Latest DePIN News

Ewha Womans University in South Korea has recently joined Theta's expanding academic partner network by adopting the Theta EdgeCloud Hybrid and its mobile edge network. The PAI Lab, led by Assistant Professor Junhyug Noh from the Department of Artificial Intelligence, is dedicated to developing practical AI technologies that can adapt to various real-world applications. Their research encompasses object recognition, weakly and semi-supervised learning, domain adaptation, and robust learning methods, aiming to enhance model performance while minimizing the need for labeled data. The lab is also exploring multi-modal learning and AI applications in fields such as medicine and process automation. The Theta EdgeCloud Hybrid stands out as the world's first decentralized hybrid GPU platform, integrating thousands of community-run NVIDIA GPUs alongside high-end models like A100s and H100s. This innovative infrastructure allows academic teams like the PAI Lab to conduct experiments with increased flexibility and reduced costs compared to traditional cloud services. The platform supports a range of AI research activities, including training large language models and deploying generative AI workloads, making it an attractive option for researchers seeking to push the boundaries of AI technology. Mitch Liu, CEO and Co-Founder of Theta Labs, expressed excitement about the partnership with Ewha Womans University, emphasizing the lab's commitment to advancing practical AI solutions. He highlighted that Theta EdgeCloud Hybrid and the mobile Android edge network are specifically designed to facilitate high-impact research that traditional cloud providers struggle to support effectively. As Ewha Womans University continues to build its reputation as a leading institution for AI research, this collaboration is expected to yield significant advancements in the field of artificial intelligence.

The decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) sector has recently witnessed a surge in online discussions, highlighting several major projects that have dominated social media activity. Leading the charge is Chainlink ($LINK), which has solidified its presence in crypto conversations with an impressive 21,600 posts and a staggering 4.6 million interactions. This level of engagement underscores Chainlink's significance in the DePIN landscape, showcasing its ability to attract attention and foster community involvement. Following Chainlink, Bittensor ($TAO) has emerged as a strong contender, securing the second position with 15,500 engaged posts and 1.7 million interactions. The growing interest in Bittensor reflects its appeal within communities, particularly due to advancements in decentralized AI and infrastructure solutions. Internet Computer ($ICP) ranks third, generating 6,200 posts and 325,600 interactions, while Render ($RENDER) also made notable strides with 4,400 posts and 248,500 interactions. Meanwhile, Helium ($HNT) and Akash Network ($AKT) demonstrated solid community engagement, with HNT achieving 1,800 posts and 59,200 interactions, and AKT garnering 1,700 posts and 70,900 interactions. The data indicates that social engagement within DePIN projects is a crucial indicator of strength, as trust and participation hinge on the representation of social capital. Projects like Chainlink, Bittensor, and Internet Computer are not only driving interaction but also shaping the future of decentralized networks in connectivity and cloud services. As the industry continues to evolve, the ability of these projects to maintain high levels of engagement will likely play a pivotal role in determining their long-term impact and relevance in the blockchain ecosystem.

The cryptocurrency market in 2025 presents a complex landscape characterized by contrasting dynamics. As the sector matures, three pivotal themes are emerging: meme coins, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platforms, and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). Investors are now faced with the challenge of navigating this multifaceted environment, where speculative fervor meets institutional pragmatism. The evolution of meme coins, such as XYZVerse, illustrates this shift from mere internet jokes to serious investment vehicles, blending community engagement with innovative tokenomics to create a compelling investment opportunity. The tokenization of real-world assets has transitioned from a theoretical concept to a burgeoning market valued at $25.4 billion. Platforms like Ondo Finance and Centrifuge are leading the charge by offering fractional ownership of traditionally illiquid assets such as U.S. Treasuries and real estate. Ondo's USDY stablecoin, backed by government bonds, has notably outperformed traditional fixed-income instruments, showcasing the potential of RWAs to democratize access to valuable assets. However, the sector faces challenges, particularly regarding regulatory clarity, which remains a critical risk factor for investors looking to capitalize on this trend. Decentralized physical infrastructure networks are revolutionizing the way critical systems are built and maintained. Projects like Helium and Filecoin are creating scalable solutions that enhance accessibility and reduce costs. While the growth of DePIN tokens has been modest, their long-term potential is significant as they lay the groundwork for future blockchain adoption. Investors are encouraged to adopt a layered strategy, balancing high-risk meme coins with more stable RWA platforms and long-term DePIN investments. As the market evolves, recognizing the interplay between speculative demand and institutional utility will be key to identifying successful investment opportunities in the cryptocurrency space.

