Latest DePIN News

In a week marked by political tension surrounding the U.S. elections, Solana experienced a notable downturn, losing approximately 14% from October 31 to November 5. However, the mood shifted dramatically on election day when Solana's native token, SOL, surged by over 15%, reaching $187. This rebound was driven by a significant increase in trading volume, which more than doubled to over $6 billion. The optimism surrounding Donald Trump's election win, who has been a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency, is expected to lead to more favorable regulations in the U.S., alleviating concerns about Solana's classification as a security. Despite a generally bearish week for the cryptocurrency market, Solana managed to maintain its upward momentum, outperforming rivals like Ethereum and BNB. The Solana ecosystem showcased impressive metrics, with a total value locked (TVL) in DeFi reaching $6.326 billion, giving it a 7.09% share of the DeFi landscape. Additionally, Solana's dominance in the NFT space is evident, commanding over 40% of daily users and significantly outpacing competitors. Institutional confidence is also on the rise, with DApp investments hitting $173 million in Q3, the highest since 2022. As the race heats up for the first U.S. Solana ETF approval, firms like Canary Capital, VanEck, and 21Shares are vying to launch products that track SOL prices. Solana has recently flipped BNB to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, reflecting a wave of market optimism. Furthermore, Solana's DEX trading volume reached 27% market share in October, solidifying its position as a leading player in decentralized trading. With a loyal developer community and high transaction counts, Solana continues to be a major force in the blockchain ecosystem.

Verida, a pioneering project in the realm of data privacy, has recently announced several exciting developments that mark significant milestones for the company. The highlight of these updates is the launch of the Verida Vault Alpha, a secure platform that empowers users to manage their personal data across various applications, including Google and Telegram. This innovative solution not only prioritizes user privacy but also opens up opportunities for developers through newly released APIs, allowing them to create AI agents and data DAOs on Verida's secure infrastructure. The Verida Vault aims to ensure that users maintain control over their data while leveraging privacy-first AI technologies. In addition to the launch of the Verida Vault, the company has garnered recognition as a finalist for the $POL Rush competition organized by the Polygon Network. As one of the top ten projects, Verida will be pitching at an upcoming event in Bangkok during Devcon, showcasing its commitment to providing a private data storage solution that supports Personal and Private AI. The community is encouraged to participate in the Community Choice Awards, as their votes could significantly impact Verida's visibility and success in the competition. Verida is also proud to announce its nomination for the Finder Innovation Awards in Australia, further emphasizing the innovative work being done by the team in the Web3 space. As the company prepares for its participation in Devcon, it is launching a whitelist for Verida AI, granting early access to developers focused on user data privacy. This initiative represents a unique opportunity for builders to explore Verida's capabilities and contribute to the evolution of Personal and Private AI. With these developments, Verida is paving the way for a future where individuals can fully control and benefit from their data, and the team is excited to continue this journey with the community's support.

October marked a significant milestone for the Anyone Protocol with the launch of the Incentivized Testnet. This release not only introduced a more user-friendly dashboard accessible via dashboard.anyone.io but also included a testnet faucet. The development team addressed several bugs related to distribution logic and hardware validation shortly after the launch. Notably, the protocol is undergoing a major rewrite from Smartweave to AO, a Hyper Parallel Computer built on Arweave. This transition introduces a new programming language, Lua, and incorporates innovative tokenomics features, enhancing the protocol's efficiency and decentralization by allowing client signing through locally running AO processes. In the hardware division, October proved to be productive as well, focusing on simplifying user experience and enhancing routing features. A new mode designed for non-technical users allows for rapid setup of secure hotspots through the Anyone Network, eliminating the need for manual relay configurations. Improvements in Wi-Fi usage, including standardization to WPA2 and automatic SSID scanning, have been implemented. Additionally, bug fixes addressing dynamic IP issues and updates to relay paths are set to be released, further streamlining operations for relay operators. The collaboration with MicroChip to enhance the ATEC encryption chip signifies a commitment to security and innovation within the hardware framework. On the network and applications front, significant updates have been integrated into the Anyone client, including patches for Android JNI changes and enhancements to the deployment processes. The Anyone NPM package has evolved into a comprehensive library, providing developers with advanced circuit configuration capabilities. Core contributor Benjamin Erhart continues to develop libraries for both Android and iOS, with a new Anyone Desktop repository gaining traction on GitHub. As always, the protocol's code remains open-source, inviting community engagement and collaboration.

