Roam's November Highlights: Milestones and New Features

A recent report titled "The DePIN Token Economics Report" by Tom Trowbridge has shed light on the growing interest of traditional equity investors in Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). The report highlights how DePIN is revolutionizing real-world services such as Wi-Fi, energy, and computing. With over 1,000 projects and 3 million providers, DePIN has shown significant revenue traction, with hardware costs plummeting by 95% in recent years. Notably, Helium reported $350,000 in revenue for Q4 2024, while Geodnet achieved an annualized revenue of $3 million, showcasing the financial viability of these decentralized networks. Traditional equity investors, who have historically been skeptical of token projects, are now recognizing DePIN as a promising investment avenue. The report indicates that this investor demographic is significantly larger than that of alt-coin investors, primarily due to DePIN's tangible services and impressive revenue metrics. The buy-and-burn mechanisms employed by various DePIN projects, such as Geodnet and Hivemapper, further enhance the appeal by linking revenue directly to token value. This financial model provides a clearer benchmark for investors, as evidenced by Geodnet's $500,000 revenue in Q4 2024, which supports price growth in its tokens. Moreover, Trowbridge emphasizes the importance of simplicity in DePIN's token economics, suggesting that models should be straightforward to avoid confusion among investors. The report also highlights the necessity for transparency in the sector, especially in light of Helium's recent SEC charge for misleading investors. As DePIN continues to shift the narrative of cryptocurrency from speculation to utility, Trowbridge asserts that projects offering real-world services are scaling more rapidly and providing superior services at lower prices compared to their centralized counterparts. This shift could redefine the landscape of crypto investments, making DePIN a focal point for future growth in the industry.

As technology continues to evolve, the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) is emerging as a transformative force in the realm of cloud computing. Built on blockchain technology, DePIN utilizes individual hardware devices, known as nodes, which can range from personal computers to IoT devices. This decentralized network eliminates the need for a centralized authority, enhancing security and transparency while outperforming traditional systems in efficiency and scalability. With the rise of AI applications, decentralized networks are becoming essential for managing data collection and processing, as highlighted by a recent CoinDesk report indicating that the market capitalization of DePIN tokens has exceeded $25 billion, driven by advancements in computing and AI sectors. Several projects exemplify the potential of DePIN technology. Akash, often referred to as the "Airbnb of cloud computing," connects sellers of excess computing resources with buyers, creating an open-source platform for cloud services. Meanwhile, io.net focuses on providing a decentralized GPU network for machine learning applications, boasting 83,000 GPUs and significant cost savings compared to traditional providers. Grass, another DePIN initiative, allows users to share their internet bandwidth in exchange for rewards, while Koii aims to democratize access to decentralized computing by enabling any device to participate in the network, thus broadening the scope of user involvement and reward opportunities. Despite the promising advancements, the DePIN market faces challenges in establishing a sustainable revenue model. Many projects rely on a dual-token system to balance supply and demand, akin to the Goldilocks problem of finding the right equilibrium. To foster growth, initiatives like Koii's EZSandbox are simplifying the onboarding process for developers, providing tools and resources to create and test decentralized applications. Collaborations, such as Koii's partnership with the Web3 search engine Adot, further enhance network efficiency and accessibility. As the reliance on cloud computing grows, DePIN platforms like Koii, Akash, and Grass are poised to reshape the landscape of decentralized computing, making it more accessible and cost-effective for users worldwide.

Bangalore, India’s tech hub, recently hosted the first-ever Solana DePIN Summit on March 25, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the country’s digital landscape. This event gathered both Indian and international startups focused on Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), providing a unique platform for innovators to present their ideas to a global audience of investors. The summit highlights the growing trend of blockchain startups in India, particularly in the DePIN sector, which integrates IoT, energy networks, and wireless communications with blockchain technology to create more efficient and decentralized infrastructure solutions. One of the key players at the summit was Wifi Dabba, a Y Combinator-backed startup based in Bangalore, which served as the title sponsor. Wifi Dabba utilizes Solana's blockchain to enhance broadband access in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities through a DePIN model, collaborating with local operators under India's PM-WANI initiative. Co-founder Shubhendu Sharma emphasized that Solana's choice of India for its inaugural DePIN Summit underscores the country's growing presence in the Web3 space, as Indian startups leverage blockchain technology to tackle real-world challenges, particularly in bridging the digital divide. Despite having only 41 million fixed broadband connections compared to China's 600 million, India is poised to make significant strides in its digital infrastructure. The DePIN model proposed by Wifi Dabba aims to lower the barriers to entry for broadband access, aligning with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's goal of achieving 100 million broadband users by 2030. Events like the Solana DePIN Summit are crucial for amplifying India's role in the global DePIN landscape, showcasing local talent and fostering international collaboration, ultimately positioning India as a key player in Web3 innovations and decentralized infrastructure development.

