Good morning and happy Thursday!

Thursday means that the official opening ceremony for ETH Denver happens this morning at 10AM MST.

You might be wondering, “Wally, why do I care at all?”.

Valid question, but when you watch this next video, you’ll see why. Don’t put yourself through the pain of watching more than a few minutes but skip to the 36:46 mark and try not to spill your coffee. 👇

If I don’t see the Governor of Colorado have to follow up an on-stage performance by a bunch of adults in onesies singing “F*** SBF” then this entire conference will be a failure.

I promise that there are some really cool and innovative things being discussed this week, s*** like this makes it hard to believe though.

I will report more tomorrow morning.

-Wally

Key Stories

Speedrun

• DePin is a phrase you should know

• On This Day

• Headline Palooza

• Decent Destination

ETH Denver

Getting Paid for Your Data is the Future

Day 4 of ETH Denver wrapped up, and it's been an eye-opener, especially with our dive into the Iotex R3al World event. Iotex is carving out its niche with a focus on DePIN – that's Decentralized Physical Infrastructure for the uninitiated. It's all about turning real-world data into rewards, and it's clear this concept is going to be big.

DePIN essentially means gadgets in your home or on your person that gather data and, unlike most tech today, actually pay you for it. We're talking about devices monitoring everything from air quality to room temperature, all feeding into a system that not only uses this data to improve services but also compensates you for contributing.

Take envirobloq, for instance, with their home environment monitors. Imagine selling your house with a complete, tamper-proof history of its air quality. Or getting targeted ads from HVAC companies right when your system starts to falter – all because you shared your home's data, and got paid for it.

Then there's Geodnet, pushing the boundaries with RTK satellite positioning for razor-sharp geographical data. Users set up satellite miners, enhancing network precision and, yep, earning rewards in the process.

Wireless connectivity's getting a decentralized makeover too. Companies like XNet are building on existing networks (hello, AT&T and others) to expand coverage, rewarding those who host the hardware. It's like adding lanes to the information superhighway and getting tolls every time someone drives by.

Edge Matrix Computing is where it gets sci-fi, with edge computing devices training AI models right in your living room. Instead of pouring funds into training corporate AIs, you're on the receiving end, contributing to smarter AI and getting compensated.

DMail caught our eye too, aiming to disrupt the Gmail-dominated email scene. It's all about encrypted emails and connecting users directly with content creators and businesses, all within a decentralized framework.

The Iotex event was a glimpse into a future where blockchain and physical hardware merge to reshape industries, from real estate to telecommunications. With big names like Samsung and Stanford backing these projects, the message is clear — The blockchain space is ripe with innovation, and Iotex is one to watch.

Thanks to Iotex for the insights and hospitality – this is one bandwagon you don't want to miss.

Oh, and our Decent Media core team made the highlight reel… can you find Pat? 👇

On This Day

1980 & 2004: Double Feature

On this day, we hit a cinematic and sports double feature. In 2004, "LOTR: The Return of the King" wrapped up a film saga that redefined epic storytelling, leaving fans everywhere a little lost on what to do with their newfound free time.

Meanwhile, back in 1980, Gordie Howe, a legend in skates, netted his 800th goal, setting a bar so high it's practically in low orbit (Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin are the only other two players to ever achieve this feat). As a lifelong Detroit hockey fan, I can't help but tip my hat to Mr. Hockey.

Headline Palooza

Decent Destinations

Aadhoo Island, Maldives

Aadhoo Island in the Maldives is where reality rivals the most vivid dreams. By day, it's a slice of paradise with crystal-clear waters and powdery beaches. But as night falls, the "Sea of Stars" phenomenon transforms the shores into a celestial dance floor, with bioluminescent waves mirroring the starlit sky. It's no wonder the ancients cooked up religions; stumbling upon glowing blue water at night would have anyone believing in higher powers.