for AI and gaming applications. With a globally distributed network of over 43,000 GPUs, including more than 3,000 NVIDIA H100s, Aethir offers competitive pricing and exceptional computational resources. This decentralized approach minimizes latency and maximizes resource utilization, providing developers with an efficient and cost-effective solution for scaling their projects. Manta Network, recognized as the largest modular Layer 2 scaling solution on Ethereum, continues to attract significant investments and support, further solidifying its position in the web3 landscape.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI image generation, a new contender has emerged, dethroning established models like Flux and MidJourney. The model, previously known as Red Panda, has been officially unveiled as Recraft V3, developed by a London-based startup. This innovative model has achieved the highest score on the ELO rating system for image generators, surpassing its competitors with impressive efficiency and image quality. Recraft V3 matches the generation speed of SDXL, producing high-quality images in under 10 seconds, and has been praised for its anatomical accuracy and ability to generate images with extended text passages, a feature not offered by other models. Founded in 2022, Recraft AI initially focused on creating AI-powered tools for graphic designers. However, the company’s trajectory shifted dramatically after securing $11 million in funding from notable investors, including Khosla Ventures and former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman. CEO Anna Veronika Dorogush emphasized that the company’s growth has primarily come from user recommendations rather than extensive marketing. Recraft V3 operates on a subscription model, offering free users a limited number of daily credits while retaining ownership of creations for paid subscribers. This model allows users to generate images with fine details and imperfections, making it a powerful tool for digital design. Despite its strengths, Recraft V3 is not without limitations. While it excels in realism and detail, it sometimes struggles with spatial awareness in complex scenes, leading to minor misalignments that may require user adjustments. Nonetheless, its pricing strategy and capabilities make it a compelling option for those seeking high-quality, realistic images without the typical “AI look.” As the AI image generation market continues to grow, Recraft V3 stands out as a versatile and powerful alternative, appealing to both casual users and professional designers alike.

io.net, a leading decentralized physical infrastructure network (dePIN) for GPU clusters, has announced a strategic partnership with GAIB, an economic layer focused on AI and compute. This collaboration aims to democratize access to GPU computing resources, enhancing innovation and accessibility. With GAIB already serving as a key GPU supplier to io.net, the partnership will expand to include initiatives in strategic marketing, community engagement, technical integration, and business development. Tausif Ahmed, VP of Business Development at io.net, emphasized the natural evolution of their relationship, stating that the combination of io.net's decentralized GPU infrastructure and GAIB's innovative approach to GPU tokenization will unlock new possibilities for both communities. The partnership will explore various synergies, including compute tokenization, joint marketing efforts, and coordinated business development initiatives to identify new market opportunities. Kony Kwong, CEO of GAIB, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting their shared mission to make AI compute accessible to everyone. Both companies plan to leverage their expertise to execute initiatives that may include technology evaluations, deployment planning, and publicity campaigns. This partnership represents a significant advancement in making high-performance GPU computing more accessible and efficient, creating new opportunities for GPU owners to generate yield from their assets.

In the latest developments within the cryptocurrency market, Bittensor's token, TAO, has seen a remarkable surge of 7.1% over the past 24 hours, with its trading volume skyrocketing by 104%. This surge coincides with a broader upswing in the crypto market, where Bitcoin has reached an impressive price of $71,500. As a result, many altcoins are benefiting from this bullish trend, but TAO has emerged as a standout performer, trading at $544 at the time of reporting. Other AI-themed coins, such as Injective (INJ) and Near Protocol (NEAR), have also experienced gains, but none have matched TAO's performance. The upward momentum for TAO is further supported by market analysis indicating a growing bullish sentiment among investors. The Long/Short Ratio for Bittensor suggests that long position holders are currently dominating the market, with 50.96% of positions being long. This indicates that most investors are optimistic about the future price movements of TAO. Additionally, the positive funding rate observed over the past week reinforces this bullish outlook, as it shows that long position holders are willing to incur premium fees to maintain their positions during market downturns. As TAO continues to gain traction, technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) have shown an increase from 45 to 50, suggesting rising buying pressure. If the current positive sentiment persists, TAO is well-positioned to reclaim the $584 resistance level. However, if this price increase is driven by speculation alone, there is a risk of a potential decline to $463. Overall, the current market dynamics indicate a favorable outlook for TAO, with the potential for further gains in the near future.

