Latest DePIN News

At the recent Token2049 Singapore event, a significant milestone was achieved in the realm of artificial intelligence with the launch of the Real-World AI Foundry. This initiative, spearheaded by IoTeX and a coalition of leading partners, aims to create an open ecosystem dedicated to developing Real-World Models (RWMs). Unlike traditional AI systems that rely on static historical data, RWMs are designed to utilize live, verified data from various sources such as machines, sensors, and people. This innovative approach promises AI that not only predicts outcomes but also perceives, adapts, and acts responsibly in real-world scenarios. The Real-World AI Foundry is supported by a diverse group of Alignment Partners, including notable names like Vodafone, Blockchain Association, and Filecoin, among others. These partners are committed to establishing shared standards for Real-World AI, focusing on governance, data standards, and deployment frameworks. The initiative is guided by three core principles: grounded in verified data, open to contributions from anyone, and human-centered to ensure accountability and societal benefits. This collaborative effort aims to create RWMs that evolve continuously with real-time data, making them essential for industries where accuracy and adaptability are crucial. As AI technology increasingly integrates into critical sectors, the need for dynamic and trustworthy systems has never been more pressing. Raullen Chai, Co-Founder and CEO of IoTeX, emphasized that AI must transition from static predictions to dynamic actions that are rooted in reality. The Real-World AI Foundry represents a collective endeavor to bridge this gap, fostering collaboration among data providers, infrastructure operators, and researchers. By doing so, it aims to accelerate innovation and create universally trusted AI solutions that align with human values and needs, marking the dawn of a new era in artificial intelligence.

In the latest update from Titan, significant progress has been made across various initiatives, including the completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the IP Leasing incentive campaign, which distributed a total of $28,000 USDC to legitimate contributors. The campaign has undergone rigorous audits to eliminate fraudulent activities, ensuring transparency and fairness. Phase 3 commenced on September 26, featuring a $15,000 USDC challenge with two tracks aimed at Promoters and Node Operators, further incentivizing community engagement. Additionally, Titan secured $150,000 from Filecoin ProPGF to advance the SP Bandwidth project, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and growth in the blockchain space. On the product development front, Titan has made strides in its testnet and tokenomics, implementing immediate fixes on August 28 to stabilize the market. These adjustments include a temporary reduction in staking APR and a new revenue split model that benefits operators. The team is also in the final stages of testnet development, focusing on sustainability and real revenue generation before the mainnet launch. The decision to migrate to a major Ethereum Layer 2 solution is strategic, aimed at enhancing interoperability and liquidity while ensuring thorough end-to-end testing of the platform. Partnerships have also been a focal point, with a new collaboration with Cloudflare announced at the #CloudflareImmerse event in Guangzhou. This partnership aims to optimize resource orchestration and enhance service delivery across the APAC region. Furthermore, Titan has upgraded its customer service with the introduction of the Titan AI Assistant, ensuring prompt support for users. As the team prepares for the mainnet launch, they are committed to maintaining transparency and community engagement, with several upcoming events and initiatives designed to foster growth and innovation in the blockchain ecosystem.

On October 2nd, the crypto landscape witnessed a significant event with the launch of DoubleZero's mainnet beta version and the simultaneous listing of its native token, 2Z, on major exchanges such as Binance, Bybit, and Upbit. This unprecedented speed in listing led to a remarkable market response, with 2Z's trading volume surpassing $1.4 billion within 24 hours and its market capitalization soaring to over $2 billion, placing it among the top 100 crypto assets. The project received notable backing from the Solana ecosystem, including a historic "No-Action Letter" from the U.S. SEC, which confirmed that the distribution of 2Z did not require registration as a security, alleviating compliance concerns for exchanges. DoubleZero's founding team is composed of industry veterans, including Austin Federa, co-founder and CEO, who previously played a pivotal role at the Solana Foundation. This strong leadership, combined with a unique narrative that introduces a new protocol category called "N1" (Network 1), positions DoubleZero strategically within the blockchain space. The N1 protocol aims to create a dedicated high-speed network for existing blockchain networks, avoiding competition with traditional Layer 1 and Layer 2 protocols. This innovative approach not only targets the crypto sector but also has potential applications in various fields requiring distributed networks, such as content delivery and real-time gaming. Despite its promising launch, DoubleZero faces challenges in maintaining market momentum. The token's price has struggled to sustain growth post-launch, partly due to its high initial valuation and the absence of a community airdrop, which has led to criticism regarding its perceived disconnect from retail investors. The project's focus on institutional-level infrastructure may limit broader consumer engagement, making it more appealing to businesses rather than individual users. As DoubleZero continues to develop its B2B operations, its long-term success will hinge on its ability to bridge the gap between institutional and consumer markets, ensuring that it can maintain relevance in the evolving crypto landscape.

