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Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) has become one of the crypto industry’s darlings, among the fastest-growing sectors in web3. According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Technology Convergence Report, DePIN is set to snowball from its current ~$30 billion valuation to a seismic $3.5 trillion by 2028.

That’s an increase of approximately 11,576% (just ask ChatGPT).

On paper, DePIN is certainly a heavyweight. But is it ready to go round-to-round and actually power the world?

Understanding the DePIN landscape today

The magic of DePIN lies in making physical infrastructure (think bandwidth, cloud storage, smart cars, and microgrids) community-owned and open for anyone to contribute. Regular people can plug in their idle devices, whether it’s a sensor, a car, or a phone, and get rewarded for their part in keeping the network alive.

The DePIN world is buzzing with blockchain-based, community-owned networks that support real-world infrastructure in all kinds of ways, and the use cases keep growing.

The WEF estimates more than 1,500 active DePIN projects out there, opening physical infrastructure to the masses and letting individuals and communities join ecosystems that were once reserved for big corporations and centralized players.

By harnessing blockchain, DePIN boosts transparency, security, and efficiency in how resources get used, and contributors receive tokenized rewards for getting involved.

Why the hype is real

One of the primary drivers for DePIN’s rise is its convergence with AI, especially the emergence of decentralized physical AI (DePAI), enabling machine learning models to harness data and compute from a diverse, distributed, and global network.

Unlike some other areas of web3, like memecoins or perpetuals, DePIN is not just about financial speculation; it’s about blockchain mass adoption and making users active participants in digital economies.

And in a world that’s powered by data, DePIN really shines; not just knowing what the data is, but where it comes from, who validated it, and whether it’s been faked or phished.

As the need for AI training data explodes, the value of high-quality, trustless proof-of-origin data rises in step, making DePIN essential not just for crypto, but for global digital infrastructure as well.

From home internet to IoT

XYO is a company that verifies and moves real-world information on-chain for DePIN, AI, and RWA apps. Launched in 2018, XYO has over 10 million nodes and ranks as the fourth-highest-earning DePIN project to date. Cofounder Marcus Levin explains:

“We act as a trustless oracle, verifying and validating the real-world data that powers AI, web3, and enterprise use cases. 80% of the people in our network are non-crypto users. They can be truckers and Uber drivers, joggers, and people who move a lot. They’re able to earn more. People want to earn money on this side and get crypto for free.”

Althea Network brings blockchain-enabled internet to thousands of homes with dynamic, pay-as-you-go pricing. The team reports four petabytes of traffic routed across 12 states and multiple countries, directly addressing the issue that $100 billion in U.S. government spending has made less than a 1% dent in connectivity. As cofounder and CEO Debora Simpier put it:

“About one in four people in the U.S. don’t have adequate internet.”

Another example of a DePIN network is Sentinel, which offers a decentralized VPN infrastructure, boasting 359,000 users and 7,500 volunteer-operated nodes worldwide. Sentinel also builds custom SDKs to enable VPN features for popular applications, even in highly censored regimes like Turkmenistan.

The DePIN sector isn’t just about location data or supply chain oracles, either. Its reach is far broader, stretching deeper into the physical fabric of the connected world.

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Helium, for example, started in 2019 as a grassroots mesh network for IoT sensors, and has exploded into a community-powered wireless movement, with tens of thousands of hotspots deployed globally.

Instead of relying on telcos and corporate towers, Helium lets everyday people become the network, earning tokens by providing wireless coverage for smart sensors, scooters, and asset trackers, and turning idle hardware into crypto-powered utility.

And when it comes to data storage, Filecoin’s DePIN network enables decentralized storage, which not only circumvents centralized actors but translates to better privacy, lower costs, and a radically reduced risk of censorship or downtime.

These projects span home internet, censorship-resistant communications, mobility, and storage infrastructure, highlighting the diversity and scalability of the DePIN model.

Is DePIN ready for prime time?

Despite the hype and growing adoption, scaling decentralized physical infrastructure remains DePIN’s biggest hurdle. One of the hardest challenges of integrating real-world hardware is economies of scale.

Traditional blockchains struggle to process vast numbers of transactions and data uploads in real time, especially as DePIN networks connect thousands, or even millions, of physical devices across the globe.

Unlike purely financial networks, every new sensor, router, or contributor adds not just another wallet, but a new stream of bandwidth, compute, or storage that must be securely tracked and rewarded.

As network scale grows, congestion and latency can spike, with longer transaction confirmation times, unpredictable fees, and the risk of outages in high-throughput environments.

This challenge is amplified as DePIN seeks to power real-world infrastructure that demands seamless response, reliability, and ultra-low delays. Current infrastructure, while promising, often falls short of these demands.

Mass participation also brings regulatory scrutiny around consumer protections, KYC/AML, and data privacy. DePIN’s physical touchpoints, such as routers, vehicles, and storage, are inherently more exposed to security breaches than purely digital systems, necessitating strong defenses against hacking, Sybil attacks, or hardware vulnerabilities.

And despite 1,500+ live projects and valuations in the tens of billions, only a handful have proven themselves over years of operation.

The path to an open digital economy

DePIN’s projected 70-fold market expansion in three years seems like a tall order. But powered by AI growth and global demand for resilient, community-owned infrastructure, the tailwinds are blowing in DePIN’s favor.

As the WEF points out, DePIN’s convergence with decentralized AI could fundamentally change the global computing landscape and lead to a more open, secure, and accessible digital economy.

And as the number and diversity of DePIN projects continue to rise, so will those that move beyond hype and deliver real infrastructure and inclusion at a truly global scale. So perhaps one day soon, everyone on the planet, from Tennessee to Timbuktu, will be able to plug in, contribute, and own a slice of the new digital infrastructure.

