Latest DePIN Funding News

In January, the AO Distribution Protocol opened for community testing, marking significant progress on various Q1 releases, including staking and applications. The development team has shown remarkable improvement month over month, showcasing their ability to work on multiple fronts simultaneously. A dedicated group of testers provided valuable feedback, leading to enhancements in the dashboard's user flow, such as automatic state refreshing after locking and claiming tokens. Additionally, a bug in the operator registry restart process was identified and patched, ensuring smoother operations for users. The team also developed their own Arweave Bundler to facilitate seamless dashboard deployment and enhance censorship-resistant utilities. The protocol team is advancing the staking system for token holders, with new repositories emerging on GitHub that include features for auto-compounding rewards or directing them to register relays without withdrawal. This initiative aims to strengthen community engagement and reward participation. Furthermore, a closer collaboration with Arweave has been established, signaling a commitment to integrating DePIN technologies. On the hardware front, the team is finalizing the router mode and improving user pathways, with plans for expedited hardware shipments to meet Q1 estimates for buyers who faced delays. In terms of network and applications, the team has efficiently delivered updates across mobile and desktop platforms. January saw the introduction of a new hidden service footer, the completion of the first Android APK for testing, and significant progress on the Anyone Browser for iOS. The development of an NPM proxy for app anonymization and a comprehensive Python SDK further illustrates the team's commitment to enhancing user experience. With a focus on integrating key partnerships, such as with Carbon Browser, the team is poised for substantial growth in user adoption throughout 2025 and beyond, tackling significant challenges in the digital landscape.

DePIN Union has announced an exciting partnership with UpRock, marking a significant advancement for both platforms. This collaboration aims to create real-time, unbiased insights that are accessible to everyone, thereby redefining how users interact with information in the digital realm. UpRock's mission is to bridge the gap between centralized artificial intelligence (AI) and decentralized infrastructure, establishing a transparent and impartial data ecosystem that benefits all users. The partnership is set to pave the way for new industrial standards in the realm of data accessibility. DePIN, which operates on a blockchain-powered decentralized infrastructure, made the announcement via its official X account. UpRock is recognized for its innovative approach to AI-focused web crawling and data synthesis, which eliminates biases often found in traditional AI models. By leveraging advanced web crawling techniques, UpRock retrieves meaningful real-time insights while ensuring a streamlined access to data through its decentralized framework. Together, DePIN Union and UpRock are poised to redefine AI-powered intelligence. By integrating DePIN's decentralized infrastructure with UpRock's AI capabilities, the partnership aims to create a more inclusive and user-controlled digital landscape. This collaboration promises to deliver secure, transparent, and accessible data while mitigating the risks associated with centralized control. As both platforms evolve, they stand as beacons for a future characterized by decentralized, impartial, and user-centric insights, ultimately enhancing the knowledge-based environment for all users.

Wingbits Raises $5.6M to Revolutionize Rewards-Based Plane Tracking with DePIN Technology Wingbits, the Web 3.0 startup based in Stockholm, Sweden, has secured $5.6 million in funding led by Borderless Capital and Bullish Capital, with support from Spartan Group, Tribe Capital, Antler, SNZ, and Heartcore. This funding round brings Wingbits' total funding to $9.2 million as they introduce the first decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) for aviation. The company aims to become the largest airplane tracking network globally by implementing well-designed incentives and execution strategies, as stated by Álvaro Gracia, Partner at Borderless Capital. This recent funding follows a $3.5 million seed round just six months ago, supported by investors like Borderless Capital, Tribe Capital, and Antler. Co-founded by Robin Wingardh and Alex Lungu, Wingbits has experienced rapid growth, expanding its network at a rate six times faster than any previous flight tracking system. Alasdair Foster, CEO of Bullish Capital, expressed excitement about partnering with Wingbits, highlighting their disruptive approach to the flight tracking industry by utilizing blockchain to incentivize high-quality data supply.

On January 24th at 6 PM (UTC+8), Roam will officially launch its "Pilot Burning Pool," allowing users to exchange $ROAM tokens by burning Roam Points. This initiative coincides with the Spring Festival and aims to familiarize users with the burning pool mechanism while maximizing the benefits of Roam Points. Users can contribute a minimum of 500 Roam Points and select a burning period. The burning pool features a dynamic conversion rate that varies based on the total burned points and the number of tokens generated during specific time frames, encouraging users to choose optimal burning timings for better returns. After the Token Generation Event (TGE), users can claim their generated $ROAM tokens in their personal Roam wallets. The burning pools consist of three distinct categories: the General "Burning" Pool, which is open to all Roam users for a straightforward participation experience; the Miner "Burning" Pool, tailored for Roam router holders, offering a higher exclusive conversion rate; and the Sticker "Burning" Pool, specifically for Roam Sticker holders, where the burnable points are determined by the number and rarity of their Stickers. Notably, burned Roam Points will be permanently destroyed, while users can earn points through various activities such as adding WiFi nodes, checking in, and inviting friends. Additionally, miner users can enhance their points through mining activities and deploying routers. Roam has seen significant growth, with over 2.5 million registered users across more than 200 countries and regions, and boasts over 1.5 million self-built WiFi nodes. According to the Messari 2024 DePIN report, Roam ranks among the top five DePIN projects globally, with over a million active nodes, maintaining its position as the leader in the DePINscan hardware node rankings. ChainCatcher advises readers to approach blockchain developments with a rational mindset, enhance their risk awareness, and exercise caution regarding virtual token issuances and speculative activities.

