Decentralized Energy Network Starpower Completes $2 Million Pre-Seed Funding Round with Participation from Alliance and Others

Crankk, a company that has been developing a LoRaWAN network for over two years, is making strides towards enabling off-grid cryptocurrency payments. The integration of their technology with Meshtastic, an open-source project that utilizes LoRa for creating a mesh network of peer-to-peer nodes, is a significant step forward. Both Crankk and Meshtastic share a similar communication layer over LoRa, with Meshtastic already supporting MQTT integration for bridging distant network parts. Crankk's goal is to incentivize participation in these networks, allowing users to monetize their involvement while maintaining the enthusiast-driven nature of the community. What sets Crankk apart is its commitment to a decentralized Web3 solution, where nodes communicate directly with blockchain nodes, ensuring user privacy. Each node is identified by its wallet address, controlled solely by the wallet owner, contrasting with other DePIN solutions that rely on centralized infrastructure. Operating on the Kadena blockchain, Crankk benefits from low gas fees, making it feasible to generate blockchain traffic profitably. The project is currently alpha-testing its solution, with plans to invite beta-testers soon, while also keeping the code open-source for Meshtastic. One of the standout features of Crankk's integration is the ability to facilitate crypto payments off-grid. Meshtastic devices running Crankk firmware can compose blockchain transactions and send them over the mesh network to nodes with internet access for confirmation. This innovative approach is rare in the current market and aims to provide users with unprecedented flexibility. Additionally, Crankk is committed to donating 20% of its income from Meshtastic devices to support the project, ensuring transparency through blockchain records. This initiative not only enhances the functionality of Meshtastic but also fosters a collaborative ecosystem within the blockchain community.

On December 20, 2024, the cryptocurrency market faced a significant downturn, resulting in $1.18 billion worth of liquidations. Despite this trend, Filecoin (FIL) has shown resilience, with 75.71% of top traders on Binance maintaining long positions. The token's ability to hold above the 200 Exponential Moving Average (EMA) is crucial, as analysts predict a potential 40% surge to the $7 mark if it can sustain this support level. Currently, FIL is trading around $4.71, having experienced a decline of over 16.5% in the last 24 hours. The interest from larger investors, or whales, has been notable during this market dip. According to on-chain analytics firm Coinglass, there has been a significant outflow of $13.85 million worth of FIL from exchanges, indicating that long-term holders are accumulating the token. This trend suggests a bullish sentiment among investors, as they withdraw their assets from exchanges to secure them in personal wallets. The FILUSDT Long/Short Ratio on Binance stands at 3.12, further reflecting the strong bullish sentiment among traders. Technical analysis indicates that FIL has successfully retested the 200 EMA support level, which is a positive sign for potential upward movement. If the token can maintain its position above $4.75, it may see a rise to $7. However, if it falls below the 200 EMA and closes a daily candle under $4.70, a further decline of approximately 30% could be expected. The recent increase in trading volume by 14% during this period highlights the heightened participation from traders and investors, suggesting that the market remains active despite the overall downturn.

Fly-to-Earn (F2E) is an emerging trend in the cryptocurrency landscape that is capturing significant attention. This innovative model allows individuals to earn rewards through various flight-related activities, including gaming, virtual simulations, and even real-world travel. As the concepts of real-world asset tokenization (RWA) and the expanding GameFi sector attract more investors, F2E presents a unique opportunity that could transform perceptions of both cryptocurrency and reward systems. Currently, the RWA market is valued at approximately $19 billion, while the GameFi sector stands at around $22.7 billion, indicating a robust potential for growth as blockchain technology and Web3 protocols gain mainstream traction. The F2E concept is particularly intertwined with virtual reality, especially within gaming and simulation industries. A notable example is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, which allows players to earn in-game currency and virtual rewards by completing flights and missions. This gamified approach appeals to both aviation and gaming enthusiasts, creating an engaging experience. Additionally, blockchain companies are beginning to adopt similar models to monetize virtual flying experiences. For instance, BlockAirGame is developing an F2E model where users can earn cryptocurrency like Polygon (POL) through flight-related games, merging the thrill of gaming with blockchain incentives. In the real world, startups are also venturing into the F2E space. Satoshi Airlines has launched a Fly-to-Earn app that integrates air travel with blockchain technology, enabling users to earn rewards for their engagement. Recently, Spexi, a company specializing in ultra-high-resolution drone imagery, secured $11.5 million in Series A funding led by BlockChange Ventures. This investment will facilitate Spexi's global expansion and contribute to the overall growth of the F2E ecosystem. The convergence of gaming, cryptocurrency, and real-world assets positions Fly-to-Earn as an exciting model with promising prospects for the future.

A prominent crypto trader has presented an optimistic forecast for Ethereum (ETH), suggesting that the altcoin could reach five-digit prices by 2025. In a recent video update, Guy Turner, the host of CoinBureau, shared his insights with his 2.58 million YouTube subscribers. He believes that barring any unforeseen events, ETH is poised to surpass its previous all-time high of approximately $4,878, which was recorded in November 2021. Turner emphasizes that once this threshold is crossed, there will be no historical resistance levels to impede its ascent, leading to a phase of price discovery that could propel ETH significantly higher. Utilizing Fibonacci extension levels, Turner posits that a conservative target for ETH could be around $7,300, corresponding to the 1.618 Fibonacci level. This analysis is grounded in technical analysis principles, where traders employ Fibonacci ratios to set profit targets and identify potential price pullbacks. However, he also speculates that if Bitcoin (BTC) experiences a substantial increase, potentially reaching $200,000, ETH could soar even further to approximately $14,600. He notes that this scenario, while ambitious, is plausible if BTC's gains lead to a capital rotation into ETH. As of the latest data, Ethereum is trading at $3,686, reflecting a 5.5% decline in the past 24 hours, while Bitcoin is priced at $101,143, down 4.6% on the day. Turner's analysis underscores the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market and the potential for significant price movements in the coming years. Investors are advised to conduct thorough research and consider the inherent risks associated with cryptocurrency investments before making any decisions.

In 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.

Solana'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.