Latest DePIN News

Building decentralized applications (dApps) can often feel overwhelming, but iExec's Hello World tutorial simplifies the process for developers at all levels. This hands-on guide focuses on creating privacy-first blockchain applications, emphasizing the importance of data protection, management, and sharing. By utilizing tools like the DataProtector SDK and iExec Apps (iApps), developers can learn to build applications that prioritize user control and data security in just 30 minutes. The iExec platform is designed for developers who want to ensure privacy and security in their dApps. With features like the DataProtector SDK, developers can encrypt sensitive data throughout its lifecycle, while iExec Apps utilize Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) to process data securely. This combination of blockchain technology and Confidential Computing allows for secure handling of sensitive information, making it ideal for applications in sectors such as healthcare and finance. Additionally, iExec provides monetization opportunities, enabling developers to tokenize and monetize their data while maintaining security for both builders and end-users. iExec Hello World serves as a stepping stone for developers looking to create impactful decentralized applications. After completing the tutorial, participants can claim a BUILD voucher to access advanced tools and resources, join the iExec developer community for collaboration, and explore real-world use cases. The structured approach provided by iExec ensures that building privacy-first dApps is not only achievable but also rewarding, empowering developers to protect sensitive data and create innovative solutions in the blockchain space.

The cryptocurrency market is witnessing significant shifts with the emergence of two key sectors: Real World Assets (RWA) and AI Agents. These sectors are not only introducing substantial value by bridging traditional finance with blockchain technology but are also redefining the narrative of cryptocurrency from mere speculation to utility-driven assets. As both sectors flirt with the trillion-dollar asset class, they showcase the potential to reshape the future of Web3, despite the volatility inherent in the crypto space. Recent trends indicate contrasting fortunes for RWA and AI Agents. While the AI Agents sector has seen a dramatic decline in market value, dropping from over $20 billion to approximately $6.2 billion in just a few weeks, the RWA sector has demonstrated resilience and continued growth. RWA allows for the tokenization of traditional assets such as real estate and stocks, providing tangible value to blockchain platforms. Projects like Ondo Finance and MANTRA Chain are leading the charge in the RWA space, while Virtuals.io stands out in the AI Agents sector, highlighting the innovative capabilities of these technologies. The growing influence of RWAs and AI Agents is indicative of a broader shift in blockchain technology usage. By facilitating the tokenization of both digital and physical assets, RWAs are paving the way for traditional finance to integrate with blockchain. Simultaneously, AI Agents are enhancing the efficiency of decentralized finance (DeFi) through automation and optimization. Together, these sectors are creating new opportunities for developers and financial institutions, moving the crypto market towards a more sustainable, utility-driven future. As the landscape evolves, the potential for institutional investment in these areas appears promising, signaling a maturation of the blockchain industry that prioritizes real-world applications and value.

In a notable weekend rally, Bitcoin has surged nearly 1%, trading above $97,000, marking a significant shift in the cryptocurrency market. This uptick comes after a period of volatility, with Bitcoin's price currently standing at $97,262. Investors are expressing optimism about Bitcoin's potential for further growth in the medium to long term, which may also bolster confidence in altcoins that are developing infrastructure for users. As the market continues to evolve, the performance of Bitcoin could influence the broader cryptocurrency landscape. One project making waves in this environment is Remittix, a PayFi initiative designed to simplify cryptocurrency payments. Remittix aims to merge traditional payment systems with decentralized finance, allowing users to send fiat to any bank account globally using crypto. The platform promises no hidden fees or expensive conversion rates, ensuring that recipients are unaware that the original payment was made in cryptocurrency. This innovative approach could attract both novice and experienced users, making it easier for them to navigate the crypto space. The Remittix presale has gained significant traction, raising over $11 million in just two weeks, with nearly 450 million of the 750 million available $RTX tokens sold. The presale's target is set at $36 million, and the liquidity pool along with team tokens will be locked for three years, enhancing investor confidence. With a successful smart contract audit completed, Remittix is poised for a promising launch on centralized exchanges and Uniswap. As the presale progresses, investors have a unique opportunity to acquire $RTX tokens at a discounted price before they hit the market, potentially positioning themselves advantageously in the evolving crypto payment landscape.

