Latest DePIN News

Coinbase has announced that it will be adding support for the artificial intelligence-focused altcoin, io.net (IO), on the Solana (SOL) network. This addition marks a significant step for the decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), which aims to leverage idle graphics processing units (GPUs) for machine learning (ML) and AI projects. According to Coinbase, trading for IO will commence on or after 9 a.m. Pacific Time on October 9th, 2024, contingent upon meeting liquidity conditions. The trading will be initiated in phases, and it is important to note that support for IO may be limited in certain jurisdictions. At the time of writing, IO is trading at $1.77, reflecting a decline of over 3% in the past 24 hours. With a market capitalization of $168 million, io.net ranks as the 295th-largest cryptocurrency project. The project aims to democratize access to computing power by aggregating over one million GPUs from independent data centers, crypto miners, and other crypto projects like Filecoin and Render. This initiative is particularly timely given the increasing demand for GPU compute resources driven by the rapid growth of AI and ML workloads. The io.net project emphasizes its mission to make computing more scalable, accessible, and efficient. Current major cloud providers possess approximately 10-15 exaFLOPS of GPU compute capacity. However, the anticipated demand for GPU compute in the cloud could surge to between 20-25 exaFLOPS, reflecting the escalating requirements for AI/ML model training and inferencing. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, the integration of AI-focused projects like io.net could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of decentralized computing.

In a groundbreaking initiative, Shaolin Funktastic has demonstrated how electric vehicle (EV) charging can contribute to sustainability through Arkreen's Plug for Green Program (PGP). By integrating real-time tracking of brown energy usage with on-chain carbon offsets, this program transforms the act of charging a Tesla into an eco-friendly action. This innovative approach highlights the potential of the decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) model, where even EVs powered by traditional grid energy can actively work to reduce their carbon footprint, making each charge a step towards a cleaner planet. The Arkreen Smart Plug plays a crucial role in this process. When Shaolin charges his Tesla, the Smart Plug monitors the energy consumed in real-time and reports it through an app. If the vehicle is charging with brown energy, the Plug for Green feature automatically offsets this usage by securing tokenized Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). This means that as soon as the Tesla begins charging, the system ensures that the energy consumption is matched with renewable energy credits, effectively neutralizing the carbon emissions associated with the charging process. Arkreen's solution stands out for its on-chain execution, which provides transparency and accountability directly from the data source. By turning the Tesla into an IoT oracle, the program allows users to offset their carbon emissions seamlessly by purchasing ART tokens, which are derived from verified renewable energy generation data. This innovative approach not only lowers barriers for individuals aiming for personal carbon neutrality but also redefines the REC market, making it more accessible. As Arkreen Network continues to advance sustainable driving, the vision of a future where every EV charging station integrates with the Plug for Green Program becomes increasingly attainable, ensuring a greener planet for all.

In the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape, BlockDAG has emerged as a significant player, raising an impressive $10 million in just 72 hours. This surge in funding follows the launch of its highly scalable and user-friendly testnet, which has generated considerable excitement among investors. With the presale now exceeding $92 million, BlockDAG is positioning itself as a frontrunner for the next major crypto rally, drawing attention away from struggling platforms like Ethereum and Bittensor. Ethereum is facing challenges as its active user base has declined by 18.23% this year, dropping from 382,000 to 312,000. This decrease has raised concerns about the network's overall activity, contributing to a price drop to approximately $2,480. Despite the introduction of Ethereum ETFs, the lack of user engagement is prompting analysts to monitor whether Ethereum can regain momentum or continue its downward trend. Similarly, Bittensor has experienced a volatile month, with its price peaking at $587 but now facing potential resistance around $660, indicating a possible correction if demand does not increase. In stark contrast, BlockDAG's rapid growth is attracting significant interest, with projections suggesting a potential 30,000x return for early investors. The presale has seen over 14 billion BDAG coins sold, and as the demand continues to rise, the price of BDAG coins has skyrocketed from $0.001 to $0.0206. As the latest presale batch nears completion, investors are urged to act quickly to capitalize on this burgeoning opportunity before prices escalate further. BlockDAG's momentum positions it as a promising candidate for those looking to invest in the next wave of cryptocurrency growth.

