Latest DePIN Funding News

The Verida DAO has officially launched its inaugural Verida Private AI Grants Program, aimed at promoting innovation within the realms of Private AI and decentralized storage. This initiative is designed to support groundbreaking projects that leverage the Verida Private Data Bridge, which is set to expand its capabilities by integrating additional data connectors. By doing so, the program will empower developers using the Verida API to access a broader range of user data, ultimately leading to the creation of more sophisticated AI agents and applications. The grants will be available from November 15th to February 15th, with a total grant pool valued at $30,000 in VDA tokens. The program features multiple tiers of funding, catering to various levels of project complexity. Tier 1 offers $500 for extending existing connectors, while Tier 2 provides $1,000 for basic connectors. For more advanced projects, Tier 3 awards $2,000 for high complexity connectors, and Tier 4 grants $3,500 for advanced connectors. This tiered approach encourages a wide range of innovative solutions within the decentralized storage ecosystem. Interested participants can register their interest by filling out a designated form, which will be reviewed by the DAO team. Successful submissions will lead to further discussions about the proposed projects. The Verida DAO is enthusiastic about the potential contributions to the future of Private AI and looks forward to seeing innovative solutions that enhance the decentralized storage landscape. This initiative marks a significant step towards realizing Verida's long-term vision of unlocking data for diverse Private AI use cases.

Arkreen, a Web3-powered infrastructure company focused on renewable energy and carbon reduction, has announced a strategic partnership with GEODNET, a leader in Earth observation and operator of the largest Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) network globally. This collaboration falls under the "Plug for Green Program" (PGP) and aims to enhance carbon neutrality within Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). Together, they are paving the way for a sustainable future by leveraging innovative technologies to address energy consumption and carbon emissions in the mining sector. The partnership introduces a novel approach to monitor energy consumption and offset carbon emissions through the integration of GEODNET's satellite miners and Arkreen's Smart Plugs. By utilizing Arkreen's tokenized Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), users can now directly offset their carbon emissions from brown energy consumption on-chain. This initiative not only promotes a greener mining process but also unlocks new opportunities for participants to engage in environmentally responsible practices while benefiting from dual-mining rewards. As a key player in global Earth observation, GEODNET enhances the capabilities of autonomous systems with its advanced RTK network, which offers significant improvements in positional accuracy. Through the Plug for Green Program, Arkreen equips GEODNET with real-time energy monitoring and innovative green incentives, encouraging the community to adopt carbon-neutral practices. This partnership exemplifies the potential of Green DePIN initiatives, empowering participants to contribute to global sustainability efforts while reaping the rewards of eco-friendly mining.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies, today's top trending altcoins include Drift (DRIFT), Notcoin (NOT), and Grass (GRASS). Drift, the governance token of the Solana-based decentralized exchange Drift Protocol, is gaining traction following its recent listing on the South Korean exchange Upbit. The listing, which pairs DRIFT with Bitcoin (BTC), USDT, and the Korean Won (KRW), has led to a staggering 500% surge in trading volume and an 88% increase in price, currently sitting at $0.95. However, technical indicators suggest that DRIFT may be overbought, with a Relative Strength Index (RSI) reading of 77.05, indicating potential for a price retracement to $0.70 unless buying pressure continues to push it higher. On the other hand, Notcoin (NOT) has not fared as well, experiencing a 16.69% decline in the last 24 hours, bringing its price down to $0.0063. Despite this downturn, Notcoin has formed a falling wedge pattern on the daily chart, which is typically a bullish reversal signal. If the price can hold above $0.0060, there is potential for a rebound towards $0.013. However, a drop below this level could see it fall further to $0.0056, indicating a precarious position for investors. Grass (GRASS) continues to impress, having appeared on the trending list consistently over the past week. The token, associated with the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) project, has surged by 31.81% in the last 24 hours, making it one of the top performers among the top 100 cryptocurrencies. With a positive Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reading, there is optimism that GRASS could climb above $3.33. However, profit-taking by holders could lead to a decline below $2.50, highlighting the volatility inherent in the crypto market.

This month, the decentralized energy network Starpower has successfully graduated from Alliance's 13th phase and has launched an exciting airdrop event. The initiative has already attracted over 200,000 newly registered users, reinforcing Starpower's status as the leading energy decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) in terms of user base. Looking ahead, the project has ambitious plans to surpass 1 million users by 2024 and aims to outpace Tesla's device activation numbers within the next five years, leveraging its innovative DePIN model. According to insights from the Web3 asset data platform RootData, Starpower operates as an open protocol for decentralized energy networks. The recently initiated airdrop event is set to run until the mainnet launch, during which a total of 30 million tokens will be distributed as rewards. These rewards will be allocated to users who purchase devices, activate NFTs, and engage actively within the community. This strategic move not only incentivizes user participation but also aims to build a robust ecosystem around decentralized energy solutions. In light of these developments, ChainCatcher emphasizes the importance of approaching blockchain technology with a rational mindset. Users are encouraged to enhance their risk awareness and exercise caution regarding various virtual token issuances and speculative activities. It is crucial to note that all content provided by ChainCatcher serves as market information or opinions from related parties and should not be interpreted as investment advice. For any sensitive information encountered, users are urged to report it for prompt handling.

