Akash Network's Strategic Shift: Prioritizing Scalability for AI-Driven DePIN Future

Akash Network, a decentralized compute platform built on the Cosmos SDK, has announced plans to deprecate its current blockchain and begin a public search for a new network to host its infrastructure. Founder Greg Osuri emphasized that the move aims to enhance security, liquidity, and community engagement while maintaining Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) compatibility. The decision, first disclosed in a public X post, marks a significant strategic shift for the DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) project as it seeks to adapt to rising demand for AI compute resourcesAkash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1].

Osuri outlined criteria for the new network, including "strong security, a high-quality community, deep liquidity, and exciting growth," and hinted at Solana as a potential candidate. While no timeline was provided, the team plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the coming weeks, inviting foundations and ecosystems to participate in the evaluation processAkash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1]. The migration would involve rearchitecting core integrations with tools like Osmosis and Keplr to preserve user workflows, though staking mechanisms are expected to evolve beyond traditional consensus modelsAkash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1].

The decision reflects broader challenges in the DePIN space, where scalability and cross-chain interoperability are critical as onchain AI compute demand surges. The Block Research's DePIN Report 2025 highlights web3 cloud and AI compute as leading growth segments but notes persistent hurdles, including hardware access, regulatory uncertainty, and network scalability. Interoperability and throughput, the report argues, will determine which blockchains become default rails for decentralized applications and real-world workloadsAkash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1].

Akash's roadmap underscores its commitment to expanding decentralized compute capacity. By 2025, the project aims to introduce features like automatic escrow top-ups, enhanced provider console tools, and GPU support for AMD hardwareSolana vs Cosmos – Comparison & Charts (2025)^[3]. The network's Mainnet 6 upgrade in 2023 already integrated Nvidia GPUs, offering lower costs than centralized cloud providersAkash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1]. However, the migration to a new chain signals a recognition that Cosmos' architecture may no longer suffice as AI workloads grow.

The choice of a new network could have ripple effects across the DePIN ecosystem. Solana, for instance, has emerged as a strong contender for high-throughput applications, with its 65,000 TPS capacity and low fees appealing to compute-heavy projectsThe 2025 AI DePIN Boom: Predictions & What’s Next …^[5]. Ethereum's Layer-2 solutions also offer scalable alternatives, though higher gas costs remain a barrier. Cosmos, meanwhile, continues to prioritize modularity, enabling projects to build custom appchains with IBC interoperability.

Critics argue that chain migrations risk fragmenting user communities and disrupting existing staking economies. Osuri acknowledged these concerns but stressed that the transition would be "public and community-driven," with trade-offs debated transparently before final decisionsAkash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1]. The team's emphasis on retaining IBC compatibility suggests a desire to maintain Cosmos' interoperability ethos while leveraging a more scalable base layer.

The DePIN sector's growth trajectory remains robust, with The Block estimating it as a multi-billion-dollar asset class spanning compute, storage, and wireless networksAkash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1]. Projects like Akash, Render, and Fluence DAO are positioning themselves to meet surging demand for decentralized infrastructure, particularly as AI training costs strain centralized providers. By 2025, decentralized compute networks could account for 20% of AI workloads, according to Binance Research.

As Akash navigates its transition, the outcome will test the viability of cross-chain strategies in addressing AI's computational needs. The project's success in balancing security, scalability, and community trust could set a precedent for other DePINs facing similar architectural constraints in an increasingly decentralized tech landscape.