Aethir, a decentralized GPU cloud computing company, has announced the launch of the Aethir Catalyst, a significant $100 million investment fund aimed at fostering the growth of AI and gaming projects. This initiative is designed to support early-stage startups and established enterprises by providing financial backing and essential computing resources. The fund will specifically issue 336 million ATH tokens, Aethir's native utility token, to aid in the development of these innovative projects, ensuring that they have the necessary tools to scale their operations effectively. The Aethir Catalyst includes a dedicated $20 million grant program, which is part of the larger Ecosystem Fund. This program is tailored to meet the unique needs of each project, with grants awarded in ATH tokens. Aethir’s Chief Strategy Officer, Mark Rydon, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it aims to eliminate barriers faced by developers in the AI and gaming sectors, particularly those related to high-performance computing. The expansive cloud network, powered by over 43,000 GPUs and 3,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs, will be leveraged to provide critical compute resources for the supported projects. The initiative is expected to support over 100 projects, focusing on four key categories: gaming innovators, pre-launch projects, AI-integrated enterprises, and cloud gaming platforms. Each application will be evaluated based on factors such as innovation, growth potential, computing needs, and community impact. This comprehensive approach not only aims to stimulate the AI and gaming ecosystems but also positions Aethir as a leader in providing essential resources for the next generation of tech startups.

In the dynamic realm of 3D art, the Render Network is making waves as the world’s first decentralized GPU rendering platform. This innovative platform allows artists to tap into global, idle GPU power, significantly enhancing the speed and affordability of rendering their work. A recent interview with Raphael Rau, a prominent 3D artist known for his photorealistic CGI, sheds light on how the Render Network is transforming the artistic process. Rau, who has built a reputation in the Cinema 4D, Octane, and Blender communities, emphasizes the importance of fresh and relevant content in his tutorials, which serve as valuable resources for aspiring artists. Raphael Rau's journey into the world of 3D art was inspired by iconic films such as Star Wars and The Matrix. His early fascination with CGI led him to explore the intricacies of digital art, ultimately honing his skills in photorealism. A defining moment in his career came when a 3D rendering of a Raspberry Pi went viral, earning him recognition on platforms like Level 80. Rau's commitment to replicating real-world light behavior in his work reflects his admiration for the Old Masters of painting, and he continues to push the boundaries of realism by integrating modern technology into his artistic practice. The Render Network has proven to be a game-changer for Rau, particularly when handling resource-intensive projects. By offloading rendering tasks to the platform, he saves time and energy, allowing him to focus more on creativity. Looking ahead, the Render Network plans to expand its offerings by integrating additional render engines, which will further enhance the capabilities available to artists. As discussions around the role of AI in 3D art evolve, Rau sees potential for AI to streamline repetitive tasks, enabling artists to dedicate more time to their creative pursuits. The journey of artists like Raphael Rau exemplifies the intersection of dedication, technology, and the pursuit of artistic excellence in the ever-evolving landscape of digital art.

idOS, a decentralized storage and access management protocol for digital identity data, is making strides in the web3 space by enabling users to maintain ownership of their personal data. This innovative platform allows individuals to share their data across the internet while preserving their privacy. The primary goal of idOS is to facilitate the integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) into everyday life, thereby creating a more efficient and permissionless web3 infrastructure. This vision, termed OpenFi, empowers users to manage their data from a secure, encrypted profile, ensuring self-sovereignty and privacy online. One of the significant challenges faced by users in a self-custodial environment is the risk of losing access to their profiles and data. To tackle this concern, idOS has partnered with Lit to implement a decentralized account recovery solution. With Lit's SDK, users can create an encrypted backup of their idOS key and set conditions for decryption. If users forget their password, they can easily recover it by signing a message from any of their connected wallets. This integration not only enhances security but also ensures that users do not lose access to their valuable data. Looking ahead, idOS envisions expanding the use of Lit within its ecosystem to further enhance user experience. Future developments may allow users to manage their data without the need for a web3 wallet, thereby unlocking additional real-world applications beyond the current web3 framework. As idOS continues to innovate, it remains committed to providing a secure and user-friendly platform for managing personal data in a decentralized manner.

Aethir, a decentralized GPU cloud computing provider, has announced the launch of its $100 million Aethir Ecosystem Fund aimed at fostering innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming. This initiative includes the Aethir Catalyst program, which is designed to provide startups and enterprises with access to high-performance GPU resources. Over the next year, the fund plans to distribute 336 million ATH tokens, focusing equally on AI and gaming projects. Daniel Wang, CEO of Aethir, emphasized that this fund addresses the challenges faced by startups in accessing critical compute resources, stating, "By offering funding and access to critical compute resources, we are working to democratize this technology and enable companies to scale more effectively." The Aethir Catalyst program is a key component of the fund, allocating $20 million to support over 100 projects through grants and subsidies. Mark Rydon, co-founder and chief security officer at Aethir, highlighted the importance of this fund in reducing financial barriers for companies in the AI and gaming sectors. He noted that by allocating $20 million from the Aethir Foundation’s $100 million ecosystem fund, they are ensuring that promising companies have the necessary resources to thrive and that access to compute power is made easier for all. In addition to grants, the fund features a subsidy program that can cover up to 35% of off-platform GPU service costs, allowing companies to leverage high-performance computing without upfront expenses. Aethir is also collaborating with MetaGravity to enhance decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs), which aims to improve the 3D internet and gaming industry. This partnership seeks to create a scalable infrastructure that simplifies gaming development, with the goal of uniting a global network of underutilized resources.

