VanEck Launches $30 Million Venture Capital Fund for Crypto and AI Startups

As the world accelerates towards sustainable energy solutions, PowerPod has announced a new partnership with Arkreen for the Green DePIN Initiative. This collaboration aims to introduce an on-chain carbon offset system specifically for the green charging of two-wheel electric motorcycles. This initiative is strategically designed to tap into the rapidly expanding two-wheel market in Asia, which is experiencing unprecedented growth with over 200 million electric motorcycles already on the road and a projected annual growth rate of 7%. The partnership between PowerPod and Arkreen is set to demonstrate a real-world application of Green DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network), enhancing the sustainability of electric motorcycle usage while ensuring transparency and accountability in energy consumption. PowerPod and Arkreen are leading the charge towards carbon neutrality in the electric motorcycle market by utilizing tokenized Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for on-chain offsets. These tokenized RECs, referred to as ART tokens, represent Arkreen Renewable Energy Certificates (ARECs) and are issued on-chain, supported by verified renewable energy data from rooftop solar panels within the Arkreen Network. This innovative approach offsets brown energy consumption with renewable energy credits, ensuring a truly sustainable charging process for electric motorcycles. By integrating Arkreen’s on-chain carbon offset solution into PowerPod’s charging network, the partnership aims to deliver REAL users, REAL income, and REAL rewards, all backed by real-time on-chain carbon offsets. As PowerPod and Arkreen embark on this transformative journey, they are not only advancing the future of efficient electric mobility but also leading a sustainable energy revolution across Asia. Their collaboration is poised to deliver tangible benefits to the entire electric vehicle ecosystem, pushing the boundaries of sustainable transportation and decentralized energy networks. With their innovative on-chain offset approach and PowerPod’s decentralized charging market presence, this partnership is set to drive the future of electric mobility while promoting sustainability in transportation.

On October 17, 2024, HashKey Global will host an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Ionet, focusing on the innovative ways Io.net plans to leverage Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. This event is expected to provide valuable insights into the strategic direction of Io.net and how it aims to scale its AI initiatives. Given the growing interest in AI and blockchain integration, the AMA could serve as a pivotal moment for investors and stakeholders in the IO token ecosystem. The discussion is anticipated to shed light on the potential impacts of successful AI integration on the IO token's market performance. As the demand for AI-driven solutions continues to rise, the ability of Io.net to effectively implement these technologies could significantly boost investor confidence. This, in turn, may lead to an increase in the IO token's price, making it a more attractive option for both current and prospective investors. HashKey Global's commitment to fostering dialogue around blockchain and AI is evident in this AMA. By engaging with the community and providing a platform for discussion, they aim to clarify the future of Io.net and its role in the evolving landscape of decentralized technologies. Stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed about the developments from this session, as the insights shared could have lasting implications for the IO token and its market trajectory.

U2U Network, a pioneering Layer-1 blockchain focused on decentralized infrastructure, has announced the launch of its inaugural DePIN Node Sale, set to begin on October 22. This initiative allows participants to acquire decentralized nodes, contributing to the expansion of U2U's DePIN infrastructure. The sale features 40,000 nodes available across six tiers, with an entry price starting at $200 for a checker node. This model not only democratizes access to node operation but also promises significant earning potential, with participants expected to recover their investment in just 58 days. The U2U Network aims to attract a diverse range of participants by eliminating the need for programming skills to operate a node, thus broadening the community engagement. Nodes are crucial in decentralized networks, facilitating communication, transaction validation, and enhancing security. The U2U Subnet comprises two types of nodes: Master Nodes, which handle transaction storage and data validation, and Edge Nodes, which offer additional computational power for specific protocols. Both node types are incentivized based on their contributions, forming the backbone of U2U's DePIN infrastructure. The network's design allows node operators to contribute resources from various devices, ensuring uninterrupted application performance. With over 40 DePIN projects in the ecosystem, node operators can support a wide array of sectors, including computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, further increasing their earning potential. The U2U Network has garnered significant backing from top investors such as KuCoin Ventures, Chain Capital, and IDG Blockchain, positioning itself strongly in the industry. The team comprises over 120 professionals from leading tech companies, ensuring a wealth of expertise. With a growing community of over 1 million members, U2U Network is poised to revolutionize decentralized infrastructure. The combination of low entry costs, high ROI, and the absence of coding requirements makes this Node Sale an attractive opportunity for a broad audience, inviting them to participate in shaping the future of decentralized networks.