The market is on the verge of exiting the consolidation stage, with Shiba Inu, XRP and Cardano being on verge of their local formations that should boost volatility and push either asset into their next stage.

Shiba Inu at crossroads

With price action indicating the possibility of a significant breakdown, Shiba Inu is at a crucial crossroads. The token is stuck inside a narrowing triangle and is currently trading at about $0.0000123, but the overall structure is bearish.

Due to buyers’ inability to maintain momentum above resistance levels, each bounce has been weaker than the last. The consistent drop in trading volume is the most concerning indication. Volume has been declining since early August, which suggests that traders’ interest and involvement are waning.

Declining volume during consolidation frequently precedes strong breakouts in cryptocurrency markets, however, since SHIB is already under pressure, the likelihood of a breakdown rather than a recovery is higher.

Technically speaking, SHIB will encounter resistance right away in the range of $0.0000130-$0.0000132, and then the 200-day moving average close to $0.0000139. Every upward attempt has been capped for weeks at these levels. Support for the downside is located just above $0.0000120. The next target might be $0.0000110 or even $0.0000100, a level that runs the risk of adding another zero to SHIB’s valuation if it significantly breaks below this.

Additionally, a classic indicator of deteriorating market structure, the descending trendline from the recent highs, is still forcing lower peaks. Bearish momentum will probably prevail unless SHIB can break out above that line with significant volume. That is, there is a genuine chance of oblivion.

In addition to possibly correcting further, SHIB runs the risk of becoming irrelevant for traders seeking stronger momentum plays if support gives way while volume keeps declining.

XRP’s last test

It appears that XRP is nearing a final stand at its current price. The token is currently trading at about $2.83, just above the 100-day EMA at $2.77, which serves as the crucial line of defense. If XRP is unable to maintain this zone, it may fall toward $2.50 and ultimately the psychological $2.00 level.

The symmetrical triangle pattern that had been supporting the price since mid-August is clearly broken in the chart. XRP was forced below the lower trendline by sellers, and although it has stabilized for the time being, momentum is still brittle. A clear close below $2.77 would validate the bearish trend.

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The pattern in the volume adds to the uncertainty. The steady decline in trading volume is frequently an indication that sellers are worn out, and that bearish pressure is abating. However, low volume can also indicate fund outflows and disinterest, making XRP more susceptible to steeper drops when liquidity evaporates.

XRP has some breathing room for a recovery, as the RSI, which is currently hovering around 44 and reflecting neutral-to-weak momentum, does not yet exhibit any bullish divergence. Regaining $2.95-$3.00 is crucial for bulls. Strength would only be indicated by a persistent return above $3.00, which would pave the way for $3.10-$3.20.

XRP might still bounce back and reenter a consolidation range if support remains at the 100-day EMA. But if it fails, sentiment quickly shifts against it, making the path to $2.00 much more likely. This is a make-or-break situation for XRP investors for the time being.

Cardano’s patience

Cardano is putting its holders’ patience to the test once more. After weeks of losing momentum, the token is currently trading at a pivotal level, with bulls finding it difficult to maintain control. According to the short-term technical picture, the 100-day EMA and the crucial $0.80 support zone are both in the vicinity of ADA.

There is still hope for a recovery in ADA despite the negative undertones. The $0.80 area has previously shown itself to be resilient, serving as a base for several recoveries. Buyers can continue on their current trajectory toward $0.90 and $1.00 if they can defend this level once more.

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A psychological shift would be signaled by a breakout above $1, which might draw momentum traders and investors who had been sidelined back into the market.

However, volume trends are not very promising. Everyday trading activity has decreased, indicating a general decline in enthusiasm. This makes ADA susceptible because, when markets turn risk-off, a lack of conviction can hasten downward pressure. However, these quiet periods frequently come before explosive moves, so the next sessions are very important.

The indecision is highlighted by the RSI, close to 48, which is in neutral territory and does not indicate oversold or overbought conditions. This implies that ADA has some leeway.

In general, the market is struggling, as there isn’t much of bearish support coming in and the majority of investors are bracing themselves for multiple breakdowns, especially if Bitcoin fails to deliver in the next few weeks.

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

About Author

Anas is a crypto native journalist and SEO writer with over five years of writing experience covering blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and emerging tech.

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Last updated: 

September 3, 2025

SOL price prediction scenarios have intensified as Solana broke through $209 resistance levels while Galaxy Digital made blockchain history by launching SEC-registered GLXY tokens directly on the Solana network.

This marks the first time a publicly listed U.S. equity has been issued natively on a major public blockchain.

Technical analysis reveals SOL maintaining its position above key ascending support around $190-200, with multiple projections targeting $225-291 in the coming months.

Galaxy Digital Develops Blockchain Equity Integration

Galaxy Digital launched tokenized GLXY shares, allowing holders of SEC-registered Class A common stock to convert shares into native tokens on Solana.

Each on-chain GLXY represents an actual share with identical legal and economic rights as traditionally held stock, not wrapped derivatives.

The tokenization process requires KYC verification through Superstate, Galaxy’s digital transfer agent.

Only allowlisted addresses can hold or receive tokens, which is implemented to preserve shareholder records and meet AML obligations while allowing corporate actions.

Galaxy selected Solana for its speed, throughput, and growing role as a high-volume spot trading Layer-1 blockchain.

The firm emphasized primary issuance on L1 networks to preserve unilateral exits and minimize centralized control points, though Ethereum support is planned for future phases.

