Framework Ventures leads $2.5 million funding round for Starpower

Acurast has made significant strides by successfully integrating Monad’s testnet into its network, which enhances the capabilities of real-time, high-performance blockchain technology. This integration allows Monad to be seamlessly accessible through Acurast, thereby streamlining the onboarding process for projects within the Monad ecosystem. The collaboration enables projects to utilize Acurast’s decentralized compute network, which offers efficient and cost-effective off-chain computation, ultimately strengthening the Monad ecosystem and providing builders with a more accessible way to leverage powerful processing capabilities. Monad is distinguished for its cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure that emphasizes real-time execution and scalability. The integration with Acurast enhances Monad’s core advantages, such as optimized execution layers that significantly improve transaction throughput and efficiency. Acurast complements this by providing a decentralized compute environment that ensures data integrity and security while maintaining real-time responsiveness. This synergy allows developers to innovate without sacrificing speed or security, paving the way for advanced applications like high-frequency trading algorithms and AI-driven solutions. The importance of this integration extends beyond mere technical enhancements; it signifies a pivotal moment for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). While sectors like Gaming and DeFi have gained traction, DePIN represents the next frontier in decentralized technology. By merging Acurast’s compute network with Monad, the partnership is not only advancing computing capabilities but also making decentralized infrastructure more accessible and robust. With over 37,000 devices onboarded and around 170 million transactions on the Testnet, Acurast is poised to meet the growing demand for real-world applications in the crypto economy, shaping the future landscape of DePIN.

On February 20, 2025, Zeeve, a prominent provider of blockchain infrastructure solutions, unveiled Cogitus, a one-click deployment platform for Avalanche Layer 1 (L1) testnets. This innovative platform allows Web3 startups and developers to launch fully functional public testnets for just $50 for the first six months. Traditionally, deploying an independent L1 network has required significant resources and extensive DevOps expertise, but Cogitus aims to simplify this process, making it more accessible for developers across various industries, including gaming and finance. Avalanche L1s have gained popularity due to their customizable and sovereign blockchain environments. They offer independent governance, validator structures, and economic models while ensuring interoperability within the broader Avalanche ecosystem. With the launch of Cogitus, developers can now deploy and experiment with their own testnets, adjusting configurations in real-time to fit their specific use cases. This flexibility positions Avalanche L1s as a preferred solution for high-performance decentralized applications (dApps) and Web3 startups looking for scalable blockchain solutions. Key features of Cogitus include fully loaded public testnets with preconfigured validator nodes, RPC endpoints, and dedicated explorers, all ready for deployment. The platform automates network configuration, eliminating the technical complexities that often accompany such setups. Additionally, it offers 24/7 proactive monitoring and multi-cloud redundancy to ensure high availability. With a discounted mainnet deployment available for $995, Cogitus by Zeeve is set to revolutionize the way developers launch and scale Avalanche L1s, enabling rapid innovation in sectors like gaming, DeFi, and AI-driven networks.