Bybit has announced the upcoming listing of Network3 (N3) on its Spot trading platform, with a timeline set for deposits, trading, and withdrawals. N3 deposits will open on January 21, 2025, at 10 AM UTC, followed by the listing on January 22, 2025, at 8 AM UTC. Withdrawals will commence on January 23, 2025, at 10 AM UTC. Users will be able to trade N3 via Spot Grid Bots, and deposits and withdrawals will be facilitated through the Solana network, enhancing the trading experience for users. To celebrate the listing, Bybit is hosting two special events aimed at rewarding users. The first event, titled "Token Splash - New User Exclusive," runs from January 21 to February 5, 2025. New users who register and complete identity verification can earn from a prize pool of 2,800,000 N3 by depositing at least 2,000 N3 or trading 100 USDT worth of N3. The first 4,666 new users to meet these criteria will each receive 600 N3. The second event, also called "Token Splash," invites users to trade at least 200 USDT worth of N3 during the same period to share in a 1,200,000 N3 prize pool, with rewards capped at 16,000 N3 per user. Network3 is a pioneering technology focused on creating a decentralized edge AI infrastructure. It utilizes advanced technologies such as AI model optimization, federated learning, and edge computing to support global AI developers in enhancing their model inference and training processes. With over 570,000 active nodes across 188 countries and a download volume exceeding 50 million, Network3 is positioned as a leader in building a fair and efficient AI ecosystem. The upcoming listing on Bybit marks a significant milestone for both the platform and the N3 project, promising exciting opportunities for traders and investors alike.

io.net, a leading decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) protocol, has recently achieved Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2) compliance, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to security and operational transparency. This certification indicates that io.net has undergone rigorous audits to ensure its systems are secure and that it adheres to high standards of data integrity. Gaurav Sharma, the technology chief of io.net, emphasized that this achievement not only benefits all users but is particularly appealing to enterprises that require partnerships with organizations maintaining top-tier data protection standards. Achieving SOC 2 compliance is often regarded as the gold standard in data security, providing io.net with a competitive edge in the market. The certification validates the protocol's robust security controls and standardized processes, which are crucial for defending against potential exploits and breaches. With a vision of offering decentralized GPU compute solutions, this certification lays a solid foundation for the protocol's future growth and expansion, allowing it to operate on a global scale while competing with industry-leading security standards. The DePIN sector, valued at approximately $27.9 billion, has seen significant trading activity, with io.net's native token, IO, ranking among the top 20 protocols in this space. With a market cap of $389 million, IO has demonstrated resilience and growth potential despite recent market fluctuations. Furthermore, io.net's collaborations with AI protocols, such as Injective and Alpha Network, aim to explore the intersection of blockchain and AI, positioning the protocol for potential leadership in the DePIN market in the near future.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has initiated a lawsuit against Nova Labs, the creator of the Helium Network, claiming that the company sold unregistered securities and misled investors regarding its partnerships with prominent firms. The lawsuit specifically targets three tokens associated with Helium: the Helium Network Token (HNT), Helium Mobile Token (MOBILE), and Helium IoT Network Token (IoT). According to the SEC, these tokens were marketed as securities without proper registration, violating federal laws. The SEC is seeking financial penalties and a prohibition on Nova Labs from engaging in the purchase or sale of crypto assets classified as securities. In addition to the allegations regarding unregistered securities, the SEC accuses Nova Labs of exaggerating its partnerships with major corporations such as Nestlé, Lime, and Salesforce. The lawsuit claims that these companies were misrepresented as active users of the Helium network, leading to cease-and-desist letters from Nestlé and Lime when they discovered the misleading claims. The SEC's filing suggests that Nova Labs executives were aware of the falsehoods, with internal communications indicating disbelief that Nestlé had not challenged them sooner. This raises serious questions about the integrity of the company's business practices. In response to the lawsuit, Helium founder Amir Haleem criticized the SEC's actions on social media, describing the lawsuit as a desperate attempt to undermine crypto companies in the U.S. Haleem argued that if Helium hotspots are deemed securities, it could jeopardize all decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). He emphasized that Helium had clarified its position with the companies involved and expressed determination to contest the SEC's claims, framing the case as a crucial moment for the future of decentralized networks.

