Helium Mobile

In the latest IOSG Weekly Brief, a comprehensive analysis of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) is presented, highlighting its potential as a significant investment track in the cryptocurrency space. Despite being compared to AI as a new frontier for crypto investments, DePIN lacks a standout project that could lead the charge. While Helium is often cited as a pioneering project, it predates the DePIN concept. The report emphasizes that DePIN is not merely a buzzword; it represents a tangible opportunity to decentralize physical infrastructure, which can optimize various sectors, particularly telecommunications and AI data acquisition. The report outlines specific examples of how DePIN can disrupt traditional models. For instance, Helium Mobile allows users to become micro-operators by purchasing hotspot devices, significantly reducing the costs associated with traditional telecom infrastructure. Similarly, Grass enables AI companies to acquire data at a fraction of the traditional costs by leveraging user-shared bandwidth. These models illustrate that DePIN can outperform conventional infrastructure by offering lower costs and enhanced efficiency, thereby addressing real-world needs. Looking ahead, the report suggests that DePIN could resolve existing challenges in both infrastructure and consumer markets. It highlights the importance of token economics in incentivizing participation within DePIN networks. As DePIN projects evolve, they must navigate various hurdles, including regulatory risks and hardware maintenance. However, the potential for DePIN to create sustainable applications and achieve mass adoption is promising. With ongoing developments, such as Helium's partnerships for expanding its 5G network, DePIN is positioned to be a focal point for investment and innovation in the coming years.

World Mobile is making significant strides in the realm of connectivity with the launch of its hydrogen-powered drones, designed to deliver blockchain-enabled 5G services from the stratosphere. This innovative aerial network promises ultra-low latency and boasts a cost efficiency that is reportedly 18 times cheaper per gigabyte compared to traditional satellite-based services. The initiative primarily targets underserved regions, aiming to bridge the digital divide while facing competition from established platforms such as Helium Mobile and Starlink. The project, named "World Mobile Stratospheric," is a collaboration with Indonesian telecom giant Protelindo. These drones will operate at altitudes of 60,000 feet, well above typical weather systems, and utilize 450 steerable beams to provide coverage over expansive areas of up to 15,000 square kilometers per aircraft. According to Charles Barnett, Chief Business Officer of World Mobile Group, this high-altitude approach is crucial for reaching areas where traditional infrastructure fails to provide adequate connectivity. By leveraging blockchain technology, World Mobile aims to decentralize internet access, making it more accessible and affordable for users around the globe. The deployment of these drones not only represents a technological advancement but also a commitment to democratizing internet access, ensuring that even the most remote regions can benefit from modern communication technologies. As World Mobile ventures into this ambitious project, it sets the stage for a new era of connectivity that could redefine how we think about internet access worldwide.

In Q2 2025, the Helium Network demonstrated remarkable growth, achieving a cumulative total of 2,721 TB of data offloaded from major U.S. mobile carriers, marking a 138.5% increase quarter-over-quarter (QoQ). The number of accounts registered with Helium Mobile surged by 94.1%, reaching over 311,200. This growth was accompanied by a significant rise in average daily Data Credit burns, which increased from $6,170 to $10,423. The Helium Foundation also launched a $50 million grant program aimed at enhancing network coverage, starting in New York City and expanding throughout the U.S. and Mexico over the next year. Additionally, Helium Plus was soft-launched, allowing businesses and public WiFi providers to join the network by upgrading their existing routers. The Helium Network operates as a decentralized wireless network, providing both cellular and low-power Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. It utilizes a unique model where users deploy Hotspots and earn HNT tokens, incentivizing community participation. The network's partnership with telecom giants like AT&T and Telefónica's Movistar has enabled it to extend its reach and improve service quality, particularly in underserved areas. The Carrier Offload Program has been a significant driver of growth, allowing legacy telecom customers to connect to Helium Hotspots, which has led to a substantial increase in paid traffic and user engagement. Despite a broader market downturn that saw HNT's market cap decrease by 23.7%, the Helium Network's operational performance and strategic partnerships position it for sustained growth. The dismissal of the SEC lawsuit against Helium provided regulatory clarity, further strengthening its foundation. The implementation of HIP-141, which unified the governance model under HNT, has streamlined decision-making and encouraged long-term stakeholder commitment. With new product offerings like the “Sprout” kids plan, Helium is poised to expand its market presence and continue evolving as a decentralized alternative in the global wireless landscape.

The Helium ecosystem is currently facing significant selling pressure, with its native token HNT experiencing a drop of over 5%. This decline follows Coinbase's recent decision to delist the deprecated Helium Mobile token (MOBILE) alongside other tokens such as Render (RNDR) and Ribbon Finance (RBN). The Helium Mobile price fell to an intraday low of $0.00026 on June 27, recovering slightly to $0.00027, yet it remains approximately 87% lower than its last December high of $0.0021. The delisting was prompted by the release of new token versions that did not meet the exchange's listing standards, leading to confusion among users, especially since Coinbase delayed the transition to the unified HNT token earlier this year. In addition to the HNT price drop, the subnetwork token IOT also fell over 5%. Analysis from CoinGlass indicates that the open interest in Helium Mobile's futures market has decreased by 16% in the past 24 hours, suggesting a bearish sentiment among traders. Furthermore, there has been an increase in transfers of HNT tokens to centralized exchanges, a trend that typically indicates growing sell-side pressure. The HNT token has slipped below its local support level of $2.308, indicating a lack of price stability and entering a descending channel, which is a bearish continuation pattern. Despite the current bearish momentum, there are hints of potential positive developments for Helium. The project has teased a possible partnership with Brazilian football legend Neymar, which could spark renewed interest in the Helium ecosystem. However, given the current market signals, including a Supertrend line indicating a sell trend and a declining RSI reading, the HNT token may continue its downward trajectory, with a potential drop toward the next key support level at $0.00020 likely. Investors should remain cautious as the market dynamics unfold.

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.

XNET, a project based on the Solana blockchain, has recently announced a strategic partnership with AT&T, a major player in the US telecommunications industry. This collaboration aims to enhance the efficiency of mobile data traffic management by allowing AT&T to offload some of its mobile data onto XNET's decentralized network of Wi-Fi hotspots. XNET incentivizes businesses and public spaces to deploy these hotspots by rewarding them with XNET tokens, effectively creating a distributed wireless network that alleviates congestion and improves overall coverage. As part of this agreement, which has been operational since September 2024, AT&T customers can seamlessly connect to XNET's Wi-Fi network, with AT&T compensating XNET for the data usage in dollars, which is then distributed to XNET's node operators in the form of tokens. Currently, XNET boasts 688 active nodes and has facilitated connections for approximately 9 million users through its network. The co-founder of XNET, Richard DeVaul, emphasized the importance of their token in financing the network's infrastructure, stating that traditional equity or debt financing would have posed significant challenges. He described XNET as a prime example of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), showcasing how the project has successfully utilized its token to bootstrap operations and equipment financing. This innovative approach positions XNET as a unique player in the decentralized network space, distinguishing itself from competitors like Helium Mobile, which focuses on individual hotspot installations. While both XNET and Helium Mobile operate in the decentralized network sector, XNET's business model is strictly B2B, targeting high-value locations for hotspot deployment. DeVaul noted that they view Helium as a potential customer rather than a competitor, indicating a collaborative spirit within the industry. As the demand for decentralized networks continues to grow, partnerships like that of XNET and AT&T may pave the way for more efficient and widespread internet access, ultimately benefiting users and businesses alike.