Storj Collaborates with CUDOS to Enhance Cloud Storage and Compute Solutions

The AI industry is currently experiencing a pivotal moment characterized by the emergence of smaller and more efficient models, such as DeepSeek. Contrary to expectations, these advancements do not diminish the demand for computing resources; instead, they amplify it, aligning with Jevons’ Paradox, which suggests that increased efficiency can lead to greater overall consumption. As AI models become cheaper, faster, and more accessible, the demand for computing power continues to rise, raising critical questions about how to support widespread AI inference without creating new bottlenecks in the existing infrastructure. Historically, AI has depended on large-scale centralized infrastructure controlled by hyperscalers, which has led to concerns about accessibility, pricing, and availability. However, the introduction of models like DeepSeek challenges this paradigm by demonstrating that efficiency gains can create new pressures on computing resources. As more individuals and organizations adopt AI technologies, the total compute demand is skyrocketing, particularly as open-source alternatives gain traction. This shift is evident in the rapid development of free and open-source models that outperform proprietary options, allowing startups and independent developers to participate in the AI landscape without the constraints imposed by traditional cloud providers. As the demand for scalable and cost-effective AI infrastructure increases, decentralized computing is emerging as a viable solution. By distributing workloads across a global network of high-performance GPUs, this model addresses many inefficiencies associated with centralized systems. Decentralization not only enhances cost efficiency and scalability but also provides greater privacy and control over data. The success of models like DeepSeek illustrates the need for a shift toward distributed AI computing, where developers and researchers can operate independently of monopolized cloud infrastructure. The future of AI computing is not about reducing demand but adapting to an ever-growing need for computational power, ensuring that the AI ecosystem evolves in tandem with its advancements.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Mawari has joined forces with Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Meta Osaka Co., Ltd., and e-stadium Co., Ltd. to launch the "Digital Entertainment City Namba" in Osaka, Japan. This innovative project aims to create the world’s first smart city that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) on a city-wide scale. By leveraging the unique strengths of each partner, the initiative seeks to blend advanced technology with everyday urban life, fostering a vibrant digital culture and addressing social challenges through community engagement. Mawari's pivotal role involves deploying edge computing and rendering devices across Nankai’s properties to establish a decentralized streaming infrastructure. This setup enhances user experience by minimizing latency and enabling real-time interactions with lifelike AI avatars. These avatars are designed to assist in various tasks, such as guiding tourists and facilitating communication across language barriers. The project is a significant milestone for Mawari, as it aims to democratize AI-driven immersive experiences, with CEO Luis Oscar Ramirez emphasizing its potential for mass adoption and tangible social impact. The projected impact of the Digital Entertainment City Namba extends beyond entertainment, targeting sectors such as tourism and labor. By providing multilingual 3D guides and immersive cultural experiences, the project aims to attract more foreign visitors to Japan, thereby boosting local businesses. Additionally, it addresses Japan's labor shortage by creating flexible, remote work opportunities through AI-driven avatars, promoting inclusivity for diverse groups. This initiative not only enhances accessibility but also aligns with Japan’s pressing need for innovative workforce solutions, marking a transformative step towards a digitally integrated urban future.

Digital Entertainment City Namba is an innovative extended reality (XR) project located in Osaka, Japan, which integrates artificial intelligence (AI) guides throughout the city. This initiative is powered by Mawari's decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), showcasing how DePINs can effectively meet the computational demands of both XR and AI technologies. The collaboration involves key players such as Mawari, Meta Osaka, Nankai Electric Railway, and the Namba e-stadium, highlighting Osaka's rich cultural and technological heritage while pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences. The project aims to enhance tourist experiences by utilizing virtual AI guides capable of performing various tasks, from providing guidance to offering customer service. These AI-driven characters are designed to facilitate intuitive interactions that transcend language barriers, making tourism more accessible. The integration of AI within XR experiences presents unique challenges, particularly due to the significant computational power required for graphics rendering and AI processing. DePINs, like those offered by Mawari, promise to alleviate these challenges by leveraging decentralized GPU networks to reduce latency and bandwidth demands. As the demand for AI processing grows, the transition from graphical rendering to AI capabilities is becoming increasingly common among GPU DePINs. Notably, Render Network has successfully pivoted to include AI processing alongside its original focus on graphics. The Digital Entertainment City Namba project exemplifies this trend, illustrating the potential for decentralized GPU networks to support the convergence of XR and AI technologies. Furthermore, under Japanese law, DePIN tokens are classified as utility tokens, which helps to navigate regulatory challenges while fostering innovation in the sector.

