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In the rapidly evolving landscape of Web3, DEPIN, or Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, is gaining significant attention. This innovative concept leverages the principles of decentralization to transform fragmented resources into valuable services. Amira Valliani, head of DEPIN at the Solana Foundation, emphasizes that DEPIN enables individuals to contribute their idle resources, such as WiFi bandwidth or data collection capabilities, to create a collaborative infrastructure. Projects like HiveMapper and Helium exemplify this model, allowing users to earn tokens by sharing their resources, thereby democratizing access to essential services that were previously dominated by large corporations. The relationship between DEPIN and artificial intelligence (AI) is particularly noteworthy. As AI technology continues to advance, the demand for real-world data is skyrocketing. DEPIN serves as a vital data collection network that can provide the necessary information for AI applications, such as self-driving cars and delivery robots. By utilizing decentralized networks, DEPIN can gather data more efficiently and cost-effectively than traditional methods. This synergy between DEPIN and AI not only enhances the capabilities of AI systems but also opens new avenues for decentralized AI projects, challenging the dominance of major tech companies. Looking ahead, Valliani predicts that DEPIN could evolve into a trillion-dollar industry, driven by the maturation of development tools, the increasing demand for real-world data due to AI advancements, and the influx of practical entrepreneurs into the Web3 space. As DEPIN lowers the barriers to entry for individuals to participate in infrastructure development, it creates new job opportunities and empowers ordinary people to engage in the digital economy. For those who missed the early days of Bitcoin and Ethereum, DEPIN presents a promising opportunity to get involved in the next wave of technological innovation.

The latest research report from Dune and Slice Analytics presents a comprehensive analysis of the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) projects on Solana, highlighting their development status, market performance, and on-chain data. DePIN is emerging as a transformative model that utilizes cryptocurrency incentives to operate real-world infrastructure, such as shared GPUs and telecommunications networks. Solana has positioned itself as a leading platform for these projects due to its high throughput and low transaction costs, making it an ideal environment for the growth of DePIN applications. As of April 2025, the total market value of DePIN projects on Solana reached $3.25 billion, surpassing other blockchain platforms significantly. The report categorizes DePIN projects into five main segments: Compute, Wireless, Sensor, Server, and AI, with the Compute category dominating the market at 71.2%. Projects like Render and Helium are leading the way, providing decentralized processing power and wireless connectivity, respectively. The growth of registered on-chain nodes for DePIN projects on Solana has also been notable, reaching 238,165 by April 2025. Helium, in particular, has seen rapid growth in its mobile user base and node deployment, while Render and Hivemapper continue to expand their contributions to the ecosystem. As the cryptocurrency industry matures, on-chain revenue has become a crucial metric for evaluating the sustainability of these projects. By April 2025, the total on-chain revenue for DePIN projects on Solana reached $5.98 million, indicating a strong product-market fit. Helium emerged as the top earner, while Render and Hivemapper also demonstrated significant revenue generation. The report underscores Solana's dominance in the DePIN space and emphasizes the importance of transparency in tracking on-chain activities, which remains a challenge due to the reliance on off-chain hardware and third-party integrations.

In 2024, the DePIN sector is witnessing a significant surge in interest, as highlighted by Messari's State of DePIN 2024 report. Over 13 million devices are actively participating in various DePIN networks daily, with the total market capitalization of related tokens exceeding $50 billion. Despite this growth, the sector's current scale is modest compared to its potential trillion-dollar market. The report notes that 20 DePIN projects have surpassed 100,000 active nodes, with five exceeding one million. However, these projects face ongoing challenges in demand generation and monetization, which are critical for sustainable growth. Helium, a pioneer in the DePIN space, continues to enhance its network through upgrades and expansions. Following its migration to the Solana chain, Helium saw a rise in IoT hotspots to 32,900 and 5G mobile hotspots to 24,800 by Q4 2024. The partnership with traditional telecom operators has significantly improved network utilization, with Helium offloading over 576 TB of data traffic, marking a 555% increase quarter-over-quarter. Despite these advancements, the DePIN sector struggles with high hardware costs, cold start challenges, node quality issues, and inadequate Sybil resistance mechanisms, which hinder its overall market performance. Emerging projects like CyberCharge are exploring innovative solutions to address these challenges by lowering barriers to entry. CyberCharge has introduced a decentralized charging network with a Charge-to-Earn model, allowing users to earn crypto rewards through everyday charging activities. This approach not only makes participation accessible but also enhances user engagement through interactive features. As the DePIN sector evolves, the focus on real-world applications and sustainable business models will be crucial for attracting users and fostering long-term demand. The future of DePIN looks promising, with the potential for significant growth as it integrates blockchain technology into everyday infrastructure.