VaultLayer, in collaboration with Lit Protocol, is introducing a chain-abstraction SDK aimed at simplifying decentralized finance (DeFi) interactions on Bitcoin. Currently, Bitcoin DeFi accounts for only 1% of the $95 billion Total Value Locked (TVL), but with the rapid growth of Layer 2 solutions, this figure is expected to increase significantly. The existing user experience in Bitcoin DeFi is often fragmented and complex, requiring users to manage multiple wallets and navigate intricate bridging processes. VaultLayer seeks to address these challenges by providing a unified platform that enhances the user experience, making it easier for individuals to stake and earn with their Bitcoin assets. The VaultLayer SDK leverages Lit Protocol's advanced key management network to streamline transactions across Bitcoin Layer 1 and Layer 2. By employing a chain-abstraction approach, VaultLayer simplifies interactions across various blockchains, effectively hiding complexities such as key management and transaction processing. Unlike traditional solutions that depend on Ethereum standards, VaultLayer utilizes Lit Protocol to create off-chain Bitcoin smart accounts, ensuring secure and seamless transactions. This innovation allows users to manage all their assets from a single account, regardless of whether they are on Bitcoin or EVM-compatible networks. In addition to simplifying user interactions, VaultLayer's SDK introduces features that enable the minting of Lit Programmable Key Pairs (PKPs) using Bitcoin wallets and signing Bitcoin transactions with Lit Actions. This functionality not only enhances security but also streamlines the process of integrating Bitcoin into DeFi applications. As VaultLayer continues to evolve, it aims to make Bitcoin DeFi more accessible and user-friendly, paving the way for broader adoption and utilization of Bitcoin in the decentralized finance landscape.

VanEck, a prominent asset management company, has recently announced the launch of a new venture capital fund named VanEck Ventures, with an impressive capital of $30 million. This fund is specifically aimed at supporting the growth and development of the cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI) industries. VanEck Ventures plans to focus its investments on early-stage startups within these sectors, indicating a strong belief in the potential of innovative technologies that are shaping the future of finance and technology. The move by VanEck comes at a time when both the crypto and AI industries are experiencing significant growth and interest from investors. By establishing this fund, VanEck not only reinforces its commitment to these emerging markets but also positions itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of digital assets and AI solutions. This strategic investment approach may lead to the identification of groundbreaking projects that could redefine the boundaries of technology and finance. In light of these developments, ChainCatcher emphasizes the importance of viewing blockchain technology with a rational perspective. Investors are reminded to enhance their risk awareness and exercise caution regarding various virtual token issuances and speculative activities. The content shared by ChainCatcher serves as a reminder that all information provided is market-related and should not be construed as investment advice, urging readers to conduct their own research before making financial decisions.

The cryptocurrency landscape is witnessing the emergence of a new concept known as DePIN, or Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks. This term encompasses cryptocurrencies that provide real-world utility, particularly in the realm of physical devices. Unlike previous trends such as DeFi and NFTs, DePIN focuses on enabling users to monetize their physical infrastructure, such as 5G networks, WiFi, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. By allowing users to share their resources, DePIN aims to create a decentralized ecosystem where individuals can earn rewards while contributing to a more connected world. Several projects exemplify the DePIN model, including Filecoin and Storj, which allow users to earn cryptocurrency by storing data on their devices, positioning themselves as competitors to traditional cloud services like AWS. Other notable projects include Helium, which offers affordable cellphone plans while incentivizing users to provide network coverage, and Theta, a decentralized streaming service that promises faster content delivery than mainstream platforms. These initiatives not only highlight the potential of DePIN but also suggest a shift towards more user-centric models in the crypto space. Despite the skepticism surrounding new crypto trends, DePIN appears to hold significant promise. It aligns with the growing demand for decentralized solutions in everyday life, as evidenced by projects like Chirp Wireless and Natix, which leverage community participation for traffic and driving reports. As the crypto industry continues to evolve, DePIN may represent a pivotal moment in the integration of blockchain technology with real-world applications, offering both economic incentives and enhanced user autonomy. With its potential to revolutionize infrastructure management, DePIN could indeed have lasting impact in the crypto ecosystem.