Coldware Emerges as a Strong Contender Amid Solana's Market Struggles

On May 21, 2025, IoTeX, a prominent Layer 1 blockchain designed for decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), officially launched its Staking Program on DePINscan. This unified staking interface aims to empower users by providing a simplified and trusted gateway to support and earn from innovative DePIN ecosystems. The program initially offers native staking support for Hivello and Functionland, both of which are incubated by IoTeX, along with integrated staking for other projects like Filecoin, Fluence, Swan, and Aethir, in partnership with technical collaborator Parasail. The launch of the staking program is a significant milestone as it aligns with the maturation of DePIN from a nascent concept to a fully developed industry. Qevan Guo, CTO and Co-Founder of IoTeX, emphasized that this initiative facilitates scalable user participation in real-world infrastructure projects. DePINscan is not merely a dashboard; it represents a gateway to the future of Web3 utility, providing visibility into over 100 projects and an ecosystem value exceeding $1 billion. With the introduction of native and cross-chain staking, token holders can now easily delegate to real-world networks, track rewards, and support aligned DePIN projects. The integration of high-profile projects like Filecoin and Aethir highlights IoTeX's commitment to fostering open collaboration and chain-agnostic support. All staking operations are secured by Parasail’s robust infrastructure, ensuring reliability and scalability for future partners. Dom Carosa, co-founder of Hivello, expressed enthusiasm about the staking program, noting it as a significant opportunity for users to engage with decentralized infrastructure intuitively and rewarding. IoTeX plans to continue onboarding new projects and providing extensive support through marketing, infrastructure tools, and cross-chain integrations, inviting developers and builders to join their staking program.

Alpha Liquid Fund has announced a significant investment in the $XNET token ecosystem, reinforcing its commitment to innovative projects in the decentralized wireless (DeWi) sector. The XNET Foundation is at the forefront of transforming mobile connectivity by addressing the limitations of traditional network infrastructure. By utilizing blockchain technology on the Solana network, Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum, and Wi-Fi 6+, XNET empowers local builders to deploy LTE/5G or carrier-grade Wi-Fi in underserved areas. This community-driven approach not only reduces costs but also enhances scalability, offering resilient connectivity solutions that challenge conventional Mobile Network Operator (MNO) models. Recently, XNET Mobile was recognized as an International Data Corporation (IDC) Innovator in DePIN for 2025. In April, the project achieved a notable milestone with a 16% increase in average daily data offload, showcasing its ongoing momentum. Wes Levitt, the Chief Investment Officer of Alpha Liquid Fund, emphasized the tangible impact of XNET, highlighting the consistent growth in data offload and the strong community support that fuels the network's progress. Alpha Liquid Fund specializes in liquid digital assets, maintaining a 90-day liquidity threshold. The fund employs a rigorous fundamental research approach, investing in digital assets both on the open market and through OTC deals directly from crypto projects. By utilizing institutional hedging tools and diversifying across sectors and market caps, Alpha Liquid Fund aims to deliver strong returns with reduced volatility and risk compared to direct digital asset holdings. Meanwhile, the XNET Foundation continues to drive innovation in decentralized wireless networks, striving to create scalable and cost-effective mobile connectivity solutions globally.

Hivello, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) aggregator, has announced the listing of its token $HVLO on DePINscan, a prominent analytics platform for DePINs on IoTeX. This strategic move is set to enhance Hivello's visibility within the DePIN and IoTeX ecosystems, allowing users to access information about Hivello and participate in staking directly on IoTeX's Layer 1 blockchain. With the DePIN market projected to grow significantly, this listing positions Hivello at the forefront of a rapidly evolving sector, catering to both crypto enthusiasts and newcomers interested in decentralized infrastructure. The partnership with IoTeX is a pivotal development for Hivello, as it not only increases the accessibility of $HVLO but also provides users with essential tools and incentives to engage with decentralized networks. Domenic Carosa, Chairman of Hivello, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that it aligns with their mission to onboard Web2 users into the Web3 space. The integration with DePINscan is expected to facilitate a smoother transition for users looking to explore and participate in the DePIN ecosystem, which boasts over 13 million active devices contributing daily. As DePIN adoption accelerates globally, the collaboration between Hivello and IoTeX signifies a major step toward expanding participation in decentralized infrastructure. Qevan Guo, CTO and Co-Founder of IoTeX, highlighted that this launch represents a convergence of technical innovation and strategic partnerships, ultimately making DePIN more accessible to a broader audience. With the market anticipated to soar from $50 billion in 2024 to $3.5 trillion by 2028, Hivello is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth, fostering a new wave of participation in decentralized technologies.

