Crypto Venture Capital Resurgence: Key Projects to Watch

The CUDOS merger with Fetch.ai ($FET) is entering its final phase as part of the ASI Alliance, following successful tests on the Dorado testnet. The CUDOS testnet was halted two weeks ago, paving the way for significant upgrades this week. Key events include a software upgrade for the CUDOS Network, which will temporarily halt the CUDOS chain, and a corresponding upgrade for the Fetch.ai network that will integrate all CUDOS accounts into the Fetch.ai ecosystem. Two governance proposals will be initiated on each network, and token holders are encouraged to participate in the voting process from October 22 to October 27, 2024. The CUDOS mainnet is set to halt at block height 12,385,627 on October 28, 2024, with the Fetch.ai mainnet upgrade following shortly after. As a CUDOS token holder, no action is required on your part during this transition. The migration of your CUDOS tokens to FET will be handled automatically through the software upgrades. Your new FET balance will reflect in the same account where your CUDOS tokens are currently held. However, it is essential to keep your private keys secure post-merger. All new FET tokens will be subject to a three-month vesting schedule, during which they can still earn rewards through delegation. Current CUDOS Validators are largely migrating to ASI, ensuring that your delegations remain intact. Looking ahead, the merger signifies a new chapter for CUDOS and Fetch.ai, combining their strengths to create a more robust decentralized network. The transition is not just a technical upgrade but a strategic move towards greater innovation and sustainability within the blockchain space. The CUDOS community's support has been invaluable, and as the merger unfolds, there is a palpable excitement about the future possibilities that lie ahead. Together, CUDOS and Fetch.ai are poised to achieve remarkable milestones in the blockchain ecosystem.

According to recent data from DePINscan, the AI Layer2 project Network3 has achieved a remarkable milestone, reaching a global node count of 360,000. These nodes are strategically distributed across 185 countries and regions, including key areas such as Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. This expansion highlights the growing adoption and interest in the Network3 platform, which is designed to enhance the efficiency and scalability of blockchain applications. In addition to its impressive node growth, Network3 has experienced a surge in miner sales, indicating strong demand for its services. Starting from November 1, the project will undergo an expansion upgrade, which is expected to further accelerate the payback period for miners. This upgrade is anticipated to enhance the overall performance of the network, making it more attractive for current and potential users. Furthermore, Network3 has successfully secured $5.5 million in pre-seed and seed round financing, with plans for the next round already in motion. Several leading institutions have confirmed their participation, signaling confidence in the project's future. The official listing process for Network3 has also commenced, marking a significant step forward for the project. However, ChainCatcher advises readers to approach blockchain investments with caution, emphasizing the importance of risk awareness amid the various virtual token issuances and market speculations.

Bittensor (TAO) has recently captured the attention of traders and investors, particularly as it has experienced a notable 20% increase this month. Despite a 10% decline over the past week, the token's performance indicates a bullish outlook for the longer term. TAO has successfully broken out of an inverted head and shoulders pattern, surpassing the $600 level before entering a consolidation phase. Traders are now closely monitoring the $500 zone, as a bounce from this level could signal further upward movement if market conditions align favorably. As traders navigate the current market dynamics, many have mistakenly interpreted the recent price action as a sign of a bearish trend. This has led to an influx of short positions, which may have backfired as TAO's price surged, trapping these shorts. Currently trading around $560, TAO's return to breakeven levels may prompt trapped traders to exit their positions, potentially triggering a bounce. The token's recent pullback to the $500 range is viewed as a short-term buying opportunity, with analysts suggesting a bullish convergence on the 4-hour chart could lead to a price target of $800 by 2025. Despite the optimistic long-term outlook for Bittensor, traders remain cautious due to some weakness indicated by the MACD. If TAO loses support, it could dip below the $500 mark again. Nevertheless, Bittensor continues to rank among the top AI and Big Data projects, alongside notable competitors like Near Protocol, Oasis, and The Graph. This strong positioning in the market suggests that Bittensor is well-equipped to recover from recent corrections and may see further gains in the coming months, making it a project to watch closely for potential investment opportunities.

