Latest news with #DecentralizedPhysicalInfrastructureNetwork
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crypto needs to fix its image—or it'll stay stuck in its malaise
Crypto is a tale of two worlds. On one hand, the space has never had as strong a product-market fit as it does today across a range of categories, from payments to infrastructure to decentralized finance. Builders have access to capital, a more welcoming (if still imperfect) domestic regulatory environment, and increasingly mature infrastructure. It's easier to build and use crypto products now than at any point in the past. Yet on the other hand, the space continues to be awash with grift, short-termism, and a lack of broader public support. Sentiment was supposed to be different in 2025. Instead, a malaise still hangs over the market. What gives? Having been investing in crypto since 2019, I'm no stranger to skepticism about the space. I'm a believer, of course, and readers of the crypto trades embrace the field—and I'd even venture to say a significant portion of Fortune readers are believers, too. We don't have to convince each other. We feel the potential and see the progress; the outside world largely sees confusion, scams, and broken promises. So it's worth writing this and continuing the conversation among friends and skeptics alike. The fact is crypto's biggest headwind isn't regulation, price action, or even grifters. It's perception. From the outside looking in, the industry often comes off as unserious. But beneath the surface, real businesses solving real problems are being built. We need to advance the conversation beyond the crypto echo chamber on X. We need to build businesses that solve real-world problems—not just airdrop hype or pocket JPEGs as NFTs. Because that's what the outside world is seeing. Despite the perception, real progress is happening. Measuring crypto adoption is notoriously difficult, but estimates suggest that around 7% of the global population owns crypto today. That's meaningful, but it's nowhere near enough. We haven't had the 'my mom is using crypto' moment yet. In my day job at a generalist venture fund, I don't care whether a company uses blockchain or not. But I do care if blockchain unlocks a meaningful advantage. Crypto is a 'choose your own adventure' technology and can be applied in a million ways. Sometimes it's the right tool, sometimes not. Removing friction—whether in cross-border payments, mobile, or beyond—is how we get crypto to the mainstream. Not by preaching to the choir. Not by leaning into financial speculation. But by creating experiences that are better, faster, and cheaper for everyday people—even if they don't know (or care) that crypto is under the hood. Consider DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network), which refers to a physical infrastructure network that uses blockchain to improve the efficiency of a network (e.g., wireless networks, energy grids, data storage, etc.). Projects like Helium and M13 portfolio company Hivemapper incentivize consumers with tokens to participate in their networks (i.e., deploying wi-fi hotposts for Helium, dashcams for Hivemapper), and as a result they can build networks with structurally lower capex costs than their counterparts. Does the average person know what DePIN is? No. But the average person doesn't understand or care how Google Maps or Boingo Hotspots work either. In both cases, blockchain is the catalyst. Token incentives offset the massive capital expenditure that traditionally gatekeep infrastructure build-outs. Participants are rewarded for participation, and networks are scaled faster and cheaper than we've seen with that of innovations built on Web2, where users felt compelled to build out and contribute solutions through user generated content and social media. That is the DePIN playbook at work. Stablecoins—tokens that are pegged to a fixed value, often a fiat currency—have become one of crypto's real-world use cases. In 2024, stablecoin volumes hit $8.5 trillion. While small compared to the $190 trillion in global cross-border payment volume, they're growing rapidly for good reason. Programmable payments, 24/7 operations, and nearly instant settlement of stablecoins offer compelling alternatives to the traditional correspondent banking model plagued by trapped liquidity, opacity, high costs, and slow timelines. Friction in cross-border payments will dissipate as dollars become digitized in the form of stablecoins. Another overlooked area for friction removal is the mobile experience. Today's mobile web is riddled with clunky payments, difficult authentication, and poor identity management. Mobile crypto apps have historically made this worse, not better. But that's starting to change. Crypto wallets like Phantom are bringing intuitive, consumer-grade experiences to crypto. Mobile wallets are getting easier to set up, fund, and use across applications. Meanwhile, hardware innovation is picking up steam. The team behind the blockchain Solana developed its own phone, the Saga, and while it may not replace the iPhone anytime soon, it was a strategic signal: The future of crypto needs to be mobile-native, not just mobile-compatible. Expect deeper OS-level integrations—from native wallets to decentralized identity management—to become table stakes in the next wave of devices. Crypto enthusiasts already imagine a future where signing into an app, sending a payment, proving your identity, or verifying