Solana News Today: Akash's Chain Shift Aligns with DePIN's $3.5T AI Surge

Akash Network, a decentralized compute marketplace for AI and cloud services, has announced plans to deprecate its Cosmos SDK-based chain and seek a new network to support its infrastructure, according to founder Greg Osuri. The move, detailed in an X post and subsequent interviews, signals a major architectural shift for the project, which has operated as a Cosmos appchain since its launch in 2020. While no timeline has been set for the migration, Osuri emphasized the need for a destination chain offering "strong security, a high-quality community, deep liquidity, and exciting growth," with Solana cited as a "strong contender" Akash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1].

The decision follows years of growth for Akash, which introduced Nvidia GPUs to its Mainnet 6 upgrade in 2023, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to centralized cloud providers. Osuri noted that the new network must remain IBC-compatible to preserve interoperability with platforms like Osmosis and Keplr. The migration process will be "public and community-driven," with a request for proposals (RFP) expected "in the coming weeks" to involve foundations in the evaluation Akash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1].

The shift aligns with broader trends in the DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) sector, which is projected to reach $3.5 trillion by 2028 as AI demand surges, according to a World Economic Forum report. DePIN projects, which blend blockchain with community-owned infrastructure, are increasingly seen as solutions to centralized cloud bottlenecks. However, challenges like hardware access and cross-border regulations persist, with The Block Research highlighting that interoperability and throughput will determine which networks dominate decentralized applications .

Akash's roadmap underscores its focus on scalability and user experience. The project outlined 2025 milestones including enhanced GPU support, real-time pricing tools, and "Akash at Home," a feature enabling individual users to contribute home-based compute resources. These updates aim to address scalability hurdles and expand the network's appeal as a decentralized alternative to traditional data centers Akash Network Roadmap - 2025^[3].

The potential migration to Solana is noteworthy given the recent launch of IBC connectivity on the Solana blockchain by Composable Foundation. This integration, which enables cross-chain transactions between Solana and Cosmos ecosystems, has already attracted attention for its ability to boost liquidity and reduce fragmentation in DeFi. Analysts suggest that Solana's high throughput and $80 billion market cap could make it an attractive base layer for DePIN projects seeking speed and cost efficiency The Compute Economy: Building the Foundation for AI’s Future^[6].

Osuri also addressed user concerns about staking, stating that the mechanism will "evolve into something superior" beyond pure consensus security. This hints at potential redesigns to align with the new network's architecture, though specifics remain unannounced. The founder's emphasis on security and liquidity mirrors broader industry priorities, as DePIN networks grapple with balancing decentralization with the performance demands of AI workloads Akash Network to deprecate its Cosmos chain, begin search for new network^[1].

The migration could have ripple effects across the blockchain ecosystem. For Cosmos, losing a prominent DePIN project like Akash may prompt a reevaluation of its appchain model. Meanwhile, Solana's adoption by DePIN projects could accelerate its growth beyond DeFi and NFTs, solidifying its position as a high-performance infrastructure layer DePIN to reach $3.5T by 2028 on crypto, AI^[4].

As Akash navigates this transition, its success will hinge on its ability to retain core integrations while leveraging the strengths of its new network. With DePIN poised to reshape computing infrastructure, the project's move reflects a broader industry shift toward decentralized solutions that prioritize scalability, security, and community-driven governance.

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