Latest DePIN News

The $KICK token sale is set to launch on Fjord Foundry from December 19 at 12 PM UTC until December 23 at 10 AM UTC. This event presents a unique opportunity for investors to acquire $KICK tokens at a fixed sale price of $0.00875 each, using USDC on the Base Network. The sale marks the entry point into the XProtocol ecosystem, with the full release of tokens scheduled for the Token Generation Event (TGE) in Q1 2025. This limited-time offer encourages early participation to maximize potential rewards. In addition to purchasing $KICK tokens, participants who contribute $800 or more will unlock exclusive rewards. These rewards include an XForge Smartphone, valued at $499, which is the first node-operated blockchain DePIN smartphone, and a Xardian Node, valued at $300, which is essential for securing the XProtocol network and earning $KICK rewards. It is important to note that rewards are limited to one set per wallet, and the smartphone can be exchanged for a node if the user's country is not supported. To participate in the $KICK Xmas Sale, users must prepare their wallets by ensuring they have USDC ready on the Base Network, typically through a wallet like MetaMask. Once the sale goes live, participants can secure their tokens on Fjord Foundry. After purchasing, buyers will initially receive placeholder tokens, which can be exchanged for actual $KICK tokens during the TGE. To claim the Xmas rewards, users must connect to the designated website with their whitelisted wallet and provide shipping details, with expectations for smartphone shipments starting in Q1 2025. More updates will follow as the shipment date approaches.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain technology, Lit Protocol is making significant strides in enhancing cryptographic capabilities to bridge the gap between fragmented networks and platforms. As a decentralized key management and private compute network, Lit Protocol provides developers with essential tools to securely manage secrets and build autonomous applications. With foundational support for cryptographic primitives such as BLS and ECDSA signatures, developers have leveraged Lit to create innovative applications that facilitate seamless interactions between web2 and web3 environments. This year has seen remarkable growth in areas like AI agents, chain abstraction, user wallets, and verifiable web data, showcasing the potential of Lit’s infrastructure. Looking ahead to 2025, Lit Protocol plans to expand its cryptographic offerings by introducing additional signature schemes and curves to enhance interoperability across various ecosystems. Key improvements include performance enhancements for ECDSA signing, support for NIST curves like P-256 and P-384, and the integration of Schnorr/EdDSA signatures through the FROST protocol. These advancements will enable developers to build more secure and efficient applications while ensuring compatibility with a diverse range of blockchain ecosystems. Furthermore, the introduction of Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) keys will allow computations on encrypted data, preserving privacy while enabling advanced analytics and secure data sharing. The achievements of Lit Protocol in 2024 reflect the dedication of its developer community, with over 24 million cryptographic requests fulfilled and more than 1 million keys created. Notable partnerships with organizations like Fox, Genius, and Emblem Vault highlight the versatility of Lit Protocol in various applications, from decentralized finance to programmable data management. As Lit continues to innovate and expand its capabilities, it remains committed to providing developers with the best tools to create secure, decentralized, and autonomous applications, ultimately unifying the fragmented digital landscape we navigate today.

