Helium

The decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) sector has faced significant challenges in scaling adoption due to high hardware costs and technical complexities. Helium Plus, the latest innovation from the Helium Network, addresses these issues by allowing users to participate using existing Wi-Fi routers, eliminating the need for additional hardware. This approach not only reduces upfront costs for businesses and public Wi-Fi providers but also simplifies the onboarding process, making it accessible to a broader audience. With Helium Plus, any location with Wi-Fi can become a Helium access point, significantly enhancing the utility of its native token, HNT, and accelerating network growth. Traditional DePIN models, like those used by Filecoin or Arweave, require participants to invest in specialized hardware and technical expertise, creating barriers that limit participation. Helium Plus disrupts this paradigm by monetizing excess bandwidth through a zero-hardware approach. The implications are substantial, as evidenced by the Helium Network's impressive data transfer statistics, which saw a 138.6% quarter-over-quarter increase in offloaded data. With access to 2.3 billion Wi-Fi hotspots globally, Helium Plus is set to further accelerate this growth trajectory, increasing the demand for HNT tokens and enhancing their liquidity. Strategic partnerships with telecom giants such as AT&T and Telefónica's Movistar in Mexico lend institutional credibility to Helium's community-driven model, improving connectivity in underserved regions. For investors, Helium Plus presents a compelling opportunity, as it lowers barriers to entry and taps into underutilized infrastructure. The HNT token's role in governance and its alignment with network usage positions it as a long-term store of value. As the DePIN sector evolves, Helium Plus stands out as a blueprint for future accessibility and scalability, making it an attractive investment for those looking to engage with a project that is redefining industry standards.

Helium, a prominent player in the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) space on Solana, has announced the launch of a new service called Helium Plus. This innovative service is designed to transform how businesses contribute to the Helium Network by allowing public Wi-Fi providers and enterprises to join the network using their existing Wi-Fi routers. This eliminates the need for additional hardware, thus making it easier for users and businesses to earn the network's native token, HNT, by supporting wireless connectivity and participating in a community-driven mobile infrastructure. DePIN systems leverage blockchain technology to incentivize individuals and organizations to deploy and maintain real-world infrastructure, such as wireless networks, by rewarding them with cryptocurrency tokens. Helium's focus is on decentralized wireless connectivity, where users can provide network coverage through their own deployed “Hotspots.” Participants earn HNT tokens by facilitating mobile data transfer and enhancing network availability. Traditionally, joining the Helium ecosystem required users to invest in physical Hotspot devices, which involved both upfront costs and technical setup. Helium Plus simplifies this process significantly. According to Mario Di Dio, Network General Manager at Helium, Helium Plus marks a significant advancement in how businesses can engage with the Helium Network. The service offers instant and low-cost wireless integration, which reduces infrastructure expenses while simultaneously creating new revenue opportunities and enhancing connectivity. The ease of integrating existing Wi-Fi routers into the Helium Network is crucial for unlocking the full potential of this expansion, making it more accessible for users who wish to participate in the decentralized network model.

Pipe Network, a decentralized infrastructure project built on the Solana blockchain, has launched its Firestarter Storage protocol, aiming to compete with centralized cloud storage and content delivery networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare’s R2. This innovative protocol utilizes a global network of nodes to deliver content with remarkably low latency, reportedly as low as 5 milliseconds. The internal use of Firestarter Storage for hosting Solana’s Proof-of-History archival datasets and regular network snapshots demonstrates its technical viability and sets the stage for a broader application in decentralized data storage. Central to the Firestarter Storage model is its native token, $PIPE. Users must burn $PIPE tokens to access the network and earn data credits, creating a unique incentive mechanism that mirrors those found in other decentralized infrastructure projects within the Solana ecosystem, such as Helium and Hivemapper. The pricing for storage in the Firestarter protocol starts at 1 $PIPE per gigabyte, although the timeline for the token genesis event (TGE) has yet to be announced. The $PIPE token will be launched through the Metaplex Genesis protocol, which has been successfully utilized by other projects in the past. In a significant development, a recent token sale on Coinlist raised $300 million worth of $PIPE, accounting for 3% of the total supply. This sale offered two vesting schedules, with immediate unlocks at a fully diluted valuation (FDV) of $250 million and a one-year vesting option at an FDV of $200 million. As interest in decentralized infrastructure solutions grows, particularly those leveraging the Solana ecosystem, the upcoming public launch of Firestarter Storage could significantly impact the demand for $PIPE among traders and investors. Additionally, Cboe's new listing requirements for cryptocurrency ETFs may further enhance the regulatory landscape, potentially allowing for a Solana ETF approval as early as September 17, signaling a maturing blockchain service environment.