The world is rapidly transitioning towards a cashless future, with digital wallets at the forefront of this evolution. In countries like Sweden, cash transactions are becoming nearly obsolete, and globally, digital wallets facilitated an impressive $13.9 trillion in transactions in 2023. Experts predict that by 2027, almost half of all payments worldwide will be made using digital wallets. This shift is not merely a trend; it signifies a fundamental change in how we perceive money and conduct transactions, with smartphones increasingly serving as our primary payment method. The modern wallet has transformed from a physical leather bifold to a digital app on our smartphones, housing everything from credit cards to cryptocurrencies. The convenience of digital wallets is a significant draw, allowing users to complete transactions with a simple tap, split bills effortlessly, and enjoy frictionless online shopping experiences. Additionally, digital wallets provide enhanced security through advanced encryption and biometric authentication, making them a safer alternative to carrying cash. Users also benefit from features like expense tracking and budgeting tools, which can greatly aid personal finance management. Despite the advantages, the transition to a cashless society presents challenges, including concerns about privacy and the digital divide. As digital transactions become more prevalent, there is a risk of marginalizing individuals without access to technology. To address these issues, digital wallet providers are implementing stricter data protection measures and developing simplified systems for those less familiar with technology. The future of payments is undoubtedly digital, with innovations such as biometric payments and cryptocurrencies poised to further reshape our financial landscape. As we embrace this cashless world, the benefits of convenience, security, and financial management are clear, signaling a significant shift in our interaction with money.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI image generation, **Ideogram 2.0** emerges as a standout platform, offering an impressive blend of photorealism and user-friendly features. This latest version has been designed with accessibility in mind, allowing users of all skill levels to create stunning images without the need for coding expertise. Its free-to-try model invites experimentation, while the introduction of API access in beta opens new avenues for developers looking to integrate advanced AI capabilities into their projects. The standout feature, however, is its innovative "magic prompts," which provide AI-generated suggestions that enhance the creative process, making it a compelling choice for both casual users and professionals alike. My initial experience with Ideogram 2.0 was nothing short of impressive. Using a simple prompt for a still-life image, I received four beautifully rendered images that showcased the platform's ability to cater to specific visual needs. The addition of the "magic prompts" feature not only enriched the results but also demonstrated the platform's versatility. Moreover, Ideogram 2.0 excels in creating memes and deep fakes, a unique aspect that sets it apart from competitors. While the results can be strikingly realistic, users are advised to approach this feature with caution, considering the ethical implications of generating such content. Beyond its core functionalities, Ideogram 2.0 addresses common issues faced by other AI generators, such as poor text quality and lack of color control. With accurate fonts and the ability to adhere to specific color palettes, it becomes an invaluable tool for designers and marketers. The premium version also offers AI upscaling, enhancing image resolution for professional use. While the API requires a minimum deposit, the overall value provided by Ideogram 2.0 makes it a worthy investment for those serious about leveraging AI in their visual projects. In a crowded market, Ideogram 2.0 is undoubtedly a must-try for anyone interested in AI image generation.

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.

As the cryptocurrency market gears up for a potential bull run, analysts are spotlighting several altcoins that may experience significant growth. Among these, Bittensor, Solana, and Intel Markets are drawing particular attention. With the backdrop of the US elections, many believe that the outcomes could influence the crypto landscape. Analysts predict that Solana (SOL) could surge to $1,000, while Bittensor (TAO) might reach $1,279. Additionally, Intel Markets (INTL) is forecasted to see a staggering 1,100% increase due to its innovative trading platform. Bittensor has recently been highlighted by Bitcoin veteran Lucky, who shared a bullish price prediction on social media. He emphasized that Bittensor, often regarded as an AI gem, could potentially hit four digits soon. Current trading data shows Bittensor fluctuating between the 200-SMA and 50-SMA, suggesting that the upcoming bull run could catalyze a price rally. As of early November, Bittensor was trading around $393, with analysts optimistic about its future performance as market conditions improve. On the other hand, Solana has faced challenges, particularly after hitting resistance at the $180 mark. Currently trading around $160, Solana's price is supported by key moving averages, indicating that a rebound may be on the horizon. Analysts like Bhr Investor are cautiously optimistic, projecting that Solana could reach between $650 and $1,000 in the upcoming bull market. Meanwhile, Intel Markets is making waves with its AI-driven trading platform, which has raised over $1.7 million in presale. The platform's unique features, including high leverage and an adaptive AI bot, are expected to attract professional traders, further driving the INTL coin's anticipated growth in the coming months.

