Why cost of living has increased Coldware, Pi Network, IOTA TVL 13% in May 2025

As living costs rise, crypto projects like Pi, IOTA, and Coldware see TVL jump 13%, offering real-world utility in 2025.

As living costs keep climbing in 2025, more people are looking at crypto as more than just a place to park money — it’s becoming a real alternative. And you can see that shift happening in the data. 

In May, TVL for Pi Network, IOTA, and Coldware (COLD) jumped 13%. Each of these projects is doing its own thing, but they’ve all got one thing in common: they’re trying to make crypto actually useful. 

Whether it’s Coldware’s plug-and-play devices, IOTA’s smart city upgrades, or Pi’s slow move toward utility, here’s what’s pushing these names forward right now.

Pi Network expands mainnet access with KYC progress and growing developer activity

Pi Network (PI) has had a rocky May so far. After hitting $1.67 earlier in the month, the price quickly dropped to around $0.70. A big part of that crash came from wallets linked to the Pi Core Team moving large amounts of tokens.

Things didn’t get much better at the Consensus 2025 event. Founder Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis gave a keynote that was more about vague talk on AI than any real updates. A lot of users were hoping for solid news on progress, but instead walked away with more questions than answers.

Still, it’s not all bad. Since launching its Open Mainnet in February, Pi has made it possible for users to transfer PI tokens to external wallets, a long-awaited move toward real decentralization. 

As of May 23, PI is sitting at around $0.82. The price may be holding steady for now, but the project really needs to regain trust and show it can follow through on its plans if it wants to win people back.

IOTA focuses on RWA tokenization and smart city infrastructure in 2025

IOTA’s been picking up steam in May 2025, thanks to its massive “Rebased” upgrade that officially went live on May 5. This update brings full decentralization, Layer 1 smart contracts using MoveVM, and a brand-new staking model.

The network now mints around 767,000 IOTA tokens daily to fuel staking rewards. That works out to about 6% annual inflation, built to reward long-term holders without flooding the market.

The upgrade also comes with improved tokenomics and a clearer incentive system, which has already gotten people interested again. IOTA is now trading around $0.25, up 60% over the past month.

Coldware is turning crypto into a real-world experience

Coldware isn’t just another web3 project stuck in the idea phase. It’s already rolling out a full crypto ecosystem, from its own blockchain to physical hardware and user-friendly tools. The goal is to make crypto accessible for everyday users, not just the tech crowd.

At the heart of Coldware’s setup are two devices: the Larna 2400 smartphone and the ColdBook laptop. These aren’t just regular gadgets, they’re designed to work as lite nodes on the Coldware blockchain. 

Users can stake tokens, send crypto, access DeFi tools, and even create tokens directly from their device. No third-party apps, no confusing setups — just built-in access to the network right out of the box.

This kind of plug-and-play setup matters most in places where phones are the main way people get online. By offering crypto-ready hardware, Coldware is solving one of the biggest entry barriers in Web3.

The COLD token is built to be used, not just traded

The COLD token powers the entire ecosystem. It’s used for staking, payments, and on-chain governance, but also unlocks real tools like Freeze.Mint (for token creation), ColdWallet (for multi-chain asset management), and ColdChat (a secure on-chain messaging app). 

Everything is designed to work directly on Coldware’s custom OS, which blocks trackers and puts privacy first.

Coldware isn’t waiting to launch, it’s already delivering. The presale is currently in Stage 2, priced at $0.00625, with over $3.7 million raised and 709 million tokens sold. With only 37% of the supply left at this tier, time is slowly running out for early backers.

The bottom line

Rising costs are pushing people to rethink where they put their money, and projects like Pi Network, IOTA, and Coldware are starting to benefit. 

Pi is finally giving users access to their tokens. IOTA’s smart city tech is gaining ground. 

Coldware, on the other hand, is already building the tools people need right now. With working products, a live presale, and growing momentum, Coldware isn’t just reacting to demand, it’s meeting it head-on. For those looking for utility over hype, it’s one to watch.