Latest Edge News

Tory Green, with over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship and investment, has recently taken a significant role in the blockchain sector as he leads io.net, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). His extensive background includes serving as a venture capitalist at Tiller Partners, where he supported various portfolio companies in executive roles. Green's previous experience as COO and CFO at Hum Capital, along with co-founding The Art of Charm, showcases his diverse skill set and commitment to innovation. His educational background includes a BA in Economics from Stanford University, coupled with athletic experience at the United States Military Academy at West Point, further highlighting his multifaceted approach to leadership. Io.net recently completed a successful Series A funding round, raising $30 million to enhance its decentralized infrastructure capabilities. The platform utilizes a tailored consensus mechanism optimized for distributed infrastructure, enabling efficient participation from diverse nodes without high computational demands. Security is a key focus, employing cryptographic techniques and node verification to protect the network from malicious actions. Additionally, the integration of edge computing significantly boosts performance by processing data closer to its source, thereby reducing latency and improving response times for users and developers alike. Interoperability with other blockchain platforms, such as Solana, is a cornerstone of io.net's strategy, enhancing cross-chain data flow and broadening adoption potential. The network's multi-layered security approach ensures data integrity through device authentication and encryption, while scalability is addressed through horizontal distribution of workloads and sharding techniques. Green envisions a transformative impact on DePINs by integrating AI with decentralized infrastructure, aiming to revolutionize industries like healthcare and finance with improved data security and cost-efficiency. His leadership philosophy, shaped by resilience and a hands-on problem-solving approach, is pivotal in driving io.net's mission forward in the rapidly evolving blockchain landscape.

YOM has announced an exciting partnership with K4 Rally to introduce blockchain rally racing gaming to its decentralized network. This collaboration aims to pioneer cloud gaming by utilizing a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) that allows AAA quality games, such as K4 Rally, to be streamed to any device. By leveraging URL hosting and popular platforms like Telegram, players can enjoy a diverse range of traditional and blockchain-based gaming experiences without the need for high-end gaming hardware. K4 Rally stands out as a groundbreaking blockchain-powered rally racing game that offers players a unique play-to-earn experience. Players can own in-game assets and cars as NFTs while competing in various racing tournaments globally. This game is designed to bridge the gap between traditional gaming and blockchain technology, ensuring genuine ownership of assets and a transparent, decentralized gaming ecosystem. The integration of K4 Rally’s NFT-based asset system with YOM’s decentralized pixel-streaming network aims to enhance accessibility, allowing players to access the game directly through their web browsers. The partnership also focuses on joint research and development efforts to improve cloud gaming accessibility through browser-based URL access. By utilizing YOM’s decentralized edge infrastructure, K4 Rally can provide players with minimal latency and uninterrupted gameplay, regardless of their location or hardware capabilities. Both companies plan to enhance user engagement and expand their player base through cross-promotion, revolutionizing the gaming experience for both traditional and blockchain gamers. This collaboration is set to break new ground in the gaming industry, offering innovative technology and decentralized solutions for an exceptional gaming experience.

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.

The launch of Musk to Mars (MUSKMARS), a new memecoin on the Solana blockchain, has generated significant excitement among investors. With predictions suggesting a potential price surge of over 16,000% in the coming days, early adopters are eager to capitalize on this opportunity. The anticipated listing of MUSKMARS on various cryptocurrency exchanges is expected to attract millions of new investors, creating a buying frenzy that could drive the price higher. This scenario mirrors the explosive growth seen with previous memecoins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE), which turned early investors into multi-millionaires. Currently, Musk to Mars is only available for purchase on Solana's decentralized exchanges, such as Jup.ag and Raydium.io. The coin launched with more than $8,000 in liquidity, providing it with a competitive edge over many other new memecoins. Investors looking to buy MUSKMARS must connect their wallets, such as Solflare, MetaMask, or Phantom, and swap Solana for the memecoin using its contract address. This process is relatively straightforward, and those without a wallet can set one up quickly to begin trading. The ongoing trend of investing in new Solana memecoins comes as larger memecoins like SHIB, DOGE, and DogWifHat (WIF) have shown signs of stagnation. As these established coins trade sideways, many investors are shifting their focus to the potential high returns offered by new entrants like MUSKMARS. While these memecoins lack inherent utility and value, the allure of rapid price increases continues to attract speculative investors hoping to replicate the success of earlier memecoins. Should MUSKMARS follow a similar trajectory, it could pave the way for a new generation of memecoin millionaires in the near future.