AT&T has announced its first foray into decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) through a partnership with Helium, enabling customers to access a network of user-powered WiFi hotspots. This collaboration, revealed on April 24, is seen as a significant advancement in Helium's mission to provide affordable and accessible connectivity. Helium operates a decentralized wireless network where individuals deploy low-power devices called Hotspots, functioning as miniature cell towers and offering wireless coverage in exchange for token-based rewards. Currently, Helium boasts over 93,500 active Hotspots, primarily in the United States. The partnership allows AT&T to leverage Helium's hotspot coverage via Passpoint integration, a WiFi authentication protocol that facilitates automatic and secure connections to participating hotspots. This integration enhances user connectivity, especially in areas with weak mobile signals, while allowing AT&T to expand its service footprint without the need for additional infrastructure. For Helium, this partnership increases the utility of its network and raises its profile among mainstream users. Additionally, AT&T gains access to real-time network quality metrics, providing valuable insights into performance across decentralized nodes, a level of transparency often lacking in traditional infrastructure models. This collaboration is a notable milestone for the DePIN movement, but it is not Helium's first engagement with the telecom sector. Previously, Helium partnered with Telefónica's Movistar in Mexico, integrating its network to support connectivity for over 2.3 million subscribers. Furthermore, Helium has been enhancing its technology stack to promote broader adoption, including a licensing program for hardware manufacturers. The launch of Helium Mobile's Zero Plan in February 2025, which offers free data and talk time by utilizing Helium's decentralized network alongside T-Mobile's 5G service, marks another significant step forward for the project.

SEC Settlement with Nova Labs Over Helium Network Dispute The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently settled a lawsuit with Nova Labs, the developer of the decentralized wireless network Helium. The agreement involved the dismissal of allegations regarding the issuance of unregistered securities and a $200,000 civil penalty. The lawsuit, filed in January 2025 during former Chair Gary Gensler's tenure, marked one of the SEC's final enforcement actions against a cryptocurrency developer before his departure. The settlement, which includes a dismissal with prejudice, signifies that Nova Labs cannot face similar charges related to the issuance of its native token Helium (HNT) in 2019. The company clarified in an April 10 blog post that the distribution of HNT, IOT, and MOBILE tokens through the Helium Network is not considered securities, as confirmed by the outcome of the settlement. Nova Labs also agreed to pay the SEC $200,000 to settle civil securities fraud charges without admitting or denying wrongdoing. This development highlights the evolving regulatory landscape in the crypto industry and the implications for blockchain developers and token issuers.

Helium (HNT) has recently shown signs of a potential bullish trend, despite experiencing a retracement of nearly 24% from its local high of $4.5. On April 12, HNT broke through a significant resistance level at $3.4, suggesting an end to the downtrend that had persisted since the end of January. This bullish structure indicates that Helium bulls are attempting to establish an upward trajectory, although the market remains sensitive to broader cryptocurrency movements, particularly those of Bitcoin (BTC). Currently, HNT is facing crucial support levels at $3 and $2.25, which could come into play due to two primary factors. First, the volatility surrounding Bitcoin poses a risk; if BTC falls below $83k, it could trigger widespread selling across the market, negatively impacting HNT. Secondly, the buying pressure for HNT has not been overwhelming, as indicated by the On-Balance Volume (OBV), which has struggled to surpass its February highs. A sustained uptrend in the OBV could signal a stronger rally for Helium in the near future. On the 4-hour chart, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicates a slowdown in momentum over the past week, with the price action revealing resistance at the bearish breaker block around $3.7. As of now, HNT is trading near the 50% retracement level, with the potential to bounce back above $3.7, contingent on increased buying pressure. However, if Bitcoin drops below $83k, the short-term outlook for Helium could turn bearish, prompting traders to consider selling opportunities targeting a retracement to the $2.75-$3 range.

In a significant development for Helium and the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure (DePIN) movement, the U.S. SEC has officially dismissed its claims of unregistered securities against Helium with prejudice. This ruling means that the SEC cannot refile these charges, effectively clearing a major regulatory hurdle for Helium. As a result, the Helium Network and its associated tokens—HNT, MOBILE, and IOT—can now operate with renewed confidence. Following this announcement, the price of Helium (HNT) surged over 6%, reaching levels not seen in months, raising questions about its potential for further gains. This regulatory clarity is a pivotal moment not only for HNT holders but also for the broader cryptocurrency landscape. The SEC's acknowledgment that Helium Hotspots and its token distribution do not constitute securities removes a significant barrier to adoption. This development allows Helium to expand its operations globally, attract new partnerships, and pursue integrations without the looming threat of legal complications. The positive sentiment among investors is evident in the price charts, which reflect a bullish trend as Helium prepares for a new phase of growth. From a technical perspective, Helium's daily chart indicates a breakout, with the price climbing to $3.72 after weeks of consolidation. The token has reclaimed key moving averages, suggesting strong bullish momentum. If HNT maintains its position above the 100-day SMA at $3.71, it could target the 200-day SMA at $5.32, representing a potential 40% increase. Additionally, the hourly chart shows a recent parabolic spike followed by healthy consolidation, indicating that while profit-taking is occurring, the overall bullish trend remains intact. With the SEC's decision paving the way for Helium's future, projections for HNT could see it reaching between $5.00 and $6.00 in the near term, solidifying its status as a leader in the DePIN sector.

