We’re thrilled to announce that Michigan State University (MSU) will be adopting the EdgeCloud platform for AI research, joining University of Oregon as the second US academia customer. MSU’s Secure and Intelligent Things (SEIT) Lab, directed by Associate Professor Qiben Yan, will leverage Theta’s decentralized GPU infrastructure to drive innovation in AI, cybersecurity, and distributed systems.

As a major Tier 1 research institution, Michigan State University adds a new dimension to Theta’s academic collaborations in the US. EdgeCloud will soon expand its US cloud-based GPU infrastructure with locations in California, Texas and the Midwest. June 2025 will also see the release of the Beta of EdgeCloud’s fully hybrid cloud-edge computing platform, incorporating an edge network of over 30,000 edge nodes operated by community members globally. The US and North America account for nearly one-third of these nodes, providing significant synergy to US-based customers.

About Professor Qiben Yan and the SEIT Lab

Professor Qiben Yan, the director of MSU’s Secure and Intelligent Things (SEIT) Lab, is a renowned expert in IoT security, AI privacy, blockchain resilience, and cybersecurity. His lab conducts pioneering research on safeguarding connected devices, systems, and networks from advanced cyber threats. Professor Yan’s work has been featured in top conferences, including USENIX Security, ACM CCS, and IEEE TIFS, and his projects have earned prestigious funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

“Theta has achieved significant customer traction in Asia with some of the top South Korean universities like KAIST and Seoul National. They’re our respected peers in the academic circle and we’re excited to have SEIT Lab join Theta EdgeCloud’s platform. We believe that EdgeCloud can help us scale various AI projects that require high-performance computing cost efficiently. We think in the long-term this will help us push the boundaries of decentralized technology as we expand research in secure, intelligent systems for IoT and AI applications.” — Professor Qiben Yan

The SEIT Lab specializes in developing secure, intelligent systems for IoT and AI applications, with an emphasis on distributed systems, federated learning, and blockchain-powered platforms. Recent achievements include an NSF-funded project on adversarially robust AI for speech recognition and groundbreaking research on secure transaction frameworks for smart contracts. Prof. Yan’s leadership has positioned the SEIT Lab as a hub for innovative solutions in cybersecurity and decentralized computing.

Advancing AI and Blockchain Research

By adopting Theta EdgeCloud, the SEIT Lab gains access to a decentralized cloud platform that enables efficient training and deployment of AI models. EdgeCloud reduces the time required to spin up GPU resources by up to 5x compared to traditional cloud providers, accelerating research in secure AI, federated learning, and blockchain-powered systems.

This partnership strengthens Theta’s growing academic network, which includes top-tier universities in the United States, China and South Korea. These collaborations underscore Theta’s commitment to supporting academic research tackling complex challenges in media, healthcare, bioinformatics, and finance.

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Velo Labs is at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology with traditional banking systems, aiming to revolutionize financial transactions and enhance global financial inclusivity. By leveraging Web3-based solutions, Velo seeks to bridge the gap between conventional financial infrastructure and decentralized finance, offering a seamless and efficient experience for both institutions and end-users.

Enhancing Cross-Border Payments

One of Velo's primary objectives is to address the challenges associated with cross-border payments. Traditional methods often involve high costs, lengthy processing times, and complex intermediaries. Velo's Federated Credit Exchange Network enables financial service providers to issue digital credits pegged to any fiat currency, facilitating swift and secure transactions. This system reduces counterparty risk and ensures transactions are completed in mere seconds.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Velo Labs has formed strategic partnerships to bolster its mission. Notably, UOB Venture Management, the private equity and venture capital arm of United Overseas Bank, has made a second strategic investment in Velo Labs, underscoring confidence in Velo's vision and technological capabilities.

Additionally, Velo's collaboration with Band Protocol integrates decentralized oracles to provide reliable foreign exchange and token pricing data. This integration ensures real-time settlement systems and enhances the security of digital credit issuance.

Innovations in Asset Tokenization

Expanding its services, Velo Labs has introduced tokenized financial products to Southeast Asia. By bringing BlackRock's tokenized short-term treasury fund to the region, Velo offers secure and efficient investment opportunities, demonstrating the versatility of its platform in integrating traditional assets with blockchain technology.

Interoperability and Ecosystem Expansion

Velo is committed to enhancing its ecosystem through interoperability, connecting businesses to global funds and driving money velocity via seamless financial services powered by Web3 technology. This approach ensures that Velo's solutions are adaptable and can integrate with various financial systems worldwide.

Real-World Applications

Demonstrating practical utility, Velo has partnered with Travala, a leading blockchain-powered travel platform, allowing Velo Token holders to book over 3,000,000 flights, hotels, and activities worldwide using their digital assets. This partnership exemplifies Velo's commitment to expanding the real-world use cases of its digital assets.

Conclusion

Velo Labs is pioneering the integration of blockchain solutions within traditional banking systems, offering innovative approaches to cross-border payments, asset tokenization, and financial interoperability. Through strategic partnerships and a commitment to technological excellence, Velo is poised to significantly impact the future of banking and finance.

As always, do your own research and none of this is to be considered as financial advice. My main point on this post is to bring Velo to your attention.

However, If you are interested in getting your hands on some Velo, the easiest way that I have found is to have your VPN engaged and go to the StellarEX Decentralized exchange by clicking the image below and simply swap XLM for VELO. I already have the link set up for the pair, so there should be no confusion. If you need further assistance, you know where to find me on my blog or on X.