DePIN Sector Sees Surge in Social Activity: $TAO Leads the Pack

Last week, the blockchain fundraising landscape witnessed a significant surge, with 26 projects collectively raising a remarkable $267 million. The standout was World Foundation, which successfully completed a $135 million public token sale aimed at creating a proof-of-personhood protocol that facilitates universal digital identification and global financial access. Following closely was Catena Labs, which secured $18 million in seed funding to develop an AI-native financial institution. Other notable projects included Roxom, True Markets, and Hyperdrive, each attracting substantial investments to enhance their innovative offerings in the blockchain space. In addition to fundraising, the week also saw notable mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that are reshaping the blockchain ecosystem. DePIN Pulse made headlines by acquiring DePIN.Ninja and Who Loves Burrito, consolidating fragmented data within the DePIN ecosystem. This strategic move aims to streamline operations and enhance data analytics capabilities. Meanwhile, Alchemy expanded its portfolio by acquiring NFT launchpad HeyMint, which provides no-code tools for NFT creation, thereby bolstering its Smart Wallets initiative. Apex Group also announced plans to acquire Tokeny, further solidifying its commitment to digital asset infrastructure. On the venture capital front, Theta Capital Management launched Theta Blockchain Ventures IV, a $175 million fund-of-funds dedicated to supporting crypto-native VCs focused on early-stage blockchain startups. This fund aims to leverage the expertise of specialist managers to navigate the evolving landscape of digital assets. Insights from industry experts highlighted a shift in crypto VC dynamics, with a focus on long-term fundamentals rather than speculative investments. As the sector continues to mature, these developments signal a promising trajectory for blockchain innovation and investment.

Acurast, a pioneering decentralized compute network based in Zug, Switzerland, has recently announced the integration of Solana Wallet support into its Android and iOS applications. This significant update aims to simplify the onboarding process for new contributors, allowing them to utilize wallets like Phantom to connect their smartphones and provide compute power while earning rewards. With this enhancement, Acurast is not only expanding its accessibility but also reaching a broader audience within the web3 ecosystem. Co-Founder Alessandro De Carli emphasized the importance of inclusivity and ease of access in decentralized computing, stating that the future must be fast and user-friendly. The core mission of Acurast is to redefine cloud computing by transforming everyday smartphones into secure, decentralized compute nodes. Leveraging Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) found in modern mobile devices, Acurast offers a scalable and confidential compute infrastructure that operates independently of centralized data centers. With over 65,000 active phones contributing to the network and processing 250 million transactions across 130+ countries, Acurast has established itself as the world's most decentralized compute network, showcasing the potential of community-driven technology. The integration of Solana Wallets is particularly noteworthy due to Solana's reputation as a fast and cost-effective blockchain ecosystem with a growing user base. This development allows users to quickly connect their wallets to the Acurast Hub, onboard their devices in minutes, and securely provide compute resources. The latest versions of Acurast Core and Acurast Lite are now available on both the Play Store and App Store, making it easier than ever for users to join the movement towards a resilient and community-powered compute network, especially in light of vulnerabilities in traditional cloud infrastructure.

On April 11, 2025, Titan Network held a significant Community Space AMA, focusing on its roadmap progress, technical upgrades, and opportunities for builders and contributors. The session featured project announcements, comprehensive answers to community-submitted questions, and a clear outlook for the path to the mainnet. Key topics included the finalized roadmap, which outlines essential steps leading to the mainnet launch, such as the release of the technical whitepaper, tokenomics paper, exchange pre-approvals, Series A fundraising, codebase finalization, and audit processes. Titan Network is gearing up for a mainnet launch this year, emphasizing the importance of a secure, fully audited, and functionally complete rollout. The AMA also highlighted updates on Testnet 4, which is now accessible on Windows, allowing for easier node setup. Additionally, the new L1 node optimization plan promises increased rewards for compliant nodes post-mainnet. With TNT4 staking surpassing $1 million in staked tokens and a new cross-chain bridge enabling staking between Solana and Titan chain, the ecosystem is expanding rapidly. The team is also working on merging Testnet 3 and 4, although no specific date has been set yet. In terms of functionality and infrastructure, Titan's app is undergoing significant upgrades, including UI unification and intuitive node management. The team is exploring ambitious use cases, such as providing CDN infrastructure for major Web2 platforms. Future plans include attending global Web3 events and exploring partnerships in gaming and virtual worlds. The AMA also touched on tokenomics, with plans for dynamic reward adjustments, potential token burns, and governance tools post-mainnet. Community involvement is encouraged through various initiatives, including testing features, content creation, and a potential regional ambassador program, ensuring that Titan Network remains engaged with its user base.