In the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in determining the success of various projects. As the U.S. moves towards clearer regulations under the leadership of Donald Trump in 2025, decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenization initiatives are gaining traction, particularly through the GENIUS Act. A notable development in this space is the rise of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePin), which have amassed over $16.9 billion in assets, with projects like Bittensor, Render, and Filecoin emerging as frontrunners. Solana, in particular, is becoming a hub for many DePin projects, which could significantly shape the future of the sector due to recent regulatory advancements. At the forefront of these developments is DoubleZero, a DePin platform focused on enhancing Solana's scalability by optimizing data transfer between validators. The platform aims to achieve an impressive throughput of 1 million transactions per second (TPS) by leveraging underutilized private fiber-optic links. DoubleZero's commitment to regulatory compliance was underscored when the SEC issued a no-action letter on September 29, 2025, effectively approving the programmatic distribution of its 2Z tokens. This letter indicates that the SEC will not pursue enforcement actions against DoubleZero, provided the token functions solely as a utility and does not qualify as a security under the Howey Test. The SEC's no-action letter has been met with enthusiasm within the crypto community, as it sets a precedent for future projects seeking regulatory clarity. Legal experts view this as a significant milestone that could facilitate compliant token distributions in the U.S. Crypto-friendly SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has expressed optimism about this guidance, suggesting it allows for further innovation in the sector. The positive reception of this ruling is echoed by Helium, a decentralized wireless network, which sees it as a victory for DePin initiatives. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, the implications of these developments for platforms like DoubleZero and Helium could foster a new wave of innovation in the crypto space.

In a significant advancement for weather monitoring and disaster preparedness, WeatherXM, a decentralized weather network, has partnered with DePIN South Africa to deploy 320 hyperlocal weather stations across various regions in South Africa within just 90 days. This initiative aims to provide municipalities, utilities, and businesses with accurate, audited street-level weather observations, transforming unpredictable weather patterns into actionable data. The deployment is particularly crucial given South Africa's climate challenges, which include flash floods, heatwaves, and droughts that strain essential services and infrastructure. The WeatherXM and DePIN SA collaboration focuses on integrating weather stations into a grassroots network that spans rooftops, masts, and community locations, especially in flood-prone and agricultural areas. Local teams conducted thorough assessments to ensure optimal placement and functionality of the stations, which utilize WeatherXM’s Proof-of-Quality method for calibration and telemetry. Once operational, the data collected is routed to WeatherXM’s APIs and Pro dashboards, allowing real-time monitoring by municipal teams, logistics operators, and insurers to enhance their operational readiness and response strategies. As the network transitions to daily use, the impact of these hyperlocal observations is already evident. Public sector teams are leveraging local rainfall and heat data to improve planning and coordination for flood and heat events. Energy and utility operators are using the information to anticipate outages and maintain grid stability, while insurers are incorporating these observations into parametric triggers, streamlining claims processes. This innovative approach underscores the importance of ground-truth data in decision-making, with WeatherXM's CEO emphasizing the need for rapid rollouts and measurable results to enhance resilience in the face of climate unpredictability.

Aethir, a leading provider of decentralized AI compute, has announced a significant partnership with Predictive Oncology, a pioneer in AI-driven drug discovery. This collaboration will see Predictive Oncology amass a strategic compute reserve of $344.4 million, specifically designed to acquire and stake ATH, Aethir's network token. The initiative, led by DNA Fund and supported by BTIG, marks a groundbreaking moment as it is the first instance of a Nasdaq-listed company actively managing tokens from a decentralized physical infrastructure network. This move aims to address the GPU shortage that has been hampering scientific advancements across various fields, including pharmaceutical research and climate modeling. The partnership is expected to enhance Predictive Oncology's capabilities in training AI models that analyze extensive genomic and patient datasets. The high costs and limited availability of centralized cloud providers have made it difficult for companies in oncology to access the necessary high-performance compute resources. Raymond Vennare, CEO of Predictive Oncology, emphasized that this partnership not only solidifies their core business but also opens up new growth opportunities through their digital asset treasury strategy. DNA Holdings Venture, Inc. will act as the strategic advisor for this initiative, connecting institutional capital with Aethir's GPU infrastructure. Aethir's decentralized marketplace is designed to source and manage enterprise-grade GPU supply, offering significant cost savings compared to traditional providers. With over $150 million in verifiable annual recurring revenue, Aethir has already delivered 1.16 billion compute hours, demonstrating its capacity to drive faster AI innovation and democratize access to GPU resources. By accumulating and staking ATH, Predictive Oncology aims to bolster the security and decentralization of the Aethir network, allowing institutional investors to engage in its growth without direct token custody. This partnership not only highlights the potential of decentralized infrastructure in AI but also sets a precedent for future collaborations in the field.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a significant "no action" letter regarding the DEPIN (decentralized physical infrastructure networks) sector, specifically addressing the distribution of Double Zero's 2Z token. This letter indicates that the SEC will not pursue enforcement actions against the token's distribution, affirming that the programmatic transfers described do not fall under the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act. This clarity is expected to encourage participation in DEPIN networks without the looming concern of regulatory repercussions. Double Zero operates a low-latency DEPIN that utilizes underutilized physical fiber to enhance blockchain performance by mitigating traditional network frictions. In exchange for their contributions, participants in the network will receive the 2Z token. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce emphasized that DEPIN tokens should be viewed as incentives rather than investment contracts, suggesting that classifying them as securities could hinder the growth of decentralized service networks. This perspective aligns with the SEC's recent trend of categorizing certain crypto tokens as non-securities, which has positively impacted market sentiment. Following the SEC's announcement, the DEPIN sector experienced a notable surge, with the overall market size increasing by 3% to reach $34 billion. Several projects, including Zebec Network, Helium IOT, and Dynex, saw significant gains, reflecting the optimism surrounding regulatory clarity. This marks the third instance where the SEC has classified a category of crypto tokens as non-securities, following similar decisions for proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems earlier this year. As Double Zero prepares to transition from testnet to mainnet, the regulatory environment appears increasingly favorable for DEPIN initiatives.

