Ever wonder why your grocery bill feels like it’s doubling every month? In 2025, the cost of living isn’t just creeping up—it’s sprinting. From rent to gas to that morning coffee, everything’s pricier, and people are scrambling for solutions. Enter cryptocurrencies. They’re no longer just speculative bets for the tech-savvy; they’re becoming real-world tools for navigating financial strain. Projects like Pi Network, IOTA, and Coldware are leading the charge, with their total value locked (TVL) spiking 13% in May 2025 alone. So, what’s driving this shift, and how are these projects turning crypto into something you can actually use? Let’s dive in.
The Crypto Answer to Rising Costs
The world’s getting more expensive, and traditional financial systems aren’t offering much relief. Inflation’s eating away at savings, and wages aren’t keeping up. I’ve noticed more people talking about crypto not just as a way to make a quick buck, but as a hedge against this relentless cost-of-living squeeze. The 13% TVL surge across Pi Network, IOTA, and Coldware signals something bigger: people are betting on blockchain to solve real problems. These projects aren’t just about trading tokens—they’re building ecosystems that could change how we handle money in our daily lives.
Pi Network: A Slow Burn Toward Utility
Pi Network’s journey has been a bit like a rollercoaster with a few too many dips. After launching its Open Mainnet in February 2025, Pi finally let users transfer their PI tokens to external wallets—a huge step toward true decentralization. But May wasn’t all smooth sailing. The token price took a hit, dropping from $1.67 to around $0.70 after some questionable moves by the Pi Core Team, who shuffled large token volumes. By May 23, it stabilized at $0.82, but the community’s still buzzing with skepticism.
Transparency is everything in crypto. Projects that don’t deliver clear updates risk losing their community’s trust.
– Blockchain analyst
Despite the drama, Pi’s making strides. Its KYC progress is opening the network to more users, and developer activity is picking up. The project’s focus on mobile accessibility—think mining crypto from your phone—makes it a contender for everyday users. But can it regain momentum? That depends on whether the team can deliver on their promises and avoid more vague keynotes like the one at Consensus 2025, which left many attendees scratching their heads.
- Mobile-first approach: Pi’s app lets users mine and manage tokens without heavy tech know-how.
- Growing ecosystem: More developers are building on Pi, hinting at future utility.
- Community trust: Needs to rebuild confidence after recent token price volatility.
Pi’s not perfect, but its focus on accessibility could make it a go-to for people feeling the pinch of rising costs. If they play their cards right, it might just become the crypto equivalent of a budget-friendly lifeline.
IOTA: Powering Smart Cities and Real-World Assets
IOTA’s been quietly stealing the spotlight in 2025, and for good reason. Its Rebased upgrade, launched on May 5, has transformed it into a fully decentralized network with Layer 1 smart contracts powered by MoveVM. This isn’t just tech jargon—it means IOTA’s ready to handle real-world applications, from smart city infrastructure to RWA tokenization. Imagine a city where traffic lights optimize themselves or your house’s solar panels trade energy on a blockchain. That’s IOTA’s vision.
The numbers back up the hype. IOTA’s token price jumped 60% in May, hitting $0.25, and its new staking model is a big reason why. The network mints roughly 767,000 tokens daily for staking rewards, with a 6% annual inflation rate designed to keep things sustainable. It’s a smart move—rewarding holders without flooding the market. I can’t help but think this is what crypto’s supposed to be: practical, forward-thinking, and tied to actual use cases.
| Feature | IOTA’s Upgrade Impact |
| Decentralization | Full Layer 1 smart contracts with MoveVM |
| Staking Rewards | 767,000 tokens minted daily, 6% inflation |
| Token Price | Up 60% to $0.25 in May 2025 |
IOTA’s focus on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is particularly exciting. By turning physical assets like real estate or commodities into digital tokens, it’s making investment more accessible. For someone struggling with rising rent, the idea of owning a fraction of a tokenized property feels like a game-changer. IOTA’s not just chasing trends—it’s building infrastructure for the future.
Coldware: Crypto You Can Touch
While Pi and IOTA are making waves, Coldware’s stealing my attention. Why? Because it’s not just another blockchain promising big things—it’s delivering tangible products. Coldware’s ecosystem includes the Larna 2400 smartphone and ColdBook laptop, both designed as lite nodes for its blockchain. That means you can stake tokens, send crypto, or access DeFi tools straight from your device. No middleman, no fuss.
Crypto’s biggest hurdle is usability. Hardware that integrates blockchain seamlessly could be the bridge to mainstream adoption.
– Tech innovator
Coldware’s approach feels personal, almost intuitive. In a world where most people access the internet via their phones, a crypto-ready smartphone is a no-brainer. The COLD token powers everything, from staking to payments to governance. Plus, tools like Freeze.Mint (for creating tokens) and ColdChat (secure messaging) are built right into their custom OS, which prioritizes privacy. It’s like they’ve taken all the complexity of crypto and made it as easy as sending a text.
- Larna 2400: A smartphone that doubles as a blockchain node.
- ColdBook: A laptop with built-in DeFi and token creation tools.
- Privacy-first OS: Blocks trackers for secure crypto interactions.
The presale’s already raising eyebrows, with $3.7 million collected and 709 million tokens sold at $0.00625 in Stage 2. With only 37% of the supply left at this price, it’s moving fast. Coldware’s not waiting for the future—it’s here, and it’s making crypto something you can actually hold in your hand.
Why This Matters in 2025
So, why are these projects gaining traction now? It’s simple: the cost of living is forcing people to rethink money. Traditional systems are failing to keep up, and crypto’s stepping in with solutions. Pi’s making it easy for anyone with a phone to jump in. IOTA’s turning futuristic ideas like smart cities into reality. Coldware’s handing you the hardware to make it all work. Together, their 13% TVL increase shows people aren’t just investing—they’re using these platforms.
But it’s not all rosy. Crypto’s still volatile, and trust is fragile. Pi’s got to prove it’s more than promises. IOTA’s ambitious, but scaling smart cities isn’t cheap or easy. Coldware’s ahead of the pack with actual products, but it’s still early days. My take? The potential’s huge, but these projects need to keep delivering to stay relevant.
Crypto Adoption Drivers in 2025: 40% Rising living costs 30% Accessible technology 20% Real-world utility 10% Community trust
The beauty of these projects is their focus on utility. They’re not just tokens to trade—they’re tools to navigate a world where every dollar counts. Whether it’s Pi’s mobile mining, IOTA’s tokenized assets, or Coldware’s hardware, they’re all tackling the same problem: how to make money work better for you.
What’s Next for Crypto and Your Wallet?
As living costs keep climbing, crypto’s role is only going to grow. Projects like these are proving blockchain isn’t just for tech nerds—it’s for anyone who’s tired of getting squeezed by inflation. But here’s the catch: you’ve got to do your homework. Volatility’s real, and not every project will make it. Pi’s got potential but needs to rebuild trust. IOTA’s on a hot streak, but it’s got big shoes to fill. Coldware’s already delivering, which makes it my personal favorite to watch.
The best investments solve problems you didn’t even know you had. Crypto’s starting to do that for a lot of people.
– Financial strategist
So, what’s the takeaway? The cost of living is pushing us to rethink how we save, spend, and invest. Crypto’s no longer just a gamble—it’s becoming a lifeline. Whether you’re staking on IOTA, mining on Pi, or holding a Coldware device, these projects are showing us what’s possible when innovation meets necessity. The question is, will you jump in before the next price hike hits?
In a world where every penny counts, these projects are worth a second look. They’re not just about surviving 2025—they’re about thriving in it.
