4EVERLAND's Bi-Weekly Report: Advancements in Decentralized Web3 Computing

The cryptocurrency market is currently witnessing significant developments, particularly with BlockDAG and Ethereum making headlines for distinct reasons. BlockDAG has successfully raised over $178.5 million in its presale, attracting more than 170,000 holders. The excitement surrounding this project is palpable, especially with the introduction of the LAUNCH300 promotion, which allows participants to triple their BDAG holdings instantly by applying a simple code during purchase. This initiative not only simplifies portfolio growth but also fosters a sense of community and trust among its supporters, indicating that BlockDAG is committed to building more than just a blockchain; it aims to create a supportive ecosystem. On the other hand, Ethereum is projected to potentially reach $12,000 by 2025, driven by technological advancements and favorable political developments. The upcoming Pectra upgrade, expected in Q1 2025, is designed to enhance Ethereum's scalability and reduce transaction bottlenecks, which could solidify its position in decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contract applications. Additionally, the anticipated crypto-friendly policies from the incoming administration may provide the regulatory clarity needed to boost institutional interest in Ethereum. The options market reflects this optimism, with a notable increase in long-term holders, rising from 59% to 75% over the past year, indicating growing confidence in ETH's future. In conclusion, the successes of BlockDAG's presale and the promising outlook for Ethereum's Pectra upgrade highlight the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency landscape. While BlockDAG focuses on community engagement through initiatives like LAUNCH300, Ethereum's technological advancements and supportive political climate position it as a key player in the evolving DeFi space. However, both projects must navigate the inherent risks of the crypto market, including competition from alternative blockchains and the volatility that can lead to significant financial losses.

The AIOZ Network is a notable player in the burgeoning sector of Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Network (DePin). Founded in 2017 by Erman Tjiputra, this blockchain platform is designed to revolutionize digital content storage, transmission, and monetization. Utilizing a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism, AIOZ can process up to 1,400 transactions per second, showcasing its scalability. The network operates on a decentralized content delivery system powered by over 217,000 P2P nodes, which are rewarded with the native AIOZ token for their contributions. AIOZ also provides a decentralized marketplace for AI assets, allowing users to monetize their resources while addressing concerns related to data centralization and user privacy. In 2024, the AIOZ token experienced remarkable growth, skyrocketing approximately 700% from $0.14 to $1.12. This surge was fueled by a bull wave that began in February, attracting significant investor interest. Despite a brief pause during the summer, the token's value resumed its upward trajectory in November, maintaining strong support above the EMA 50. Currently priced at $1.02 with a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, AIOZ ranks #86 on CoinMarketCap. Looking ahead to 2025, the token is expected to continue benefiting from the DePin trend, although potential bearish movements could see it drop to around $0.80. While AIOZ Network operates within the Ethereum and Cosmos ecosystems, the majority of DePin activity is concentrated on Solana. A recent report highlighted that four of the five largest decentralized physical infrastructure networks are based on Solana, with Grass leading the pack by contributing 2.5 million devices. The DePin sector has seen a substantial increase in demand for data processing, with top projects earning $500 million in revenue, marking a 33-fold growth from the previous year. AIOZ, positioned 14th in terms of node count, continues to be a significant player in this rapidly evolving landscape.

The blockchain investment landscape has shown signs of recovery, with venture capital funds investing a total of $1.576 billion in crypto startups in December 2024, marking the highest monthly financing amount since October 2022. According to PANews, there were eight investment events in the global blockchain sector from December 30 to January 5, totaling over $40 million in funding. Although this represents a decrease from the previous week, significant developments occurred within various sectors, particularly in decentralized finance (DeFi), infrastructure, and centralized finance. In the DeFi sector, AlloyX, a stablecoin aggregation platform, successfully completed a $10 million Pre-A round of financing, with notable participation from the Arbitrum Foundation and others. This funding aims to enhance global stablecoin infrastructure, particularly in regions like the UAE, ASEAN, and Africa. Additionally, Binance Labs announced an investment in THENA, a decentralized exchange on the BNB Chain, to bolster its development and security measures. Meanwhile, Haedal Protocol, focused on liquidity staking in the Sui ecosystem, secured seed funding from prominent investors including Hashed and Animoca Ventures, although the specific amount remains undisclosed. The infrastructure and tools sector also witnessed significant funding activities. Bitcoin staking protocol Babylon received $5.3 million from BingX Labs, while JAN3, a Bitcoin technology firm, completed a $5 million seed round led by Fulgur Ventures, with participation from Tether and others. Furthermore, Fold, a Bitcoin financial services company, finalized $20 million in convertible bond financing to support its merger with FTAC Emerald Acquisition Corp. These developments indicate a resilient interest in blockchain technology and its potential for innovation and growth in the financial sector.

