Ethereum

In the ever-evolving landscape of low-cap cryptocurrencies, several projects are gaining significant traction and attention. JetBolt (JBOLT) is making headlines with its innovative zero-gas technology, which is redefining crypto transactions and attracting a surge of interest during its presale phase. Over 340 million JBOLT tokens have already been sold, showcasing the enthusiasm from early adopters and crypto whales alike. This platform not only eliminates gas fees but also integrates AI tools to enhance user experience, making it a promising contender in the crypto market. EigenLayer (EIGEN) is another standout, revolutionizing Ethereum security through its restaking protocol that allows users to leverage their staked ETH across multiple protocols. With a total value locked (TVL) exceeding $20 billion, EigenLayer is rapidly gaining popularity and is now listed on major exchanges like Binance and Bitfinex. Similarly, Flux (FLUX) is reshaping decentralized cloud computing with its extensive network of over 13,000 nodes, while DappRadar (RADAR) is establishing itself as the go-to analytics platform for Web3, tracking thousands of decentralized applications. Other noteworthy projects include Qtum (QTUM), which merges Bitcoin's security with Ethereum's smart contracts, and Immutable X (IMX), which is transforming NFT trading with gas-free transactions. As these low-cap gems continue to innovate and expand their ecosystems, the crypto community is keenly watching which of these projects will emerge as the next breakout stars. With their unique offerings and growing user bases, JetBolt, EigenLayer, Flux, DappRadar, Qtum, and Immutable X are poised to make significant impacts in the cryptocurrency market in the coming years.

The Consensus Hong Kong 2025 event marked a significant milestone for the city, establishing it as a vibrant hub for Web3, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. This was the first time the event was held in Hong Kong and the first occurrence outside the US in five years. The conference, organized by CoinDesk, attracted industry leaders and innovators to discuss the evolving regulatory landscape and the institutional adoption of digital assets. With Hong Kong officially recognizing Bitcoin and Ethereum as proof of wealth, the city is positioning itself as a global crypto leader, emphasizing Asia's growing influence in shaping global crypto regulations. Terri MechKenna, a Humanoid Resources Intern, represented Auki at the event, showcasing the company's commitment to advancing robotics and AI in the blockchain space. Terri's experience included navigating the bustling convention hall, engaging with attendees, and participating in various meetups, including Sui Connect, which brought together Web3 enthusiasts. His interactions highlighted the importance of networking in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Despite the challenges of mobility in crowded environments, Terri successfully showcased Auki's vision for decentralized machine perception and spatial computing. As Consensus concluded, the discussions emphasized the need for regulatory clarity to foster blockchain adoption in Hong Kong and beyond. The potential for Hong Kong to rival other global crypto hubs like Dubai and Singapore is becoming increasingly evident. With China's leadership in robotics manufacturing, the integration of Web3 technologies could enhance the industry's capabilities. Auki's mission to build a decentralized network for machine perception aligns with the broader goal of improving collaboration between humans and AI, paving the way for a more interconnected future in the digital landscape.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, io.net experienced remarkable growth, with revenue surging by 565% quarter-over-quarter, reaching an all-time high of $3.1 million. This significant increase was driven by three consecutive months of record-breaking monthly revenue, which also contributed to an annualized revenue rate of $12.5 million. Additionally, the market capitalization of IO, the native token of io.net, doubled from $187.3 million in Q3 to $375.6 million in Q4, reflecting a 48% increase in token price and a 36% rise in circulating supply. Despite a decrease in the daily median number of verified GPUs and CPUs, io.net maintained a robust operational framework, averaging 7,600 verified GPUs and 1,200 CPUs per day. The decentralized network of io.net, designed to provide scalable and efficient access to compute resources, has also formed 13 new partnerships aimed at leveraging its infrastructure for various applications, including AI agents and identity management solutions. Notably, io.net's collaboration with Dell Technologies integrates its decentralized GPU compute network with Dell's hardware, enhancing the capabilities for enterprises needing scalable GPU clusters for complex workloads. Furthermore, partnerships with organizations like Zerebro and OpenLedgerHQ showcase io.net's commitment to enhancing Ethereum validator operations and combining blockchain-secured datasets with decentralized compute resources, respectively. Looking ahead, io.net's emission schedule for the IO token projects the distribution of 9.3 million IO to GPU and CPU workers in the first quarter of 2025, with an average of 103,000 IO emitted daily. The network's stringent hardware requirements and hourly Proof-of-Work verification process ensure the authenticity and performance of its decentralized compute resources. As io.net continues to expand its partnerships and enhance its infrastructure, it solidifies its position as a leading platform in the decentralized computing landscape, catering to the growing demands of AI and machine learning applications.

