Helium

In a recent interview at Consensus 2025 in Toronto, Frank Mong, the COO of Nova Labs, emphasized the financial benefits of decentralizing telecommunication infrastructure for both small businesses and large telecom corporations. He highlighted that local operators, such as bars and restaurants, can generate revenue by hosting wireless hotspots, thereby expanding network coverage. This decentralized approach allows significant cost savings for telecom giants, who can utilize the Helium Network's telemetry to enhance their services in areas that typically lack coverage, known as dead zones. Mong pointed out the high costs associated with traditional telecom infrastructure, noting that establishing a single 5G tower can cost around $300,000. Instead of burdening consumers with expensive phone plans, he proposed a model where individuals with Wi-Fi networks can share their connections securely, providing valuable data to major companies like AT&T. This innovative use of decentralized physical infrastructure networks exemplifies how blockchain technology can enhance resilience against outages and disruptions while delivering real-world value. In addition to these insights, Nova Labs has been actively forming partnerships with telecom companies to improve network coverage. Notably, in January 2024, they collaborated with Telefónica in Latin America, and more recently, in April 2025, they partnered with AT&T to facilitate automatic access for users within the Helium Network's coverage area. With over 95,000 mobile hotspots in the U.S. and more than 284,000 active IoT hotspots globally, Mong believes that the success seen in the U.S. and Mexico should be replicated worldwide as Nova Labs continues to expand its reach through strategic partnerships.

Grass ($GRASS), a decentralized project built on the Solana blockchain, has experienced an 8% decline in value over the past 24 hours, following an impressive 500% surge earlier this month. This downturn raises questions about the sustainability of its recent growth, particularly as it aligns with a broader market correction. Despite this setback, $GRASS has managed to retain a 14-day gain of approximately 13%. The token, which launched in October 2024, has seen significant price fluctuations, reaching an all-time high of $3.90 before settling around $1.88, placing it among the top 123 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization at roughly $460 million. Grass distinguishes itself by merging Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) elements with Artificial Intelligence (AI) functionalities. Users who install the Grass browser app can share their excess internet bandwidth to train AI models, earning rewards in the process. This innovative model has led to substantial growth, with the user base expanding from 200,000 to over 3 million between Q4 2024 and early 2025. The platform's capabilities were further enhanced by the Sion Upgrade, which significantly improved its ability to scrape and process multimodal web content, achieving daily data collection rates that rival those of major tech companies. Despite the recent dip in activity, with daily data scraping falling to around 759,000 TB, Grass remains a formidable player in the DePIN space, second only to Helium on Solana. The project has secured listings on major exchanges, and many traders believe it is currently undervalued, with bullish predictions suggesting a market cap of $1 billion and a potential price target exceeding $4 by year-end. Technical analysis indicates that while the asset has faced resistance, a rebound from current support levels could signal a new upward trend, although a drop below key moving averages might lead to further declines.

The Helium Foundation has announced a significant commitment of $50 million in grant funding aimed at expanding the Helium Network's coverage and accessibility. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance decentralized wireless services, which have already connected over one million users daily. The foundation's goal is to support deployers who contribute to the network's growth while reducing the costs associated with deploying new wireless coverage. With partnerships established with major carriers like AT&T and Telefónica’s Movistar, the Helium Network is poised to make a substantial social impact by providing affordable connectivity to underserved areas. As the demand for Helium Network coverage continues to rise, the foundation is focusing on empowering local communities and individuals to deploy wireless coverage in their neighborhoods and businesses. This initiative is not only about enhancing connectivity but also about creating economic opportunities for those who participate as network deployers. The foundation's commitment includes funding for education, case studies, and strategic initiatives that promote decentralized wireless technology, ensuring that a diverse range of stakeholders can benefit from its advantages. The grant program will kick off in New York City and is set to expand across the United States and Mexico through 2025. The Helium Foundation aims to onboard more mobile service providers and offload partners globally, reinforcing its mission to support decentralized wireless growth. By investing in innovative projects and educational efforts, the foundation seeks to advocate for the broader adoption of decentralized wireless, showcasing its potential as a transformative use case for cryptocurrency and technology in general. The future of Helium looks promising as it strives to reshape global connectivity and empower communities worldwide.