The conversation surrounding cryptocurrency in the United States has undergone a significant transformation, with industry leaders heralding it as a pivotal moment. After years of stringent regulatory actions, the atmosphere in Washington regarding digital assets has shifted notably, indicating a potential path towards mainstream acceptance. Ripple's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, emphasized the stark contrast in how policymakers now engage with digital assets compared to the previous year. At the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, he noted a more supportive tone, particularly highlighting the surprising endorsement of blockchain technology by several Federal Reserve governors, which he described as a new dawn for the industry. Legal voices in the crypto sector have also acknowledged this shift. Attorney John Deaton characterized the change as a complete turnaround, moving from a period of regulatory suffocation under what he termed "ChokePoint 2.0" to a landscape ripe for universal acceptance and mass adoption. His remarks underscore the rapid evolution in the regulatory environment, suggesting that the industry is now on a path toward broader acceptance rather than being stifled by enforcement actions. This sentiment reflects a growing optimism among crypto advocates about the future of digital assets in the U.S. Ripple's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, contributed to the dialogue by emphasizing the necessity for a coordinated regulatory approach in the post-GENIUS Act era. He participated in discussions with notable representatives from various organizations, advocating for clarity and support for innovation through collaboration between lawmakers and the executive branch. This evolving dialogue indicates a broader shift in how traditional policymakers perceive cryptocurrencies, moving from skepticism to a focus on collaboration and sustainable growth. If this momentum continues, the U.S. could not only clarify its own regulatory landscape but also play a crucial role in shaping the global future of digital assets.

In the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape, Bittensor and Chainlink are making headlines as they gain significant traction in August. Bittensor, trading around $350 with a market cap nearing $3 billion, is focused on creating an incentive layer for AI contributors. Meanwhile, Chainlink, valued in the mid-$20s and boasting a market cap of approximately $16 billion, continues to enhance data connectivity for decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and real-world asset flows. The growing demand for oracles has fueled optimism among traders, particularly with the introduction of Bitcoin Swift (BTC3), which has recently entered Stage 6 of its presale, raising over $1 million and set to launch on August 30 with enticing rewards for early participants. Bitcoin Swift (BTC3) is designed as a comprehensive decentralized finance stack, integrating adaptive Proof-of-Yield rewards, AI-driven smart contracts, and a privacy-first decentralized identity. The platform aims to provide scalability and compliance from the outset, with plans to launch on the Solana blockchain, allowing for thousands of transactions per second at minimal fees. Following its initial launch, BTC3 will transition to its own chain, ensuring long-term sovereignty and governance adaptability as the network matures. This innovative approach is expected to deliver immediate utility and rewards, distinguishing BTC3 from traditional presales. As BTC3's presale progresses, Stage 6 is currently live at $6 with an impressive 166% annual percentage yield (APY). With less than eight days remaining in the presale, the urgency is palpable, especially with a bonus structure that incentivizes larger investments. The community surrounding BTC3 has grown significantly, surpassing 4,000 members and generating substantial interest from influencers and crypto enthusiasts alike. The combination of immediate payouts, thorough audits, and a robust launch strategy positions Bitcoin Swift as a standout opportunity in the current market, appealing to those seeking both yield and credibility in their investments.

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) is transforming various industries, with IoTeX leading this innovative charge. As a modular infrastructure platform, IoTeX integrates AI applications with real-world data, enhancing sectors such as mobility, healthcare, energy, and robotics. This article explores the unique components of IoTeX’s ecosystem and its vision for the future, emphasizing its role in bridging the physical and digital realms. IoTeX operates as a blockchain-powered platform that supports both DePIN and AI applications. It features a Layer-1 blockchain utilizing a Randomized Delegated Proof-of-Stake (Roll-DPoS) consensus mechanism, ensuring scalability and security. Key elements include W3bstream, which processes real-world data from IoT devices, and ioID, a decentralized identity framework for devices and AI agents. Furthermore, Quicksilver AI enhances data verification, allowing AI applications to operate with verified data, thereby addressing one of AI's significant challenges: the reliability of real-world data. The IOTX token is central to IoTeX's ecosystem, facilitating governance, transaction fees, and staking rewards. Additionally, IoTeX has introduced Realms, dynamic knowledge bases that synthesize real-time data, providing tokenized incentives and AI-driven insights across various sectors. The DePIN AI Strategic Reserve aims to secure digital assets and foster ecosystem growth. With plans for infrastructure expansion and community engagement, IoTeX is poised to shape the future of AI and DePIN, solidifying its position as a leader in this transformative space.

Trading and investing platform, eToro, has announced the addition of 27 new cryptoassets for U.S. users, bringing the total to over 100. This expansion allows users to trade a variety of cryptoassets alongside equities, options, and ETFs. Some of the newly added cryptoassets include 1inch Network, AIOZ Network, Amp, Ankr, and more. eToro is also planning to launch staking for U.S. users, providing the opportunity for retail investors to earn passive income on eligible cryptoasset holdings while supporting blockchain networks' security and operation. In a statement, Andrew McCormick, Head of eToro U.S., expressed excitement about the milestone, highlighting eToro's commitment to empowering retail investors with a diverse range of investment options. He emphasized the platform's dedication to broadening investment opportunities as markets evolve, aiming to assist users in building long-term wealth.