In 2024, the Solana-based Global Earth Observation Decentralized Network, GEODNET, has experienced remarkable growth, with a staggering 219% increase in active RTK (Real-Time Kinetics) satellite miners. This surge has positioned GEODNET as the leading player in the satellite mining industry, surpassing established centralized competitors like Trimble. By the end of the year, GEODNET has amassed over 12,000 active RTK satellite miners, reflecting a growing demand for decentralized Earth observation and real-time satellite data, which is becoming increasingly critical in various sectors. A significant highlight for GEODNET in 2024 was the impressive rise in the value and market capitalization of its native token, GEOD. By year-end, the token reached a circulating market capitalization of $62 million, marking a 59% increase quarter-over-quarter and an astounding 524% year-over-year. Notably, a major token unlock on December 28, 2024, involving 32.46 million GEOD tokens, did not negatively impact the token's price; instead, it rallied post-unlock, showcasing the market's confidence in GEODNET's potential. This positive momentum positions GEOD as a serious contender in the decentralized geospatial data arena. GEODNET's strategic initiatives in 2024 included securing $2 million in funding from prominent investors like Animoca Brands and ParaFi, which will be used to diversify revenue streams and enhance technology adoption. The launch of the GEO-PULSE GPS receiver, priced at $149, further exemplifies GEODNET's commitment to delivering precise navigation solutions. Additionally, partnerships with industry leaders such as Septentrio and Bad Elf were announced at CES 2025, aimed at expanding the adoption of GEODNET's RTK network across various sectors, including autonomous vehicles and precision agriculture. With these advancements, GEODNET is poised for a bright future in the decentralized Earth observation landscape.

In a significant development for the Stratos network, the team has successfully completed the Metanode Migration on the Mesos Testnet and launched the new Metanode Network on the mainnet. This upgrade has resulted in a remarkable enhancement in network performance, allowing for faster data retrieval and improved data transfer capabilities. Notably, the Metanode Network is now able to handle the same volume of traffic as before the migration while utilizing only about 10% of the previous hardware resources. This advancement not only strengthens Stratos’ decentralized infrastructure but also enhances its efficiency and scalability, paving the way for continued network growth. Following the deployment of the Metanode update, the Stratos network faced attempts from some users to exploit strategies that were effective prior to the upgrade. These attempts involved uploading and downloading large volumes of files to skew rewards in favor of their storage provider (SP) node. However, the enhanced Stratos network managed to handle the increased traffic seamlessly, demonstrating its resilience and readiness for high-traffic usage. This stress test has confirmed that Stratos is well-prepared for its upcoming release of Stratos Drive and the Stratos Interplanetary File System (SPFS), which is expected to host the largest IPFS cluster upon its launch. In addition to these technical advancements, Stratos has formed strategic partnerships with VeWare.io and EdgeX to bolster its ecosystem. The collaboration with VeWare.io aims to transform crypto insights and data integrity, while the partnership with EdgeX will integrate Stratos’ decentralized storage into its intelligent edge network, enhancing services for Web 3.0 projects and decentralized applications (dApps). Furthermore, Stratos has joined forces with SOLO to revolutionize token distribution through mining-based models, ensuring scalable, private, and fair dApps and AI agents. With the final round of testing for Stratos Drive underway, the community is eagerly anticipating the launch of this game-changing decentralized storage solution, which promises to empower users to take control of their data in the evolving digital landscape.

The energy sector is currently experiencing a significant transformation, shifting from traditional fossil fuel power plants to Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) primarily powered by renewable energy. This transition is accompanied by a growing demand for electricity driven by AI and digital applications, which is becoming increasingly decentralized. The challenge lies in efficiently matching these fragmented supply and demand sources globally, paving the way for a peer-to-peer (P2P) energy asset trading marketplace. Arkreen is at the forefront of this movement, leveraging the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) model to facilitate community collaboration and unlock the potential of distributed renewable energy assets. Arkreen aims to build a trustworthy, digitized global energy asset network using blockchain technology. This infrastructure allows for efficient coordination and transparent management of energy resources worldwide. By connecting distributed residential renewable energy assets, such as solar PV systems and energy storage, Arkreen enables the monetization of these assets on a global scale. The platform's open framework integrates long-tail residential energy assets with on-chain economies, including Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) and Virtual Power Plants (VPP), ensuring a secure and flexible solution for energy asset monetization. Recently, Arkreen completed its Token Generation Event (TGE), establishing a token-driven economic model that encourages participation from both supply and demand sides. The project has already connected over 200,000 distributed solar energy data nodes and issued 120 million kWh of tokenized RECs. Looking ahead, Arkreen plans to expand its network to connect 1 million DERs globally, develop a Web3 carbon neutrality standard, and create the largest on-chain renewable energy certificate retail market. By fostering a decentralized energy network, Arkreen envisions a future where energy is accessible and beneficial for all, empowering communities to collaborate towards sustainable energy solutions.