Nvidia has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing Apple as the world’s most valuable company, reaching a market capitalization of $3.43 trillion. This achievement followed a 2.9% increase in the company’s share price, pushing it ahead of Apple’s $3.38 trillion valuation. Nvidia's dominance in artificial intelligence chip manufacturing has been a key factor in this growth, with its products becoming essential for major tech companies' AI systems. Since the end of 2022, Nvidia's stock value has skyrocketed by over 850%, driven by strong demand for its AI chips, with analysts projecting significant earnings growth for the company in the coming years. The success of Nvidia has had a ripple effect on the cryptocurrency market, particularly for AI-focused digital currencies. NEAR Protocol, designed for AI applications, saw a 5.46% increase, while Internet Computer experienced a 4.99% rise. Bittensor, a decentralized AI platform, recorded a substantial 14.65% increase. These gains reflect growing investor interest in cryptocurrencies associated with artificial intelligence technology. The Artificial Superintelligence Alliance token and Injective also joined the rally, indicating a broader market participation in AI-related assets. As Nvidia continues to influence the market, it now represents 7% of the S&P 500 Index’s weight, contributing significantly to the index's gains this year. However, the company faces regulatory scrutiny regarding its planned $700 million acquisition of Israeli AI startup Run Labs. This regulatory challenge adds a layer of caution to Nvidia's growth narrative. The simultaneous rise in Nvidia’s stock price and AI cryptocurrency values suggests a market-wide recognition of AI's growing importance, with investors actively seeking exposure to this technology through various investment vehicles, including both traditional stocks and cryptocurrencies.

In a significant shift within the decentralized wireless network market, Helium and Xnet are now prioritizing Wi-Fi connections over the previously favored 3.5GHz CBRS spectrum band. This change is largely driven by the challenges associated with CBRS, including interference and poor user experience. Mario Di Dio, general manager of Nova Labs' Helium network, emphasized that Wi-Fi, particularly with Passpoint technology, offers a more mature and easier deployment option. This technology, which streamlines Wi-Fi connectivity, has gained widespread support across various devices, making it a more attractive alternative for decentralized network operators. Both Helium and Xnet have transitioned from encouraging the deployment of costly CBRS radios to promoting the installation of Wi-Fi hotspots, which are significantly less expensive. While the coverage area of Wi-Fi hotspots is generally smaller compared to CBRS sites, this strategy has led to major offloading agreements with prominent wireless network operators. Helium has secured deals with two of the three major 5G operators in the U.S., while Xnet claims to have an agreement with AT&T. These partnerships allow both companies to offload network traffic onto their respective sites, rewarding hotspot operators with cryptocurrency tokens based on the amount of data offloaded. The evolution from decentralized wireless (DeWi) to decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) reflects a broader trend where companies are leveraging decentralized models across various sectors, including energy and mapping. Helium, a pioneer in this space, has expanded its offerings to include a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service, attracting around 100,000 customers. As the debate over the utilization of the CBRS spectrum continues, the shift towards Wi-Fi may reshape the landscape of decentralized networks, highlighting the growing importance of flexible and accessible wireless solutions in the telecommunications industry.

Last week marked a significant milestone in the blockchain ecosystem with the successful merge of the CUDOS token and blockchain with ASI. This transition involved halting the CUDOS mainnet and upgrading the Fetch.ai (ASI) mainnet within the Cosmos ecosystem. As a result of this merger, all CUDOS tokens have been migrated, and while they may still appear on platforms like Keplr and Mintscan, they are now historical records. The native CUDOS tokens are no longer in existence, and former holders are now encouraged to access and utilize their new FET tokens. A comprehensive guide has been provided to assist users in navigating this transition, including recommended wallets and methods to view their new tokens. The recommended wallets for managing FET tokens include the Cosmostation wallet and the ASI wallet, both of which support the ASI Alliance chain. Users are advised to manually enable the ASI Alliance chain in the Cosmostation wallet to view their tokens. For those using Keplr, logging into the CUDOS Intercloud platform will prompt the addition of the ASI Alliance chain, allowing users to see their FET tokens. However, it is important to note that Keplr may not display vesting schedules accurately, making the Cosmostation wallet a preferable option for full functionality. Mintscan is highlighted as the primary block explorer for viewing FET tokens, where users can also find their ASI addresses linked to their previous CUDOS accounts. To effectively use their new FET tokens, users are encouraged to utilize either the Cosmostation wallet or the ASI wallet for staking and managing their tokens. The process includes importing their CUDOS account into the Cosmostation wallet and enabling the ASI Alliance chain for visibility. Mintscan serves as a platform for staking, undelegating, and managing tokens, while the ASI wallet allows for direct access to the ASI Alliance account. For those with Ledger devices, Mintscan supports hardware wallet connections, providing a secure method to manage FET tokens. Overall, this merger represents a pivotal development in the blockchain landscape, enhancing the utility and accessibility of tokens within the Cosmos ecosystem.