A recent surge in the cryptocurrency market has been observed following the listing of several altcoins on Coinbase, a prominent US-based crypto exchange. Among these, Pyth Network (PYTH), Kaito (KAITO), and Bittensor (TAO) have experienced significant price increases. Kaito, an innovative "InfoAI" protocol designed to address fragmentation in the digital assets sector, saw its price nearly double, trading at $1.92 after a remarkable 99.89% rise within 24 hours. This surge was bolstered by its simultaneous listing on both Coinbase and Binance, the latter being the largest global crypto exchange by trading volume. Bittensor, a decentralized machine-learning network that facilitates the creation and exchange of AI learning models, also benefited from the Coinbase listing. The price of TAO jumped from a low of $445 to a peak of $484, marking an 8.7% increase shortly after the listing. However, the price has since stabilized, currently trading at $453. This fluctuation highlights the volatility often associated with newly listed cryptocurrencies, particularly those tied to emerging technologies like AI. Pyth Network, a decentralized oracle provider, also saw a notable price increase after its listing on Coinbase. The asset's price rose from $0.235 to $0.263, reflecting a 12% gain before retracing to $0.243 at the time of writing. These developments underscore the growing interest in AI-focused projects and decentralized technologies within the crypto space, as investors seek to capitalize on innovative solutions that address current market challenges.

