Latest Theta News

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.

Theta EdgeCloud has introduced a significant enhancement by enabling Theta Fuel (TFUEL) billing for its services. This change positions TFUEL as the primary payment method for EdgeCloud, mirroring its role for the thousands of global Edge Nodes that support the network. Users opting to pay with TFUEL tokens will benefit from a 5% discount on their service fees, which encompass AI inference and training, video livestreaming, and future video/game rendering functionalities. This strategic move not only incentivizes the use of TFUEL but also strengthens its integration into the broader Theta ecosystem. The adoption of EdgeCloud has seen remarkable growth, particularly within academic institutions in the United States and South Korea. Notable universities such as the University of Oregon, Korea University, and Yonsei University are leveraging EdgeCloud's hybrid cloud GPU infrastructure to propel AI research forward. This trend highlights Theta's dedication to fostering academic innovation by providing vital computational resources for complex AI projects. Additionally, corporate clients like Jamcoding, a leader in e-learning coding platforms, are utilizing EdgeCloud to address critical AI applications, including computer vision and large language model training, further embedding EdgeCloud into the Theta token economy. While the support for USD remains essential for attracting Web2 customers, the Theta ecosystem is designed to function as a decentralized economy, where fiat transactions are converted into TFUEL purchases. This ensures that all EdgeCloud activities contribute to the on-chain economy of Theta, even when initiated by non-crypto users. With the recent launch of EdgeCloud Mobile, the potential for integration with the 3.9 billion Android devices worldwide opens new avenues for AI applications. As the AI market is projected to grow significantly, the core payment structure of EdgeCloud will ensure that TFUEL and the Theta token economy remain central to its operations.

Theta Labs has announced a significant multi-year partnership with the University of Oregon’s Distopia Laboratory, led by Assistant Professor Suyash Gupta. This collaboration will leverage Theta EdgeCloud for large-scale AI model training and inference, marking a notable expansion of Theta Labs' presence in the U.S. academic sector. The University of Oregon, recognized as a Tier 1 research institution, hosts several advanced research centers focused on AI and computer science, which are crucial for the advancement of these fields in the United States. Dr. Gupta's research integrates distributed systems, blockchain, and federated learning, emphasizing the development of scalable and fault-tolerant architectures. His contributions to prestigious conferences underscore his expertise, particularly with his award-winning paper at EuroSys 2023 and significant work presented at leading data engineering conferences. The partnership with Theta Labs opens new avenues for the Distopia Laboratory to enhance its AI research capabilities, particularly in distributed systems and federated learning. Theta EdgeCloud's decentralized framework allows researchers to run complex AI models more efficiently by distributing tasks across its network, resulting in faster and more cost-effective computing solutions compared to traditional cloud services. This innovative approach not only makes powerful computing resources more accessible but also maximizes the utilization of otherwise idle resources, enabling the lab to tackle more sophisticated AI challenges and accelerate research initiatives in decentralized systems. The collaboration exemplifies the growing importance of decentralized cloud infrastructure in academic research, providing high-performance computing at lower costs than conventional providers. This enables academic institutions to undertake ambitious projects with limited budgets, allowing them to compete more effectively with well-funded commercial AI labs. The ability to conduct larger-scale experiments, train complex models, and explore advanced AI applications is crucial for academic labs, which often face time constraints in submitting research and publishing findings. The partnership between Theta Labs and the University of Oregon is a testament to the transformative potential of decentralized computing in advancing AI research in academia.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, decentralized technologies are transforming traditional industries by providing safer and more efficient alternatives. Leading platforms such as Filecoin, Bittensor, Theta Network, and Arweave are at the forefront of this revolution, each addressing unique challenges in cloud storage, AI development, video streaming, and data retention. By leveraging blockchain technology, these projects enhance security, fairness, and long-term reliability, paving the way for a future where control is distributed and innovation flourishes without boundaries. Filecoin is revolutionizing cloud storage by decentralizing data distribution across a network of nodes, significantly reducing risks associated with centralized providers like Amazon and Google. With a market cap of $2.34 billion, Filecoin allows users to pay for storage using its native token while rewarding miners for enhancing network security. This innovative approach minimizes the single point of failure typical in traditional cloud services, ensuring that data remains safe and accessible. Bittensor, with a market cap of $4.39 billion, is reshaping AI development through a decentralized machine learning network. By incentivizing contributors with its native TAO token, Bittensor democratizes AI training and fosters open-source collaboration. Similarly, Theta Network, valued at $1.35 billion, enhances video streaming quality in underserved areas by allowing users to share bandwidth. With its dual-token system, THETA for governance and TFUEL for transactions, Theta Network is a game-changer in the video streaming sector. Lastly, Arweave, with a market cap of $2.78 billion, offers permanent storage solutions, ensuring data availability forever through its unique AR token incentive model. Together, these platforms exemplify the potential of decentralized technologies to redefine industry standards and practices.