a document is native to your phone without needing dozens of middlemen apps or endless passwords. Now, it's time to simplify the message and make it relevant to outsiders. To truly break through, the crypto community needs to address our industry-wide marketing problem. Here's how: Speak in benefits, not features: Talk about what crypto enables, not how it works. Embrace accessibility: Build products that feel familiar while delivering new value. Demonstrate integrity: Actively distance ourselves from the scams and schemes. Show don't tell: Let working products build credibility instead of promises. The next wave of crypto winners will make the technology invisible and inevitable—solving real problems that matter to people outside our echo chamber. I feel that's already happening. Crypto has a marketing crisis, not a tech one. We need to stop convincing ourselves and start welcoming outsiders through demonstrable value. Only then will we transform from a niche technology movement into the foundation of a more efficient, accessible digital future. The opinions expressed in commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune. Read more: America must harness stablecoins to future-proof the dollar Stablecoin legislation risks sowing seeds of a financial crisis The U.S. dollar's strongest ally is crypto Elon Musk wants the U.S. Treasury to be on a blockchain. That's a terrible idea—take it from a big proponent of the technology This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Let the shop owner run the network': Helium bets big on decentralized 5G
Helium is quietly building what might be the most disruptive telecom network in America — and they're doing it with crypto. The company has evolved from an Internet of Things (IoT) experiment into the world's largest decentralized wireless network. Now, with a growing mobile footprint and backing from the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) movement, it's aiming to completely rewire how infrastructure gets built. 'Helium is the world's largest decentralized wireless network,' said Abhay Kumar, Protocol Lead at Helium in a conversation with Mehab Qureshi, Senior Editor, TheStreet Roundtable. 'We started back over six years ago now. We built a new way of deploying infrastructure. Fundamentally, what we're interested in is how can you build wireless infrastructure in a way that enables new kinds of business models?' Launched in 2019, Helium began as a decentralized wireless network focused on the Internet of Things (IoT). It uses crypto incentives to encourage individuals to deploy and operate network infrastructure. Today, Helium powers both IoT and 5G mobile networks, making it a leading player in the DePIN space. Helium began by connecting devices — now it connects people. Its expansion into mobile has led to the creation of Helium Mobile, a new carrier that rides on a hybrid network of traditional infrastructure and crypto-incentivized nodes. 'In the US you can buy a cell phone plan for free,' Kumar said. 'We launched a carrier ourselves. So Helium Mobile you can use if you're in the US... you can have a free phone plan. You can pay $15 a month for a somewhat limited phone plan.' The reason that's possible, Kumar explained, is because Helium's protocol slashes bandwidth costs for carriers. 'If you're a carrier and you're building on the Helium network, you're paying 50 cents a gigabyte when your customer is using it,' he said — a fraction of traditional rates. This cost-saving is driven by a DePIN model that lets individuals or businesses install wireless nodes (like 5G radios) and earn crypto in return. 'So this is why — well, let the shop owner put a radio in their shop and provide better service to all of their customers,' Kumar explained. 'They like it because their customers are happier. The carriers are happy because they couldn't get to every one of these shop owners. And then us as a network, we love it because we're able to enable the whole thing.' Helium's decentralized infrastructure model has become a leading example of what DePIN can achieve. 'We were lucky to be around before this idea was tokened,' Kumar said. 'We were lucky to be there before we sort of started to establish this sort of category.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Korea Herald
26-04-2025
- Korea Herald
The New DePin: OKZOO's Environmental AIoT Machine Network Leads New Tech Trend
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The "new DePin" (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) trend is arising, as OKZOO's AIoT devices see explosive growth and traction. AIoT is short for AI combined with Internet of Things (AIoT), a new category that bridges physical hardware with decentralized network. OKZOO uses AIoT devices to gather environmental data such as noise pollution, air pollution, CO2 levels, and humidity. OKZOO has already seen massive adoption with 12 million ecosystem users, primarily through its virtual AI pet apps OKZOO V1 and V2. How AI Pets and Portal Devices Collect Environmental Data OKZOO's development began with an intriguing hypothesis: could engaging pet applications serve as the foundation for sophisticated real-world AIoT networks? The team systematically validated this concept through strategic platform iterations. Their V1 release, a straightforward pet simulator, attracted 7 million users, demonstrating that emotional connections remain powerful in today's digital landscape. Following this