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**Regulators Acknowledge Benefits of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN)** Regulators have recognized the unique advantages brought by decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), as stated by Greg Osuri, the founder of Akash, a DePIN protocol. Osuri aims to persuade regulators that DePIN should be supervised differently from other crypto sectors. A recent meeting with a key staffer from the U.S. House committee overseeing commerce and trade was described as 'productive' by Osuri. Akash and competitor InFlux Technologies have joined forces to establish a DePIN and Web3 advocacy group to create a regulatory framework for the sector. Advocates of DePIN emphasize the real-world value these projects offer by granting users control over physical infrastructure networks using blockchain technology. Alvaro Garcia from Borderless Capital highlighted that DePIN projects stand out from traditional crypto ventures as their value is derived from outside the crypto sector. Osuri echoed this sentiment, mentioning that regulators are taking notice of DePIN's disruptive potential in mainstream markets. VCs like Borderless Capital have shown interest in DePIN, with a recent $100 million fund dedicated to the sector, investing in projects like Helium and GEODNET. Osuri argues for a distinct regulatory approach for DePIN compared to sectors like DeFi. Akash and InFlux Technologies have formed an advocacy group to educate regulators on the unique value proposition of DePIN. Osuri stressed the importance of differentiating DePIN from other crypto sectors in regulatory discussions to ensure lawmakers understand its distinct characteristics and benefits. Despite utilizing crypto features, Osuri believes that emphasizing the advantages of DePIN is more crucial than focusing on the 'crypto' aspect.

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePin) are making significant strides in the tech industry by facilitating decentralized projects that focus on real-world infrastructure. Recently, the DePin sector has seen notable developments, including the listing of the GRASS token on OKX's pre-market futures platform. This allows users to trade USDT-margined futures on the GRASS token, which is the native asset of the Grass project. The futures went live on October 14, 2024, enabling users to monetize unused bandwidth by selling it to vetted companies, thereby creating a fairer marketplace for proxy services. Additionally, the Grass Foundation is set to release a checker for its highly anticipated “Airdrop One” on October 21, 2024, marking it as potentially the most widely distributed airdrop in crypto history. In another significant move, Aethir, a decentralized GPU-as-a-service network, announced the launch of a $100 million Ecosystem Fund aimed at fostering AI and cloud gaming initiatives. A substantial portion of this fund will be directed towards the Aethir Catalyst program, which offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 to emerging developers. This initiative not only provides financial backing but also grants access to Aethir's extensive GPU resources, enabling developers to create decentralized cloud-based games and integrate AI solutions. Aethir's strategic investment in this area reflects its commitment to enhancing its presence in the rapidly growing cloud gaming and AI sectors. Analytics platform LunarCrush has also highlighted the top DePIN projects based on social media mentions, with Bittensor (TAO) leading the pack with 10,880 mentions, indicating a surge in community interest. MultiversX (EGLD) and ICP (Internet Computer Protocol) followed, showcasing their growing presence in the decentralized infrastructure space. While DePIN is still evolving and faces challenges, it plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between synthetic and real-world assets, thereby supporting traditional infrastructure in areas where conventional models fall short.

The recent Theta Hackathon has concluded successfully, showcasing an impressive array of projects focused on AI, video, and gaming. This event highlighted the contributions of talented developers and teams who are dedicated to building a decentralized future for media and entertainment. Among the standout projects, TPLAY emerged as the winner of the Video/Rendering track. TPLAY is a revolutionary social network designed for sharing videos on the Theta Network, allowing users to upload or create AI-generated videos, engage in contests, and win exciting prizes. This platform not only transforms video content creation and sharing but also offers a unique blend of technology and creativity. TPLAY is more than just a video-sharing platform; it is a comprehensive ecosystem that empowers users to control their content. Users can securely upload and share videos, utilize decentralized storage solutions, and leverage advanced AI tools for video creation. The platform encourages user engagement through weekly contests where participants can win prizes based on audience interaction. Additionally, TPLAY offers interactive features such as liking, commenting, and sharing videos, along with real-time updates on contest standings and video processing, enhancing community engagement. The technical architecture of TPLAY integrates modern web technologies with the Theta Network blockchain, facilitating user interactions through decentralized wallets. The platform processes video uploads and manages blockchain interactions via smart contracts, ensuring secure token transactions and contest management. Future enhancements for TPLAY include the introduction of advanced AI tools for video editing, the establishment of a DAO for user-driven feature proposals, and a transition to a fully decentralized storage solution. Congratulations to the winning team for their innovative contributions to the Theta Ecosystem!