Theta Labs has announced a significant partnership with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), marking the latter as the newest customer of its EdgeCloud AI platform. This collaboration comes on the heels of Theta's growing influence in the academic sector in South Korea, where institutions such as Korea University, Seoul Women’s University, KAIST, and Yonsei University have already integrated Theta's infrastructure to enhance their AI research capabilities. The partnership will enable LAB HAI at HUFS, under the leadership of Professor Ikbeom Jang, to utilize Theta's scalable EdgeCloud platform for various advanced projects, including LLM-based multimodal data training and biomedical data compression. Professor Ikbeom Jang, who oversees the computer cluster at HUFS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the potential of Theta EdgeCloud to significantly boost their multimodal medical AI research. The use of high-performance NVIDIA H100 GPUs will facilitate a wide range of AI applications in healthcare, thereby enhancing Korea's competitiveness in AI technology. Professor Jang's expertise in artificial intelligence and deep learning, along with his previous experience at Harvard Medical School, positions him and his team to make substantial contributions to the field, as evidenced by their recent publications and research grants. This multi-year agreement underscores Theta Labs' commitment to supporting AI research by providing decentralized GPU resources to esteemed institutions like HUFS. With over 33,000 students, HUFS is poised to leverage Theta’s advanced technology to drive innovation in healthcare AI, particularly in areas such as medical imaging and disease prediction. Mitch Liu, co-founder and CEO of Theta Labs, emphasized that this partnership is a pivotal step in expanding the application of decentralized computing in academia, positioning Theta as a leader in AI computing solutions in the region.

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a significant resurgence, with venture capitalists predicting Bitcoin could soar to $88,000. This optimism is largely fueled by the stabilization of the market and the emergence of new projects in decentralized finance (DeFi) and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). As of August 2024, crypto venture capital has raised an impressive $2.2 billion across 24 funds, indicating a robust recovery from previous downturns. Factors contributing to this revival include the market cap reaching 93% of its previous peak, increased institutional adoption from major financial players, and the maturation of investments made during the 2020-2022 boom, which are now presenting new opportunities for investors. Among the notable projects gaining traction are Base, EigenLayer, and SolLayer, which are reshaping the DeFi landscape. These projects are attracting midsized venture funds, signaling a shift from the smaller funds that characterized the early days of crypto. However, larger VC megafunds are still facing challenges due to high valuations and deployment difficulties. The outcome of the upcoming US presidential election may influence these trends further. Three standout projects to watch in the DeFi/DePIN space include Theta, BitTorrent (BTT), and World Mobile Token (WMT). Theta leverages peer-to-peer blockchain technology to decentralize video streaming services, promising high-quality streaming without buffering. BitTorrent, originally a sensation in 2019, continues to offer utility through its token, incentivizing users to share files. Lastly, World Mobile Token supports a blockchain initiative aimed at connecting underserved populations, rewarding participants in its ecosystem. As we approach 2025, the crypto funding landscape appears poised for a vital resurgence, instilling optimism across the sector.