In recent months, venture capital investments in decentralized infrastructure, particularly Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs), have surged, signaling a shift in how traditional industries may operate. This trend is complemented by a notable increase in funding for Web3 gaming, reflecting a growing belief in blockchain's potential to revolutionize entertainment. As the crypto market experiences volatility, with Bitcoin's price fluctuating dramatically, investors are still finding confidence in long-term opportunities within blockchain and crypto startups. Key areas of focus include DePINs, Web3 gaming, and the tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWAs), which are seen as vital connections between traditional finance and the digital economy. A prime example of this trend is Alchemy's launch of a $5 million "Everyone Onchain Fund" aimed at accelerating Web3 adoption on Ethereum. By providing developers with significant credits for gas and computing, Alchemy is lowering barriers for new projects. This initiative not only supports developers but also enhances the Ethereum ecosystem's capabilities. Similarly, Mavryk Dynamics has secured $5 million to develop a layer-1 RWA tokenization platform, aiming to bridge traditional finance and DeFi. With over $360 million in RWAs already secured, Mavryk is poised to play a crucial role in the growing demand for on-chain asset representation. The decentralized derivatives market is also gaining traction, as evidenced by Rho Labs' recent $4 million seed round. Rho Protocol facilitates a decentralized rates exchange, allowing users to engage in staking, lending, and trading perpetual futures. This innovation is critical for normalizing funding rates between centralized and decentralized finance, enhancing the overall efficiency of the crypto landscape. As these developments unfold, the integration of blockchain technology into various sectors, including gaming and finance, continues to reshape the future of digital economies, highlighting the immense potential of Web3 solutions.

The first quarter of 2025 has proven to be a tumultuous period for the cryptocurrency market, characterized by extreme fluctuations in investor sentiment. Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a remarkable rally to all-time highs, followed by a significant correction, all while receiving notable support from political figures such as Donald Trump. Amidst this volatility, venture capital firms have been actively expanding their investments in blockchain and crypto startups, particularly in areas such as decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs), Web3 gaming, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, and derivatives exchange markets. The latest VC Roundup highlights seven significant funding announcements across the industry. Among the notable developments, Alchemy has launched a $5 million "Everyone Onchain Fund" aimed at promoting Web3 adoption on Ethereum. This initiative will provide developers with gas and computing credits to facilitate their projects. Alchemy's partnership with World, a biometric digital identity project, has already garnered over 23 million users. Additionally, Mavryk Dynamics secured $5 million in funding to develop a layer-1 RWA network, bridging traditional finance with decentralized finance (DeFi) through innovative non-custodial features. The RWA market has seen substantial growth, reaching $17.9 billion as of early March. Other significant funding rounds include Rho Labs, which raised $4 million for its decentralized rates exchange, and Teneo Protocol, which closed a $3 million round to democratize social media data. Furthermore, Fluent Labs raised $8 million to enhance its Ethereum layer-2 network, while The Game Company secured $10 million to develop a cloud gaming infrastructure. Lastly, ACID Labs, a Web3 gaming studio, received $8 million to scale its social gaming platform on Telegram. These investments reflect a growing confidence in the potential of blockchain technology across various sectors, particularly in gaming and decentralized finance.

The blockchain landscape is witnessing a significant evolution, with Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) vying for supremacy in the realms of smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). However, a new player, Coldware (COLD), is emerging as a potential disruptor in the decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) and PayFi sectors. While Ethereum emphasizes security and decentralization, and Solana prioritizes speed and low transaction costs, Coldware is carving out a niche as a blockchain infrastructure tailored for real-world applications, focusing on reliability and enterprise adoption. Coldware (COLD) is positioning itself as a more efficient and decentralized alternative to its competitors. Unlike Solana, which has faced network reliability issues, Coldware is designed to support tokenized real-world assets and decentralized infrastructure. This focus on DePIN and PayFi solutions is expected to drive significant adoption in the coming years, attracting investments from those who previously supported Ethereum and Solana. Developers are increasingly drawn to Coldware for its promise of speed, efficiency, and security, without the technical complexities associated with older blockchain networks. As Ethereum continues to grapple with high gas fees and scalability challenges, it remains the most trusted blockchain for decentralized applications and institutional adoption. Meanwhile, Solana's focus on speed has made it a key player in DeFi and gaming, despite concerns over its long-term reliability. As the competition intensifies among these three networks, Coldware's fresh approach and lack of legacy technical debt position it as a strong contender for enterprises and developers aiming to build scalable and secure decentralized applications. The race for blockchain supremacy is evolving, and Coldware is ready to challenge the established giants.