Bitcoin Soars to $100,000: A New Era in Cryptocurrency

Exabits, a crypto-AI startup focusing on tokenizing GPUs, has successfully raised $15 million in a seed funding round led by Hack VC. This funding round has propelled Exabits' valuation to $150 million. The startup, co-founded by Dr. Hoansoo Lee, initiated fundraising in July and concluded the round in October. While the specific investors beyond Hack VC remain undisclosed, Lee mentioned that a token launch is on the horizon. With this seed funding, Exabits has accumulated a total of $20 million in funding, building upon previous rounds earlier this year. Exabits' primary objective is to decentralize computing by tokenizing GPUs, which it considers as 'the currency of the digital age.' Lee emphasized the exponential growth potential of GPU compute performance compared to traditional assets like bitcoin and gold. The startup's unique GPU tokenization model aims to provide direct exposure to GPU compute assets, fostering a liquid market, revenue generation, and rewards for token holders. Despite the token not being launched yet, Exabits has witnessed substantial revenue growth, with a 300% quarterly increase on average, amounting to $10 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR).

Karrier One, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) built on the Sui Network, has announced the global launch of its innovative WiFi Hotspot devices. This initiative allows individuals to contribute to a decentralized connectivity ecosystem by providing WiFi offloading services to various carriers, earning KONE tokens in return. This development marks a significant advancement in decentralized networks, integrating Web3 technology with practical applications that address the increasing demand for internet connectivity. As internet usage continues to rise, traditional networks are under pressure from high traffic volumes. Karrier One tackles this issue by introducing a decentralized WiFi offloading network powered by user-owned hotspot devices. Participants can offload data traffic from conventional carriers to the Karrier One Network, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. The model is simple: device owners provide WiFi connectivity to mobile carriers and earn KONE tokens, creating an ecosystem where anyone can participate and benefit while contributing to a more efficient internet. The strategic partnership with Sui Network is crucial for Karrier One's mission, enabling the deployment of SCION Services, Walrus Nodes, and Validator Nodes on the Sui blockchain. This collaboration aims to leverage advanced blockchain technology to enhance network functionality and scalability. As Jameel Khalfan from Sui Foundation noted, this initiative not only adds capacity to traditional telecom providers but also empowers users in underserved areas to earn from their contributions. Karrier One’s vision of democratizing access to connectivity aligns with the broader objectives of Web3, redistributing value and control from centralized entities to the community, ultimately revolutionizing global connectivity.

Network3, a pioneering technology platform, has made significant strides in the realm of AI Layer2 solutions, enabling developers globally to efficiently infer, train, and validate models. Recent analysis by Depinscan, an extensive DePIN intelligence platform powered by IoTex, has revealed that Network3 miners have achieved a remarkable milestone with a payback period of just 71 days. This achievement positions Network3 at the forefront of the industry in terms of both payback period and daily revenue, underscoring its investment potential. A shorter payback period is crucial for investors as it indicates a quicker return on investment, making Network3 an attractive option for those looking to capitalize on emerging technologies. The success of Network3 can be attributed to its robust infrastructural network, which boasts over 555,000 nodes and has delivered 2 Petabytes of network service across more than 185 countries. This extensive reach has resulted in 97,000 active sessions daily and monthly revenues exceeding $100,000. By supporting the evolution of AI, Network3 empowers developers with tools for model optimization, federated learning, edge computing, and confidential computing. This dual focus on enhancing decentralized node efficiency while providing essential services for AI development positions Network3 as a leader in both technology and market viability. In addition to its technological advancements, Network3 has successfully secured $5.5 million in seed funding from prominent investors, including Borderless, EV3 Labs, and the IoTeX Eco Fund. With a growing community of over 252,000 followers on X, the platform is set to gain even more traction. As it continues to demonstrate its value in making AI more beneficial and efficient, Network3 is poised for rapid growth and increased investor interest in the future.

