Acurast Integrates with Open Node Project to Enable Decentralized AI Clusters

Team Rizzo, which operates subnets and validator services on Bittensor, has successfully secured $25 million in blockchain-based insurance coverage to mitigate hacking risks. According to Coindesk, this coverage was arranged by Native, a digital asset insurance broker specializing in protecting blockchain-related businesses. The insurance is specifically designed to safeguard Rizzo’s validator services and machine learning operations on Bittensor, an AI-driven cryptocurrency network. This move comes in response to the increasing threat of smart contract hacks, which can result in significant token losses, particularly affecting the network's proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. The urgency for such coverage is underscored by recent incidents, including a $1.5 billion loss suffered by Bybit, a major cryptocurrency exchange, due to hackers associated with North Korea. Founded in 2019, Nexus Mutual has been a pioneer in providing blockchain-based insurance, encouraging its community to pool assets into syndicates that cover various crypto-related risks. Native, which manages one of the largest capital pools on Nexus Mutual, also connects clients to traditional insurance markets like Lloyd’s of London for specific crypto insurance needs. The rapid arrangement of the $25 million coverage for Team Rizzo has drawn attention, as it was completed in just four weeks. Native co-founder Dan Ross highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting that it is the first instance of Bittensor being underwritten. Team Rizzo's initiative to secure their own policy aims to instill confidence in potential validators, encouraging them to stake their assets with assurance. This development reflects a growing trend in the cryptocurrency sector, where the demand for insurance solutions is increasing amidst the rising incidence of hacks and exploits. With limited insurance options available, especially in decentralized finance (DeFi) and staking, the swift response from Native demonstrates the potential for innovation in the insurance landscape. The introduction of tailored insurance products for blockchain projects not only enhances security but also fosters trust among users, ultimately contributing to the stability and growth of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

HashPower recently announced a significant milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that secures up to $50 million in investment for its token $HPX. This announcement was made during the AI & DePIN Powerhouse event held in Hong Kong, which attracted over 2,000 attendees, including industry leaders, investors, and innovators. The event featured engaging panels and discussions on the future of decentralized AI and infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in driving technological advancements within the blockchain ecosystem. The strategic partnership established through this MOU involves several key players in the industry, including Aethir, Network3, and IoTeX, among others. The collaboration aims to foster growth in the decentralized infrastructure space by focusing on resource sharing, joint research initiatives, and targeted investments. This initiative is expected to propel the development of AI-powered decentralized infrastructure, enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of various applications within the blockchain domain. In addition to the investment announcement, the AI & DePIN Powerhouse event showcased innovative projects like Network3, which is building a decentralized Edge AI infrastructure, and Autonomys, a decentralized AI stack designed for high-throughput applications. The event highlighted the evolving landscape of crypto mining, AI, and decentralized hardware infrastructure, setting the stage for future advancements in these interconnected fields. HashPower continues to lead the charge in revolutionizing the mining industry, making it more accessible and transparent for participants worldwide.

As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to expand, optimizing charging infrastructure has become crucial to meet user demands while minimizing costs and grid stress. Traditional charging methods often lead to peak load issues and price fluctuations, making it essential to implement innovative solutions. PowerPod aims to tackle these challenges through AI-powered charging stations that intelligently adjust based on real-time data, including power grid conditions, electricity prices, and user preferences. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also provides a cost-effective solution for both users and energy providers. The AI model developed by PowerPod incorporates various data inputs to optimize charging strategies. It analyzes charging station data, grid load levels, user behavior, and environmental factors such as weather conditions. By utilizing Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, the model predicts future energy demand, allowing charging stations to schedule EV charging during the most cost-effective and grid-friendly times. Additionally, Deep Reinforcement Learning (DQN) is employed to dynamically adjust charging rates based on real-time conditions, ensuring that users receive the most efficient charging experience while minimizing costs. PowerPod's AI-driven smart charging system architecture consists of data collection, AI processing, execution, and continuous learning. This innovative approach has been tested in a citywide EV network, yielding promising results. Looking ahead, PowerPod plans to integrate blockchain technology for secure billing, offer personalized charging modes, and collaborate with autonomous driving technologies to create self-operating charging stations. These advancements signify a transformative shift in the EV charging landscape, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the decentralized Web3 ecosystem.