Theta Labs has announced a significant multi-year partnership with the University of Oregon’s Distopia Laboratory, led by Assistant Professor Suyash Gupta. This collaboration will leverage Theta EdgeCloud for large-scale AI model training and inference, marking a notable expansion of Theta Labs' presence in the U.S. academic sector. The University of Oregon, recognized as a Tier 1 research institution, hosts several advanced research centers focused on AI and computer science, which are crucial for the advancement of these fields in the United States. Dr. Gupta's research integrates distributed systems, blockchain, and federated learning, emphasizing the development of scalable and fault-tolerant architectures. His contributions to prestigious conferences underscore his expertise, particularly with his award-winning paper at EuroSys 2023 and significant work presented at leading data engineering conferences. The partnership with Theta Labs opens new avenues for the Distopia Laboratory to enhance its AI research capabilities, particularly in distributed systems and federated learning. Theta EdgeCloud's decentralized framework allows researchers to run complex AI models more efficiently by distributing tasks across its network, resulting in faster and more cost-effective computing solutions compared to traditional cloud services. This innovative approach not only makes powerful computing resources more accessible but also maximizes the utilization of otherwise idle resources, enabling the lab to tackle more sophisticated AI challenges and accelerate research initiatives in decentralized systems. The collaboration exemplifies the growing importance of decentralized cloud infrastructure in academic research, providing high-performance computing at lower costs than conventional providers. This enables academic institutions to undertake ambitious projects with limited budgets, allowing them to compete more effectively with well-funded commercial AI labs. The ability to conduct larger-scale experiments, train complex models, and explore advanced AI applications is crucial for academic labs, which often face time constraints in submitting research and publishing findings. The partnership between Theta Labs and the University of Oregon is a testament to the transformative potential of decentralized computing in advancing AI research in academia.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly in the realm of large language models (LLMs) and AI-generated content, necessitates a corresponding advancement in decentralized storage and computing infrastructures. Recognizing this critical need, Crust Network has announced its partnership with the Phoenix AI Ecosystem as the first decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) storage-focused partner. This collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of decentralized storage, which is essential for supporting the data requirements of AI applications, thereby fostering a more robust DePIN infrastructure. Crust Network operates as a layer 1 blockchain built on substrate, incentivizing the creation and utilization of storage orders and nodes on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). With over 1,000 global nodes and a total storage capacity exceeding 700 petabytes, Crust has established itself as a leading decentralized cloud storage solution. The partnership with Phoenix AI will provide Crust with access to idle compute resources through Phoenix’s SkyNet AI Node Network and SkyNet Elastic Compute. This integration not only expands Crust's ecosystem beyond storage nodes but also enhances its ability to support AI-driven workloads, thereby accelerating the growth of DePIN infrastructure. In addition to accessing compute resources, Crust Network will offer enhanced AI storage solutions by integrating with SkyNet. This partnership provides an alternative decentralized storage option alongside Filecoin for Phoenix AI’s models and datasets, granting AI developers greater flexibility and resilience in managing critical data. Phoenix AI itself is a decentralized elastic compute infrastructure designed for the seamless training and deployment of next-generation AI applications. Through this strategic alliance, Crust Network and Phoenix AI are poised to redefine the landscape of AI infrastructure, ensuring that storage and computing capabilities evolve in tandem with technological advancements.