As the decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) landscape evolves in 2024, Roam has emerged as a frontrunner, boasting over one million self-built nodes and more than 1.72 million user registrations globally. This significant growth positions Roam at the top of DePINScan's hardware node rankings. The company's success is largely attributed to its innovative OpenRoaming™ technology, which facilitates seamless connectivity across over four million WiFi hotspots in 190 countries. This technological edge not only enhances user experience but also underscores the potential for widespread adoption of Web3 applications in everyday life, validating Roam's user-friendly business model in the decentralized wireless network sector. In October 2024, Roam announced the development of a global Telecom Data Layer alongside the launch of Roam eSIM, aimed at rapidly expanding its user base through a cost-effective and secure approach. The introduction of Roam Growth, a key module of the Telecom Data Layer, is set to revolutionize income generation for network participants. This initiative will enable users to transform their network devices, such as Roam routers, into economic assets through automated service integration, thereby facilitating multi-mining capabilities. The collaboration with Huma for router purchase plans further lowers entry barriers, encouraging broader participation in Roam's ecosystem. Roam's strategic focus on community engagement and innovation is evident in its ecosystem, which comprises four essential modules: Roam Network, Roam Growth, Roam Discovery, and Roam Community. Each module plays a vital role in fostering collaboration, incentivizing participation, and enhancing user experience. As Roam continues to expand its offerings and optimize its incentive mechanisms, it is poised to attract more developers and users, solidifying its position as a leader in the decentralized telecom data network space. The integration of AI into Roam's operations promises to unlock new opportunities for intelligent network management and user engagement, paving the way for a robust and sustainable future in the DePIN ecosystem.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Web3, three projects are making headlines: Arweave, Helium, and the emerging contender Web3Bay. Arweave has recently experienced a remarkable 37.83% increase in its price, driven by its innovative decentralized storage solutions that allow users to store data permanently for a one-time fee. This surge in interest is further bolstered by Arweave's strategic acquisition of Odysee, which has introduced over 7 million new users to its platform, solidifying its position as a leader in the decentralized storage space. Meanwhile, Helium is carving out its niche in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector with its decentralized wireless network, enabling operators to earn HNT tokens. Despite a slight decline in price, Helium's transition to the Solana blockchain in April 2023 has enhanced its scalability and transaction efficiency, leading to a 21% increase in September. This expansion, along with new Hotspot deployments, has fostered optimism for Helium's future, showcasing its potential for sustained growth in the IoT realm. Web3Bay is positioning itself as a game-changer in the e-commerce sector by offering a decentralized marketplace that leverages blockchain technology for transparency and user ownership. The 3BAY token, which powers this ecosystem, has seen an astonishing 6430% increase from its presale price, indicating strong demand. With a community-driven governance model and diverse payment options, Web3Bay aims to bridge traditional and Web3 markets, making decentralized shopping accessible to a broader audience. As it prepares for its full launch, many industry experts view Web3Bay as a potential revolutionary force in the cryptocurrency market, with the 3BAY token being a hot topic among investors.

The Anyone Network has announced a significant update to its tokenomics, specifically in the area of delegated staking. This new mechanism allows relay operators and token holders to stake an unlimited number of tokens, moving beyond the previous requirement of a 100-token lock. This change aims to enhance economic security for the network while providing substantial value accrual for token holders. By enabling delegated staking, token holders can either stake their tokens to their own relay family or delegate them to a trusted family, thus fostering a more robust staking environment. A relay family consists of a group of relays managed by a single entity, all sharing the same EVM wallet address for rewards. This structure allows clients to consider the total tokens staked to a relay family when selecting circuits, promoting reputable operators with larger stakes. The flexibility of the staking mechanism, which includes no minimum lock period and a 14-day cooldown for unstaking, ensures that all tokens earn rewards at a consistent rate, contingent on the operational status of the relay family. This incentivizes holders to delegate their tokens wisely, enhancing the network's security against adversarial attacks. In terms of incentives, all stakers will benefit from a base pool of tokens, with emissions distributed equally among staked tokens. As the Anyone Network transitions to a freemium model in 2025, users will have the option to access premium features for a subscription fee. The introduction of a gas-less Arweave distribution protocol further enhances the network's capabilities, allowing for scalable token distribution. Overall, this update not only strengthens the network's security but also aligns the interests of stakers and relay operators, paving the way for a more resilient and efficient blockchain ecosystem.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain technology, the concept of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) is gaining significant traction. DePIN represents a transformative approach to network architecture, facilitating innovation across various sectors, including storage, computing, and artificial intelligence. By leveraging token incentive mechanisms, DePIN encourages users to contribute resources, thus enhancing network efficiency and lowering barriers to entry. Recent developments in this space have seen the emergence of projects like Filecoin, Helium, Shadow Token, and Aethir, which not only showcase innovative applications but also serve as compelling case studies for the practical implementation of decentralized networks. DePIN encompasses a broad spectrum of services, categorized into physical basic networks and digital resource networks. This framework allows for the aggregation of resources, enabling providers with underutilized assets to rent them out, thereby maximizing efficiency. The decentralized nature of DePIN mitigates concerns associated with centralized entities, such as downtime and resource scarcity. As demand fluctuates, the network can dynamically scale its resources, ensuring optimal performance without the need for significant infrastructure changes. This flexibility is crucial in today's fast-paced digital environment, where resource demands can shift rapidly. Among the notable projects in the DePIN ecosystem, Filecoin stands out as a leader in decentralized storage, while Helium has pioneered a decentralized wireless infrastructure. Shadow Token aims to disrupt traditional cloud storage models, and Aethir is emerging as a competitor in decentralized computing. Each of these projects not only illustrates the potential of DePIN but also highlights the shift towards a more democratized infrastructure model, where individuals collectively invest resources to build and maintain facilities. As the DePIN sector continues to grow, it promises to reshape the way we think about resource allocation and network management in the blockchain era.

