IoTeX Secures $50M Investment to Expand DePIN
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 6:43 PM
251
IoTeX, a decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) platform, has successfully secured a $50 million investment from a consortium of leading venture capital firms. This funding round, spearheaded by SNZ Capital, Foresight Ventures, FutureMoneyGroup, and Borderless Capital, aims to accelerate the growth and adoption of IoTeX’s ecosystem. The funds will be allocated towards long-term staked IOTX, the native token of the IoTeX network, and investments in DePIN projects building on the platform. IoTeX’s platform is designed to connect smart devices and real-world data to blockchains, enabling developers to integrate Web3 technology into everyday life. With its EVM-compatible L1 blockchain, off-chain compute middleware, and open hardware, IoTeX facilitates the interaction between billions of smart devices, machines, sensors, and dApps across the physical and digital world. The IoTeX ecosystem has been actively involved in developing and expanding DePIN throughout 2024. In early 2024, FutureMoney Group, in partnership with the IoTeX Foundation, launched a $5 million DePIN accelerator program to support startups innovating in the space. Additionally, IoTeX has formed strategic alliances with organizations such as Ankr to bolster the DePIN ecosystem and enhance the performance and decentralization of decentralized networks. Jing Sun, Co-Founder and Head of Investment at IoTeX, emphasized the potential for startups to innovate and bring verified, real-world data on-chain within the growing DePIN ecosystem. Keith Chen, Founding Partner of SNZ Capital, expressed excitement about investing in IoTeX and the DePIN projects building on its modular platform. Borderless Capital, known for being one of the most active DePIN investors, also participated in the funding round. With a focus on modular infrastructure, privacy, and traffic-routing solutions, IoTeX has positioned itself as a key player in the ongoing evolution of DePIN. The platform’s commitment to simplifying the lives of application builders by providing off-the-shelf infrastructure solutions and support for go-to-market strategies, liquidity building, and community development has attracted developers and fostered innovation within the DePIN space.
Related News
2 days ago
Exploring Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks with Tom TrowbridgeIn the latest episode of the Hashing It Out podcast, host Elisha Owusu Akyaw interviewed Tom Trowbridge, co-founder and CEO of Fluence Labs, to delve into the concept of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). Trowbridge highlighted that DePIN is set to disrupt traditional infrastructure models by leveraging crowdsourced physical infrastructure, interconnected through crypto-economic incentives. This innovative approach allows for decentralized data storage and mapping networks, which can operate more efficiently and cost-effectively than their centralized counterparts. Trowbridge emphasized the necessity for DePIN projects to deliver superior products to ensure their success, as customers prioritize tangible outcomes over the technology itself.
Trowbridge's journey from leading the launch of Hedera Hashgraph to co-founding Fluence Labs reflects his commitment to challenging the dominance of tech giants in cloud computing. He aims to provide decentralized, cost-effective alternatives that enhance security and scalability while ensuring user flexibility. Despite the promising potential of DePINs, Trowbridge acknowledged significant challenges, particularly in customer acquisition. While the sector has attracted contributors, convincing businesses to adopt decentralized services remains a hurdle. He stressed the importance of simplifying messaging for audiences outside the crypto community, focusing on product utility rather than technical jargon.
Looking ahead to 2025, Trowbridge expressed optimism about the potential for DePINs to generate real-world revenue, which could reduce their reliance on the volatile cryptocurrency market. As the sector matures, he anticipates a substantial shift driven by innovative projects and a growing demand for decentralized solutions. The podcast also explores how DePIN could reshape the infrastructure landscape, providing insights into the future applications of Web3. This discussion offers a glimpse into a transformative era for infrastructure, emphasizing the practical benefits of decentralized technologies.
2 days ago
Solana Faces Price Decline but Gains Ground in Developer Activity and Institutional InterestSolana's recent performance has been a mixed bag, as the cryptocurrency experienced a 2.82% decline this week, bringing its total drop since the all-time high on November 23 to 18%. Despite this downward trend, institutional interest in Solana remains strong. Bitwise has launched a Solana staking exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, while Van Eck invested $2.5 million in the Solana DePIN project DAWN. These developments highlight that while Solana's price struggles, its ecosystem continues to attract significant investments and innovations.
In terms of user engagement, Solana saw a notable increase in daily active addresses, surpassing 6.5 million, which indicates healthy participation within its network. The total value locked (TVL) in DeFi also rebounded to over $9 billion, solidifying Solana's position as the second-largest decentralized finance network. However, the decentralized exchange (DEX) volume took a hit, with a nearly 12% drop, reflecting the volatility within the market. Notably, Lifinity, a previously high-performing DEX, saw a significant decline of nearly 40%, while Raydium managed to post minor gains amidst the chaos.
Amidst these fluctuations, Solana has achieved a remarkable milestone by onboarding more new developers than Ethereum for the first time in eight years. This surge in developer activity is a promising sign for Solana's future, as it continues to innovate and expand its ecosystem. However, the overall market sentiment remains cautious, with altcoins losing strength against Bitcoin. As Solana navigates these challenges, it is crucial for investors to remain vigilant and informed about the evolving landscape of the cryptocurrency market.
3 days ago
Web3Bay Leads the Charge in Decentralized E-commerceWeb3Bay (3BAY) is making significant strides in the e-commerce sector by introducing a decentralized, community-driven marketplace. The platform aims to disrupt traditional e-commerce models that often exploit user data and impose high fees. With the launch of its 3BAY token, priced at just $0.003 during the presale, Web3Bay offers users a chance to engage in secure transactions while also granting them governance rights to influence platform policies. This innovative approach not only enhances user experience but also empowers the community to shape the future of the marketplace, making it a compelling option for investors looking to capitalize on the burgeoning Web3 landscape.
