Helium Mobile’s developer is now licensing its tech stack

The distributed cell plan provider started selling its own hotspots in October 2023

June 18, 2024 12:00 pm

Helium and Adobe stock modified by Blockworks

Helium Mobile is starting a licensing program for its hotspot devices, the cell plan provider announced Tuesday.

Helium Mobile’s hotspots let individuals or businesses set up “mini cell towers” that emit cell coverage and pay out tokens in exchange. There are already several third-party manufacturers and vendors for the Helium Internet of Things (IoT) network, according to Helium’s website, but Helium Mobile is currently the only provider for cell phone coverage devices.

With the licensing program, Helium Mobile hopes to earn licensing fees from hotspots being manufactured elsewhere while simultaneously growing its burgeoning cellular network.

Helium Mobile is being developed by Nova Labs. The cell plan runs on a hybrid of its own distributed network coverage and service Helium Mobile buys from T-Mobile. The plan piloted in Miami before going live nationwide in the US — at a monthly price point of $20 — last December.

Newsletter

Subscribe to The Breakdown

Helium Mobile has accrued 93,898 sign-ups in total, according to a Dune dashboard. The dashboard does not track potential subscription cancellations, so the number of active subscribers may be fewer.

Before Nova Labs developed Helium Mobile, the same team built an IoT network with similar Web3 mechanics to power things like e-scooters. Users have been running Helium wireless hotspots for years, and the IoT network supports “dozens” of third-party devices.

But Helium Mobile’s cell phone coverage hardware was developed in-house.

Helium Mobile began selling $249 indoor hotspots in October 2023 and $499 outdoor hotspots in December. Now, others can manufacture and sell Helium Mobile hotspots.

MNTD. is set to become the first third-party manufacturer of Helium Mobile hotspots, according to a press release. Helium Mobile hopes others will soon follow.

“Introducing a licensing program and partnering with hardware manufacturers means there are more options for people who are considering becoming part of the Helium Network. We are excited to see the community grow,” a spokesperson for Helium Mobile told Blockworks.

Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

The Breakdown: Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily.
0xResearch: Alpha in your inbox. Think like an analyst.

Tags

Newsletter

The Breakdown

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Digital Asset Summit 2026

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

buy tickets learn more

recent research

Research

Kinetiq Protocol: From LST Infrastructure to HIP-3 Deployer

Kinetiq has established itself as Hyperliquid's dominant liquid staking protocol, holding 82.5% of LST market share with $610M in TVL. The protocol is now expanding beyond its kHYPE staking core into higher take-rate verticals: iHYPE for institutional custody rails, Launch for HIP-3 capital formation, and Markets for builder-deployed perpetuals. We view Markets, launching Jan. 12, as the highest-potential product line given its mechanically scalable, activity-linked unit economics. Near-term revenue remains anchored by kHYPE's KIP-2 fee schedule (~$1.6M annualized), while Markets provides embedded optionality if HIP-3 economics normalize post-Growth Mode. KNTQ's setup is relatively clean: zero insider unlocks until November 2026, 6.2% buyback yield from staking revenue, and cleared airdrop overhang. Risks center on unproven Markets execution, declining kHYPE TVL despite ongoing incentives, and competition from Hyperliquid's native initiatives.

by Shaunda Devens