Introduction

Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks, or DePIN, are more than just the latest crypto buzzword. They represent one of the most compelling narratives in Web3: the convergence of blockchain technology with real-world, physical infrastructure. 

DePIN systems connect blockchain incentives to tangible utility. They enable individuals and communities to contribute resources like bandwidth, hardware, or electricity to a decentralised network and get rewarded for it. 

In this article, we’ll explore what DePIN is, why it’s gaining serious traction in 2025, how it works under the hood, and which projects are leading the charge. We’ll also answer the most common questions around DePIN and share our closing thoughts on where the space is headed.

Table of Contents

• What is DePIN?
• Why DePIN Matters in 2025
• Top DePIN Projects to Watch
• How DePIN Works
• Common Questions About DePIN
• Final Thoughts

What is DePIN?

DePIN stands for Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks. It refers to a new class of blockchain-powered ecosystems that use crypto incentives to bootstrap and scale real-world infrastructure. Instead of relying on centralised corporations or government bodies to deploy and manage physical infrastructure, DePIN enables everyday users and independent operators to contribute directly and get rewarded for doing so.

These contributions can take many forms, including:

• Sensors (e.g., weather, air quality, environmental data)
• Storage (e.g., decentralised data hosting and backups)
• Compute power (e.g., GPUs, CPUs for AI inference, distributed cloud alternatives)
• Bandwidth and connectivity (e.g., decentralised Wi-Fi or 5G networks)
• Energy infrastructure (e.g., decentralised power sources, EV charging networks)

In traditional models, infrastructure is expensive, slow to deploy, and controlled by a few players. DePIN flips this model on its head by combining blockchain’s transparency and trustlessness with Web3-native incentives, allowing anyone to contribute hardware or resources and earn token-based rewards.

At its core, DePIN uses blockchain to:

• Coordinate contributions across a decentralised network
• Verify the quality, availability, or performance of those contributions using cryptographic proofs or community validation
• Reward participants in a transparent and automated way without needing centralised oversight

This decentralised coordination mechanism enables rapid, grassroots infrastructure expansion that’s global by design, resilient by architecture, and inclusive by default.

Why DePIN Matters in 2025

Rising Demand for Decentralised Infrastructure

The next generation of Web3 applications,  from on-chain games to DeFi protocols and AI agents need more than just smart contracts. They rely on off-chain services such as compute power, storage, data feeds, or real-world connectivity to function effectively.

Centralised providers like AWS or Google Cloud may offer these services today, but they come with high costs, risks of censorship, and limited geographic reach. DePIN provides a decentralised alternative by allowing anyone to contribute infrastructure and get paid, reducing reliance on big tech and increasing resilience across the stack.

Cost-Efficiency Through Crowdsourced Infrastructure

One of DePIN’s greatest strengths is its ability to tap into underutilised resources whether that’s idle bandwidth, spare GPU cycles, or personal devices with sensors. By crowdsourcing these resources, DePIN networks often outperform traditional infrastructure providers in cost and scalability, especially in emerging markets where centralised infrastructure is sparse or expensive.

The Convergence of AI, IoT, and Blockchain

AI and IoT are two of the most transformative tech trends of the decade and both depend heavily on real-time, reliable, and decentralised data pipelines.

AI agents need large amounts of compute power, distributed memory, and access to up-to-date, verifiable external data.

IoT networks generate massive amounts of sensor data, which must be stored, validated, and made accessible without relying on central servers.

DePIN provides the physical substrate for this convergence. It enables AI agents to tap into decentralised compute nodes, while IoT devices can stream data into on-chain or off-chain indexes.

Surging VC and Institutional Investment

According to a 2025 report by Messari, DePIN projects have attracted over $1 billion in venture capital since 2023 — a clear sign that institutional players recognise the long-term value of decentralised infrastructure. This capital is fuelling everything from hardware deployment and network growth to protocol innovation and community adoption.

Some of the top DePIN projects have also launched token incentives, grants, and ecosystem funds to bootstrap user adoption and attract developers, turning the space into a high-growth battleground for infrastructure dominance.

Top DePIN Projects to Watch

Helium ($HNT)

Often referred to as the original DePIN pioneer, Helium began by decentralising wireless connectivity for IoT devices. Through a global network of community-hosted hotspots, Helium allows individuals to earn HNT tokens by providing LoRaWAN and, more recently, 5G coverage.

In 2025, Helium’s 5G rollout is accelerating, with real-world deployments across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. This positions Helium as a foundational layer for decentralised connectivity, essential for IoT devices, edge computing, and even mobile AI agents.