On April 30, 2025, Crypto’s Got Talent (CGT) concluded its first phase, showcasing a groundbreaking live talent show dedicated to the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) movement. Powered by IoTeX in partnership with Polygon Labs and ElizaOS, CGT has redefined the traditional grant process by offering enhanced visibility, transparency, and community engagement. The event garnered significant attention, with over 190,000 impressions and 40,000 live views per episode, culminating in nearly 3,000 community votes. Eleven exceptional projects have progressed to Phase 2, where they will present detailed demos for a chance to secure a $500,000 grant. CGT is not merely a talent show; it serves as a global launchpad for innovators and creators. Jing Sun, Co-Founder of IoTeX, emphasized the importance of this platform, stating that it connects real-world problems with innovative solutions. The semi-finalists, including Nubila, DeCharge, and JamGalaxy, were evaluated by prominent figures in the Web3 ecosystem, such as venture capitalists and DePIN experts. Giuseppe De Luca, Head of Developer Relations at IoTeX, highlighted the significance of developers in the Web3 landscape, noting that CGT provides them with a vital platform to transform their ideas into impactful movements. As Phase 2 approaches, live-streamed demos and in-depth Q&A sessions will allow semifinalists to showcase their projects' market fit and deployment strategies. Evaluations will focus on technical feasibility and real-world adoption potential, with input from both community members and industry leaders. With support from notable organizations like Messari and Samsung Next, CGT is poised to become a premier stage for emerging DePIN startups, fostering innovation and collaboration in the blockchain space.

As the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) sector gains traction in the cryptocurrency landscape, a critical question arises regarding its position within the U.S. regulatory framework. Current congressional legislation primarily addresses digital assets in a broad sense, encompassing stablecoins, tokens, and market infrastructure. However, the implications for DePIN are profound, as these policies will influence how DePIN projects secure funding, incentivize contributors, and deliver real-world services. Notably, legislation such as the STABLE Act and the GENIUS Act could significantly impact the stablecoin ecosystem that many DePIN projects rely on, potentially steering them towards more centralized options. The FIT21 Act, which classifies tokens based on their decentralization and utility, is particularly relevant for DePIN. Tokens like $IOTX (IoTeX) serve as crucial infrastructure enablers, rewarding users and validating data. If classified as securities, these tokens could face stringent regulations that limit their exchange listings and user access. Additionally, the Digital Asset Market Structure Act introduces compliance requirements that may burden DePIN projects, especially those interacting with real-world payments. These developments highlight the urgent need for clarity in the regulatory landscape to foster innovation within the DePIN sector. Advocacy efforts led by IoTeX and the Blockchain Association are pivotal in ensuring DePIN's recognition as legitimate infrastructure rather than mere financial speculation. Their recent engagement with congressional offices aims to educate lawmakers on the real-world applications of DePIN, emphasizing the need for supportive regulations. As the U.S. navigates this evolving landscape, it faces a choice: to lead in infrastructure innovation or risk losing it to other nations. With continued advocacy, DePIN can secure its place as a vital component of the national infrastructure narrative, paving the way for a decentralized future that benefits society as a whole.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially dismissed its lawsuit against Nova Labs, the company responsible for the Helium Network. This decision clarifies that the tokens and hotspot devices associated with the Helium blockchain do not qualify as securities. Helium stated that the SEC's ruling indicates that "selling hardware and distributing tokens for network growth does not automatically make them securities." This landmark decision not only sets a precedent but also alleviates legal uncertainties surrounding the regulatory treatment of decentralized physical infrastructure networks, marking a significant shift in the SEC's approach under new leadership. The lawsuit, originally filed on January 17, accused Nova Labs of violating securities laws through unregistered offerings and misleading investors regarding partnerships with major corporations like Nestlé and Salesforce. The dismissal of this case is particularly notable as it was one of the last enforcement actions taken by former SEC Chair Gary Gensler before his departure. Helium co-founder Amir Haleem described the SEC's actions as "the last gasp of a failed crusade against crypto companies in the U.S." Following the dismissal, Nova Labs reached a modest settlement of $200,000 related to its Series D equity financing, which is significantly lower than penalties imposed in previous crypto-related cases. The resolution of this case is part of a broader trend of reversals by the SEC under the newly appointed leadership of Paul Atkins, who was confirmed by the Senate. During the interim period after Gensler's exit, the SEC has moved to dismiss several major crypto enforcement actions and has issued statements exempting various crypto activities from securities regulation. Despite the positive news for Helium, the network's native token, Helium (HNT), saw little movement, remaining at $2.76 according to CoinGecko data.