Trading restrictions currently limit tokenized GLXY to bilateral transfers between KYC-approved addresses.

AMM and DEX trading remains unavailable pending regulatory clarity, though Galaxy argues automated market makers should function as autonomous escrow mechanisms rather than regulated exchanges.

Ascending Support Structure Maintains Bullish Framework

As the market is gearing up, SOL’s 4-hour chart maintains its position above the key ascending trendline support that has provided a foundation throughout the rally from $120 to the current $209 levels.

The blue ascending support line confluences with the 200-period EMA around $190, which creates a strong technical foundation for continued momentum.

Similarly, the RSI reading of 14 suggests SOL approaches oversold conditions on this timeframe, potentially supporting bounce scenarios if ascending support holds.

The MACD indicator shows values around 12.26, maintaining positive momentum despite recent consolidation.

Stochastic readings of 14.1 also indicate potential for short-term upside if SOL sustains above ascending support levels.

However, momentum indicators are already at elevated levels, suggesting limited room for expansion before potential divergences develop.

This technical setup requires careful monitoring of support integrity around $190-200 zones.

Channel Projections Target $291 Following Support Retest

Daily chart analysis reveals SOL’s movement within a well-defined ascending channel structure, with September projections indicating an initial support test, followed by a resumption toward channel resistance.

SOL is currently around $208, and occupies middle channel territory with projected decline toward $190-200 support before rallying toward $240 upper boundary.

Multi-target analysis reveals SOL positioned within converging trendlines, with horizontal resistance levels marked at $174.36, $211.99, $ 224.10, and $291.04.

The current projection suggests a specific sequence involving a decline toward the $170 support level, followed by recovery, ultimately targeting $291, representing an approximately 40% gain from current levels.

Moreover, a weekly comparison to autumn 2023 price action, around $24, suggests a similar consolidation pattern may be developing at higher absolute levels.

As it stands now, SOL may be building energy for another major leg higher, potentially targeting the $400-500 range based on measured moves from the current consolidation.

The immediate focus centers on SOL’s ability to maintain above the ascending support while building momentum for an assault on the $225-240 resistance zone.

A successful break above these levels would validate more optimistic projections toward $291 and beyond.

Is Snorter the Next 100x Telegram Bot Everyone’s Using?

While SOL prepares for a potential breakout toward new highs, this new trading bot is already showing strong presale performance.

Smart traders know that finding the right utility token early can lead to massive returns during bull markets.

Snorter is getting attention because it makes Solana trading faster and safer. The bot works inside Telegram and can buy tokens in under one second using private RPC connections.

The presale has raised over $3.6 million so far. Early buyers can earn around 127% staking rewards for holding their coins.

Above all that, here’s what matters: the best trading tools get adopted quickly once they prove they work.

Snorter launches fully in Q3 2025 with features like copy trading and rug pull protection. This means you should buy soon if you want presale prices.

You can buy SNORT tokens on their website using SOL, ETH, USDT, or credit cards.

Visit the Official Website Here

The following is a guest post and opinion from Slavik Baranov, CEO at STON.fi Dev.

From Gaming Phenomenon to Financial Ambition

In 2024, the TON blockchain became one of the most talked-about ecosystems in crypto — not because of a groundbreaking DeFi protocol, but thanks to the meteoric rise of viral tap-to-earn games on Telegram. Titles like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin drew millions virtually overnight, pushing daily active wallets to nearly 2 million by September.

The surge proved TON can onboard users at a pace few blockchains can match. But it also exposed the fragility of hype-driven adoption: many players came for quick rewards and left when incentives ended. Speculative capital — fluid and opportunistic by nature — followed the same path.

Games showed TON’s reach. But they were never meant to be the foundation of a financial revolution.

The Lasting Impact of the Hype Cycle

The post-game cooldown wasn’t a collapse; it was a reset. In January 2024, before the gaming boom, TON averaged 26,000 daily active wallets. After the dust settled, activity stabilized at 100,000–200,000 — a multiple of its pre-hype base.

Even more importantly, developer and user inflows seeded growth across the ecosystem. The number of DeFi protocols on TON rose from 35 to 67 in 2024 — a 91% increase. This expansion reflects a gradual shift in focus from short-lived promotions to enduring financial infrastructure.

Building TON’s DeFi Landscape

TON’s DeFi sector now spans token swaps, staking, and lending. In early 2024, EVAA launched as the first lending protocol. By late summer, AMM protocol STON.fi had reached nearly $400 million in liquidity. Today, the leaders by total value locked (TVL) are the liquid staking protocol Tonstakers and the swap protocol STON.fi, reflecting user preference for core, high-liquidity services.

Fueled by gaming-related excitement, total value locked (TVL) across the network peaked at $1.1 billion in July 2024. But as incentive programs ended, TVL declined to around $600 million by early 2025 and now stands near $400 million.

These movements suggest that part of TON’s liquidity was influenced by short-term market dynamics. Funds tended to flow in during periods of attractive yields and gradually taper off as those opportunities diminished.

By the end of 2024, TON had nearly 38 million addresses, yet new wallet creation fell sharply — from 724,000 daily in autumn to just 33,000 in early 2025. Meanwhile, staking emerged as a safe haven: around 790 million TON are currently staked, concentrating liquidity in lower-risk, base-layer protocols.

Why the Revolution Hasn’t Happened Yet

Compared with Ethereum or Solana, TON’s liquidity depth and range of products are still developing. Part of this difference stems from its underlying design. TON’s architecture was created with massive scalability in mind, leading to technically elegant but more complex infrastructure for developers.

Smart contracts on TON use a low-level language, and many core components require building from the ground up, which may have contributed to a more gradual pace of DeFi development in its early years.

