The Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) is a project that uses blockchain, decentralized protocols and physical facilities to develop real-world solutions.
Such projects have expanded beyond the realm of crypto into fields such as AI development, human mobility, and geology, but the concept is still in its early stages.
DePIN is one of the biggest narratives of 2024 and will achieve even greater success in 2025. In this article, we will discuss the future development of DePIN.
The Rise of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure NetworksWeb3 media and research company Messari coined the term DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) to define Projects that use decentralized protocols to manage physical facilities. Before that happens, however, several projects in this category have already gained traction.
In the second half of 2023 and throughout 2024, this term has become very popular. The DePIN project is a response to the mismanagement and unfair remuneration of centralized resource networks that create problems such as human error, failures due to localized architecture, and a lack of financial and management transparency.
The DePIN project also proposes safer and more cost-effective alternatives. Due to the viability of the Crypto market, the number of projects in this category has grown exponentially. According to Depinscan, there were approximately 296 active DePIN projects as of December, which is a testament to the rapid growth of the industry.
The evolution of DePIN in the Crypto fieldIn addition to AI and memes, DePIN can be said to be the most sought-after narrative in the Crypto field in 2024. However, the DePIN project dates back to early 2016, when IOTA, Filecoin, and Render Network were launched. The launch of Helium in 2019 marked an important moment for decentralized connectivity projects.
After the term DePIN was coined, other projects that fit the definition were grouped together. Since then, the DePIN project has successfully created a decentralized alternative to crowdsourced resources.
Over the past two years, this has expanded to other areas such as health and mobility, with the DePIN project also gaining better coverage on well-known Crypto sites such as Coinhint.com.
How DePIN worksThe DePIN project uses blockchain technology for two purposes - data management and distribution of incentives.
Using blockchain technology (such as network nodes), they provide a "plug and play" system that supports the interconnection of independent infrastructures and allows them to communicate.
These infrastructures can be Internet of Things (IoT) devices that connect to decentralized ized GPU grid in your car or PC. Blockchain enables the classification, processing and preservation of data, resulting in immutable storage.
The data generated on the DePIN network is passed to the blockchain through connected middleware (such as the decentralized oracle protocol), and the organized data will be processing, the blockchain will also assume a management role. Rewards for network contributions inferred from submitted data will be remitted to the corresponding network participants.
In this way, the DePIN project can achieve a collaborative system for multiple purposes.
Depending on the type of data and resources generated on the network, the DePIN network can serve as either a simple data collection and distribution network or more advanced use cases such as Decentralized ride sharing, decentralized storage network or computing resource network.
DePIN’s current market statusNow, DePIN is a $33 billion industry, with several projects in the industry worth over $1 billion. The largest DePIN project by market capitalization is Internet Computer (ICP), a decentralized network for Internet connectivity and computing resources.
DePIN is a booming market with more than $14 billion worth of DePIN every day Category items are traded on Crypto exchanges.
Developments that should be paid attention to in 2024-2025AdvanceEntering the end of 2024 and 2025, some developments that the DePIN project needs to pay attention to include:
Expansion into the AI field
Multi-token ecosystem as seen in the Helium network
Expanding DePIN into trade finance
The future of DePIN: Prospects how?Given the rapid progress in this field, DePIN may have an interesting future.
Industry leaders see a clear path to adopting the DePIN concept on a larger scale. DePIN itself is very flexible, it can be used in many fields, as a system to manage various facilities, or as a tool to build collaborative solutions through progressive incentives.
One possible future trend is mainstream adoption of this concept to overcome the challenges of crowdsourcing utilities.
As Solana co-founder and CEO Anatoly Yakovenko said: "DePIN is The biggest winner today. Hardware launches are really difficult, and token incentives are one way to overcome this obstacle.” However, the DePIN network faces legal difficulties. Challenges such as determinism and factors related to the complexity of blockchain technology. One future trend may be for the DePIN project to modify its technology to make it easier to understand and use.
We could also see the DePIN project increase its efforts to comply with legal norms to expand into more tightly regulated countries, which could lead to significant changes in the way it operates.
Final ThoughtsThe DePIN project has expanded the practical scope of blockchain, from ordinary peer-to-peer transactions to current complex applications. Blockchain technology is used in some of the most important new applications in the field. As the DePIN narrative evolves, decentralized physical infrastructure networks may become the platform of choice for several resources currently controlled by centralized organizations.
The DePIN network enables the elimination of middlemen and single points of failure and creates a balanced network where participants have the upper hand,Help Crypto assets and blockchain technology thrive.
Nonetheless, it is recommended to conduct your own research before investing in any DePIN project or interacting with the DePIN network.