Michigan State University (MSU) has officially adopted the EdgeCloud platform for AI research, making it the second academic institution in the United States to join this initiative, following the University of Oregon. The SEIT Lab, led by Associate Professor Qiben Yan, will utilize Theta's decentralized GPU infrastructure to foster advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and distributed systems. As a prominent Tier 1 research institution, MSU's collaboration adds significant value to Theta's academic partnerships in the U.S. Furthermore, EdgeCloud plans to enhance its cloud-based GPU infrastructure across various locations, including California, Texas, and the Midwest, with a beta release of its hybrid cloud-edge computing platform scheduled for June 2025. Professor Qiben Yan is a distinguished expert in IoT security, AI privacy, blockchain resilience, and cybersecurity. His SEIT Lab is at the forefront of research aimed at protecting connected devices and networks from sophisticated cyber threats. Yan's work has been recognized at prestigious conferences and has received notable funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). He expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Theta, emphasizing that the EdgeCloud platform will facilitate the scaling of AI projects that demand high-performance computing while also pushing the boundaries of decentralized technology in secure and intelligent systems for IoT and AI applications. The SEIT Lab is dedicated to creating secure, intelligent systems with a focus on distributed systems, federated learning, and blockchain technologies. Recent projects include NSF-funded research on adversarially robust AI for speech recognition and innovative frameworks for secure smart contracts. By adopting Theta EdgeCloud, the SEIT Lab will benefit from a decentralized cloud platform that significantly accelerates the training and deployment of AI models, reducing GPU resource setup time by up to five times compared to traditional providers. This partnership not only strengthens Theta's academic network but also highlights its commitment to addressing complex challenges across various fields, including media, healthcare, bioinformatics, and finance.

Bitcoin (BTC) has reached a new all-time high (ATH) of $109,350 on January 20, 2025, driven by a surge in cryptocurrency markets ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. The price increase, which saw BTC jump over 6% in early trading, comes amid growing expectations of pro-crypto policies from the incoming administration. Trump has indicated support for digital assets, including proposals for a strategic national Bitcoin reserve, which has fueled market enthusiasm. Tom Trowbridge, Co-Founder and CEO of Fluence, noted that the appointment of David Sacks as the 'crypto czar' signals a significant shift towards a supportive regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. The broader cryptocurrency market has also benefited from Bitcoin's rally, with Ethereum rising 3.5% and XRP increasing by 2%. Chainlink has seen the most significant gains, climbing 15%. Despite reaching a new ATH, Bitcoin's price has faced resistance at previous highs, with key support levels identified at $104,000, $102,400, and $99,500. Analysts suggest that a drop below these levels could indicate a deeper correction, while movements above them may present buying opportunities. In addition to Bitcoin's performance, the newly launched TRUMP token has made headlines, peaking above $70 before experiencing a correction. The token's launch was announced by Trump himself, further energizing the market. With Trump's pro-crypto stance, experts predict ambitious price targets for Bitcoin in 2025, ranging from $175,000 to $250,000, driven by factors such as institutional adoption and the upcoming halving event. As the cryptocurrency landscape evolves, the influence of political developments on market dynamics will continue to be closely monitored.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, certain projects are demonstrating remarkable resilience and growth, while others struggle to maintain relevance. Recent updates highlight Cardano's impressive price growth, which surged by 12% over the past week, despite a slight dip to $1.064. This upward momentum is attributed to the network's innovative upgrades, particularly in on-chain governance, which enhance its scalability and utility. Furthermore, the addition of Cardano to Robinhood Markets has broadened its accessibility for U.S. traders, reinforcing its position as a significant player in the blockchain ecosystem. Analysts are optimistic, projecting that if current trends continue, ADA could reach as high as $6, making it a key asset to monitor in 2025. On another front, Filecoin is solidifying its dominance in the decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) sector with strategic advancements in decentralized storage solutions. The recent "nv23" upgrade, dubbed Waffle, has significantly improved performance and interoperability with Ethereum, paving the way for new cross-chain integrations. Additionally, Filecoin's collaboration with SingularityNET aims to revolutionize AI model training by utilizing secure and decentralized storage. These developments not only enhance Filecoin's utility within the Web3 infrastructure but also attract developers and enterprises, positioning it as a leader in the decentralized storage space. Amidst these established players, a new contender, Web3Bay, is emerging with the ambition to redefine the $5 trillion e-commerce industry through blockchain innovation. By eliminating intermediaries, Web3Bay promises a transparent and user-friendly shopping experience, rewarding participants with its 3BAY token. With $830,000 raised in its presale and features like NFT marketplaces and DeFi staking on the horizon, Web3Bay presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking long-term growth in the Web3 space. As the presale progresses, early participants could see substantial returns, making this an exciting time for those looking to invest in the future of decentralized e-commerce.