On-chain liquidity is essential for the effective trading of tokens on decentralized exchanges (DEXs). The recent launch of the Hivemapper Network has led to the organic formation of on-chain liquidity around its token, HONEY. This proposal aims to allocate up to 750,000 HONEY as a promotional incentive for a user-friendly "liquidity vault" that would enhance on-chain liquidity. By increasing liquidity, the Hivemapper Network can reduce price volatility and foster greater confidence in the HONEY economy, ultimately supporting its overall health and efficiency. The mechanics of DEX trading rely on liquidity pools created by individual users who contribute tokens to facilitate trades. Currently, HONEY has around $450,000 in on-chain liquidity, primarily on Solana's Orca DEX. In contrast, other decentralized physical infrastructure tokens on Solana boast over $3 million in liquidity, highlighting the need for HONEY to bolster its liquidity to avoid excessive volatility and inefficiencies in the market. Liquidity providers earn fees based on their contributions, but they also face risks such as impermanent loss, which can deter participation. To counteract this, some projects offer incentives comparable to staking yields to encourage liquidity provision. The proposed liquidity vault will be an experimental program lasting a minimum of three months, with rewards for liquidity providers varying based on their contributions. If approved, the vault is expected to launch in November, in collaboration with partners from the Solana ecosystem. Educational sessions will be held to inform community members about the benefits and risks of participating in the liquidity vault. The Hivemapper community is invited to engage in discussions and provide feedback on this proposal to ensure the network continues to evolve effectively toward its goal of creating the world's freshest map.

The world is rapidly transitioning towards a cashless future, with digital wallets at the forefront of this evolution. In countries like Sweden, cash transactions are becoming nearly obsolete, and globally, digital wallets facilitated an impressive $13.9 trillion in transactions in 2023. Experts predict that by 2027, almost half of all payments worldwide will be made using digital wallets. This shift is not merely a trend; it signifies a fundamental change in how we perceive money and conduct transactions, with smartphones increasingly serving as our primary payment method. The modern wallet has transformed from a physical leather bifold to a digital app on our smartphones, housing everything from credit cards to cryptocurrencies. The convenience of digital wallets is a significant draw, allowing users to complete transactions with a simple tap, split bills effortlessly, and enjoy frictionless online shopping experiences. Additionally, digital wallets provide enhanced security through advanced encryption and biometric authentication, making them a safer alternative to carrying cash. Users also benefit from features like expense tracking and budgeting tools, which can greatly aid personal finance management. Despite the advantages, the transition to a cashless society presents challenges, including concerns about privacy and the digital divide. As digital transactions become more prevalent, there is a risk of marginalizing individuals without access to technology. To address these issues, digital wallet providers are implementing stricter data protection measures and developing simplified systems for those less familiar with technology. The future of payments is undoubtedly digital, with innovations such as biometric payments and cryptocurrencies poised to further reshape our financial landscape. As we embrace this cashless world, the benefits of convenience, security, and financial management are clear, signaling a significant shift in our interaction with money.

Theta Labs has announced Liner as its latest enterprise customer for Theta EdgeCloud, marking a significant milestone in the realm of generative AI-powered search solutions. Liner, recognized as a global leader in this field and ranked among the Top 10 by Andreessen Horowitz, aims to leverage Theta EdgeCloud to enhance its AI search engine for over 10 million students and researchers. Since the launch of EdgeCloud in June, Theta has gained traction in academic institutions across the U.S. and Korea, with notable collaborations including the University of Oregon and Yonsei University, all focused on advancing AI research. Recently, Liner secured $29 million in Series B funding, led by INTERVEST and Atinum Investment, with contributions from Samsung Venture Investment and others. This funding solidifies Liner's position in specialized information retrieval and supports its rapid expansion in the U.S. market, which boasts over 10 million registered users from prestigious universities. According to Liner's CEO, Luke Jinu Kim, two-thirds of their paying users are from U.S. academia, highlighting the company's strong foothold in this sector. Liner's recognition on the 2024 Emerging AI+X Top 100 list further underscores its growth potential and innovative approach to AI. Liner's AI search engine integrates advanced models such as GPT-4 and its proprietary Liner 7B model, designed for hyper-personalized information retrieval. By employing advanced inference techniques, Liner delivers precise answers from trusted academic sources, catering to the needs of students and researchers. The partnership with Theta will enhance Liner's AI inference capabilities, utilizing EdgeCloud's decentralized GPU resources for faster and more efficient search results. This collaboration not only strengthens Liner's offerings but also aligns with Theta's commitment to providing high-quality infrastructure for academic research.