The trade-off? Low-level development can produce more efficient, resilient solutions over time. TON’s core team is actively reducing friction for builders, paving the way for faster growth.

Another factor is ecosystem dependence on Telegram. On one hand, this integration gives TON direct access to over 1 billion users and tangible utility — since 2024, Telegram channel owners have been able to receive ad revenue payouts in TON. On the other hand, it creates a single point of exposure: any disruption in Telegram instantly impacts TON.

For now, many average users still see Telegram mini-apps as casual games rather than financial tools. Without broadening beyond entertainment use cases, TON’s appeal to institutional capital remains constrained.

Unlocking TON’s DeFi Potential

The path forward is clear: expand beyond hype cycles and deliver mass-market financial services seamlessly integrated into the Telegram experience.

This could mean:

• Frictionless payments — sending crypto in a Telegram chat as easily as a text message.
• Everyday utility — paying for goods, services, or restaurant bills in TON-based tokens.
• Accessible lending — offering microloans and credit solutions in regions underserved by banks.

If executed well, these use cases could transform TON from a viral gaming phenomenon into a primary interface for global crypto adoption.

Signals of Institutional Confidence

Institutional investment is already validating TON’s potential. In March 2024, major players including Sequoia Capital, Draper Associates, Kingsway, CoinFund, Ribbit, and Skybridge invested in Toncoin.

In January 2025, Zodia Custody (a subsidiary of Standard Chartered) announced support for TON’s Jetton token standard, enabling banks and large investors to securely hold and manage TON assets. And in July 2025, The Open Platform — a developer of Telegram-based protocols and apps built on TON — secured $28.5 million at a $1 billion valuation from leading funds Ribbit Capital and Pantera Capital.

Conclusion: From Potential to Reality

The explosive growth of 2024 proved that pairing Telegram’s reach with blockchain’s capabilities can move markets. But true transformation will come only when TON evolves from a hype-fueled onramp into a robust financial ecosystem.

The fundamentals are in place: a growing developer base, improving infrastructure, and unprecedented distribution through Telegram. If TON’s DeFi sector can simplify the user experience and deliver essential, in-demand services where users already are, it won’t just participate in the future of digital finance — it could help define it.

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After a severe correction, Ethereum recovered and is now firmly above the $4,300 support zone, demonstrating its resilience. The daily chart’s structure indicates that ETH may be poised for another surge toward the $5,000 milestone, suggesting that the recent pullback may have reached its end.

The 50-day EMA has been a dynamic support for ETH’s strong recovery over the last few weeks. The recent uptrend has seen shallow corrections that have been swiftly followed by fresh buying pressure. This kind of market behavior reflects strong investor confidence, a necessary ingredient for pushing ETH into uncharted territory.

The RSI at 59 indicates that there is space for a new rally, as ETH has cooled off from overbought conditions. In contrast to earlier this year, volume is still high, even though it has been decreasing during the correction phase.

In the upcoming sessions, ETH may retest recent highs around $4,800 and push above them toward $5,000 if volume increases. Nevertheless, Ethereum’s rallies are infamously erratic. Investors should keep in mind that even though the chart structure encourages continuation, parabolic advances frequently come to an abrupt end.

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Deeper corrections could return to the 200-day EMA around $3,400 if the price fails to stay above $4,200. The path of least resistance is still up for the time being. With investor interest, momentum recovery and structural support, ETH is well-positioned to try another breakout.

The $5,000 drive might happen sooner rather than later if momentum is in favor of it, but traders need to be on the lookout because Ethereum rallies have a history of reversing as fast as they start.

XRP’s critical breakdown

Now hovering just below the crucial $3.00 level, XRP is getting closer to a definitive breakdown. Instead of providing bullish potential, the symmetrical triangle pattern that has been tightening over the past few weeks appears poised to tilt toward the downside, according to the charts.

As of press time, XRP is trading close to $2.82 and has already started to decline below short-term support. By confirming the formation’s increasing weakness, this price action raises the possibility that the market is getting ready to continue its downward trend.

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While the triangle’s breakdown is a bearish signal in and of itself, it becomes even more dire when combined with declining volume. If this happens, XRP may quickly decline toward its 200-day EMA, which is located around $2.50. This level serves as both technical support and the next psychological safety net for investors.

If this were to drop, selling pressure would probably increase, and XRP would likely see more significant corrections. There are no indications of reversal divergence, and the RSI at 42 indicates bearish momentum. This implies that buyers are merely unwilling to intervene at the current levels, especially when combined with the declining market participation.

XRP is probably going to continue to face pressure unless a powerful catalyst appears, like an abrupt market-wide recovery.

In summary, the symmetrical triangle of XRP has successfully moved from a consolidation zone to a breakdown structure, and investors should brace themselves for a decline toward $2.50 unless $3 can be recovered quickly. Given the market’s fragility, XRP might not have much left to hold onto before more declines occur.

Shiba Inu anemic

The price of Shiba Inu, which is currently trading at around $0.0000122, is still consolidating inside a tightening symmetrical triangle. The lack of momentum leading into the weekend is what makes the current setup so important, even though the pattern has been developing for a few weeks.

The daily trading volume has stagnated, and SHIB has historically had little-to-no liquidity on weekends. This implies that once more market activity resumes next week, the true direction will probably become apparent.

It is evident from the technical picture that SHIB is being squeezed between the lower edge of its triangle support and the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day EMAs’ strong overhead resistance. An explosive breakout is anticipated in the future if price coils more inside this structure without volume.