Theta Labs has announced the launch of its AI Virtual Try-On software for Shopify, developed in collaboration with KAIST AI Lab, a leading AI research center in South Korea. This innovative technology utilizes advanced computer vision and natural language processing to enhance the online shopping experience. Customers can now virtually try on various tops by simply uploading a selfie, which aims to improve user engagement and potentially increase sales conversions for e-commerce retailers. To promote its adoption, Theta Labs is offering this plugin for free to Shopify store owners for a limited time, with successful beta integrations already reported by customers like Soar and Mazer. The AI Virtual Try-On for Shopify is powered by Theta EdgeCloud, a hybrid cloud-edge computing platform that combines over 30,000 distributed edge nodes from the Theta Edge Network with cloud services from major providers like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services. This infrastructure offers more than 80 PetaFLOPS of distributed GPU compute power, allowing for significant cost savings on GPU computing tasks compared to traditional cloud providers. The EdgeCloud platform provides AI model training and inference services at less than half the cost of other cloud solutions, making it a cost-effective option for businesses. This launch signifies a major advancement in the application of EdgeCloud technology within the e-commerce sector. By addressing common challenges faced by online retailers and shoppers, Theta Labs is making advanced AI tools more accessible and affordable. Looking forward, Theta Labs and KAIST AI plan to expand the capabilities of the AI Virtual Try-On model to include more complex wearables, such as hats and bottoms, further pushing the boundaries of AI-driven fashion technology and enhancing the online shopping experience for consumers.

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!

DePin (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) tokens have gained significant attention as a rapidly growing sector in the crypto space. With a focus on decentralized services like storage, rendering, and streaming, DePin tokens have been on the rise. As October 2024 approaches, investors may be contemplating the ideal timing for investment. In September, Bitcoin defied its historical performance with notable gains, closing the month with an approximate 9% increase, a stark contrast to its usual 3.6% decline during the same period over the past decade. DePin tokens like Render (RNDR) also saw impressive surges, with a 31.0% increase in the last 30 days. In the DePin sector, other tokens like Filecoin (FIL), Theta Network (THETA), Arweave (AR), and The Graph (GRT) have shown positive growth as well. Filecoin witnessed a 9.6% value increase, reaching a market cap exceeding $2.3 billion, while Theta Network surged by 18.5%, pushing its market cap to around $1.4 billion. Arweave and The Graph also demonstrated strong performances, with a 7.0% and 24.4% increase, respectively. **October’s Bullish History and DePin Token Growth Challenges** As the crypto market gears up for October, historically known as 'Uptober' for its strong performance, expectations are high. Data from CoinGlass suggests an average October upside of nearly 23%, hinting at the potential for Bitcoin to reach new all-time highs. Analysts like Michaël van de Poppe foresee a bullish quarter ahead, with altcoins possibly seeing significant gains and Bitcoin aiming to surpass its previous peak. Despite challenges in verifying services, DePin tokens have shown remarkable growth, with a 450% increase in the past year. Projects like DAWN and Filecoin are implementing innovative verification methods to overcome scaling difficulties and ensure trustless verification, indicating a positive outlook for the DePin sector.

**XProtocol, Built on Base Chain, Unveils XForge as 'World's First Node-Operated DePIN Smartphone'** XProtocol, an entertainment-focused blockchain built on the U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase's Ethereum layer-2 network, Base, has unveiled what it says is 'the world’s first node-operated DePIN smartphone.' The Web3 startup’s new Android device, XForge, functions as a fully operational blockchain node. Users can participate in the DePIN network directly from their phone, earning rewards, airdrops, and cryptocurrency incentives. XForge represents the next evolution in mobile devices, combining blockchain power with smartphone convenience. **Oasys, Arbitrum Foundation, Uprising Launching First Gaming-Focused Arbitrum Orbit Chain Beyond Ethereum** Oasys, Arbitrum Foundation, and layer-2 Uprising have collaborated to launch the first gaming-focused Arbitrum Orbit blockchain beyond Ethereum. Uprising, a layer-2 gaming yield blockchain, and Oasys, a layer-1 gaming chain, are working together to enhance Web3 gaming through Arbitrum Orbit technology. This deployment marks a significant step for blockchain gaming outside Ethereum, showcasing a shared vision for the future of blockchain gaming. **Bitcoin Staking Protocol Babylon Forms Strategic Alliance With Asphere to Allow Developers to Deploy Customizable L2s** The Babylon Bitcoin staking protocol has formed a strategic alliance with Asphere to empower developers with a solution for launching innovative Bitcoin layer 2s. This collaboration aims to allow developers to deploy highly customizable L2s backed by the security of the Bitcoin network. By leveraging Bitcoin's liquidity and market cap, developers can achieve fast finality when building new use cases within the blockchain ecosystem.