DePINs: Transforming Web3 Infrastructure and AI Demand

In October, Solana's real economic value (REV) reached an impressive 111% of Ethereum's, driven by significant growth in decentralized finance (DeFi) and innovative projects such as Hivemapper and Helium. The price of Solana (SOL) surged by 36% recently, hitting $213, but it now faces a crucial challenge at the $221 resistance level. Despite strong network activity and a notable increase in staking, concerns linger about the sustainability of this momentum. The decentralized exchange (DEX) volumes have also seen a remarkable rise, with daily trading exceeding $5 billion for three consecutive days last week, totaling $16 billion from November 10 to 15, primarily driven by Raydium and Orca. Staking activity has emerged as a key factor in bolstering investor confidence, with over $8 billion worth of SOL staked, which helps alleviate selling pressure and enhances price stability. This represents one of Solana's strongest metrics during its current rally. Technical indicators support a positive outlook, as the average directional index (ADX) for SOL stands at 32, indicating a strong trend. However, the inability to breach the $221 barrier could result in a price range between $201 and $221 in the short term, with potential pullbacks signaling a reversal of the bullish trend. Solana's DeFi ecosystem continues to thrive, with meme coin trading contributing to a daily volume of $1 billion, showcasing its growing appeal among retail traders. The network's impact extends beyond DeFi, with projects like Hivemapper mapping a significant portion of global roads and Helium expanding its device network. With robust staking, increasing transaction volumes, and strong technical indicators, Solana is poised for further growth. However, breaking the $221 resistance is critical for unlocking greater potential, with medium-term targets projected between $400 and $500, supported by a bullish cup-and-handle formation on its chart.

In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, Aptos (APT) has made headlines with a notable 21% surge, bouncing back after a significant drop earlier this month. This resurgence is attributed to the cryptocurrency reaching its Fibonacci retracement level, which has sparked renewed optimism among investors. The increase in active addresses, peaking at 1.27 million in June, further supports this bullish trend. As of now, Aptos is trading at approximately $9.38, with analysts suggesting a potential rise of another 19% to reclaim its October peak. Meanwhile, Bittensor (TAO) has also experienced a remarkable 20% jump in a single day, driven by positive sentiment following recent elections. However, the cryptocurrency faces resistance as indicated by the Ichimoku Cloud, which could pose challenges for further upward movement. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has surged into the overbought territory, suggesting that while there is strong buying interest, a correction may be imminent if the momentum does not sustain. Traders are closely monitoring TAO's short-term moving averages for signs of a trend reversal that could lead to higher resistance targets. The standout performer in the current market is BlockDAG (BDAG), which has successfully raised over $122 million in its presale, attracting significant attention from investors. With over 15.3 billion coins sold at a price of $0.0234, early participants have already seen returns exceeding 2240%. BlockDAG’s innovative DAG-PoW technology positions it as a strong contender in the Layer-1 blockchain space, aiming for a target of $600 million. As the presale progresses, the urgency for investors to join increases, highlighting BlockDAG as a potential breakout altcoin that could redefine the market landscape.

On November 12, 2024, the W2140 EXPO, a premier global AI and Web3 conference, was inaugurated in Bangkok. Co-hosted by the Asian Business Association of Thailand and the Thai government, the event attracted participation from over 1,000 organizations and more than 200,000 attendees, marking it as the largest conference of its kind. During the event, members of the Titan Network core team engaged in meaningful discussions with UN staff and Dr. James Ong, a prominent scholar and founder of the Artificial Intelligence International Institute (AIII). Dr. Ong's keynote speech, titled "AI and Web for Humanity from the Global Majority," emphasized the importance of decentralized technologies in the modern landscape. Dr. Ong highlighted Titan Network and its ecosystem partner, Pnuts.AI, as exemplary models within the AIDePIN and AIDeHIN frameworks. He praised Titan for developing a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) that leverages blockchain to utilize idle resources. This innovation offers a decentralized, secure, and transparent alternative to traditional cloud services, potentially saving up to 96% in costs. Additionally, he commended Pnuts.AI for being the most powerful real-time translation tool available, designed to break down language barriers using AI and Web3 technologies, providing rapid and accurate speech-to-speech translations in over 200 languages. Furthermore, Dr. Ong discussed the future potential of Pnuts.AI as a standout Web3 project, envisioning a seamless integration of AI, Web3, and DeHIN. In this approach, top human language experts will collaborate with AI systems to enhance translation accuracy significantly. These experts will also provide extensive digital training materials to improve translation models, while Web3 mechanisms will incentivize cooperative human-AI efforts, fostering a robust AI-Web3 application ecosystem. This integration promises to revolutionize the way we approach language translation and communication in a globalized world.