As the landscape of artificial intelligence evolves, the focus is shifting from large, resource-intensive Language Models (LLMs) to more efficient Small Language Models (SLMs). CUDOS Intercloud is at the forefront of this transition, emphasizing the need for decentralization, privacy protection, and sustainable scaling. SLMs are designed to provide faster inference, reduced deployment costs, and a smaller carbon footprint, making them ideal for applications ranging from Web3 to edge AI. This shift is not merely a trend but a necessary evolution in AI development, catering to the increasing demand for speed, precision, and adaptability in various applications. CUDOS Intercloud offers a decentralized infrastructure optimized for efficient AI deployment. With renewable-powered GPU nodes accessible through digital wallets, developers can enjoy permissionless compute access without the burdens of KYC or lock-ins. The platform provides real-time GPU orchestration and preloaded templates equipped with production-grade tools. For teams transitioning from LLMs to SLMs, CUDOS Intercloud features flexible environments such as Ollama for rapid prototyping, vLLM for high-throughput deployments, and OpenManus for multi-modal AI agents. These tools facilitate experimentation with lightweight models and streamline the deployment of tailored SLM solutions. The CUDOS Intercloud platform already hosts several optimized SLMs, including DeepSeek-R1 and Llama 3.3, which are ready for immediate deployment. These models are designed for real-world applications, providing developers with the resources needed to build decentralized stacks efficiently. The transition to SLMs represents a fundamental rethink of AI development, empowering developers while ensuring data security and minimizing resource consumption. CUDOS Intercloud is committed to supporting this shift, enabling the creation of decentralized agents and scalable AI solutions that are practical for production use.

In early 2025, extensive scaling tests were conducted on the new trackerless Streamr Network 1.0 to evaluate its performance and scalability. The tests involved deploying thousands of nodes across 17 global regions, utilizing data centers to simulate a live network environment. The experiments focused on validating the three-layer trackerless architecture, particularly the locality awareness in Layer 2, and measuring the network's performance under load. Key metrics analyzed included join times, routing delays, message propagation delays, and time to data, all crucial for the network's functionality. The experiment setup involved running tests with up to 2,000 nodes, coordinated by a centralized script that tracked progress and issued instructions. Initial latency measurements established a baseline, revealing a mean one-way delay of 75 ms between AWS regions. The results indicated that join times for nodes joining the Layer 0 Distributed Hash Table (DHT) were efficient, with most nodes able to start participating in higher layers shortly after establishing a single DHT connection. Routing delays and hops were also measured, showing that the mean hop count grew logarithmically with the number of nodes, while the average round-trip time (RTT) remained around 360 ms at 2,000 nodes, confirming the efficiency of Layer 0 routing. The tests further evaluated stream message propagation delays and time to data, with results indicating that the mean message propagation delay was lower for larger streams due to effective locality-aware clustering. The mean time to data consistently averaged around 1 second, significantly below the 2-second target. Overall, the new trackerless Streamr Network demonstrated stable performance, efficient routing, and low latency growth, confirming its capability to scale effectively while maintaining high data availability and performance standards. This success validates the architecture's design and its potential for future applications in decentralized data streaming.

The cryptocurrency market is known for its rapid movements, and recent developments highlight significant opportunities for investors. Solana (SOL), for instance, has surged from an initial price of $10 to an impressive $180 by August 2025, yielding a remarkable 19x return for early adopters. However, a new contender, Ozak AI ($OZ), an Ethereum-based AI token currently in its fourth presale stage, is generating buzz as a potential breakout opportunity. Priced initially at just $0.005, Ozak AI has already sold over 160 million tokens, raising more than $2 million, with investors eagerly anticipating substantial returns as the launch date approaches. The presale of Ozak AI has shown impressive growth, with early investors already seeing a 400% profit from the initial price of $0.001. As the presale nears its conclusion, the price is set to rise to $0.01, significantly lower than the anticipated launch price of $1, which could offer returns of up to 200x. Analysts predict that Ozak AI could reach $2.80 by 2026, translating to a staggering 560x increase from its presale price. For example, a $250 investment at the current price could yield returns of up to $140,000 if the token reaches its projected value, mirroring the success seen with Solana. What distinguishes Ozak AI from other tokens is its focus on real-world applications and technological advancements. The project features the Ozak Stream Network (OSN) for real-time crypto data, customizable Prediction Agents (PAs) for trading signals, and a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) for efficient data processing. With a transparent roadmap, strong security audits, and partnerships with notable entities, Ozak AI is positioned to attract investors looking for AI-driven profits in the evolving crypto landscape. As the market evolves, Ozak AI stands out as a promising opportunity for those seeking significant returns in the near future.