Grass Airdrop Faces Backlash Over Token Rewards

IoTeX, a prominent player in the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) sector, has recently announced that Xangle, a leading Korean blockchain infrastructure company, will join its network as a validator. This collaboration is expected to enhance IoTeX's community-driven ecosystem and improve its technical stability. Xangle is known for its ecosystem-oriented community hubs and Web3 analytical reports, and has been actively involved in major global blockchain projects since its inception in 2018. In 2024, IoTeX has emerged as a leader in the DePIN space, processing over 150 million transactions and 340 million blocks, achieving an impressive annual growth rate of over 25%. Currently, more than 360 million IOTX tokens are staked, representing approximately 40% of the total supply, which bolsters the network's security and governance. This growth underscores IoTeX's position as a key infrastructure provider in the DePIN landscape, facilitating the connection between smart devices and real-world data. Lihan Lee, Co-CEO of Xangle, emphasized that their role as an IoTeX validator is more than just network validation; it signifies a commitment to making innovative Web3 infrastructures more accessible. Jing Sun, co-founder of IoTeX, echoed this sentiment, stating that Xangle's expertise in blockchain infrastructure will enhance the network's stability and drive the mainstream adoption of Web3 technologies. Together, they aim to build a robust and transparent DePIN ecosystem that benefits users and fosters sustainable growth in the blockchain space.

Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally, has unveiled its latest token listing roadmap aimed at enhancing transparency and reducing ambiguity for its users. The roadmap highlights two significant tokens, Aethir ($ATH) and Syrup ($SYRUP), which are expected to be added to the platform shortly. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Coinbase to keep traders informed and streamline the listing process, allowing them to make more informed decisions based on upcoming listings. Given Coinbase's influential role in the crypto market, the addition of these tokens could significantly impact their visibility and trading dynamics. Aethir ($ATH) is a decentralized cloud computing platform that leverages blockchain technology to provide a more secure and cost-effective alternative to traditional cloud services. Unlike conventional providers, Aethir allows users to rent computational resources in a decentralized manner, enhancing security by distributing computing power across a broader network. This innovative approach addresses the issues of security, cost, and transparency prevalent in the current cloud computing model. Aethir's inclusion in Coinbase's roadmap underscores the growing trend of integrating blockchain solutions into various industries, particularly in cloud computing. On the other hand, Syrup ($SYRUP) serves as a governance token within the Maple ecosystem, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that connects institutional investors with digital asset lending opportunities. Syrup holders play a crucial role in decision-making processes that shape the platform's future, making it an integral part of Maple's community-driven approach. The addition of both Aethir and Syrup to Coinbase's listing roadmap not only signifies their potential growth but also reflects a shift towards greater transparency in token listings, fostering user trust and confidence in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The global cryptocurrency market is currently valued at $2.69 trillion, reflecting a modest increase of 1.20% over the past day. However, trading volume has seen a significant decline of 23.50%, dropping to $119.79 billion, indicating a slowdown in short-term trading activity. Despite this downturn, many investors are seizing the opportunity to buy the dip, fueled by optimism surrounding recent market developments and evolving policies. Notably, cryptocurrencies like Gala (GALA), Immutable (IMX), and Kaia (KAIA) are emerging as strong investment candidates, showcasing resilience and potential for growth in this fluctuating market. Theta Network has recently made headlines with its partnership with Nubila, a decentralized physical infrastructure network focused on gathering real-world weather data. This collaboration will leverage Theta's EdgeCloud GPU resources for training AI models, marking a significant expansion beyond its original video streaming focus. Currently, Theta's token (THETA) is trading at $0.87, with a market cap of $759.25 million. Analysts are optimistic, predicting a potential price increase of 22.48% by April, as the platform continues to evolve its offerings in the Web3 space. In addition to Theta, the Meme Index (MEMEX) has gained traction by offering a diversified investment approach to meme coins, raising over $3.9 million in its presale. Meanwhile, Kaia DLT Foundation is making strides in the blockchain ecosystem with its Mini Dapps, attracting over 35 million users in just a month. As these projects develop, they highlight the dynamic nature of the crypto market, where innovative solutions and strategic partnerships are paving the way for future growth and investment opportunities.