Last week, the cryptocurrency market experienced a mixed performance, with notable tokens like Onyxcoin, Fartcoin, Jasmy, Hyperliquid, and Helium witnessing significant gains. In contrast, other altcoins such as Tezos, EOS, Movement, Toncoin, and Ethereum faced double-digit declines. Bitcoin remained in a consolidation phase, despite the US dollar index dropping and U.S. equities fluctuating. This article highlights Fartcoin, Solana, and Arbitrum as the top cryptocurrencies to monitor this week due to their recent performances and market dynamics. Solana, a prominent layer-1 network, is gaining attention this week due to a notable increase in transactions. According to Nansen data, Solana's transactions surged by 6.6% over the past week, reaching 355 million, while transaction fees exceeded $6.15 million. Additionally, Solana has surpassed Ethereum in decentralized exchange transactions, processing over $15 billion recently. The SOL price has rebounded to $129 after hitting a low of $94.65 earlier this month, with potential for further gains as it approaches the 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement level at $170. Fartcoin is another cryptocurrency to watch, having surged over 364% from its lowest point this year, marking its highest level since February 1. This surge is attributed to whale accumulation, creating a fear of missing out among investors. Technically, Fartcoin has formed a cup and handle pattern, indicating potential for further upside, with bulls targeting a key resistance level at $1.5. Meanwhile, Arbitrum, despite being in a downtrend, has seen a 40% increase in DEX transaction volume, reaching $4.6 billion. As it approaches a milestone of $500 billion in DEX transactions, the upcoming token unlock worth over $28 million could influence ARB's price, which has formed a bullish divergence pattern, suggesting a possible rebound ahead.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially dismissed its lawsuit against Nova Labs, the company responsible for the Helium Network. This decision clarifies that the tokens and hotspot devices associated with the Helium blockchain do not qualify as securities. Helium stated that the SEC's ruling indicates that "selling hardware and distributing tokens for network growth does not automatically make them securities." This landmark decision not only sets a precedent but also alleviates legal uncertainties surrounding the regulatory treatment of decentralized physical infrastructure networks, marking a significant shift in the SEC's approach under new leadership. The lawsuit, originally filed on January 17, accused Nova Labs of violating securities laws through unregistered offerings and misleading investors regarding partnerships with major corporations like Nestlé and Salesforce. The dismissal of this case is particularly notable as it was one of the last enforcement actions taken by former SEC Chair Gary Gensler before his departure. Helium co-founder Amir Haleem described the SEC's actions as "the last gasp of a failed crusade against crypto companies in the U.S." Following the dismissal, Nova Labs reached a modest settlement of $200,000 related to its Series D equity financing, which is significantly lower than penalties imposed in previous crypto-related cases. The resolution of this case is part of a broader trend of reversals by the SEC under the newly appointed leadership of Paul Atkins, who was confirmed by the Senate. During the interim period after Gensler's exit, the SEC has moved to dismiss several major crypto enforcement actions and has issued statements exempting various crypto activities from securities regulation. Despite the positive news for Helium, the network's native token, Helium (HNT), saw little movement, remaining at $2.76 according to CoinGecko data.

In a significant development within the DePIN ecosystem, the DoubleZero Foundation has secured a remarkable investment of $28 million from top venture capital firms, including Dragonfly and Multicoin Capital. Founded by Austin Federa, who previously played a pivotal role at the Solana Foundation, DoubleZero aims to create a robust web3 infrastructure by addressing the challenges faced by current blockchain networks. The project is designed to enhance bandwidth and reduce latency, facilitating smoother operations for web3 applications. The investment signals strong support from the Solana ecosystem, indicating a collective effort to build a physical infrastructure network that can rival traditional web2 solutions. Another noteworthy project, Roam, has emerged as a decentralized wireless network built on the Solana blockchain. Launched on March 6, Roam aims to provide seamless WiFi and eSIM connections globally, boasting over 2.3 million users and 2 million WiFi nodes across 190 countries. With a market capitalization exceeding $60 million, Roam utilizes blockchain technology to ensure secure connections and automatic network switching. Its innovative approach, combined with a strong incentive mechanism for users to share WiFi, positions Roam as a leading player in the DePIN space, drawing comparisons to Starlink for its ground-based communication solutions. As of mid-March 2025, the DePIN ecosystem on Solana has flourished, with a market value surpassing $25 billion. This growth is attributed to Solana's technical advantages, such as high throughput and low transaction costs, making it an attractive platform for DePIN projects. The Solana Foundation's proactive support through funding and hackathons has further nurtured this ecosystem. With approximately 78 DePIN projects currently active on Solana, including notable names like Helium and Render Network, the platform is poised to lead the way in decentralized physical infrastructure, showcasing its potential to reshape the future of connectivity and data sharing in the blockchain space.