Latest DePIN Funding News

A recent MV Global report highlights the transformative potential of DePINs in the Web3 space, with over 1,000 projects and a $50 billion market cap. DePINs, decentralized physical infrastructure networks, aim to decentralize real-world systems like communication networks and energy markets. The report predicts a $128 billion market for decentralized data storage by 2028, driven by AI demand. DePIN projects are gaining traction, attracting both existing Web3 users and newcomers from Web 2. Emerging projects like Helium and Destra.network are disrupting traditional infrastructure, while specialized blockchains like Peaq and IoTeX cater to unique network needs. Projects in sensor networks and energy storage solutions are also on the rise, with Daylight and EC3 leading the charge. Established players like Filecoin and Arweave are poised to benefit from the growing demand. The report emphasizes the significant impact DePINs can have on real-world infrastructure across various sectors.

Theta Labs has partnered with Seoul Women's University to provide its AI research lab access to Theta EdgeCloud's decentralized GPU computing power. This collaboration aims to enhance AI research in healthcare, bioinformatics, and finance by reducing costs and boosting computational power. Theta EdgeCloud, built on the Theta Network, offers scalable GPU computing resources for various applications, thanks to its distributed network of over 30,000 nodes. The partnership with SWU exemplifies how decentralized infrastructure networks like Theta EdgeCloud can solve real-world problems, particularly in reducing costs and increasing research productivity. By leveraging Theta's decentralized GPU network, universities can overcome financial and logistical hurdles in AI research, leading to increased innovation and democratization of AI research. The DePIN sector, which includes technologies like Theta EdgeCloud, is experiencing rapid growth, with Messari predicting a market value of $3.5 trillion by 2028. Early-stage DePIN projects have attracted significant venture capital funding, with over $246 million raised across 70 deals by August 2024, marking a 296% surge year-over-year.

The Grass airdrop faced backlash as participants received minimal token rewards, sparking disappointment and criticism. Users expressed frustration over inadequate allocations and lack of communication from the project. In response, Grass introduced the Grass Foundation to address concerns and uphold its mission of decentralizing data management for AI training. Despite community dissatisfaction, Grass secured $4.5 million in funding from investors like No Limit Holdings, Polychain Capital, and Tribe Capital. Moving forward, Grass must prioritize transparent reward distribution to regain user trust and support.

Polygon Ventures and Amber Group co-led a funding round for Edge Matric Chain (EMC), a project focusing on decentralized AI applications. EMC plans to launch a Layer-1 blockchain for AI, enhancing GPU computing capabilities. The investment will introduce a new asset class in decentralized finance, backed by tokenized GPU resources. This move signifies Polygon's deeper expansion into AI and DePIN sectors. The rise of AI and DePIN is a top trend in 2024, with projections of adding $20 trillion to global GDP by 2030. UAE firms have launched a $500 million fund for DePIN and AI development, while Vitalik Buterin sees DePIN as crucial for DeFi. The market capitalization of DePIN is nearing $19 billion, with projects like Render and Bittensor leading the way.

Blockmate Ventures Inc announces a strategic partnership between Hivello Holdings and Mysterium Network, aiming to enhance passive income opportunities for users on both platforms. Users can now share internet bandwidth as a Mystnode on the Mysterium Network, in addition to unused computing power. Key features include user participation, passive income streams, contributing to an open internet, and strengthening decentralized infrastructure. The partnership is expected to expand the reach of both platforms and drive adoption of decentralized technologies.

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Projects (DePIN) are booming in funding, with a 296% increase in seed investments, reaching a total market valuation of 20 billion dollars. IoTeX and peaq have raised significant amounts, reflecting growing investor interest. These projects aim to decentralize critical physical infrastructures, ushering in new economic models. While new players challenge established giants like Filecoin and Helium, profitability remains a challenge. Success lies in turning technological promises into widely adopted products.

Aethir token (ATH) experiences a 35% surge after being listed on South Korea's top exchanges, Upbit and Bithumb. The token, known for its applications in AI and gaming, solidifies its presence in the market. With a strong market debut and trading incentives, Aethir aims for new highs amidst sector growth. Despite the revenue success and increased open interest, caution is advised as no DePin project has proven long-term viability yet. The surge in open interest and trading volume indicates a volatile market environment for Aethir.

August 2, 2024 - Daylight, a pioneering DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) project, has secured $9 million in a Series A funding round, as reported by The Block. The investment was led by A16z Crypto, with participation from Framework Ventures, Lattice Fund, Escape Velocity, and Lerer Hippeau. This latest round brings Daylight's total funding to $13 million. IoTeX, a modular ecosystem actively expanding into the DePIN new energy sector, was an early supporter of Daylight, having participated in its seed round in 2022. Daylight operates as a distributed energy protocol, enabling users to connect their energy devices to its dApp and earn rewards. Additionally, users can access the Daylight marketplace to obtain energy upgrades for their homes or buildings, such as solar panels, EV chargers, heat pumps, and water heaters. Last month, IoTeX unveiled its 2.0 strategy, evolving into a modular open platform for DePIN. The company aims to provide comprehensive support to promising projects through its ecosystem fund, accelerator program, and incentive schemes. This support encompasses technical, resource, and capital assistance to facilitate rapid project growth. This investment in Daylight aligns with the growing interest in decentralized infrastructure for sustainable energy solutions. As the DePIN sector continues to expand, projects like Daylight are poised to play a crucial role in the future of distributed energy systems.

Raad Labs, a climate tech company, has secured a $2.25 million funding round to enhance climate data measurement and forecasting. The blockchain-enabled network, led by CoinFund and other investors, monitors weather patterns, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil degradation. Raad Labs aims to provide businesses and governments with high-quality data to prevent climate disasters cost-effectively. With the global forecasting market expected to grow, the company's technology has applications in various sectors, including AI and methane detection.

Meltem Demirors, a prominent figure in the crypto industry, is advocating for the development of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs), predicting they will lead to the creation of numerous multi-billion-dollar companies within the crypto space. Demirors, who serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at CoinShares, emphasizes the importance of sensible regulation that supports innovation while aligning with the core values of the crypto ecosystem. She has been instrumental in guiding CoinShares to become a top investment firm in the crypto market, managing billions of assets and pioneering new financial solutions. Demirors also highlights the need for the US to adopt a legal framework that encourages creativity and aligns with the values of the crypto ecosystem, drawing attention to the challenges faced by US entrepreneurs compared to those in countries like China, which has made significant progress in fintech under government oversight.