PARIS - [Ubisoft](https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/) is taking its Web3 gaming vision to new heights with [Captain Laserhawk](https://edenonline.ubisoft.com/): The G.A.M.E., leveraging [Aleph.im](https://aleph.im/)’s decentralized infrastructure to introduce dynamic NFTs that evolve with player engagement. This marks Aleph.im’s third consecutive integration into Ubisoft’s web3 gaming titles. ### About Captain Laserhawk: the G.A.M.E. Expanding the universe of Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix—Ubisoft’s Netflix series—Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. is a groundbreaking multiplayer adventure that empowers its community to influence the narrative. Set in the dystopian world of Eden, a totalitarian regime replacing the United States, players assume the roles of citizens navigating challenges both in-game and across external digital channels. By increasing their citizen score, players gain influence over the evolving storyline, creating an unprecedented transmedia gaming experience. ### Ubisoft in-game NFTs powered by Aleph.im Aleph.im is a pioneer in decentralized cloud computing, providing essential infrastructure for dynamic NFT metadata, verifiable randomness, and decentralized data storage. Aleph was amidst [Ubisoft’s Entrepreneur Labs](https://www.ubisoft.com/fr-fr/company/about-us/innovation/startup-programs/lab) cohorts, and the gaming giant has been leveraging and supporting Aleph’s decentralized solutions as a node operator. Dynamic NFTs were first introduced in joint collaboration, transforming static digital assets into interactive, playable features. Aleph’s [dynamic NFT technology](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/12/21/2356156/0/en/Aleph-im-partners-with-Ubisoft-to-bring-playable-NFTs-to-AAA-games-for-the-first-time.html) was subsequently integrated into Ubisoft’s Web3 game Champions Tactics™ Grimoria Chronicles. *“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with a world-renowned game publisher, supporting their vision to push the boundaries of Web3 gaming,”* said Jonathan Schemoul, CEO of Aleph.im. *“By integrating dynamic NFT capabilities and Aleph’s serverless architecture, Ubisoft is redefining player interaction and ownership in the gaming industry at large.”* Ubisoft's Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. introduced the Niji Warrior ID collection, a series of 10,000 NFTs minted on Arbitrum. These IDs function as dynamic governance tools, granting holders early and full access to the G.A.M.E.’s features, exclusive rewards, and the ability to influence the project’s future direction. As players advance, their Niji Warrior IDs evolve to showcase achievements and unlock unique customization options, perks, and governance privileges—blurring the lines between identity and gameplay. Aleph’s serverless architecture hosts the metadata for the NFTs, leveraging a distributed database to store ID card information and enabling seamless updates to reflect player progress dynamically. *"Aleph.im has been an invaluable partner, allowing us to seamlessly manage dynamic NFT metadata while maintaining transparency and decentralization,”* said Didier Genevois, Executive Producer and Technical Director, Ubisoft. This partnership cements Aleph.im as the cornerstone of Ubisoft’s Web3 gaming infrastructure, supporting titles like Champions Tactics. Ubisoft’s commitment to integrating decentralized cloud infrastructure ensures that its gaming ecosystems remain secure, fair, and innovative.