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Because SHIB has continuously failed to reclaim higher resistance zones throughout August, the overall trend remains bearish, which presents a challenge for bulls. With neither bulls nor bears fully in control, the RSI at 44 indicates weak momentum.

However, SHIB might swiftly decline toward $0.0000110-0.0000100, a region that offered stability earlier this year, if the lower triangle support gives way. On the other hand, any significant recovery would require a bullish breakout above $0.0000135-0.0000140, but this move appears unlikely in the near future without volume.

Shiba Inu investors are unlikely to find answers this weekend. When volume resumes the following week, the market will decide whether SHIB can withstand another round of selling pressure or not. This is when the real test starts. The next course of action will probably decide SHIB’s short-term future since the triangle is getting close to its apex.

At a Glance

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• Frequent updates and new features
• Good performance on multi-core Apple chips
• Slick, easy-to-use interface
• Powerful new AI features and tools for developers

Cons

• Most editions require a subscription
• AI features not available in all editions
• Virtual machines require a lot of memory and processor power
• Windows On ARM is expensive

Our Verdict

Parallels Desktop is one of the best options for Mac users who need to run Windows, Linux – and even macOS – as a virtual machine on their Mac.

Price When Reviewed

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Best Pricing Today

Parallels (1 year)

$99.99

Parallels (Perpetual License)

$219.99

Price When Reviewed

Standard – $99.99 annual subscription or $219.99 perpetual license; Pro – $119.99 annual subscription; Business – $149.99 annual subscription

Best Prices Today:

Parallels (1 year)

$99.99

Parallels (Perpetual License)

$219.99

The Mac is no longer dismissed as an insignificant niche market that struggles to compete with Microsoft Windows. But, even so, there are still times when many Mac users need to run apps and software that are only available for Windows PCs. Perhaps your employer uses particular business software that’s only available for Windows, or you may need to use a website that relies on some Windows-only technologies. Many developers need to test their apps and services on both Macs and PCs and, of course, there are all those A-List games that only run on Windows as well.

It used to be easy to install Windows on Macs, thanks to Apple’s Boot Camp software and the fact that from 2006 to 2020 all Macs used the same Intel processors as Windows PCs. However, with the advent of M-series Macs, Boot Camp is no more, so if you want to run Windows on a Mac you need to consider one of the various virtualization options that we feature in our round-up of the Best Virtual Machine software for Mac.

The advent of Apple’s own chips, aka Apple Silicon, also means that the standard version of Windows, designed for X-86 chips, won’t run on Arm-based chips like Apple’s M-series. If you want to run Windows on an M-series Mac you need the Arm version of Windows. 

Our top solution for running Windows on a Mac is Parallels Desktop. Read on to find out why in our full review of Parallels Desktop for Mac. Skip to the section about the latest version of Parallels Desktop if you are already familiar with the software and want to know what’s new.

What is Parallels Desktop for Mac 

Parallels Desktop is referred to as a virtualization program, because it allows you to create a virtual machine on your Mac – sometimes known as a VM – which is essentially a piece of software that simulates the physical hardware of a Windows PC (process also known as emulation) and lets you run Windows on your Mac.  

One of the benefits of a solution like Parallels Desktop is it allows you to run Mac and Windows apps side by side, without having to reboot your Mac to switch between the macOS and Windows (which you had to do with Boot Camp).

Parallels gives you a lot of control over how you integrate Windows on your Mac. You could choose to keep Windows and macOS completely separate, with a full Windows desktop window floating on the Mac desktop, or the Windows VM can be expanded to full-screen size to hide the Mac desktop. But you can also use Coherence mode to run your Windows apps on your Mac so that they integrate fully with your Mac apps–you can even add them to your Dock.

You can run more than Windows as a VM on your Mac with Parallels Desktop. You can create a VM that runs Linux, or even a VM that runs a different version of macOS itself. This can be useful for developers who need to test a website or an app on different versions of the macOS, although it’s currently only possible to create VMs that run Monterey (macOS 12.0) or later on Macs with Apple Silicon. However, Intel-based Macs can go right back to Mac OS X 10.7 Lion–we have the details of how to find old versions of macOS here.

Another useful feature of Parallels is Rollback mode, which lets you run Windows (or Linux, or macOS) like a kiosk. What this means is that nothing is saved and after you have finished working and restart the computer the VM will return return to it’s original state, this is perfect for developers who can experiment and then return to a clean slate.

Installing Windows using Parallels Desktop

Parallels makes installing Windows really easy. Since Parallels Desktop version 18 it has been possible to download and buy the ARM version of Windows 11 directly within Parallels. You do need to buy a license for the ARM version of Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise in order to create a Windows VM on Macs with Apple Silicon processors – unfortunately, the less expensive Home edition isn’t supported – although it’s also possible to use an existing license if you have one available. Microsoft doesn’t differentiate between Windows On Intel and Windows On Arm, so a Windows 11 license can be used for either version.

This is a big deal because the Arm version of Windows isn’t normally licensed to individual users. Fortunately, Parallels has worked closely with Microsoft to simplify the process of creating VMs that use the ARM version of Windows. Just select the File/New command to create a new VM (or press the ‘+’ button in the program’s main Control Centre window) and it will present you with a big button labeled: Get Windows 11 From Microsoft. 

Windows 11 On ARM allows you to run most older software and apps that were originally written for the Intel version of Windows, so you shouldn’t have any compatibility problems when running virtual machines that use Windows On ARM.

Parallels Desktop 20.2.0 added the ability for Macs with Apple Silicon to run the original Intel version of Windows. That will be useful for developers who want to work on both ARM and Intel platforms. The feature is available in the Pro, Business and Enterprise editions.