Theta Labs has announced a significant partnership with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), marking the latter as the newest customer of its EdgeCloud AI platform. This collaboration comes on the heels of Theta's growing influence in the academic sector in South Korea, where institutions such as Korea University, Seoul Women’s University, KAIST, and Yonsei University have already integrated Theta's infrastructure to enhance their AI research capabilities. The partnership will enable LAB HAI at HUFS, under the leadership of Professor Ikbeom Jang, to utilize Theta's scalable EdgeCloud platform for various advanced projects, including LLM-based multimodal data training and biomedical data compression. Professor Ikbeom Jang, who oversees the computer cluster at HUFS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the potential of Theta EdgeCloud to significantly boost their multimodal medical AI research. The use of high-performance NVIDIA H100 GPUs will facilitate a wide range of AI applications in healthcare, thereby enhancing Korea's competitiveness in AI technology. Professor Jang's expertise in artificial intelligence and deep learning, along with his previous experience at Harvard Medical School, positions him and his team to make substantial contributions to the field, as evidenced by their recent publications and research grants. This multi-year agreement underscores Theta Labs' commitment to supporting AI research by providing decentralized GPU resources to esteemed institutions like HUFS. With over 33,000 students, HUFS is poised to leverage Theta’s advanced technology to drive innovation in healthcare AI, particularly in areas such as medical imaging and disease prediction. Mitch Liu, co-founder and CEO of Theta Labs, emphasized that this partnership is a pivotal step in expanding the application of decentralized computing in academia, positioning Theta as a leader in AI computing solutions in the region.

Ambient, the largest distributed network for environmental monitoring, has announced the successful deployment of blockchain-based air quality monitoring sensors in Los Angeles’ Japanese Village Plaza (JVP). This initiative aims to enhance the environment and well-being of the area, which attracts over 5,000 visitors daily. According to Ambient's CEO, Luca Franchi, the project highlights the growing importance of air quality awareness among consumers and businesses, while also promoting incentive-based behavior to drive better insights and foster a healthier experience for all. Historically, air quality monitoring has been a costly endeavor, primarily managed by government agencies and large corporations. The limited number of locations being tracked in Los Angeles underscores the need for more comprehensive monitoring solutions. With the World Health Organization reporting over seven million premature deaths globally due to air pollution, effective monitoring is essential to address health risks associated with poor air quality. The deployment at JVP not only improves the quality of life for its visitors but also serves as a model for broader applications in urban centers. Ambient, in collaboration with Parami, is deploying Kaiterra Sensedge Mini sensors across 30 retailers in JVP, providing real-time data on temperature, humidity, particulate matter, and more. This innovative approach leverages blockchain technology to record data on the Solana Blockchain and offers token-based incentives for participants. By investing in Ambient tokens, participants can benefit from data sales and commercial activities derived from the network, driving meaningful change and innovation in environmental monitoring.

In a significant development within the blockchain and renewable energy sectors, Arkreen, a leader in Web3 infrastructure focused on carbon-reduction applications, has announced a partnership with Roam, a trailblazer in decentralized telecom. Roam has successfully issued over 918 million Roam points across more than 180 countries, catering to a user base of 1 million registered individuals. With a robust network of over 700,000 nodes globally, Roam provides a decentralized physical Layer 1, which serves as a foundation for innovative projects in decentralized wireless technology. This collaboration is a pivotal advancement under the Plug for Green Program (PGP), as both companies aim to enhance carbon neutrality within Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). The partnership introduces an innovative approach to sustainable practices through the integration of Roam’s miners with Arkreen’s Smart Plugs. This synergy enables real-time monitoring of electricity consumption for Roam miners, who not only benefit from enhanced crypto mining capabilities but also from Arkreen’s tokenized Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). This mechanism allows Roam community members to offset their carbon emissions from brown energy consumption directly on-chain, thereby increasing their rewards while fostering a commitment to sustainability. The PGP advantage empowers Roam miners to engage in personal carbon offsetting, aligning their operations with eco-friendly practices. Through the Plug for Green Program, Arkreen provides Roam with essential tools for energy consumption monitoring and an on-chain carbon offset mechanism. By utilizing Arkreen’s Smart Plug technology, Roam miners can efficiently track their energy usage and earn Arkreen tokens alongside their mining rewards. This dual-mining scenario encourages eco-conscious participants to contribute to sustainability efforts. Arkreen’s on-chain offset mechanism is paving the way for Green DePIN, positioning Roam as a leader in the decentralized telecom sector while setting a precedent for the DePIN community to engage in global sustainability initiatives. Together, they aim to Roam the World, Connect the People, and Green the Planet.