The cryptocurrency market is currently experiencing a mid-week bearish trend following an initial bullish momentum. AI tokens, which recently captured significant attention, are now consolidating, potentially indicating a bullish reversal. However, notable pullbacks are observed in trading sets for Bittensor (TAO), Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), and Render (RENDER). This scenario may present a strategic opportunity for investors to accumulate these tokens at discounted prices, despite the current market fluctuations. Bittensor (TAO) has recently made headlines with a remarkable price surge exceeding 200%. However, this upward movement has been accompanied by minor pullbacks, which have historically attracted bullish activity. Currently, TAO is positioned within a rising parallel channel, suggesting the potential for another higher high. While the price is expected to overcome upward pressure and aim for new highs, a decline in trading volume could limit volatility. The on-balance volume (OBV) is also showing lower highs and lows, raising concerns about the sustainability of the current price levels. On the other hand, the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) is navigating a bullish pattern despite intermittent bearish pressures. The token is testing crucial support levels, which could lead to a rebound. However, technical indicators are showing bearish tendencies, indicating a potential pullback. Meanwhile, Render (RENDER) is maintaining its bullish trajectory, supported by an ascending trend line. Although selling volume has increased, the price is expected to consolidate before initiating a rebound. Overall, while the market faces challenges, opportunities for strategic investments in these AI tokens may arise as the situation evolves.

A prominent crypto trader has made a bold prediction regarding three altcoins that could potentially outshine Ethereum (ETH) in the long run. These altcoins—Binance Coin (BNB), Rexas Finance (RXS), and Bittensor (TAO)—are noted for their unique innovations and growth potential in the evolving blockchain landscape. Binance Coin, which powers the Binance ecosystem, has seen a 16% increase over the past month and is currently trading within a consolidation zone. Analysts suggest that if market trends continue, BNB could experience a breakout, potentially reaching $1,076, with historical patterns indicating it might even surpass the $2,000 mark during the next bull run. Additionally, a significant net inflow into the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) highlights a growing preference for its lower transaction costs compared to Ethereum, positioning BNB as a formidable competitor for long-term dominance. Rexas Finance (RXS) is emerging as an exciting player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, focusing on the tokenization of real-world assets. This innovative platform allows users to invest in previously illiquid assets such as real estate and art, attracting a diverse range of investors. The ongoing presale of RXS has already raised over $2.81 million, with analysts predicting a potential price increase to $12 by 2025. Rexas Finance also offers tools for users to create and deploy tokens easily, alongside a launchpad for decentralized token sales. By bridging traditional and digital finance, Rexas Finance is poised for long-term success, tapping into a market valued at over $500 trillion. Bittensor (TAO) has gained significant attention in the AI token market, experiencing a remarkable 164% surge in the last month. Its integration into Grayscale's Decentralized AI Fund and rising trading volumes indicate strong investor interest. Bittensor's focus on decentralized machine learning models positions it as a key player in the growing demand for AI solutions. With a market capitalization of $4.7 billion and a trading price nearing its all-time high, analysts believe TAO may continue to outperform Ethereum and other altcoins. Each of these altcoins—BNB, RXS, and TAO—represents a unique opportunity for investors seeking high-growth prospects in the blockchain space, potentially challenging Ethereum's dominance in the near future.

Theta Labs has announced the launch of its AI Virtual Try-On software for Shopify, developed in collaboration with KAIST AI Lab, a leading AI research center in South Korea. This innovative technology utilizes advanced computer vision and natural language processing to enhance the online shopping experience. Customers can now virtually try on various tops by simply uploading a selfie, which aims to improve user engagement and potentially increase sales conversions for e-commerce retailers. To promote its adoption, Theta Labs is offering this plugin for free to Shopify store owners for a limited time, with successful beta integrations already reported by customers like Soar and Mazer. The AI Virtual Try-On for Shopify is powered by Theta EdgeCloud, a hybrid cloud-edge computing platform that combines over 30,000 distributed edge nodes from the Theta Edge Network with cloud services from major providers like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services. This infrastructure offers more than 80 PetaFLOPS of distributed GPU compute power, allowing for significant cost savings on GPU computing tasks compared to traditional cloud providers. The EdgeCloud platform provides AI model training and inference services at less than half the cost of other cloud solutions, making it a cost-effective option for businesses. This launch signifies a major advancement in the application of EdgeCloud technology within the e-commerce sector. By addressing common challenges faced by online retailers and shoppers, Theta Labs is making advanced AI tools more accessible and affordable. Looking forward, Theta Labs and KAIST AI plan to expand the capabilities of the AI Virtual Try-On model to include more complex wearables, such as hats and bottoms, further pushing the boundaries of AI-driven fashion technology and enhancing the online shopping experience for consumers.