On February 20th, 2025, in Shanghai, China, Phoenix, a decentralized AI compute network, announced a strategic partnership with TandemAI, a leading firm in AI drug discovery technology. This collaboration aims to deploy TandemAI's advanced AI drug discovery platform, TandemViz, on Phoenix's SkyNet AI compute layer. The integration will facilitate a custom lightweight version of TandemViz to operate on SkyNet's AI node network, allowing research organizations, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies to access the system at no initial cost, with the potential for significantly reduced operational expenses as they scale their usage. The significance of this partnership extends beyond mere technological integration; it represents a transformative shift in the accessibility of AI solutions in drug discovery. Previously, such high-cost and computationally intensive solutions were predominantly available to large corporations. However, this collaboration aims to democratize access, making it feasible for smaller entities, including individual researchers and labs, to leverage these advanced tools. This development is particularly relevant to the decentralized science (DeSci) sector, as it introduces industry-specific AI research tools that can enhance the value proposition of DeSci initiatives, potentially leading to the establishment of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) that provide funding for targeted research causes. TandemAI, founded by industry veteran Lanny Sun, has rapidly grown to employ over 350 professionals, including more than 50 award-winning AI and computational chemists. The firm boasts a client base of over 80 large pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Meanwhile, Phoenix's SkyNet Compute Layer is designed for scalability and efficiency, supporting a diverse range of applications within its AI ecosystem, which includes over 130 applications focused on AI for trading, gaming, and DeSci. This partnership is poised to accelerate innovation in the AI drug discovery space, backed by the $20 million Phoenix AI Ecosystem Fund, launched by JDI Group and Tensor Ventures.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Phoenix, a provider of DePIN AI infrastructure, has teamed up with Tandem AI, an innovative platform specializing in integrated drug discovery. This partnership will see Phoenix deploying TandemViz on its AI compute layer, SkyNet. TandemViz is designed to streamline the drug discovery process by integrating advanced physics-based and AI-driven software with tools that facilitate the management and analysis of wet lab results. Meanwhile, SkyNet serves as a decentralized infrastructure that supports the entire AI compute lifecycle, from training and inference to scaling and deploying AI models with ease. The integration of AI into drug discovery is transforming the industry by addressing the challenges of time and cost associated with traditional methods. The vast chemical space, filled with millions of molecules, complicates drug development, making it a lengthy and expensive endeavor. AI drug discovery accelerates this process by identifying promising compounds and validating drug targets more efficiently. With the new partnership, a lightweight version of TandemViz will be accessible to smaller organizations and independent researchers, democratizing access to advanced AI drug discovery tools that were previously limited to large corporations with substantial resources. This collaboration not only enhances the capabilities of both Phoenix and Tandem but also contributes to the growth of the decentralized science (DeSci) movement. By leveraging decentralized architectures, the partnership aims to provide greater value to the DeSci community, highlighting the potential of these technologies in advancing scientific research. With Tandem's impressive team of over 350 employees and a client base of more than 80 large pharmaceutical companies, this partnership is poised to make significant strides in the field of drug discovery and beyond.

In the midst of ongoing market volatility, Bittensor (TAO) has displayed a remarkable bullish trend, with its price soaring over 33% in just one week. This surge reflects a growing buying sentiment among investors, as evidenced by a 15.61% increase in the last 24 hours and a trading volume reaching $320.474 million. The Year-to-date (YTD) return stands at +4.17%, indicating a strong bullish outlook for this altcoin. Technical indicators such as the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) suggest a consistent rise in buying pressure, while the EMA 50/200-day trendlines hint at a potential Golden Cross, further supporting the optimistic price trajectory for TAO. As the market sentiment remains positive, analysts speculate whether Bittensor can reach a new 52-week high. If the bullish momentum continues, the TAO price could test its resistance level at $500, and maintaining this level may pave the way for a target of $547. However, should a bearish trend emerge, the altcoin may find support at $437.5, with a potential drop to $326 if selling pressure intensifies. Investors are keenly watching these levels as they assess the short-term price prospects of Bittensor in the current market landscape. Looking ahead, the long-term outlook for TAO appears promising, with projections suggesting that if bullish sentiment persists, the price could range between $634 and $1,098 by the end of the year. In an even more optimistic scenario, analysts believe Bittensor could reach a maximum trading value of $3,798. As the cryptocurrency market evolves, Bittensor remains a focal point for investors seeking to capitalize on its potential growth.

In a recent episode of Hashing It Out, Treehouse CEO Brandon Goh discussed the potential of fixed income as a crucial element for the widespread adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi), especially among institutional investors. While DeFi has made significant strides with derivatives, lending platforms, and decentralized exchanges, it has notably lacked fixed income products, which are foundational in traditional finance. Goh emphasized that without standardized benchmark rates, similar to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), scaling fixed-income products in a decentralized environment poses significant challenges. He pointed out that the absence of this asset class in DeFi is largely due to missing infrastructure and benchmark rates, which are essential for establishing a solid fixed income market. To address these challenges, Goh proposed the creation of a decentralized offered rate (DOR), an onchain benchmark aimed at enhancing market efficiency and transparency. This model would enable users to earn predictable returns while minimizing risks associated with yield-generating products. The discussion also touched on how institutional players might approach DeFi, suggesting that they are more likely to engage with stable and transparent yield opportunities, such as staking, rather than high-risk strategies. A reliable fixed-income market could serve as a bridge between traditional finance and the crypto world, facilitating a smoother transition for institutional investors. Looking ahead, Goh predicted that the DeFi landscape would shift towards sustainable growth, moving away from unsustainable high-yield incentives. As regulatory clarity improves and infrastructure develops, fixed income could emerge as a fundamental pillar in the next phase of DeFi's evolution. This episode sheds light on a critical yet underexplored aspect of DeFi that could play a significant role in its journey toward mainstream acceptance.