The Blockchain Association (BA) based in Washington D.C. has kicked off its 'Blockchain Policy Summit' with an opening address from the incoming U.S. President, Donald Trump, who expressed his commitment to stand alongside the industry and lead the development of the crypto sector. The first day of the summit includes closed-door discussions between dozens of member organizations and government officials to delve into the current blockchain industry trends and the future direction of U.S. policies. IoTeX, a member organization, has been invited to participate in the summit. Recently, the BA officially welcomed IoTeX, highlighting their expertise in the DePIN field, which is gaining increasing interest from policymakers and regulators in Washington D.C. IoTeX's substantial knowledge is expected to enhance BA's communication with the new government. The Blockchain Association, representing the crypto industry in Washington D.C., consists of nearly 100 leading organizations and protocols. It aims to establish a reasonable and beneficial regulatory framework for blockchain technology. Over the past three years, the BA has actively engaged with numerous blockchain leaders at the policy level, participating in hundreds of discussions in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In 2023 alone, the BA was involved in 175 meetings with the Senate and House members. With the influence of the crypto-friendly political landscape under the newly elected President Trump, the Blockchain Policy Summit is highly anticipated, with notable attendees such as Senators Tim Scott, Bill Hagerty, Cynthia Lummis, and Representatives Patrick McHenry, French Hill, Ro Khanna, among others. Leading industry organizations with compliant and positive government relations, including a16z, Coinbase, Consensys, Grayscale, Messari, Ripple, Uniswap, Filecoin, and IoTeX, will participate as members at the summit. IoTeX, as a member representing DePIN, is at the forefront of discussions. DePIN, a hot topic at the summit, has piqued the interest of Washington's policymakers and regulators. As a groundbreaking technology that connects real-world devices and infrastructure with the digital world, DePIN holds unique advantages in unlocking traditional industry value and energy. IoTeX, as a leader in the DePIN ecosystem, will collaborate with other industry leaders in the DePIN working group, such as Multicoin, Hedera, Filecoin, Helium, CESS, and Geodnet, to drive discussions and policymaking on integrating real-world applications with blockchain innovation. Larry, IoTeX's ecosystem lead, emphasized the crucial 100 days ahead for U.S. crypto legislation, highlighting the growing acceptance of DePIN among legislators. Raullen Chai, IoTeX's CEO and Co-founder, stressed the importance of collaboration with policymakers in establishing a thriving DePIN and crypto ecosystem. By joining the Blockchain Association, IoTeX aims to provide clear pathways for DePIN projects to launch and expand under regulatory guidance, ensuring accessibility for all users. Through long-term collaborations with professional organizations like the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) and IEEE, IoTeX is well-positioned to facilitate dialogues between DePIN and Washington's policymakers, marking a significant step in connecting the physical and digital worlds through decentralized technology.

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePin) are reshaping the tech industry by facilitating decentralized projects in real-world infrastructure. Recent developments in the DePin sector include VanEck's $2.5 million investment in DAWN for decentralized wireless service, IoTeX's collaboration with the Blockchain Association for DePin political advocacy, Exabits securing $15 million in seed funding, and more. Exabits, an AI GPU tokenization startup, received $15 million in seed funding. By tokenizing GPU compute resources, Exabits has reached a $150 million valuation and experienced a 300% quarterly revenue increase. GPUs play a vital role in the DePin AI ecosystem due to the high computing demands of AI research. While companies like Aethir focus on GPU-as-a-service partnerships, Exabits offers a unique perspective that shows promise in the sector.

Today, on December 17th, the Cryptocurrency Policy Summit organized by the Washington Blockchain Association officially opened with a keynote address from the incoming U.S. President, Donald Trump. IoTeX, as a member, was invited to participate in this summit, joining industry leaders such as a16z, Coinbase, Consensys, Grayscale, Messari, Ripple, Uniswap, Filecoin, and dozens of U.S. congressional members to discuss and promote industry policy regulations. The Washington Blockchain Association stated that IoTeX's profound expertise in the DePIN field will enhance its communication with the government, giving it a significant voice. IoTeX's ecosystem lead, Larry, learned on-site that the next 100 days are crucial for cryptocurrency industry legislation in the U.S. Real, implementable applications like DePIN are gradually gaining recognition from lawmakers. DePIN has been prioritized alongside stablecoins, DeFi, and Staking as key legislative areas. During the summit, IoTeX will engage in in-depth discussions with members of the association's DePIN working group, including Multicoin, Hedera, Filecoin, Helium, CESS, and Geodnet, on policies and regulations related to the integration of the real world with blockchain innovation.