Aethir vs Io.net.

Which AI-Powered DePIN Is Worth Your Investment?

The Renegades
June 23, 2025

As AI continues to devour compute resources, decentralized GPU networks have emerged as the next big frontier. Two contenders Aethir (ATH) and io.net (IO) aim to disrupt traditional cloud computing with decentralized infrastructure built on blockchain.

But which project is better positioned to capture real-world value?

Let’s dig deeper and compare.

Real-World Use Case

Aethir (ATH)

Decentralized GPU cloud for enterprise AI, gaming, and robotics workloads.
Over 360,000 GPUs, including 3,000+ NVIDIA H100s, and 47,000 edge devices.
Offers containerized GPU access with latency optimization and security layers.
Supports gaming studios like Return Entertainment and MetaGravity.

io.net (IO)

Global marketplace connecting idle GPUs across 138+ countries.
Targets ML engineers and AI researchers needing scalable, hourly rentals.
Leverages Solana’s speed and cost-efficiency.
Partnerships include Render Network, Filecoin, and Dell.

2. Funding & Backers

Aethir

Self-funded via $125M in ARR from real enterprise GPU contracts.
Strategic ecosystem partners include Filecoin, Ocean Protocol, and gaming studios.

io.net

Raised $30M Series A led by Hack VC, backed by Solana Labs, OKX Ventures, Animoca, Multicoin Capital, and Aptos Labs.
Token launched in June 2024; heavy VC presence but still early-stage adoption.

3. Tokenomics & Utility

Aethir (ATH)

Launch — Mid 2024
Max Supply — 42,000,000,000
Usage — Enterprise compute, staking, checker nodes
Burn / Deflation — TBA
Revenue Source — Real clients, ARR

io.net (IO)

Launch — Mid 2024
Max Supply — 800M tokens
Usage — GPU rental payments, staking, rewards
Burn / Deflation — Yes, burns part of supply
Revenue Source — Pay-per-use GPU marketplace

4. Adoption & Traction

Aethir

Already in use by AI developers and game studios.
91,000+ nodes support the checker network.
Announced real-time compute for AI inference and game streaming.

io.net

Claims 300,000+ GPUs accessible globally.
Early reports show some issues with utilization and network coordination.
Popular among retail miners and early adopters in Solana ecosystem.

5. Risks & Concerns

Aethir:

Needs to maintain enterprise growth to justify token value.
Regulation on hardware sourcing and location could affect node network.

io.net:

Network stability and utilization still maturing.
Token inflation and early-stage volatility a concern.

In conclusion, both Aethir and io.net are legitimate contenders in the AI infrastructure crypto space. Choosing between them depends on your investment philosophy long-term enterprise stability versus fast-growing community-driven utility. Regardless of your pick, one thing is clear: decentralized AI infrastructure is no longer science fiction. It’s becoming a core building block of Web3.

Verdict for Investors
Aethir (ATH): Revenue-backed, already delivering enterprise services. Solid long-term bet.
io.net (IO): High-risk, high-reward play if they deliver on mass GPU coordination at scale.

Both are on the frontier of AI x blockchain but Aethir appears more grounded in utility, while io.net is a VC-fueled bet on future growth.

Where to Access These AI Tokens
If you’re interested in exploring these AI infrastructure projects further, both Aethir and io.net are available on major exchanges:

Aethir (ATH) is listed on OKX.
Sign up using this link and get up to 100 USDT in rewards as a new user.

io.net (IO) is available on Binance.
Sign up here. New users can get a $100 cashback voucher when they join and meet eligibility requirements. T&Cs apply.

Note: These referral links are optional and simply provide perks if you’re new to these platforms.

References:

This article is also available on Medium for those who prefer reading there.

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Aethir vs Io.net.

Which AI-Powered DePIN Is Worth Your Investment?

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