Verida, a pioneering project in the realm of data privacy, has recently announced several exciting developments that mark significant milestones for the company. The highlight of these updates is the launch of the Verida Vault Alpha, a secure platform that empowers users to manage their personal data across various applications, including Google and Telegram. This innovative solution not only prioritizes user privacy but also opens up opportunities for developers through newly released APIs, allowing them to create AI agents and data DAOs on Verida's secure infrastructure. The Verida Vault aims to ensure that users maintain control over their data while leveraging privacy-first AI technologies. In addition to the launch of the Verida Vault, the company has garnered recognition as a finalist for the $POL Rush competition organized by the Polygon Network. As one of the top ten projects, Verida will be pitching at an upcoming event in Bangkok during Devcon, showcasing its commitment to providing a private data storage solution that supports Personal and Private AI. The community is encouraged to participate in the Community Choice Awards, as their votes could significantly impact Verida's visibility and success in the competition. Verida is also proud to announce its nomination for the Finder Innovation Awards in Australia, further emphasizing the innovative work being done by the team in the Web3 space. As the company prepares for its participation in Devcon, it is launching a whitelist for Verida AI, granting early access to developers focused on user data privacy. This initiative represents a unique opportunity for builders to explore Verida's capabilities and contribute to the evolution of Personal and Private AI. With these developments, Verida is paving the way for a future where individuals can fully control and benefit from their data, and the team is excited to continue this journey with the community's support.

In a week marked by political tension surrounding the U.S. elections, Solana experienced a notable downturn, losing approximately 14% from October 31 to November 5. However, the mood shifted dramatically on election day when Solana's native token, SOL, surged by over 15%, reaching $187. This rebound was driven by a significant increase in trading volume, which more than doubled to over $6 billion. The optimism surrounding Donald Trump's election win, who has been a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency, is expected to lead to more favorable regulations in the U.S., alleviating concerns about Solana's classification as a security. Despite a generally bearish week for the cryptocurrency market, Solana managed to maintain its upward momentum, outperforming rivals like Ethereum and BNB. The Solana ecosystem showcased impressive metrics, with a total value locked (TVL) in DeFi reaching $6.326 billion, giving it a 7.09% share of the DeFi landscape. Additionally, Solana's dominance in the NFT space is evident, commanding over 40% of daily users and significantly outpacing competitors. Institutional confidence is also on the rise, with DApp investments hitting $173 million in Q3, the highest since 2022. As the race heats up for the first U.S. Solana ETF approval, firms like Canary Capital, VanEck, and 21Shares are vying to launch products that track SOL prices. Solana has recently flipped BNB to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, reflecting a wave of market optimism. Furthermore, Solana's DEX trading volume reached 27% market share in October, solidifying its position as a leading player in decentralized trading. With a loyal developer community and high transaction counts, Solana continues to be a major force in the blockchain ecosystem.

October marked a significant milestone for the Anyone Protocol with the launch of the Incentivized Testnet. This release not only introduced a more user-friendly dashboard accessible via dashboard.anyone.io but also included a testnet faucet. The development team addressed several bugs related to distribution logic and hardware validation shortly after the launch. Notably, the protocol is undergoing a major rewrite from Smartweave to AO, a Hyper Parallel Computer built on Arweave. This transition introduces a new programming language, Lua, and incorporates innovative tokenomics features, enhancing the protocol's efficiency and decentralization by allowing client signing through locally running AO processes. In the hardware division, October proved to be productive as well, focusing on simplifying user experience and enhancing routing features. A new mode designed for non-technical users allows for rapid setup of secure hotspots through the Anyone Network, eliminating the need for manual relay configurations. Improvements in Wi-Fi usage, including standardization to WPA2 and automatic SSID scanning, have been implemented. Additionally, bug fixes addressing dynamic IP issues and updates to relay paths are set to be released, further streamlining operations for relay operators. The collaboration with MicroChip to enhance the ATEC encryption chip signifies a commitment to security and innovation within the hardware framework. On the network and applications front, significant updates have been integrated into the Anyone client, including patches for Android JNI changes and enhancements to the deployment processes. The Anyone NPM package has evolved into a comprehensive library, providing developers with advanced circuit configuration capabilities. Core contributor Benjamin Erhart continues to develop libraries for both Android and iOS, with a new Anyone Desktop repository gaining traction on GitHub. As always, the protocol's code remains open-source, inviting community engagement and collaboration.