In addition to Web3Bay, other projects like Helium (HNT) and Mask Network (MASK) are also gaining traction within the Web3 ecosystem. Helium's IoT-centric network is projected to see significant price growth, with forecasts suggesting a rise from its current valuation of around $8.98 to as high as $32.99 by 2025. Analysts attribute this potential growth to the increasing demand for IoT solutions and the anticipated impact of Bitcoin's halving. Similarly, Mask Network is expected to benefit from the growing adoption of decentralized social media, with price predictions indicating a potential rise to $12.50 by 2025, contingent on broader market trends and user engagement.
The overall sentiment surrounding these projects is optimistic, as they each contribute to the evolution of decentralized technologies. Web3Bay's focus on creating a fair and transparent e-commerce platform, combined with the promising outlook for Helium and Mask Network, highlights the transformative potential of Web3 innovations. As the presale for the 3BAY token progresses, early investors are presented with a unique opportunity to secure a stake in a project that aims to redefine digital commerce, potentially yielding substantial returns as the market matures.
3 days ago
Arkreen Partners with Datamall Chain and Fog Works for Sustainable Decentralized AIArkreen, a pioneering Web3 infrastructure company focused on renewable energy and carbon-reduction initiatives, has recently announced a significant partnership with Datamall Chain (DMC) and Fog Works. This collaboration aims to promote carbon neutrality within Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) through the innovative "Plug for Green Program" (PGP). By leveraging the strengths of each partner, they are paving the way for a sustainable future that integrates decentralized AI with green technologies, showcasing the potential of environmentally friendly practices in the blockchain space.
Datamall Chain is revolutionizing data ownership and sharing with its decentralized, EVM-compatible network, which is powered by its native token, $DMC. This infrastructure not only enhances the efficiency of data transactions but also ensures privacy and trust through blockchain technology. Fog Works, recognized as one of the top innovative storage startups in the U.S., is developing sustainable Web3 storage solutions that complement DMC's offerings. Together, they are creating energy-efficient, data-sovereign solutions that support the growth of decentralized AI and DePIN infrastructure, emphasizing sustainability as a core principle.
The Plug for Green Program introduces several advancements that enhance the sustainability of decentralized AI. Arkreen's Smart Plug technology allows for real-time monitoring of energy consumption, while the integration of tokenized Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) enables on-chain carbon offsetting. Additionally, Fog Works' miners can now earn Arkreen's $AKRE tokens alongside their DMC rewards, fostering eco-conscious incentives. This partnership not only exemplifies a commitment to global sustainability goals but also encourages the Web3 community to adopt responsible mining practices, ultimately leading to a greener future powered by decentralized technologies.
3 days ago
Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks: A New Paradigm in BlockchainIn the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain technology, the concept of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) is gaining significant traction. DePIN represents a transformative approach to network architecture, facilitating innovation across various sectors, including storage, computing, and artificial intelligence. By leveraging token incentive mechanisms, DePIN encourages users to contribute resources, thus enhancing network efficiency and lowering barriers to entry. Recent developments in this space have seen the emergence of projects like Filecoin, Helium, Shadow Token, and Aethir, which not only showcase innovative applications but also serve as compelling case studies for the practical implementation of decentralized networks.
DePIN encompasses a broad spectrum of services, categorized into physical basic networks and digital resource networks. This framework allows for the aggregation of resources, enabling providers with underutilized assets to rent them out, thereby maximizing efficiency. The decentralized nature of DePIN mitigates concerns associated with centralized entities, such as downtime and resource scarcity. As demand fluctuates, the network can dynamically scale its resources, ensuring optimal performance without the need for significant infrastructure changes. This flexibility is crucial in today's fast-paced digital environment, where resource demands can shift rapidly.
Among the notable projects in the DePIN ecosystem, Filecoin stands out as a leader in decentralized storage, while Helium has pioneered a decentralized wireless infrastructure. Shadow Token aims to disrupt traditional cloud storage models, and Aethir is emerging as a competitor in decentralized computing. Each of these projects not only illustrates the potential of DePIN but also highlights the shift towards a more democratized infrastructure model, where individuals collectively invest resources to build and maintain facilities. As the DePIN sector continues to grow, it promises to reshape the way we think about resource allocation and network management in the blockchain era.
3 days ago
$KICK Token Sale Launching on Fjord Foundry with Exclusive RewardsThe $KICK token sale is set to launch on Fjord Foundry from December 19 at 12 PM UTC until December 23 at 10 AM UTC. This event presents a unique opportunity for investors to acquire $KICK tokens at a fixed sale price of $0.00875 each, using USDC on the Base Network. The sale marks the entry point into the XProtocol ecosystem, with the full release of tokens scheduled for the Token Generation Event (TGE) in Q1 2025. This limited-time offer encourages early participation to maximize potential rewards.
In addition to purchasing $KICK tokens, participants who contribute $800 or more will unlock exclusive rewards. These rewards include an XForge Smartphone, valued at $499, which is the first node-operated blockchain DePIN smartphone, and a Xardian Node, valued at $300, which is essential for securing the XProtocol network and earning $KICK rewards. It is important to note that rewards are limited to one set per wallet, and the smartphone can be exchanged for a node if the user's country is not supported.
To participate in the $KICK Xmas Sale, users must prepare their wallets by ensuring they have USDC ready on the Base Network, typically through a wallet like MetaMask. Once the sale goes live, participants can secure their tokens on Fjord Foundry. After purchasing, buyers will initially receive placeholder tokens, which can be exchanged for actual $KICK tokens during the TGE. To claim the Xmas rewards, users must connect to the designated website with their whitelisted wallet and provide shipping details, with expectations for smartphone shipments starting in Q1 2025. More updates will follow as the shipment date approaches.
Signup for latest DePIN news and updates