Older Intel-based Macs can still run Windows 10 via Parallels, although older versions of Windows are no longer supported.

Read our guide to How to use Parallels Desktop to run Windows on a Mac for more information. 

Parallels Desktop system requirements 

Since your Mac is effectively running two operating systems at the same time–the macOS and Windows–so you’ll need a reasonably fast Mac with plenty of memory, disk space and – above all – processor power in order to run your virtual machines efficiently. 

Fortunately, modern multi-core processors like Apple’s M-series of chips can run routine apps such as the Windows versions of Microsoft Word or Excel using virtualization with no trouble at all, and faster Mac models can do a pretty good job running 3D games or high-end tools for design and graphics work.

You do need plenty of memory to run the macOS and Windows alongside each other though. Parallels Desktop generally recommends a minimum of 1-2GB for each VM, but that really is the absolute minimum, and it’s in addition to the memory that your Mac needs just to run the macOS, so if you’ve got a Mac with just 8GB of memory then you’re not going to get the best possible performance when running Windows in a VM.

Juggling memory and processor cores can be confusing for less experienced users, but Parallels Desktop can help by recommending settings that will be suitable for running different types of Windows apps and software. On high-end Macs, such as the Mac Studio, you can configure your virtual machines to use up to 62GB of memory and 18 CPU cores for improved performance. Unfortunately, Parallels informed us that the multiple GPU cores on Apple Silicon chips are controlled solely by the macOS itself, so Parallels doesn’t currently allow you to also specify the number of GPU cores used by your virtual machines.

Parallels Desktop update: What’s in Parallels Desktop 26 for Mac?

New versions of Parallels Desktop are always released to coincide with the latest updates to the macOS every year (with occasional mid-year updates, such as the recent v20.2, also thrown in for good measure). This year’s release arrives just ahead of the new macOS 26 – aka Tahoe – and it also adopts Apple’s new version numbers, which means that the latest version is now called Parallels Desktop 26. And, along with the existing Standard, Pro and Business Editions, there’s also a new Enterprise Edition for larger organisations.

As you’d expect, Parallels Desktop 26 is fully compatible with macOS 26 Tahoe, and includes technical updates that allow it to run smoothly with the new system for handling background processes that has been introduced with macOS 26. And, when creating a Windows virtual machine (VM), it’s also compatible with the latest Windows 11 25H2 as well. Windows virtual machines can also display the storage space that is available on the host Mac, making it easier to avoid slow-downs due to lack of storage on the VM.

Users of the Business Edition now have more detailed control over virtual machines deployed throughout their organisation, ensuring that settings such as shared folders, access to USB devices, and network usage can be enforced for all users. There’s more help for IT managers who want to use Parallels’ Single Application Mode, which allows them to install a single Windows app on their virtual machines, which then appears to run on the Mac desktop like a native Mac app, without exposing the full complexity of the Parallels Desktop interface. It’s also possible to manage Windows updates within virtual machines by using the Jamf Pro management system, and the Business Edition has been audited for compliance with the latest SOC 2 Type II security standards.

What was new in Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac?

Parallels Desktop 20 arrived in September 2024, bringing support for macOS Sequoia and new features in that version of macOS. 

Parallels 20 included a number of new features that are only available to Mac’s running Sequoia. With Sequoia as your Mac’s main operating system – rather than just a guest running in a virtual machine – you have the ability to sign into a Mac virtual machine (VM) using your Apple ID, which will allow you to use your Apple email and other Apple services. And it is possible to use the Apple Intelligence-powered Writing Tools feature within Windows apps that arrived on Macs with an macOS 16 update.

There were performance improvements when using Parallels’ file-sharing features to exchange files between your main Mac and your virtual machines. Macs with Apple Silicon also gained the ability to quickly save and restore snapshots of VMs (although the snapshots feature was already available when running Parallels on Macs with Intel processors in the past).

Parallels Desktop 20 was compatible with the 24H2 Windows 11 On Arm update which featured an improved Prism emulator to provide as much as 80% performance improvement when running some older Windows apps that were written for Intel processors. Prism is similar to Apple’s Rosetta, which allows old Mac apps that were written for Intel processors to run on modern Macs with Apple Silicon – and, strictly speaking, this is an improvement provided by Microsoft within Windows 11 24H2, but it still benefited Parallels users by speeding up older Windows apps running within a virtual machines. 

As mentioned above, Parallels Desktop 20.2.0 added the ability for Macs with Apple Silicon to run the original Intel version of Windows.

What was new in Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac?

Parallels Desktop 19 arrived in August 2023 and introduced a redesigned interface with windows and dialogue boxes that adopted the curved lines and candy colors of macOS. More serious eye candy also arrived with support for 3D graphics in Windows using OpenGL 4.1, improving compatibility and performance for some important graphics and design programs, such as ArcGIS Pro, VectorWorks and VariCAD. The 2023 update also brought Touch ID to Windows virtual machines, allowing users to sign in to a Windows VM using both Touch ID and a personal Microsoft account.

Apple changed the printing system used in Sonoma, so Parallels Desktop 19 also introduced a new Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) to allow users to print documents from a virtual machine using their normal printer.

Parallels Desktop 19.2 brought a faster option for cloning VMs. That’s useful for developers and professional users who may need to create multiple VMs based on an existing template. It also improved the ability to use Sign In With Apple to sign in to a Parallels account using hardware security keys that users may have created on their Mac. The introduction of Sonoma changed the way the macOS handles Windows disk formats, causing some VMs to become unstable when running from an external hard drive or SSD, so version 19.2 also fixed this problem to improve the stability of VMs on external drives.