Solana has emerged as a leading player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, showcasing a remarkable recovery since the FTX exchange downfall in 2021. By 2024, Solana has solidified its position as one of the most popular blockchain networks, hosting a multi-billion dollar total value locked (TVL) and supporting a vast array of decentralized applications (dApps). The network is celebrated for its scalability, speed, and low transaction costs, making it an attractive platform for various projects, including lending, liquid staking, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Among the standout projects on Solana, Phantom Wallet has become the largest self-custody wallet, facilitating safe cryptocurrency storage for millions of users. Jupiter, the top DEX on Solana, has gained traction with features like limit orders and dollar-cost averaging, while Marinade Finance leads in lending with its innovative liquid staking model. Magic Eden has established itself as the go-to NFT marketplace, and the meme coin Dogwifhat has captured significant attention in the crypto community. Other notable projects include Render Network, which focuses on decentralized GPU cloud rendering, and Ondo Finance, which tokenizes real-world assets to enhance liquidity and efficiency. The importance of decentralized exchanges within the Solana ecosystem cannot be overstated, as they drive economic growth and uphold the principles of decentralized finance. As Solana continues to attract innovative projects and a growing user base, its resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges position it as a formidable player in the blockchain space. With billions in TVL and a diverse range of applications, Solana's DeFi ecosystem is poised for further expansion and success in the coming years.

The cryptocurrency market is currently experiencing a surge of interest, with several projects emerging as potential high-return investments. Among these, BlockDAG (BDAG) stands out with an astonishing 2240% ROI, having raised over $174.5 million in its presale. The project has gained significant traction, with its price increasing from $0.001 to $0.0234, and analysts predicting it could reach $1 by 2025. This impressive growth, coupled with strong community support, positions BlockDAG as a leading contender for investors seeking substantial returns in the crypto space. In addition to BlockDAG, other notable projects include Bittensor (TAO), which integrates advanced machine intelligence capabilities, and Sui (SUI), known for its lightning-fast transaction speeds. Bittensor allows users to develop and share AI models within a decentralized framework, despite experiencing a recent dip in value. Meanwhile, Sui has gained recognition for its ability to handle thousands of transactions per second, making it an attractive option for decentralized applications. Both projects highlight the innovative approaches reshaping the blockchain landscape. Arbitrum (ARB) and Aave (AAVE) are also making waves in the industry. Arbitrum addresses Ethereum's scalability challenges, offering faster and more cost-effective transactions. Aave, on the other hand, is redefining crypto lending with its unique Safety Module, ensuring secure and reliable borrowing options. With Aave's recent growth of 52.05% in the past month, it continues to solidify its position in the decentralized finance sector. As these projects evolve, they present exciting opportunities for investors looking to capitalize on the dynamic cryptocurrency market.

Acurast, a pioneering project in the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) space, is launching an initiative to expand its reach by recruiting 50 ambassadors. This move aims to enhance its decentralized cloud technology, which is designed specifically for the AI era. The program invites dynamic individuals to join the Cloud Rebellion, a movement focused on reshaping the future of cloud computing. As part of this initiative, ambassadors will play a crucial role in promoting Acurast's mission and engaging with a global audience. Ambassadors will have a variety of responsibilities, including creating content and organizing meetups to share knowledge and creativity. They will also be tasked with amplifying Acurast's presence on social media, engaging with users, and fostering community discussions. This role not only allows ambassadors to represent an innovative project but also provides them with the opportunity to earn rewards in cACU tokens for their contributions. Additionally, they will receive exclusive perks such as branded merchandise and early access to new features, making their involvement both rewarding and exciting. Acurast is looking for passionate community builders, creative marketers, and tech enthusiasts who are eager to drive decentralization forward. The program is designed for individuals who are excited about the potential of decentralized technology and want to make a meaningful impact. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply and take part in building a decentralized cloud that empowers users worldwide, marking a significant step towards the future of cloud technology in the AI era.