In an exciting development for the Web 3.0 landscape, aZen Protocol has announced a strategic partnership with Stratos. This collaboration aims to merge aZen's innovative DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) and SocialFi technologies with Stratos' robust decentralized storage and computing services. By combining these strengths, the partnership is poised to enhance the efficiency and security of decentralized infrastructures, paving the way for a more integrated and user-friendly Web 3.0 experience. At the heart of aZen Protocol is its DePIN framework, which transforms computing resources and applications into NFTs, allowing for efficient management and seamless integration. This framework supports universal computing tasks across various networks and devices, ensuring scalability and security. Additionally, aZen Connect, the SocialFi component, incentivizes user engagement through a click-to-earn model, making it a valuable tool for social media marketing and community interaction. This innovative approach not only rewards participation but also enhances digital traffic, creating a vibrant ecosystem for users. Stratos, known for its decentralized infrastructure, provides essential services that include storage, computing, and blockchain capabilities. With a network of over 800 storage nodes and a capacity exceeding 14 PB, Stratos offers a decentralized alternative to traditional cloud services, ensuring transparency and privacy. The partnership will leverage Stratos' decentralized storage to bolster aZen's tokenized computing resources and enhance the user experience on aZen Connect. Together, aZen and Stratos are set to redefine the landscape of decentralized infrastructure and social engagement, empowering developers and users alike in the evolving Web 3.0 environment.

Taking place on September 16th at Hopscotch Bar Singapore, as part of TOKEN2049, this event is set to be a major highlight in the crypto community. The DePIN Alliance event, powered by U2U Network and JDI Ventures, promises a dynamic experience, featuring key figures from the blockchain industry. Attendees will hear from over 10 leading venture capital firms, managing portfolios of more than $1 billion. Notable names like JDI Ventures, Chain Capital, V3V Ventures, and Foresight Ventures will be speaking. These VCs are crucial players in the DePIN ecosystem, offering valuable insights into the future of blockchain technology and investments. Bringing DePIN, AI & IP to Singapore! This September in Singapore, get ready to dive into the future of blockchain at our exclusive side event during @token2049, the world’s biggest crypto gathering 🔥. Let’s see how we turn up the heat, more information will be revealed soon! pic.twitter.com/9Ima9M9ozc. The event will also spotlight more than 30 global founders and innovators, including companies like Owlto Finance and Orochi Network. These innovators are at the forefront of blockchain advancements and will share their visions for the future of digital assets. As a media partner for the event, Altcoin Buzz is excited to see how the DePIN Alliance will shape the future of blockchain technology. The focus on merging DePIN, AI, and IP into real-world assets (RWAs) is particularly intriguing. It’s a unique opportunity to see how these different fields intersect and drive innovation.

IoTeX has introduced a novel approach in decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePins) called the Modular DePin Infrastructure, which aims to redefine the creation and functionality of Web3 technologies. This innovation is more efficient and cost-effective compared to traditional infrastructures. The Modular DePin Infrastructure addresses the challenges faced by DePin startups, such as limited funding and technical difficulties, by offering a flexible and community-driven framework. The infrastructure's modular design allows for the assembly of customized applications through various modules, such as hardware abstraction, connectivity, sequencer, data availability, long-term storage, off-chain computing, blockchain, identity, and governance. Developers can select and combine these modules based on their project's specific needs, providing unparalleled adaptability. The modular system's flexibility supports the development of a wide range of DePin applications, including sensor networks, connectivity networks, and computing networks. Significant DePin projects like DIMO, Hivemapper (HONEY), WeatherXM, Helium, Nodle (NODL), Wicrypt (WNT), Render Network (RNDR), and Akash Network (AKT) exemplify the successful application of this modular infrastructure. The connectivity module explores wireless communication techniques to enhance connections within Web3 networks, incorporating technologies like Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, WiFi, and 5G. The sequencer and data availability modules have been adapted from existing solutions to better suit DePin applications, while long-term storage solutions like Filecoin (FIL) and Arweave (AR) meet these applications' storage needs. Blockchain platforms such as Ethereum (ETH), IoTeX, and Solana (SOL) provide essential infrastructure for development.

The DePIN Alliance Yacht Party, organized by U2U Network, Chain Capital, and JDI Ventures, was a landmark event in the blockchain community, marking Asia's first and largest DePIN gathering on a yacht during GM Vietnam – Vietnam Blockchain Week. The event attracted over 200 top-tier venture capitalists, industry leaders, and influential figures, generating over 1 million impressions across social media and event channels. With an aim to foster growth within the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN), the event featured an inspiring opening speech by Mr. Luu Tran, Co-Founder & CEO of U2U Network, who emphasized the revolutionary impact of DePIN technology. Chain Capital's Founder, Mr. Simon Li, discussed their commitment to driving DePIN projects in Vietnam to reach the global market, while Ms. Ruki from JDI Ventures highlighted their mission to push the boundaries of Web3 technology. The event also included a panel discussion on DePIN's unique business model, data privacy measures, and challenges for wider adoption, providing valuable insights into its future evolution and expansion.