Aethir, a decentralized GPU-as-a-service provider, has announced a strategic partnership with GMI Cloud and GAIB to enhance its AI computing capabilities. This collaboration will introduce H200 Tensor Core GPUs into Aethir's decentralized computing ecosystem, aimed at supporting AI developers globally. The integration of these advanced GPUs is designed to optimize professional-grade AI computations, making it easier for developers to build, train, and deploy sophisticated models. Daniel Wang, CEO of Aethir, emphasized that this initiative will empower the next generation of AI developers with essential tools for efficient development. In recent months, Aethir has been actively pursuing partnerships and initiatives to bolster its hardware capabilities. Notably, in September, the company collaborated with Filecoin to provide decentralized infrastructure solutions for international AI developers. Furthermore, in October, Aethir launched a $100 million Ecosystem Fund aimed at supporting AI-focused cloud gaming developers, offering grants and incentives to utilize its GPU resources. This reflects Aethir's commitment to channeling its hardware capabilities into the burgeoning field of AI development. The partnership with GMI Cloud and GAIB marks a significant step in Aethir's mission to revolutionize AI development. By making H200 Tensor Core GPUs available, the collaboration seeks to facilitate innovative AI solutions on a global scale. GMI Cloud's CEO, Alex Yeh, highlighted that this initiative is not merely about building a cloud service but creating the foundational infrastructure for the AI era. The optimism surrounding this partnership underscores the potential impact of these advanced GPUs in driving AI innovation and enhancing the capabilities of developers and data scientists worldwide.

Verida AI is at the forefront of integrating user data into artificial intelligence projects while prioritizing privacy and data ownership. Their innovative solution, the Verida Private Data Bridge, allows both individuals and organizations to securely connect and utilize sensitive user data within AI applications. This technology is designed to empower developers by providing a streamlined, one-click integration process that ensures compliance with privacy regulations and eliminates the need for third-party oversight. As AI continues to evolve, Verida AI is committed to creating a decentralized future where data privacy is a fundamental standard rather than an afterthought. The company recently announced that whitelist access for Verida AI is now open to all builders attending Devcon 2024. This initiative presents a unique opportunity for developers to be among the first to explore the capabilities of the Verida Private Data Bridge. By joining the whitelist, developers can gain early access to powerful tools that facilitate the integration of personal data into AI applications, ranging from healthcare to finance. The Private Data Bridge not only enhances data sharing capabilities but also ensures that users maintain control over their data, further promoting a privacy-first architecture. Looking ahead, Verida AI plans to introduce several exciting features and programs, including Data Connector Grants aimed at supporting developers who wish to integrate Verida’s data connectors into their applications. This initiative is part of Verida's broader mission to enhance the functionality and scalability of decentralized applications while maintaining a strong focus on privacy. As Verida AI continues to innovate, it invites developers to join in building a future where data privacy and AI innovation go hand in hand, paving the way for transformative advancements in technology.

In a significant development for the AI landscape, Aethir has partnered with GAIB and GMI Cloud to integrate H200 Tensor Core GPUs into their decentralized computing platforms. This collaboration aims to democratize access to high-performance GPU resources, making it easier and more cost-effective for developers and businesses worldwide to engage in AI and machine learning. Daniel Wang, CEO of Aethir, emphasized that this integration empowers the next generation of AI developers by providing them with the necessary tools to build, train, and deploy advanced models, regardless of their geographical or financial limitations. GAIB is introducing an innovative financial model that allows users to invest in GPU-backed assets, thereby generating rewards and yields. Kony, CEO of GAIB, highlighted that this model addresses the challenges associated with investing in illiquid compute assets and lowers the barriers to entry for potential investors. By transforming GPUs into liquid, tradeable yield-bearing assets, GAIB aims to unlock new investment opportunities and enhance market efficiency, ultimately contributing to the growth of the AI economy. GMI Cloud's role in this partnership focuses on optimizing the integration of the H200 GPUs, ensuring they deliver peak performance. Alex Yeh, founder and CEO of GMI Cloud, stated that their mission is to support humanity's AI ambitions by providing an efficient, on-demand GPU cloud. This collaboration not only enhances computational capabilities for enterprises and developers but also drives innovation in AI applications. The H200 GPUs, built on the Hopper architecture, promise significant improvements in memory, bandwidth, and efficiency, further solidifying the foundation for the AI era. Additionally, Aethir's recent launch of the Aethir Catalyst program, which allocates $100 million to AI and gaming startups, underscores their commitment to fostering innovation in this space.