DePIN, or Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, represents a groundbreaking approach at the intersection of blockchain technology and physical assets. In this model, a provider manages a physical asset while middleware software facilitates the interaction between that asset and the blockchain. This software is responsible for collecting real-time data on the asset's activity and transmitting it to a decentralized network. The blockchain protocol then acts as an autonomous coordinator, distributing demand among providers and calculating token-based rewards based on their performance. This incentivizes providers to optimize their underutilized resources, transforming idle capacity into productive infrastructure. DePIN projects typically fall into two categories: Physical Resource Networks (PRNs) and Digital Resource Networks (DRNs). PRNs rely on geolocation and offer non-fungible resources tied to specific locations, often related to mobile technologies or energy systems. In contrast, DRNs provide computing power or storage that is location-agnostic and interchangeable. The DePIN model is already making significant impacts across various industries, with notable use cases including wireless connectivity through Helium, decentralized cloud storage via Arweave, and smart energy grids with Arcreen. Prominent DePIN projects such as Filecoin, Helium, and Render exemplify the potential of this innovative framework. Filecoin, a decentralized data storage platform, allows users to store data across a distributed network, with dynamic pricing that incentivizes miners to maximize their storage capacity. Helium provides a decentralized wireless network that offers low-cost internet access through user-operated hotspots, rewarding miners with HNT tokens. Render connects creators with unused GPU power, facilitating visual content creation and rewarding providers in RENDER tokens. These projects illustrate how DePIN is reshaping industries by leveraging decentralized networks to optimize resource utilization.

The Helium network has recently emerged as a significant player in the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) sector, boasting a remarkable increase in daily active users (DAU). As of July 15, 2025, Helium recorded over 1.16 million DAUs, surpassing the combined DAUs of Ethereum, Toncoin, and Arbitrum. This surge in user engagement is attributed to Helium's innovative approach to providing wireless coverage through a network of user-owned Hotspots, which rewards participants with cryptocurrency. The DePIN market cap is currently around $19.2 billion, with Helium standing as the 9th largest network at a valuation of approximately $669 million. The growth of the Helium network has been further supported by its transition to the Solana ecosystem, allowing for seamless scalability and enhanced performance. With around 100,000 mobile hotspots in operation, Helium facilitates the transfer of 36.7 TB of data daily, primarily in the United States. This unique infrastructure not only addresses real-world connectivity issues but also fosters organic growth through community involvement, positioning Helium as a leading contender in the DePIN landscape. In terms of market performance, the price of HNT has gained bullish momentum, reflecting the overall recovery in the cryptocurrency market, particularly following Bitcoin's recent rally. Currently trading at approximately $2.96, HNT has seen a 32% increase in the past two weeks. Technical analysis suggests that HNT is on the verge of a macro bullish breakout, with potential targets reaching up to $4.3. As the Helium network continues to expand its user base and enhance its infrastructure, the outlook for HNT remains optimistic, making it a noteworthy project in the evolving blockchain space.

The recent collaboration between Helium (HNT) and AT&T marks a significant milestone for decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) tokens. Announced in April, this partnership integrates Helium's community-built wireless hotspots into AT&T's network, highlighting three essential trends: the scalability of decentralized wireless infrastructure, the strategic advantages of tokenized incentives, and enhanced regulatory clarity for blockchain networks. For investors, this convergence presents a prime opportunity to capitalize on HNT's undervalued potential and the growth trajectory of the broader DePIN sector. AT&T's endorsement of Helium's network, which boasts over 93,000 active hotspots across the U.S. and Mexico, signifies a strong validation of DePIN's real-world applicability. This partnership addresses critical challenges faced by traditional telecom, such as cost efficiency and coverage gaps. By utilizing Helium's low-power hotspots, AT&T can reduce capital expenditures by 40% compared to conventional cell towers, while also improving coverage in underserved areas. The seamless integration allows AT&T subscribers to connect automatically to Helium's Wi-Fi, enhancing user experience and demonstrating the effectiveness of this strategic rollout. Moreover, the SEC's recent dismissal of its investigation into HNT tokens, coupled with a shift towards viewing DePIN tokens as functional utilities, marks a turning point for the sector. Helium's proactive engagement with regulators sets a precedent for transparency, contrasting with traditional crypto projects. Currently trading at $3.04, HNT presents an attractive investment opportunity, especially with the potential for significant growth in hotspot deployment and carrier partnerships. As the DePIN revolution gains momentum, the Helium-AT&T partnership serves as a blueprint for the future of decentralized infrastructure, making HNT a compelling choice for investors looking to enter this evolving market.