On February 26, Zuvu AI and Vana announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing decentralized artificial intelligence within the Bittensor ecosystem. This collaboration seeks to create a more open and financially sustainable AI environment by integrating various layers of the decentralized AI stack. Zuvu AI, formerly known as SocialTensor, brings valuable experience from scaling four Bittensor (TAO) subnets, while Vana contributes its innovative user-owned data network, recently advised by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Together, they aim to test a new model of AI development that emphasizes collaboration and sustainability. Art Abal, Managing Director at Vana Foundation, highlighted that the partnership effectively integrates Vana’s data layer, Bittensor’s subnet network, and Zuvu’s economic layer to enhance Vana’s DataDAO ecosystem. This integration addresses significant challenges in AI development by allowing models, agents, and data to be invested in, staked, traded, and monetized. With the AI market projected to reach trillions by 2032, this collaboration positions itself to create new opportunities in a rapidly expanding market, as Zuvu powers the AI economy layer. The partnership's strategic integration into Bittensor leverages its incentive-driven network to scale AI development effectively. By merging user-owned data with permissionless computing and economic incentives, this collaboration reflects the disruptive nature of decentralized finance (DeFi) in traditional finance. The partnership is expected to enhance the diversity of Bittensor’s subnets, support the expansion of Vana’s DataDAO, and establish Zuvu as a leader in AI financialization, potentially influencing industry practices. This initiative aligns with the growing trend toward open-source artificial intelligence and responds to the demand for alternatives to centralized AI giants.

Fluence has launched the DePIN Pledge, urging cryptocurrency firms and industry players to commit to utilizing decentralized physical infrastructure network solutions. This initiative is supported by prominent organizations such as IoTeX, Polygon, Helium, and Consensys. Fluence aims to encourage projects to publicly embrace decentralized infrastructure, fostering more transparent and resilient ecosystems. As the web3 and cryptocurrency landscape evolves, the importance of maintaining decentralization has become increasingly critical, especially in light of the growing reliance on centralized infrastructure by many projects. The DePIN Pledge allows firms that commit to it to be listed in a public directory on the DePIN Pledge website, enabling users and traders to identify and support companies that prioritize decentralization. Additionally, participating projects will receive a manifesto and a DePIN Pledge NFT, which is auditable on the Ethereum blockchain. This NFT serves as a symbol of their commitment to decentralization and can be showcased across various platforms and social media channels. Major crypto firms, including Infura, Outlier Ventures, and Blockscout, have also backed this initiative, highlighting a collective effort towards a decentralized future. Tom Trowbridge, Co-Founder & CEO of Fluence, expressed enthusiasm for the pledge, noting that it marks the beginning of DePIN adoption. He anticipates a diverse range of DePIN products and services emerging in the coming years. Clemens Wan, global solutions architect at Consensys, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for decentralized infrastructure that aligns with the core values of web3. The DePIN Pledge represents a significant step towards ensuring that the foundational services of the industry reflect the principles of decentralization, ultimately realizing the full promise of web3.

The Kage App by Chirp is making waves in the Web3 gaming landscape as the world's first DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) game with real-world utility. Users can earn rewards by contributing to a crowdsourced geopositioning database, which has already seen impressive engagement. In just three months, from November 2024 to February 2025, users have scanned over 2 billion unique networks, including 481 million Wi-Fi hotspots and 25 million cell towers. This rapid growth starkly contrasts with traditional Web2 competitors like WiGLE, which took 19 years to reach a mere 551 million networks. The foundation of Kage lies in the concept of wardriving, where users scan for wireless networks while moving through an area. Chirp has gamified this activity, transforming it from a niche practice into a community-driven initiative that builds a decentralized location database capable of replacing GPS in various applications. Unlike many Play-to-Earn games that lack real utility, Kage focuses on creating a geolocation system that can function effectively without reliance on GPS, particularly in areas where traditional systems fail, such as indoors or during GPS jamming. Chirp's geolocation database leverages various wireless signals, including Wi-Fi, cell towers, and Bluetooth, to estimate device locations. This innovative approach not only enhances navigation in challenging environments but also opens up new possibilities for applications in military, IoT, and child safety. As Chirp continues to expand its database, it is poised to capture a significant share of the projected $472 billion GPS market by offering a decentralized and more efficient alternative. Kage is not merely a game; it represents the dawn of a new era in location technology, emphasizing community involvement and real-world applications in the process.