In a cooling crypto market, Amp (AMP) and Aethir (ATH) have emerged as standout performers, each experiencing a notable 16% increase in value. Amp is currently valued at $0.0051, buoyed by strong bullish momentum supported by key Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) and favorable trading signals from indicators like MACD and RSI, despite warnings of overbought conditions. Meanwhile, Aethir, which focuses on AI-driven blockchain solutions, has surged to $0.052, breaking past significant resistance levels and maintaining bullish optimism, although the overbought RSI suggests that traders should remain vigilant. The divergence in the crypto market is evident as Helium (HNT) faces downward pressure, trading at $4.00 and struggling below the critical 200-day EMA. This situation poses a risk of further declines if it breaches the 100-day EMA support at $3.83. The contrasting trajectories of Amp and Aethir against Helium highlight the persistent volatility and innovation within the digital asset market, prompting traders to balance ambition with risk management strategies. As traders navigate these turbulent waters, the resilience of Amp and Aethir underscores the potential for growth even amid market stagnation. Investors are encouraged to monitor key technical indicators closely, particularly EMAs and RSI levels, to identify optimal entry points and manage risks effectively. The ongoing developments in these projects reflect the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency landscape, where innovation continues to drive interest and investment opportunities.

Helium is making waves in the telecom industry by leveraging cryptocurrency to build what could be the most disruptive network in America. Originally starting as an Internet of Things (IoT) initiative, Helium has transformed into the world’s largest decentralized wireless network. With the support of the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) movement, Helium is redefining how infrastructure is constructed. Abhay Kumar, Helium's Protocol Lead, emphasized the company's mission: to create wireless infrastructure that fosters innovative business models. This evolution has allowed Helium to expand its services to include both IoT and 5G mobile networks, solidifying its position in the DePIN landscape. The transition from connecting devices to connecting people has been pivotal for Helium. The launch of Helium Mobile, a new carrier, exemplifies this shift. In the U.S., users can access a free cell phone plan or opt for a limited plan at just $15 per month. Kumar attributes this affordability to Helium's unique protocol, which significantly reduces bandwidth costs for carriers. By utilizing the Helium network, carriers pay only 50 cents per gigabyte, a stark contrast to traditional pricing models. This cost efficiency is largely due to the DePIN model, which incentivizes individuals and businesses to install wireless nodes, such as 5G radios, in exchange for cryptocurrency rewards. Helium's decentralized infrastructure approach has emerged as a leading example of the potential of DePIN. Kumar noted the company's fortunate timing in establishing this model before it became widely recognized. By allowing local shop owners to contribute to the network, Helium not only enhances customer satisfaction but also enables carriers to extend their reach. The collaborative nature of this model benefits all parties involved, showcasing how decentralized networks can revolutionize the telecom sector and create sustainable business practices.

The recent analysis of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) highlights its potential as a significant investment track in the cryptocurrency landscape. DePIN, which aims to decentralize the infrastructure of the physical world, is gaining traction alongside AI as a promising direction for investment. However, the sector currently lacks a leading project to catalyze its growth, with Helium being the most recognized name, albeit predating the DePIN concept. The analysis suggests that DePIN could yield substantial returns in the next 1-3 years, as it addresses real-world needs through decentralized solutions, such as reducing costs in telecommunications and AI data acquisition. The investment rationale for DePIN is grounded in its ability to optimize traditional infrastructure models. For instance, in the telecommunications sector, traditional operators face exorbitant costs for spectrum licenses and base station deployments. In contrast, Helium Mobile allows users to become micro-operators by purchasing affordable hotspot devices, significantly lowering deployment costs. Similarly, in the AI domain, projects like Grass leverage distributed web scraping to reduce data acquisition expenses while ensuring compliance and diversity. These examples illustrate how DePIN can outperform conventional methods, making it an attractive investment opportunity. Moreover, DePIN presents a unique intersection of infrastructure and consumer needs, addressing the challenges faced by both sectors. High-quality DePIN projects exhibit strong product-market fit and revenue generation, making them less susceptible to market volatility. As demonstrated by Helium's competitive pricing and Grass's user-friendly model, DePIN can effectively capture user interest and mindshare. While the path to widespread adoption may be gradual, the potential for DePIN to disrupt traditional industries and create sustainable value through innovative token economies is significant, positioning it as a focal point for investors looking ahead to 2025.