The launch of the DRF token represents a pivotal moment for the DRIFE ecosystem, which aims to revolutionize the ride-hailing industry through decentralization. As the first fully transparent decentralized ride-hailing platform, DRIFE introduces the DRF token to empower users, drivers, and riders alike. This initiative not only provides a stake in the platform's future but also fosters active participation among community members. Drivers can enhance their earnings while riders enjoy reduced costs and increased transparency, creating a collaborative environment where all users contribute to the ecosystem's growth. The DRF token also serves as a versatile payment method within the DRIFE platform, allowing users to pay for rides using DRF tokens in select regions. This integration promotes seamless and secure transactions, reducing reliance on traditional currencies. Additionally, DRIFE incentivizes user engagement through a rewards system, where both riders and drivers can earn DRF tokens for their activities. Staking opportunities further enhance the token's appeal, enabling users to grow their holdings passively while supporting the platform's development. Subscription benefits, such as priority booking and discounted fares, add further value for token holders, enriching their overall experience. With a carefully structured token distribution model, DRIFE ensures long-term growth and stability. The allocation of tokens among various stakeholders, including team members and investors, is designed to prevent immediate sell-offs and promote ecosystem health. The introduction of the DRF token not only empowers drivers and riders economically but also fosters a transparent and decentralized ride-hailing experience. As DRIFE continues to expand its offerings, the DRF token will play a crucial role in shaping the future of mobility, establishing a user-driven platform that rewards participation and redefines the ride-hailing landscape.

The Auki Network has recently announced a significant update regarding its third-party custody solution for its token, $AUKI. Emphasizing their commitment to radical transparency and accountability, Auki Network has opted to migrate its digital assets to a new custody provider. Third-party custodians play a crucial role in the blockchain ecosystem by securely holding and managing digital assets on behalf of clients, ensuring the safety of private keys and enhancing overall security. The choice of custody solution is vital for any blockchain project, as it directly impacts asset management and security protocols. The migration process involves transferring tokens to new wallets under the new custody solution and resetting permissions for various operational routines. The previous custody arrangement had some limitations, including the consolidation of all cold wallet $AUKI tokens in a single wallet, which hindered clear on-chain separation between different pools of unvested tokens. Additionally, the previous custodian's internal token movements could have led to perception issues within the community, as any unlisted $AUKI tokens would be considered circulating supply without prior notice. Auki Network's decision to change custodians addresses these concerns and aligns with their goal of implementing best practices in asset management. The new custody solution involves migrating assets to Hex Trust, a centralized custodian, while smart contract administration roles have been assigned to Safe Wallet, a decentralized custodian. This dual approach not only resolves the issues faced with the previous custodian but also enhances visibility and transparency for the community. The new setup provides comprehensive insurance coverage of USD 50 million for all wallets, significantly improving security. As a result, the community can expect more accurate circulating supply data on platforms like CoinGecko, reinforcing Auki Network's commitment to transparency and accountability in their operations.

The IoTeX Network has made significant strides with the launch of its 2.0 upgrade in Q3’24, which aims to provide decentralized infrastructure, public goods, and governance tools for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). This upgrade has led to a notable increase in network activity, with active wallets and transactions rising by 13% and 8% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), respectively. The introduction of the ioID protocol has been pivotal, transforming hardware devices into on-chain entities with verifiable identities. As of Q3’24, the network is secured by 112 delegates who are actively staking $172 million, marking a 17% increase QoQ, and achieving an average staking participation rate of 41.3%. The IoTeX 2.0 upgrade also features an enhanced tokenomic design that seeks to balance inflationary staking rewards with deflationary token burns, thereby driving the utility of the IOTX token. Throughout Q3’24, IoTeX has integrated with several prominent networks and protocols, including Solana and Polygon, which positions the IoTeX Network as a robust ecosystem for DePIN projects. The middleware solution, W3bstream, is set to launch on the mainnet in Q1’25, further enhancing the network's capabilities by providing verifiability and scalability for DePINs. In addition to the technical advancements, IoTeX has established the Marshall DAO to manage a pool of IOTX tokens dedicated to funding DePIN projects. This community-driven approach allows token holders to propose and vote on initiatives, fostering a collaborative environment for innovation. The DePIN ecosystem on IoTeX has expanded significantly, with over 230 dApps and more than 50 dedicated DePIN projects, solidifying IoTeX's position as a leading player in the decentralized infrastructure space. The future looks promising as the network continues to evolve and attract diverse applications across various sectors, including DeFi and GameFi.