Grayscale, the world’s largest crypto asset management company, has unveiled its updated list of the Top 20 potential crypto projects for Q2 2025. This latest list introduces three promising newcomers: Maple (SYRUP), Geodnet (GEOD), and Story Protocol (IP), while removing Akash, Arweave, and Jupiter. As the crypto market continues to experience volatility, Grayscale is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on emerging trends that could redefine the industry landscape. According to Grayscale's Market Insights report, the first quarter of 2025 witnessed a decline in the cryptocurrency market, mirroring the downturn seen in tech stocks and other high-risk assets. Although Bitcoin's network activity remained stable, interest in meme coins, particularly within the Solana ecosystem, has diminished. Nevertheless, Web3 applications across DeFi, AI, and infrastructure sectors have collectively generated over $2 billion in revenue. Notably, Sui (SUI) has emerged as a leading smart contract platform, boasting rapid transactions and low fees without the need for additional scaling layers, currently holding just 3% of Grayscale’s Smart Contract Platforms index. For Q2 2025, Grayscale is concentrating on three pivotal areas: Decentralized Physical Infrastructure (DePIN), Real World Assets (RWA), and Intellectual Property Tokenization (IP). The addition of Maple, Geodnet, and Story Protocol to the Top 20 list reflects this focus. Maple is a lending platform for institutional clients with a total value locked (TVL) exceeding $600 million, while Geodnet provides real-time positioning data across 130+ countries, generating over $3 million in monthly revenue. Story Protocol aims to tokenize the $70 trillion intellectual property market, attracting high-profile artists like Justin Bieber and BTS. However, Grayscale cautions that these assets are highly volatile and risky, particularly highlighting GEOD's lack of major exchange listings as a significant concern.

In the ever-changing landscape of the cryptocurrency market, Cardano and Filecoin are demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation. Cardano has experienced a significant price increase this year, reflecting strong market momentum, even as it recently dipped to $1.064. Analysts remain optimistic, predicting that the price could soar to $6 due to ongoing developments and heightened adoption. Meanwhile, Filecoin is making strides in the decentralized storage sector with its latest upgrades, including the "Waffle" upgrade, which enhances performance and compatibility with Ethereum. These advancements not only bolster Filecoin's interoperability but also broaden its appeal within the Web3 ecosystem, attracting developers and businesses alike. Amidst these developments, Web3Bay (3BAY) has made headlines by successfully raising $830,000 in its latest presale, solidifying its position as a top investment choice during the current bull run. The platform aims to revolutionize the $5 trillion e-commerce industry by leveraging blockchain technology to improve transaction efficiency and user privacy. Central to Web3Bay's strategy is the 3BAY token, which offers a 5% discount on purchases and governance rights. The presale has already sold 220 million coins at a starting price of $0.004562625, with expectations of substantial price increases as new features like NFT integration and cross-chain capabilities are introduced. As Web3Bay continues to evolve, it is set to launch innovative features that will further transform the e-commerce landscape. The project's commitment to transparency and user empowerment through blockchain technology is attracting a diverse range of supporters, reinforcing its status as a leader in the digital commerce revolution. With Cardano's inclusion in Robinhood enhancing its accessibility and Filecoin's strategic upgrades solidifying its market position, the future looks promising for these projects. Web3Bay, in particular, stands out as a compelling opportunity for investors seeking to engage with a robust, growth-oriented crypto initiative in the decentralized commerce space.

In the past 150 years, telecommunications has played a crucial role in connecting humanity. However, its function has become increasingly limited to mere communication, while financial systems have developed independently. Karrier One aims to change this narrative by introducing decentralized telecom innovations that integrate connectivity with financial services. Their vision transforms every connected device into more than just a communication tool; it becomes a bank, a digital identity hub, and a gateway to new opportunities. This initiative is not merely about enhancing telecom or financial services but about creating a cohesive system that empowers individuals and communities through connectivity and financial inclusion. A significant challenge remains in the fact that 1.7 billion adults globally are unbanked, despite billions using mobile devices daily. Karrier One sees telecom as the missing link to bridge this gap. By utilizing its decentralized platform, every device connected to its network can act as a financial node, facilitating secure transactions and providing access to essential financial tools like microfinance. This innovation is particularly transformative in regions with limited banking infrastructure, allowing individuals to bypass systemic barriers and access opportunities that were previously unattainable, effectively turning a simple phone into a bank. Central to Karrier One's approach is the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) model, which empowers communities to create and manage their own telecom networks. This model not only reduces costs but also expands access to underserved areas, fostering resilience and local ownership. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region stands to gain significantly from this decentralized telecom innovation, as it addresses connectivity gaps and financial exclusion. By integrating financial services into connectivity solutions, Karrier One is not just offering technology; it is providing a lifeline for full participation in the modern economy. As telecom and finance converge, Karrier One invites investors and telecom operators to join this revolutionary movement, emphasizing the importance of integration and empowerment in shaping the future of connectivity and finance.