The telecom industry is on the brink of a transformative era with the advent of 6G technology, which promises to redefine connectivity and innovation. The JOINER project, the UK’s first national accelerator program for 6G and beyond, aims to unite researchers, businesses, and government entities to address significant challenges in the telecom sector. By fostering collaboration and breaking down silos, JOINER creates a shared platform that facilitates resource sharing and the development of innovative solutions, ultimately driving the industry forward. A standout feature of the JOINER initiative is the implementation of Hypervisor as a Service (HaaS), based on Weaver Labs’ Cell-Stack software. This service introduces a layer of cloud automation that simplifies the management of complex Telco-Cloud platforms, such as Kubernetes and OpenStack. By enabling zero-touch deployment and management, HaaS allows researchers to concentrate on innovation without the burden of technical complexities associated with cloud infrastructure. This streamlined approach enhances collaboration and accelerates the development of new technologies, positioning the UK as a leader in telecom innovation. JOINER's mission extends beyond HaaS, as it aims to facilitate large-scale research, create shared telecom testbeds, and foster collaboration among various stakeholders. With plans to host experiments across multiple interconnected locations and deliver the UK’s first full-scale 6G demonstration by March 2025, JOINER is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of telecom. By training the next generation of professionals and strengthening the UK's leadership in global telecom standards, JOINER, supported by Weaver Labs, is paving the way for a smarter, more connected world powered by 6G and beyond.

Chia farmers are set to benefit from significant advancements in the blockchain's proof of space format, aimed at addressing energy consumption and security risks. The initial redesign has already made strides in enhancing security, making the network up to 1000 times more resistant to rental attacks while improving compression resistance. The latest updates promise even greater efficiency, reduced energy needs, and enhanced security, allowing farmers to utilize lightweight devices like the Raspberry Pi 5 to harvest vast amounts of space, with new plot sizes starting as small as 3 GiB. Key improvements include lower minimum specifications for harvesting, which make farming more accessible, and more efficient plotting processes that reduce memory requirements. The new format also significantly decreases the network's overall energy consumption without compromising security or compression resistance. Innovations such as the "frozen" quality string and the "chain of proofs" enhance compression resistance and minimize energy consumption during honest farming, ensuring that the network remains fair and sustainable. As the Chia network transitions to this new proof of space format, farmers can expect a more efficient and secure farming experience. The upcoming Chia Improvement Proposal (CHIP) will provide detailed specifications and technical insights into these changes, which are designed to optimize the proof of space format for real-world conditions. With these advancements, Chia aims to maintain its commitment to energy efficiency and security while expanding accessibility for farmers of all sizes.

The artificial intelligence (AI) sector is experiencing rapid growth, yet many companies still rely on centralized services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) for their cloud computing needs. This reliance can lead to high costs and potential outages. Wes Levitt, head of strategy at Theta Labs, argues that decentralized cloud computing offers a solution to these challenges. In a recent episode of The Agenda podcast, Levitt discussed how decentralization not only reduces costs but also enhances reliability and flexibility for users. He emphasized that by moving away from a few centralized points of failure, Theta Labs aims to democratize access to computing power, particularly in the AI and academic sectors. Theta Labs is the driving force behind the Theta Network, which positions itself as a decentralized cloud solution for AI, media, and entertainment. Levitt noted that while the company initially focused on media, it has seen a significant increase in AI-related clients, especially from academic institutions. He highlighted partnerships with top Korean universities and the University of Oregon, explaining that decentralized cloud services provide a cost-effective alternative for organizations that cannot afford AWS. This flexibility is crucial for academic institutions, which often need to scale their computing resources rapidly for research projects before conferences and then scale back down afterward. The decentralized AI niche has seen remarkable growth, with the market capitalization of AI and big data crypto projects skyrocketing from $16.17 billion in December 2023 to over $70 billion by December 2024. Despite this surge, Levitt clarified that the goal of Theta Network is not to eliminate AWS or other centralized cloud providers. He acknowledged that there will always be use cases for centralization, particularly for specific applications requiring focused resources. However, he remains optimistic about the potential for decentralized AI to compete with centralized solutions in the future, suggesting that as demand for decentralized services grows, they could become equally significant in the tech landscape.