Karrier One, a leader in decentralized telecom infrastructure, has announced a significant partnership with Iridium Communications Inc. This collaboration aims to integrate Iridium's NTN Direct IoT capabilities into the Karrier One ecosystem, allowing for enhanced connectivity in remote and inaccessible locations. According to Samer Bishay, CEO of Karrier One, this partnership will enable deployers to connect sensors and devices globally, eliminating the need for local base stations. This development is particularly crucial for applications such as environmental monitoring and asset tracking in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable. The integration of Karrier One's decentralized network model with Iridium's low-Earth orbit satellites offers several advantages. Deployers can achieve instant global reach for narrowband IoT devices, ensuring connectivity across land, sea, and air. Additionally, the collaboration allows for zero infrastructure deployment, enabling users to focus on their applications rather than on building physical towers. This resilient machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is ideal for critical use cases, including maritime tracking and environmental sensing, providing seamless network integration through the Karrier One platform. This partnership reflects a shared vision of redefining connectivity beyond geographical limitations. The MOU will lead to a bilateral agreement that will detail the technical integration and commercial rollout of their collaboration. As Karrier One continues to innovate in decentralized telecommunications, this partnership with Iridium positions them to empower innovators to deploy IoT solutions anywhere on Earth, ensuring reliability and extensive reach in the process.

In a remarkable collaboration, BLCK IoT and WeatherXM have successfully installed 130 hyperlocal weather stations across rural and peri-urban Kenya within just 45 days. This initiative has led to significant improvements in agricultural productivity, with farm yields increasing by 18% and water usage reduced by 22%. Additionally, the enhanced data collection has improved flood modeling accuracy by over 30%. The deployment of these weather stations provides crucial local observations that empower farmers, insurers, researchers, and local governments to make informed decisions regarding crop planting, insurance claims, and flood preparedness. The need for reliable weather data in Kenya has become increasingly critical due to the unpredictable nature of seasonal rains, which has made agricultural planning more challenging. Droughts and flash floods have become more common, leading to potential losses for smallholder farmers who may misjudge the timing for planting or watering their crops. The partnership between BLCK IoT and WeatherXM aims to fill these gaps by placing audited sensors in key areas, ensuring that farmers and local authorities have access to accurate and timely weather information. The deployment process was divided into three phases, starting with site preparation and connectivity audits, followed by the installation of the weather stations, and concluding with training sessions for local stakeholders on how to utilize the data effectively. With the new infrastructure in place, farmers can now access real-time weather data, enabling them to optimize their agricultural practices. This project not only enhances food security but also serves as a model for future initiatives that leverage technology to address local challenges in agriculture and disaster management.

In a significant move within the cryptocurrency landscape, two biotech firms are set to launch new Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) after successfully raising a combined total of $402 million in private placements. These funds will be utilized to acquire substantial amounts of Aethir (ATH) and Binance Coin (BNB). The first firm, Predictive Oncology, has raised approximately $344.4 million, making it the first Nasdaq-listed company to stack Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) tokens. Aethir, the second firm, focuses on providing GPU-as-a-service solutions for AI, gaming, and cloud workloads, positioning itself as a pivotal player in the decentralized infrastructure space. Dan Wang, co-founder and CEO of Aethir, highlighted the partnership's significance, referring to it as the establishment of the world’s first Strategic Compute Reserve. This initiative not only positions Aethir as a digital asset treasury but also enhances its operational capabilities to support a global infrastructure layer for AI. The investment structure includes two concurrent private placements, one involving cash investments and the other in-kind contributions of ATH, which will expedite Aethir's access to its business-focused GPU AI infrastructure. In addition to Aethir, Applied DNA Sciences is pivoting to become a BNB DAT with an allocation of up to $58 million for private investment in public equity. The firm plans to change its ticker to BNBX and has already secured $27 million in commitments, with potential for an additional $31 million. This strategy involves integrating actively managed decentralized finance protocols and Binance ecosystem-specific strategies, marking a shift from traditional passive staking methods. As the third publicly listed BNB DAT, Applied DNA Sciences aims to drive superior cash flow and returns while maintaining the flexibility and transparency that institutional investors require.