GPUs are now integrated into [Aleph Cloud](https://aleph.im/), providing high-performance computing for AI services, rendering, gaming, AI agents, and more. We are proud to announce a significant milestone for our decentralized cloud ecosystem with the latest integration of GPUs. The new Aleph Cloud Core Channel Node application introduces GPU integration, a transformative feature that positions Aleph Cloud as a powerful and more competitive solution for high-performance computing needs. In addition, this release brings account management capabilities, pricing estimations, and a host of performance improvements, making Aleph Cloud an even more robust platform for developers and enterprises alike. With GPU support, users can now unlock unparalleled computing power for tasks such as AI training, rendering, gaming, and running AI agents. By leveraging decentralized infrastructure, Aleph Cloud offers both scalability and flexibility at highly competitive prices, all through the convenience of a Pay-as-You-Go (PAYG) model using ALEPH tokens. # Revolutionizing cloud computing with GPU integration The integration of GPUs into Aleph Cloud marks a pivotal step forward. By enabling access to both consumer-grade and enterprise-grade GPUs, users can now select the exact resources they need through our intuitive interface at console.twentysix.cloud. This empowers them to scale their workloads seamlessly, whether they are building machine learning models, rendering complex graphics, or powering cloud-based gaming platforms. Each GPU model is paired with specific vCPU, RAM, and disk allocations, ensuring peak performance for any workload. For example, an RTX 4090, ideal for gaming or smaller AI projects, will cost around $240 per month*, while an enterprise-grade H100, designed for data-intensive operations, costs approximately $1,920 per month*. # Enhanced Pay-As-You-Go model Aleph Cloud’s PAYG model is designed to offer flexibility and cost transparency, a critical advantage for businesses and developers. With ALEPH tokens as the exclusive payment method, users can enjoy a seamless payment experience across blockchains like Base, and Avalanche. This ensures not only affordability but also accessibility to a global audience. Additionally, when a user provisions a GPU-powered virtual machine and initiates a payment, the system will automatically create two payment streams. 80% of the payment will be allocated directly to the node operator providing the compute power, while 20% will contribute to the Aleph Cloud treasury. This model ensures a fair and sustainable distribution of resources, incentivizing node operators while also reinvesting in the continued growth and development of the Aleph Cloud ecosystem. The pricing structure is straightforward yet highly competitive. For instance: * Consumer GPUs like the RTX 4090 are priced at ~$111 per month, while an RTX 4000 ADA costs only ~$55 per month*. * Enterprise GPUs such as the A100 and H100 are geared towards intensive tasks, priced at ~$875 and ~$583 per month*, respectively. This transparent structure enables users to budget accurately, scaling their resources as their projects evolve.  Pricing breakdown as of 18/02/2025 # New features for an optimized user experience In addition to GPU integration, this release introduces several features aimed at enhancing performance and usability. Among the key highlights: * Aggregates caching: By implementing caching for owner aggregates and metrics data, the platform now offers faster response times and smoother performance. * Pricing estimation: Users can now estimate the cost of executable messages before sending them, providing greater transparency and control. * Pre-calculated balances: This feature significantly improves system performance by reducing computational overhead. * Cost service updates: The cost service now uses pricing aggregates for more accurate estimations. These enhancements collectively make Aleph Cloud more reliable and user-friendly, reinforcing its position as a leading solution for decentralized cloud computing. ## Unlocking new use cases with GPUs The addition of GPUs extends Aleph Cloud’s capabilities to serve a diverse range of industries and applications: * AI and machine learning: Train and deploy machine learning models faster and more efficiently. * Rendering: Create stunning visual effects and high-quality 3D graphics with reduced rendering times. * Gaming: Deliver seamless, high-performance experiences for cloud gaming platforms. * AI agents: Power advanced AI agents with robust, decentralized computing resources. These use cases showcase the versatility of Aleph Cloud’s GPU offering, making it a compelling choice for developers, creators, and businesses alike. # Looking Ahead The release of GPU integration and the accompanying features represents a significant leap forward for Aleph Cloud and its community. As we continue to enhance our platform, we remain committed to empowering users with the tools they need to innovate, scale, and succeed in a decentralized world. To explore these new features and start leveraging GPUs on Aleph Cloud, visit [console.twentysix.cloud](https://console.twentysix.cloud/computing/gpu-instance/) today. For more updates, follow us on Twitter and join our Discord community. Together, let’s redefine the future of cloud computing. *Those pricing are converted in USD from the current price of ALEPH token. This data should evolve in time*

On February 20th, 2025, in Shanghai, China, Phoenix, a decentralized AI compute network, announced a strategic partnership with TandemAI, a leading firm in AI drug discovery technology. This collaboration aims to deploy TandemAI's advanced AI drug discovery platform, TandemViz, on Phoenix's SkyNet AI compute layer. The integration will facilitate a custom lightweight version of TandemViz to operate on SkyNet's AI node network, allowing research organizations, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies to access the system at no initial cost, with the potential for significantly reduced operational expenses as they scale their usage. The significance of this partnership extends beyond mere technological integration; it represents a transformative shift in the accessibility of AI solutions in drug discovery. Previously, such high-cost and computationally intensive solutions were predominantly available to large corporations. However, this collaboration aims to democratize access, making it feasible for smaller entities, including individual researchers and labs, to leverage these advanced tools. This development is particularly relevant to the decentralized science (DeSci) sector, as it introduces industry-specific AI research tools that can enhance the value proposition of DeSci initiatives, potentially leading to the establishment of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) that provide funding for targeted research causes. TandemAI, founded by industry veteran Lanny Sun, has rapidly grown to employ over 350 professionals, including more than 50 award-winning AI and computational chemists. The firm boasts a client base of over 80 large pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Meanwhile, Phoenix's SkyNet Compute Layer is designed for scalability and efficiency, supporting a diverse range of applications within its AI ecosystem, which includes over 130 applications focused on AI for trading, gaming, and DeSci. This partnership is poised to accelerate innovation in the AI drug discovery space, backed by the $20 million Phoenix AI Ecosystem Fund, launched by JDI Group and Tensor Ventures.