Amsterdam-based Theta Capital Management has successfully raised over $175 million for its latest fund-of-funds, Theta Blockchain Ventures IV, which is designed to support early-stage blockchain startups through specialized venture capital (VC) firms. Ruud Smets, managing partner and chief investment officer at Theta, emphasized that the new fund will invest in crypto-native VC firms known for their ability to back blockchain innovation. Smets highlighted the importance of specialization in the VC space, stating that dedicated crypto VCs have developed a competitive edge over generalist investors, particularly in the initial funding rounds. Since shifting its focus to digital assets in 2018, Theta has managed approximately $1.2 billion and has invested in prominent firms like Polychain Capital and CoinFund. The launch of Theta Blockchain Ventures IV coincides with a resurgence in crypto venture capital, as reported by Galaxy Digital, which noted a 54% increase in VC investment in digital assets during the first quarter of 2025, totaling $4.8 billion. This uptick signals a renewed confidence in the crypto sector following a period of downturn. Despite a decline in the number of deals—405 completed in Q1 2025 compared to 670 in the same period last year—total funding more than doubled year-over-year, reaching $6 billion, up from $2.6 billion in Q1 2024. This indicates that while fewer deals are being made, the overall investment in the sector remains robust. Furthermore, PitchBook's analysis revealed that the majority of the funding, approximately $2.55 billion, was directed towards asset management, trading platforms, and crypto financial services. Infrastructure and development firms also attracted significant investment, raising nearly $955 million. Web3-focused companies followed, securing $231.2 million across 23 deals. Additionally, the anticipated IPO of Circle is expected to be a pivotal moment for the crypto equity market, potentially influencing valuation expectations across the payments and infrastructure sectors. With $1.18 billion in VC funding raised so far, PitchBook estimates a 64% likelihood that Circle will go public, which could further invigorate the market.

The Graph, a prominent indexing and query protocol, has recently integrated Chainlink’s interoperability standard, marking a significant advancement in the cross-chain transfer capabilities of its native token, GRT. This integration allows users to bridge GRT across multiple blockchains, including Solana, Arbitrum, and Base. The Graph team emphasized that this adoption is a crucial step towards enhancing the accessibility and utility of GRT, particularly highlighting the potential benefits for the Solana ecosystem and the broader blockchain landscape. The integration of Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) introduces a range of functionalities, including cross-chain staking, delegation, and query fee payments. This means that developers can now pay for queries on layer 2 chains using GRT, which is expected to streamline operations and enhance user experiences. However, the rollout of these features is contingent upon The Graph successfully launching the necessary bridging infrastructure, which is a critical aspect of this initiative. Chainlink has been actively expanding its technology across the crypto industry, with CCIP gaining notable traction. Recently, CCIP went live on the Solana mainnet, which is anticipated to significantly boost decentralized finance growth by providing access to over $18 billion worth of assets on the chain. Additionally, Lombard has also integrated CCIP, showcasing the versatility and demand for cross-chain solutions in the blockchain space. Since its launch in 2018, The Graph has been a vital platform for developers to build and deploy decentralized applications across various networks, including Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum.

As the digital asset market begins to recover from recent volatility, investors are shifting their focus from speculation to real-world utility and long-term adoption potential. One standout project gaining attention is Qubetics ($TICS), which positions itself as the world's first Web3 aggregator. By combining asset tokenization with a robust marketplace, Qubetics aims to convert physical and digital assets into tradable digital tokens, thus addressing one of blockchain's most pressing challenges. This innovative approach not only enhances accessibility to various asset classes but also empowers businesses and individuals to engage in seamless trading, making Qubetics a key player in the race to hit $1. In addition to Qubetics, other tokens like Kaspa (KAS) and Theta (THETA) are also gaining traction. Kaspa utilizes a high-throughput blockDAG model to achieve rapid transaction speeds, making it a strong contender for decentralized technology. Meanwhile, Theta focuses on creating a decentralized content delivery network for video streaming, rewarding users who contribute bandwidth. Both projects are backed by passionate developer communities and are carving their own paths towards mass adoption, showcasing unique narratives that set them apart in the competitive crypto landscape. The Qubetics presale is currently in its 35th stage, with over $17 million raised and a growing number of early adopters. The presale operates on a 7-day cycle, creating continuous price momentum ahead of the mainnet launch in Q2 2025. As the demand for Qubetics continues to rise, it is increasingly viewed as a leading candidate for the next crypto to hit $1, driven by its focus on real-world utility and strategic growth. With its innovative marketplace and cross-chain compatibility, Qubetics is not just another crypto project; it is a potential disruptor in the financial landscape, making it an attractive option for investors looking for long-term gains.