achievement, V2 introduced AI-powered pets capable of learning and evolution, gaining 700,000 users within its initial month. This validated market traction led to the creation of the P-mini —a compact AIoT device that integrates digital pets with environmental monitoring technology. The P-mini o1 incorporates both sensor technology and an interactive AI companion that reacts to environmental conditions, enabling digital pets to exist in contexts beyond traditional screens. Traditional environmental monitoring faces significant challenges: data sparsity, lack of real-time granularity, and verification difficulties. Government sensors provide only generalized data that misses hyperlocal variations in air quality, noise pollution, and other environmental factors that directly impact daily life. This creates blind spots in urban environments where pollution levels can vary dramatically between neighborhoods or even streets. The P-mini addresses these gaps by creating a grassroots network of sensors collecting street-level data. What sets OKZOO apart from conventional DePin networks is its innovative approach to user engagement. Rather than relying solely on financial incentives, the P-mini integrates virtual pets that respond to environmental surroundings, transforming data collection into an interactive, emotional experience. In-House Manufacturing Capabilities A key competitive advantage for OKZOO lies in its in-house manufacturing capabilities. Unlike many projects that rely on third-party manufacturers, OKZOO controls its hardware production process, ensuring scalability, quality control, and faster iteration based on user feedback. This vertical integration allows for rapid adaptation to market demands and technological advances. The ecosystem operates on an incentive model that rewards users for running P-mini devices and contributing environmental data. These contributions establish a comprehensive database powering sophisticated AI applications ranging from customized health guidance to urban planning solutions. As environmental awareness becomes increasingly important, OKZOO positions itself at the intersection of utility and engagement. By making data collection enjoyable through pet companions, the project creates sustainable user participation while addressing real environmental monitoring needs. For a market seeking practical applications, OKZOO's unique positioning across AI, environmental monitoring, and hardware manufacturing presents a compelling vision for addressing real-world challenges while creating engaging user experiences.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Week In Cloud AI - NexQloud Innovates with Energy-Saving Decentralized Kubernetes Platform
NexQloud has announced a significant development in cloud AI by filing a patent for its Distributed Kubernetes Service (DKS), marking a step forward in decentralized cloud computing. The DKS integrates AI, blockchain, and distributed CPU devices to enhance efficiency and security, offering a potential reduction in energy consumption by up to 88%. This innovation supports NexQloud's Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network, which relies on energy-efficient NanoServers. Additionally, NexQloud is transitioning its infrastructure from Amazon's Elastic Kubernetes Service to its own DKS platform, aiming to offer a secure and cost-effective alternative to existing solutions. The company is expanding its deployment of NanoServers, indicating readiness for commercial rollout and enterprise adoption. In other trading, was trading firmly up 10% and closing at CN¥71.64. Meanwhile, softened, down 7.8% to finish the session at $39.85. This week, the company reported improved earnings for the fourth quarter and provided guidance for 2025. Apple's strategic expansion into emerging markets like India and focus on services could drive significant growth. Click to explore the narrative on Apple's potential opportunities and challenges. In our Market Insights article, we examined the DeepSeek R1 model's potential impact on Cloud AI investments, highlighting its innovative techniques and implications for the AI ecosystem; if you're interested in a deeper understanding, be sure to check it out. finished trading at $415.82 up 0.6%. On Tuesday, Microsoft announced a collaboration to deploy edge data centers and AI applications in Saudi Arabia, advancing Saudi Aramco's digital transformation and safety monitoring efforts. settled at $233.22 up 0.3%. finished trading at $191.60 up 0.1%. On Tuesday, the company reported strong earnings growth for the fourth quarter and full year, with significant increases in sales and net income compared to the previous year. Unlock more gems! Our Cloud AI Stocks screener has unearthed 151 more companies like Ruijie Networks, MongoDB and MicroStrategy for you to explore. Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports. Discover a world of investment opportunities with Simply Wall St's free app and access unparalleled stock analysis across all markets. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sources: Simply Wall St "NexQloud Files Patent for Distributed Kubernetes Service (DKS) and Migrates Infrastructure from Amazon EKS" from NexQloud on GlobeNewswire (published 06 February 2025) Companies discussed in this article include SZSE:301236 NasdaqGS:MSFT NasdaqGS:AAPL NasdaqGS:GOOGL and NasdaqGS:TENB. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Sign in to access your portfolio
