Helium Mobile DC Burn Surges 91% on AT&T, T-Mobile Partnerships

Helium, a decentralized mobile network powered by blockchain technology, has emerged as a compelling example of crypto’s real-world utility. Co-founded by Amir Haleem and Shawn Fanning (of Napster fame) in 2012, the project initially aimed to track lost drones using a token-based system. What evolved was a proof-of-concept for a decentralized wireless network, incentivized by Helium’s native token, HNT. This network, designed to support IoT devices, has since expanded into mobile services, demonstrating how crypto can facilitate novel infrastructure-building models [1].

The network’s value proposition lies in its token-driven incentives. Users earn HNT by deploying “hotspots” that contribute to the network’s coverage, while data credits (DC)—a unit derived from HNT—enable access to the network. Recent growth in DC burn rates underscores the system’s adoption. According to Nick Carpinito of Blockworks Research, mobile-related DC burn surged from approximately $189,000 in early March 2025 to $361,000 by June 2025, driven by partnerships with major telecoms like AT&T and T-Mobile. These carriers leverage Helium’s network to enhance indoor coverage, paying to route traffic through hotspots where traditional signals falter [1].

The integration of blockchain is critical. Smart contracts, often built on Solana, automate payments in HNT between users and hotspot operators, ensuring transparency and reducing intermediaries. Frank Mong of Nova Labs, which manages the Helium network, highlighted that this system is open to third parties, with Telefonica now deploying it in Mexico. This openness aligns with crypto’s ethos of decentralized, permissionless access [1].

Helium Mobile, the consumer-facing offshoot, further illustrates crypto’s utility. Offering free mobile plans—potentially subsidized by data-sharing rewards—Helium Mobile has attracted 2,000 new users daily, with customer acquisition costs as low as $10–$15 per user compared to traditional carriers’ $100+ benchmarks. Mong described this as a “loss leader,” emphasizing long-term monetization through upselling paid plans or ancillary services. His near-term goal is 1 million subscribers and 1 million hotspots, a modest but significant milestone in crypto’s broader ecosystem [1].

Critically, Helium’s success lies in its ability to bridge abstract crypto concepts with tangible applications. By solving a real-world problem—coverage gaps in buildings—it has demonstrated that blockchain can incentivize infrastructure development without relying on speculative trading. As Mong noted, “Our aspirations are bigger than providing internet access,” hinting at potential expansions beyond telecom, though specific plans remain undisclosed [1].

Source: [1] [title1] [url1] https://blockworks.co/news/helium-crypto-utility