And, in March 2024, the program was updated to version 19.3. This fixed graphics problems that had affected a number of well-known Windows games, such as Dark Souls II and Genshin Impact. Gamers should be aware, though, that (at the time of writing) Parallels is still working on support for Microsoft’s DirectX 12 graphics software, and Parallels Desktop is still limited to games that use DirectX 11.

Parallels Desktop Pro vs Standard, Business vs Enterprise

Parallels Desktop has traditionally been available in three separate versions, with the Standard Edition designed for home users and education, the Pro Edition for developers, and the Business Edition for corporate users. However, 2024 sees the arrival of a new Enterprise Edition, which is due for release ‘later this fall’ (with pricing available on request). 

Features for developers

Parallels states that it is seeing more and more Mac users running the macOS as a guest operating system on a VM, especially developers who need to test their apps with different versions of the macOS. 

Parallels therefore supplies configuration options when creating VMs that run the macOS, providing greater freedom to configure the number of processors and the amount of memory used. Developers get a command-line interface to speed up testing, advanced networking features, and the ability to share folders and volumes between different versions of the macOS. There’s even some TLC for Linux users, with improved handling of Mac trackpads, and faster installation for the popular Ubuntu version of Linux.

The version 20 update to Parallels Desktop Pro brings an assortment of new features for developers including the Parallels AI Package (available in all editions, apart from Standard). This will allow developers to create a ready-made virtual machine that includes 14 different sets of AI tools, along with code samples and instructions. It’s even possible to use ordinary language commands – such as “Parallels, start my Windows 11 VM”. These tools are designed to help all developers, including students and smaller teams, so that they can start experimenting with AI quickly and easily. There is also improved support for Microsoft’s Visual Studio development tools, which now includes the use of Microsoft’s CoPilot AI features within Windows. (www.parallels.com/products/desktop/ai/)

Version 19 brought several new features specifically aimed at developers including an extension for using Visual Studio code that makes it easier to organize and use multiple VMs, and improved support for creating VMs that run different versions of macOS.

As we mentioned above, Parallels has confirmed it is working on a feature that will also allow Macs with Apple Silicon to run the original Intel version of Windows. This will be a breakthrough for developers who want to work on both ARM and Intel platforms. 

Features for businesses 

The Business Edition of Parallels Desktop includes several features to help IT departments in large organizations quickly roll out Parallels virtual machines to multiple users. There are improved security features, and, since version 19, those with the Business edition of Parallels Desktop can use their VMs with corporate management systems such as Hashicorp Packer and Microsoft’s InTune.

The Enterprise Edition, coming later in 2024, will include a Management Portal that makes it easier to install and manage virtual machines for large numbers of users within an organisation. This Edition will also provide SOC Type 2 reports, which are used to maintain security standards within large organisations.

Features for gamers

Gamers who want to run Windows games on a Mac can do so via Parallels Desktop, and are able to use game controllers with those games. 

There has been support for DirectX 11 since Parallels Desktop 15. There is no DirectX 12 support yet. 

Version 4.1 of OpenGL is also supposed. 

Parallels Desktop for Mac pricing 

Parallels Desktop is available in three different editions: Standard, Pro and Business.

The Standard edition is mainly aimed at home and educational users and costs $99.99/£89.99 per year, with additional discounts also available for students and education users. That annual subscription fee includes any new versions and updates that may be released in the future. It’s also possible to buy the standard edition with a perpetual license for a one-time fee – unfortunately this has increased from $129.99/£104.99 to $219.99/£154.99 with the 2025 edition. That price is a one-time fee that allows you to use the Standard Edition forever – with no recurring subscriptions – although you will need to pay an additional fee for any upgrades that are released in the future.

The Pro Edition and Business Edition are only available with a subscription, with the annual pricing remaining unchanged. The Pro Edition aimed at developers costs $119.99/£99.99 while the Business Edition is $149.99/£119.99. Pricing for the new Enterprise Edition is available on request (parallels.com).

It’s worth mentioning that there’s also a version of Parallels Desktop that is sold on the Mac App Store–however, Apple imposes some serious technical limitations on this version so it’s probably best to buy Parallels Desktop directly from Parallels itself.

Can you use Parallels for Mac for free?

The Parallels website offers a 14-day free trial so that you can see how Parallels Desktop works before buying the full version. Just remember that you do still need to buy a license for Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, which starts at a rather hefty $199.99/£219.99.

Can you use Parallels Desktop on more than one Mac? 

To use Parallels desktop on two or more Macs you will need to buy additional licenses. If you are just moving to a new Mac you can uninstall the software on the first Mac and install it on the new Mac. 

Should You Buy Parallels Desktop?

Parallels isn’t the only option available for running Windows on a Mac, but its constant cycle of regular updates has ensured that it continues to outpace rival virtualization programs, such as VMWare Fusion. It’s also more straightforward to use than alternative technologies, such as CrossOver from Codeweavers. 

Parallels keeps up with the latest developments on Macs with Apple Silicon to ensure that it remains one of the best options currently available for running Windows and Windows software on a Mac.

Should you update to Parallels Desktop 26? 

If you have an existing subscription to Parallels Desktop then, of course, you automatically get all the new features included in version 26 as part of your subscription. It’s a shame, though, that the perpetual license option for the Standard Edition has increased in price, as there are many people who only need Parallels Desktop for occasional use and don’t want to pay for a recurring annual subscription.

Gamers who want to play Windows games may also want to look at alternative options, such as the popular CrossOver from Codeweavers. However, Parallels Desktop 26 remains the best option for business and education users who need access to a wider range of Windows productivity software – especially as rivals, such as VMWare’s Fusion, are falling behind with fewer regular updates.