Render ($RNDR)

Render Network is leading the charge in decentralised GPU rendering, making it possible to distribute complex workloads like 3D graphics, video rendering, and AI model inference across a network of idle GPUs.

By turning GPU power into a rentable commodity, Render allows creators, developers, and AI teams to access compute resources on demand and at lower cost than centralised cloud providers. As AI and metaverse projects continue to grow, Render’s role in the DePIN compute stack becomes even more critical.

io.net ($IO)

Positioned as a Web3-native alternative to AWS for ML workloads, io.net is quickly rising as a core DePIN project for machine learning and compute sharing. Built on Solana, the network allows users to rent out unused GPU capacity, whether from data centres, edge devices, or even home rigs.

What makes io.net stand out in 2025 is its emphasis on real-time availability, Solana’s low latency, and integrations with AI frameworks, making it a preferred platform for LLM training, inference, and distributed computation.

SubQuery Network ($SQT)

SubQuery Network has been building decentralised infrastructure long before DePIN became a leading Web3 narrative.

It began with deploying a scalable network to support SubQuery’s data indexing services which now powers close to 300 blockchains. Along the way, core DePIN components were developed: incentive systems, service verification, and dispute resolution.

In 2025, SubQuery Network took the next step by launching decentralised RPCs. Node operators now run RPC and indexing nodes, removing the need for centralised middleware and enabling secure, permissionless access to data.

SubQuery Network’s decentralised RPC infrastructure supports not only major EVM chains, but also non-EVM ecosystems like Solana and Polkadot, expanding the reach of DePIN beyond just Ethereum-compatible networks. Explore the full list of supported chains and available RPCs here.

How DePIN Works

While DePIN projects vary in purpose, most of them share a common architecture. At a high level, a typical DePIN ecosystem consists of four main components:

Node Providers

These are individuals or devices contributing real-world infrastructure like compute, storage, bandwidth, or data. Examples include:

• Routers and hotspots in Helium
• Idle GPUs in io.net or Render
• Storage nodes in Filecoin
• Indexers on SubQuery Network

Anyone with the right setup can join and earn rewards — turning users into decentralised infrastructure providers.

Verification Layer

To keep things honest, DePIN networks use mechanisms like:

• Proof-of-Resource (e.g., verifying storage or compute uptime)
• Staking to align incentives
• Oracles or audits to confirm performance

This ensures contributors provide real value without needing central oversight.

Token Incentives

Node providers are rewarded in tokens based on their contribution quality and consistency:

• More GPU hours = more tokens
• Higher storage uptime = better rewards
• Reliable indexing = greater earnings

These tokens often double as governance tools in the network.

Application Layer (dApps)

dApps tap into the DePIN layer to deliver real-world services:

• AI agents use distributed compute
• IoT platforms stream sensor data
• Web3 apps query decentralised data from networks like SubQuery

This is how users benefit — through services built on a decentralised physical backbone.

Common Questions About DePIN

1. What does DePIN stand for in crypto?

DePIN stands for Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks, essentially systems where people contribute real-world services (compute, data, etc.) and earn tokens.

2. How is DePIN different from traditional infrastructure?

Traditional infrastructure is owned and operated by centralised companies. DePIN flips this model by letting anyone contribute and get rewarded, like hosting a node, sharing bandwidth, or offering compute power.

3. Is DePIN the future of Web3 infrastructure?

Yes. With AI, IoT, and edge computing expanding fast, DePIN offers a scalable, decentralised model to support these technologies.

Final Thoughts

The DePIN space is evolving rapidly, and the stakes are only getting bigger. As Web3 breaks out of the browser and collides with real-world infrastructure, DePIN networks are emerging as the backbone of a decentralised, user-powered future.

From powering AI data flows and machine learning workloads, to enabling global wireless coverage, sensor networks, and distributed storage, DePIN is reshaping how we think about infrastructure.

This is no longer just a crypto experiment. It's a new economic model for bootstrapping infrastructure - one that is open, scalable, and aligned with real-world demand.

About SubQuery

SubQuery Network is innovating in web3 infrastructure with tools that empower builders to decentralise without compromise. SubQuery’s infrastructure network offers everything from data indexers, RPCs and AI agents - all fully decentralised and production ready.

Our fast, flexible, and open data indexer supercharges thousands of dApps on nearly 300 networks. Our Sharded Data Node will provide breakthroughs in the RPC industry and our AI App framework makes building AI apps easier than ever before. We pioneer the web3 revolution for visionaries and forward-thinkers. We’re not just a company — we’re a movement driving an inclusive and decentralised web3 era, together.