Huddle01, a pioneer in decentralized real-time communications (dRTC), has launched a whitelist for its upcoming node sale, aiming to revolutionize audio and video conferencing. This initiative marks the first Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) specifically designed for real-time communication. By leveraging unused internet bandwidth through node operators, Huddle01 enables seamless communication that can rival established platforms like Zoom and Google Meet. Since its inception, Huddle01 has facilitated over 7 million minutes of meetings across more than 100,000 events, and the addition of new nodes is expected to enhance connectivity in emerging markets while allowing node license holders to earn rewards. The Huddle01 Media Nodes serve as the backbone of this innovative network, addressing the high operational costs and latency issues associated with centralized RTC networks. By significantly reducing the reliance on traditional data centers, Huddle01 can lower developers' server costs for audio and video calls by up to 95% compared to conventional services like AWS. CEO Ayush Ranjan emphasizes that the media nodes will improve latency, particularly in regions with a dense cluster of nodes, thus providing a competitive edge over existing web2 solutions. The platform's native app, Huddle01 Meet, integrates web3 tools, allowing users to connect wallets and utilize NFT avatars, further enhancing the user experience. The node sale will offer 46,900 Huddle Media Nodes, starting at $320 each, and will occur in two phases. The first phase will see 20,000 nodes available for purchase, with participants receiving an NFT key upon purchase. The sale is structured to reward early participants with higher returns. Additionally, an incentivized testnet will launch shortly after the sale, rewarding active node holders with $HUDL tokens. With a total supply of 200 million $HUDL, the project aims to engage a broad user base and enhance the decentralized communication landscape.

Filecoin's ecosystem is witnessing significant growth, with over 60 teams actively developing innovative solutions across various sectors, including decentralized storage, artificial intelligence (AI), Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), and Web3 infrastructure. This expansion is not only enhancing the capabilities of Filecoin but also contributing to the broader evolution of Web3. The diverse projects being undertaken aim to transform data storage and digital infrastructure, positioning Filecoin as a key player in the decentralized sector. A notable advancement in this ecosystem is the Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM), which enhances the functionality of smart contracts and programmable storage. This new capability is particularly beneficial for the AI and DePIN industries, where the demand for scalable solutions is growing. By allowing developers to create distributed applications that seamlessly integrate with Filecoin’s storage features, FVM is pushing the boundaries of decentralized computing. Additionally, the recent Fast Finality (F3) upgrade has drastically reduced the finalization time from 7.5 hours to just a few minutes, significantly improving the network's efficiency and responsiveness. Moreover, Filecoin's collaboration with Aethir addresses the critical issue of GPU resource scarcity in Web3. This partnership is expected to enhance Filecoin’s GPU power, thereby improving data processing capabilities and distributed storage strength. As a result, Filecoin is likely to gain a competitive edge in the AI and Web3 ecosystems. Currently, Filecoin's native token, FIL, is trading at $3.69, reflecting a 5.03% increase over the past week, bringing its market cap closer to $2.2 billion. These developments indicate a promising future for Filecoin as it continues to innovate and expand its offerings in the decentralized landscape.

U2U Network, a pioneering Layer-1 blockchain focused on decentralized infrastructure, has announced the launch of its inaugural DePIN Node Sale, set to begin on October 22. This initiative allows participants to acquire decentralized nodes, contributing to the expansion of U2U's DePIN infrastructure. The sale features 40,000 nodes available across six tiers, with an entry price starting at $200 for a checker node. This model not only democratizes access to node operation but also promises significant earning potential, with participants expected to recover their investment in just 58 days. The U2U Network aims to attract a diverse range of participants by eliminating the need for programming skills to operate a node, thus broadening the community engagement. Nodes are crucial in decentralized networks, facilitating communication, transaction validation, and enhancing security. The U2U Subnet comprises two types of nodes: Master Nodes, which handle transaction storage and data validation, and Edge Nodes, which offer additional computational power for specific protocols. Both node types are incentivized based on their contributions, forming the backbone of U2U's DePIN infrastructure. The network's design allows node operators to contribute resources from various devices, ensuring uninterrupted application performance. With over 40 DePIN projects in the ecosystem, node operators can support a wide array of sectors, including computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, further increasing their earning potential. The U2U Network has garnered significant backing from top investors such as KuCoin Ventures, Chain Capital, and IDG Blockchain, positioning itself strongly in the industry. The team comprises over 120 professionals from leading tech companies, ensuring a wealth of expertise. With a growing community of over 1 million members, U2U Network is poised to revolutionize decentralized infrastructure. The combination of low entry costs, high ROI, and the absence of coding requirements makes this Node Sale an attractive opportunity for a broad audience, inviting them to participate in shaping the future of decentralized networks.