XRP is now on the verge of being integrated into the backing of USDe, the $11.8-billion stablecoin issued by Ethena Labs. The company’s risk committee recently confirmed that XRP has passed all thresholds required under its newly launched Eligible Asset Framework, which puts it alongside BNB and HYPE as top candidates for onboarding. 

XRP’s massive liquidity, its market capitalization of over $181 billion, and daily trading volumes comfortably above $10 billion now see it ready to take on a new role in the USDe ecosystem.

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Ethena’s Eligible Asset Framework

Ethena Labs, the company behind the USDe stablecoin, recently introduced the Eligible Asset Framework as a formalized system to expand the collateral options backing USDe. According to an announcement, the framework is based on specific thresholds that assets must meet before gaining approval. 

These thresholds include maintaining over $1 billion in average open interest across two weeks, daily spot trading volumes above $100 million, and perpetual futures volume exceeding $100 million per day. Liquidity requirements are also included, such as a spot order book depth of more than $500,000 and perpetual futures depth above $10 million on a two-week average. 

XRP has cleared all these requirements, which means that it is strong enough from a risk perspective to be considered as part of USDe’s perpetual futures collateral system. 

For years, XRP has maintained its status as one of the most liquid digital assets in the market. Its market capitalization, which is at $181.944 billion at the time of writing, has grown massively in the past year. This has seen it climbing in market cap ranks, and it is now sitting behind only Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Beyond the numbers, XRP’s deep order books and global trading presence in exchanges in America, Europe, and Asia allow it to handle large transactions without disrupting price stability. This level of liquidity and depth makes XRP an ideal candidate for integration into USDe, which has already been minting hundreds of millions of dollars weekly. For instance, data shows that USDe mints were in excess of 670 million over the past week.

What Does This Mean For XRP?

According to Ethena, XRP, alongside HYPE, has only met all the thresholds and is a candidate for onboarding shortly. Only BNB has been approved as the first new eligible asset  for the perpetual futures portion of the collateral backing of USDe.

If Ethena formally onboards XRP for onboarding, it would become an important expansion of XRP’s utility. It might not be the update expected by XRP holders, but this development could open a new chapter in the cryptocurrency’s utility and adoption.

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Simultaneously, Ripple’s US dollar-pegged RLUSD, has had its own success in the stablecoin market. So far, RLUSD has crossed a market capitalization of approximately $680 million within its first seven months and continues to grow. Moreover, Ripple is extending RLUSD’s global presence by partnering with SBI VC Trade to bring it to the Japanese market by early 2026.

At the time of writing, XRP is trading at $3.02, up by 6.5% in the past 24 hours.

Featured image from Virtune, chart from TradingView

After hitting a new multi-month high, Cardano (ADA) has retraced alongside the rest of the market. Some analysts suggest that the cryptocurrency is ready to reclaim crucial resistance levels and hit new highs in the coming months.

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Cardano Holds Crucial Support Despite Pullback

On Thursday, Cardano experienced an 11% drop after surpassing the $1.00 barrier for the first time since March. ADA’s retracement was fueled by the crypto market’s pullback, which saw massive liquidations throughout the day.

According to CoinGlass data, the crypto market saw over $1.05 billion in liquidations over the last 24 hours, driven by higher-than-expected macroeconomic signals. Notably, the PPI number revealed an annual headline inflation of 3.3%, way higher than the 2.5% forecast.

Additionally, the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that the US government will not be purchasing additional Bitcoin for its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), established by President Trump in March 2025. Instead, the US will stop selling its BTC holdings and continue to build up the reserve’s stash through confiscated assets.

As a result, Bitcoin, which hit a new all-time high (ATH) of $124,128 on Wednesday night, retraced to the $117,000-$118,000 support zone, while the rest of the market turned red.

Nonetheless, Cardano has gone against the current, becoming the only cryptocurrency in the top 50 list to remain in green despite the broader market pullback, with a 3.5% increase in the daily timeframe.

In the last 24 hours, ADA has broken out of its local range, hitting a five-month high of $1.02 on Thursday morning. Amid the market drop, ADA held above its breakout level, hovering between the $0.89-$0.91 range over the past few hours, and it’s attempting to break out of its current levels.

ADA To Repeat Last Cycle’s Playbook?

Analyst Ali Martinez noted that ADA has been trading within a descending channel since the Q4 2024 rally, which saw the cryptocurrency hit its multi-year high of $1.32 in December.

During this period, Cardano has attempted to break out of the descending resistance twice, finally passing this barrier after surging above the $0.84 mark. To the analyst, a confirmed breakout from this level targets a 70% run to $1.50.

Previously, Martinez suggested that ADA is showing the same price structure as the last cycle, but it’s more gradual. Other analysts have also noted that the altcoin appears to be repeating its 2020-2021 playbook.

Crypto Yhodda highlighted that after hitting its 2018 high, Cardano saw an ABC corrective wave before consolidating within an ascending broadening wedge formation for two years.

The cryptocurrency consolidated near the range-high after rejection from the pattern’s resistance in 2020, and before breaking out to its 2021 ATH of $3.09.

This cycle, the altcoin has repeated the same movements, accumulating within the same pattern since 2022. Since being rejected from the ascending resistance in late 2024, ADA has been trading between the mid and high zones of this pattern.

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To the analyst, Cardano is ready to climb again to the formation’s resistance, around the $1.80 area, and break out to new highs.

As of this writing, ADA is trading at $0.90, a 20% increase in the weekly timeframe.

Featured Image from Unsplash.com, Chart from TradingView.com