The 2025 Lunar New Year Pilot "Burning" Pool Event, which commenced on January 24, has seen a significant number of users converting their Roam Points into the upcoming $ROAM tokens. Roam has introduced three distinct pilot pools for users to engage in the "burning" process: the General Pool, Miner Pool, and Sticker Pool. Each pool offers unique rewards, and users must familiarize themselves with the specific rules governing participation. To join the event, users need to create an account on the Roam App and earn at least 500 Roam Points, holding them for a minimum of 48 hours before they can begin the burning process. Many users have raised questions regarding the burning process, particularly about issues they may encounter. Common concerns include the inability to burn points due to insufficient Roam Points, exceeding sticker limits in the Sticker Pool, or selecting the wrong pool for their points. Additionally, app performance issues can affect the burning process, and users are advised to ensure they are using the latest version of the app. It's crucial to note that once the burning cycle begins, it cannot be reversed, and users should carefully evaluate their points and the conversion rates before committing. Looking ahead, the Pilot "Burning" Pool will serve as a precursor to the official "Burning" Pool, which will incorporate improvements such as removing sticker limits and enhancing the overall efficiency of the process. Users can claim their $ROAM tokens after the Token Generation Event (TGE), with a total supply of 1 billion tokens, of which 400 million will be available at the TGE. For any issues or inquiries, users are encouraged to contact the Roam team through their official channels for support.

Helium Mobile Launches Zero Plan Helium Mobile, a cell phone service utilizing the world’s first community-powered network and the nation’s largest 5G network, has introduced the Zero Plan. This plan offers 3GB of data, 300 texts, and 100 minutes completely free of charge, without any contracts, hidden fees, or gimmicks. Leveraging a network owned by individuals rather than big corporations, Helium Mobile can provide nationwide service at unprecedented pricing. By combining the Helium Network with the nation’s largest 5G network, the service ensures reliable connectivity for various aspects of daily life. In an industry where affordability is often compromised for quality, Helium Mobile stands out by offering not only a free plan but also rewarding its users through the Cloud Points program. Subscribers can earn points by engaging in activities like anonymized location sharing, referrals, and surveys, which can be redeemed for gift cards to popular stores and experiences, turning connectivity into tangible value.

Lit Protocol has officially launched its Mainnet Beta, marking a significant milestone in the realm of decentralized cryptography. This innovative platform empowers developers to create secure, autonomous, and interoperable Web3 applications. With over 1,000,000 keys generated, Lit Protocol is on track to secure $100,000,000 in crypto assets across major blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin. The upcoming full v1 Mainnet launch is anticipated in the first quarter of next year, further solidifying Lit's position in the blockchain ecosystem. In conjunction with the Mainnet Beta, Lit Protocol has introduced the Ciphernaut's Path, a series of engaging quests designed to immerse users in the Lit ecosystem. These quests offer a unique opportunity to explore various applications and protocols powered by Lit, showcasing the diverse use cases within its ecosystem. Participants can earn points by completing quests, which will later translate into exclusive benefits and rewards. The campaign is set to evolve over several weeks, with new quests and opportunities being added regularly, catering to Web3 enthusiasts and curious builders alike. The success of this campaign is bolstered by the contributions of integration partners who have developed innovative solutions using Lit Protocol. Notable partners include Genius, a DeFi super-app simplifying token purchases across chains, Vault Layer, which maximizes yield on BTC through non-custodial liquid staking, and Request Network, providing essential financial infrastructure for Web3 projects. As the quests unfold, users are encouraged to engage with the Lit Galxe dashboard to start their journey, climb the leaderboard, and unlock exciting rewards. The Lit Protocol team is eager to witness the creativity and innovation that participants will bring to this vibrant ecosystem.

Spore.fun is leading the charge in AI-FI (Autonomous AI-Native DeFi) innovation by introducing Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) to enhance secure governance. In collaboration with Mind Network, a pioneer in FHE technology, and integrating with Phala Network’s Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), Spore.fun aims to redefine how AI agents manage decentralized systems. The primary challenge they face is the issue of voting snipers, who exploit the transparency of on-chain governance to manipulate outcomes. These participants stake just before votes, influence community behavior, and then unstake immediately after securing favorable results, leading to market distortions and undermining trust within the community. To address the problem of voting snipers, Spore.fun is implementing FHE-powered blind voting. This innovative mechanism conceals voter identities and preferences while maintaining transparency and security in the final results. Votes are encrypted before submission, ensuring that no one, including the Spore.fun network or validators, can access the content of the votes. The aggregation of these encrypted votes is performed using FHE, allowing for computations without revealing individual inputs. Additionally, Phala’s TEE plays a crucial role in securely decrypting the final results for publication, ensuring that while individual votes remain private, the aggregate outcome is verifiable and trustworthy. The integration of FHE into Spore’s governance model unlocks significant community value by enhancing fairness, ensuring privacy while maintaining transparency, and enabling decentralized evolution. This dual-layer security approach, combining FHE and TEE, empowers Spore agents to operate autonomously and securely, driving the next wave of decentralized AI governance. By adopting FHE blind voting, Spore.fun is not only empowering the community with secure, trustless voting but also establishing a framework for fair, privacy-first AI ecosystems. As they continue to innovate, Spore.fun is shaping the future of decentralized AI, ensuring that AI agents can grow and thrive in a secure environment.