Theta Labs has announced the launch of its AI Virtual Try-On software for Shopify, developed in collaboration with KAIST AI Lab, a leading AI research center in South Korea. This innovative technology utilizes advanced computer vision and natural language processing to enhance the online shopping experience. Customers can now virtually try on various tops by simply uploading a selfie, which aims to improve user engagement and potentially increase sales conversions for e-commerce retailers. To promote its adoption, Theta Labs is offering this plugin for free to Shopify store owners for a limited time, with successful beta integrations already reported by customers like Soar and Mazer. The AI Virtual Try-On for Shopify is powered by Theta EdgeCloud, a hybrid cloud-edge computing platform that combines over 30,000 distributed edge nodes from the Theta Edge Network with cloud services from major providers like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services. This infrastructure offers more than 80 PetaFLOPS of distributed GPU compute power, allowing for significant cost savings on GPU computing tasks compared to traditional cloud providers. The EdgeCloud platform provides AI model training and inference services at less than half the cost of other cloud solutions, making it a cost-effective option for businesses. This launch signifies a major advancement in the application of EdgeCloud technology within the e-commerce sector. By addressing common challenges faced by online retailers and shoppers, Theta Labs is making advanced AI tools more accessible and affordable. Looking forward, Theta Labs and KAIST AI plan to expand the capabilities of the AI Virtual Try-On model to include more complex wearables, such as hats and bottoms, further pushing the boundaries of AI-driven fashion technology and enhancing the online shopping experience for consumers.

U2U Network, a pioneering Layer-1 blockchain focused on decentralized infrastructure, has announced the launch of its inaugural DePIN Node Sale, set to begin on October 22. This initiative allows participants to acquire decentralized nodes, contributing to the expansion of U2U's DePIN infrastructure. With backing from notable investors such as KuCoin Ventures and Chain Capital, U2U aims to provide users with a unique opportunity to engage with the decentralized network while unlocking significant earning potential through its Node Sale model. The sale will feature 40,000 nodes across six tiers, starting at an accessible price of $200 for a checker node, with the promise of a high return on investment (ROI) in just 58 days. The importance of nodes in blockchain networks cannot be overstated. They facilitate communication, validate transactions, and enhance security by distributing computational power, thus minimizing centralized control. U2U's Subnet allows node operators to contribute resources ranging from mobile devices to high-performance computers, ensuring that applications run smoothly. The U2U DePIN framework includes Master Nodes, which handle critical tasks like transaction storage and data validation, and Edge Nodes, which provide additional computational power for specific protocols, optimizing network performance. Both node types offer incentives based on their contributions, forming the backbone of U2U Network’s infrastructure. U2U Network has garnered significant attention, raising funds from several prominent investors and growing its community to over 1 million members. The team comprises over 120 professionals from leading tech companies, enhancing its expertise and positioning in the industry. With a low entry cost, high ROI, and no programming skills required, the DePIN Subnet Node campaign is designed to attract a diverse range of participants. As U2U Network continues to expand, it aims to revolutionize decentralized infrastructure and drive mass adoption in the blockchain space.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Nexus Forum in Brussels, where policymakers, researchers, and SMEs gathered to discuss the European Edge Cloud Continuum. This strategic initiative aims to enhance Europe’s capabilities in cloud computing and edge technologies by moving data processing closer to its source. This shift is crucial for achieving faster and more efficient data management, reducing reliance on distant data centers. However, with the European cloud market increasingly dominated by non-EU providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, the EU faces significant challenges in establishing cloud sovereignty and competing on a global scale. The European Commission (EC) is actively investing in cloud and edge computing to address this imbalance, with ambitious goals such as ensuring that 75% of EU enterprises adopt cloud solutions by 2030. The proposed federated cloud model seeks to combine smaller players, including telecom operators and local services, to create a unified front against global giants. However, fragmentation within the European market complicates this effort. The cloud-edge continuum concept aims to integrate various providers, from large cloud services to small edge nodes, to deliver computing resources closer to where data is generated. During the forum, I inquired about the role of decentralized technologies like Streamr in this vision. While the EC's roadmap places decentralized technologies at the far end of the cloud-edge continuum, many DePIN projects are already operational today. Streamr, for instance, can serve as a decentralized data backbone, facilitating the integration of various services and enhancing the efficiency of data management. To realize the potential of decentralized solutions in achieving cloud sovereignty, there must be more dialogue between policymakers and innovators, ensuring that these technologies are recognized and integrated into Europe’s strategic framework for the future.