The US Senate Banking Committee is preparing to vote on the Republican-led stablecoin framework bill known as the GENIUS Act on March 13. This bill has undergone significant revisions following bipartisan discussions, with input from both Democratic and Republican senators. Co-sponsor Senator Bill Hagerty announced the updated version on March 10, emphasizing its improvements in key areas such as consumer protections, authorized stablecoin issuers, risk mitigation, and transparency. The bill aims to regulate US dollar stablecoin issuers with market caps exceeding $10 billion, primarily targeting Tether (USDT) and Circle's USDC, under Federal Reserve oversight, while allowing smaller issuers to choose state-level regulation. The latest updates to the GENIUS Act have sparked discussions within the crypto community, particularly regarding the competitive landscape for stablecoins. Dom Kwok, co-founder of the Web3 learning app EasyA, noted that the bill provides US-issued stablecoins with a competitive advantage over foreign counterparts. The updated legislation imposes stringent standards on foreign stablecoin issuers concerning reserve and liquidity requirements, as well as compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. This could potentially disadvantage many foreign issuers, giving USDC and Ripple Labs' Ripple USD (RLUSD) an edge in the market. Despite these advancements, the GENIUS Act still faces hurdles before it can be enacted into law. Following the Senate Banking Committee's vote, the bill will proceed to a full Senate floor vote, where it will be subject to further debate. If it successfully passes through the Senate, it will then move to the House of Representatives. Should the House approve the bill without amendments, it will be sent to President Donald Trump for final approval or veto. The outcome of this legislative process could significantly shape the regulatory landscape for stablecoins in the United States.

DIMO has announced a partnership with DLP Labs aimed at empowering vehicle owners to monetize their car data through secure, user-owned AI technology. This collaboration allows users to participate in data-sharing programs, enabling them to earn rewards as developers create innovative applications and services. With just a few clicks, DIMO users can qualify for the upcoming Token Generation Event (TGE) for $DLP tokens, ensuring they maintain full control over their vehicle data while benefiting from its value. The initiative introduces several incentives for early adopters, including participation points that can be converted into $DLP tokens during the TGE. Users can opt in and out of data sharing at their discretion, allowing them to manage how their vehicle data is utilized. This data will contribute to the development of privacy-preserving AI applications across various sectors, including mobility and energy. The process to get started is straightforward: users need to create a DIMO account, log in to DLP Labs, and connect their wallets to begin earning points that will enhance their token allocation during the TGE. DLP Labs emphasizes the importance of granting permissions for full vehicle data access, which is essential for developers to create applications that improve mobility and energy efficiency. Users can opt out of data sharing at any time, ensuring their control over personal data. This partnership is set to evolve, promising new earning opportunities and expanded use cases for DIMO users. As the value of vehicle data continues to grow, DIMO users are encouraged to take advantage of this innovative approach to monetize their data effectively.

The Render Network has made significant strides in decentralized AI and DePIN (decentralized physical infrastructure networks) at ETH Denver 2025. This event underscored the increasing relevance of decentralized AI in real-world applications, with Render Network leading discussions on the integration of blockchain, AI, and decentralized computing. A highlight was the co-hosted event "DeAI Day: Dawn of the Agents," where industry leaders such as MorpheusAI and VeniceAI convened to explore the synergy between DePIN and decentralized AI protocols, particularly focusing on the emergence of on-chain AI agents. Trevor Harries-Jones from Render emphasized the efficiency of distributed GPUs in managing AI workloads, thereby enhancing accessibility for decentralized AI development. During the mainstage discussions, Render Network's AI scout, Paul Roales, participated in a panel titled "Bitcoin for AI: The Poster Children Catalyzing Decentralized Intelligence." This panel highlighted the critical role of decentralized computing in the AI economy, particularly in powering on-chain agents and scaling consumer AI applications. Roales pointed out the growing capabilities of consumer GPUs, which are essential for democratizing access to AI technologies. The discussions also included Render Network's participation in IoTeX’s "DePIN ❤️ AI" event, where Phil Gara elaborated on the transformative impact of decentralized infrastructure on various sectors, including AI, gaming, and finance. The conversations at ETH Denver extended to envisioning the future of DeAI and AI agents. Tristan Relly from Render Foundation stressed the importance of decentralization in keeping AI models open and accessible, while Gara highlighted how DePINs could foster user-owned AI systems through token incentives. Looking ahead, Render Network is gearing up for RenderCon 2025, where they will further explore the intersections of 3D technology, AI, and GPU computing, featuring insights from industry leaders on the future of creativity and technology integration.