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Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, or DePINs, let you earn cryptocurrency for sharing things you already pay for in Canadian dollars, like your internet connection or extra storage on your computer.
DePINs offer a new way for people to repurpose their unused digital resources by turning them into crypto rewards. Individuals contribute physical resources such as internet bandwidth or data storage in exchange for token rewards. Instead of letting unused capacity go to waste, DePINs make it possible to redirect what already exists. This creates a more efficient and potentially regenerative approach to building decentralized infrastructure.
Rather than relying on corporations to build and manage the infrastructure, these networks distribute responsibilities across participants.
This model appeals to those interested in sustainability, sometimes referred to as “ReGens.”. It allows for new types of community-powered infrastructure and growth opportunities, if the services can perform on par with traditional systems.
Bitcoin’s design challenged long-standing systems we once took for granted. More than a new form of digital currency, it sparked a movement that seeks transparent value creation, data ownership, and sovereignty.
After a decade of experimentation, blockchain use cases are no longer niche. They are now central to discussions about how we manage finance, infrastructure, and services. DePINs reflect this shift by bringing blockchain out of the purely digital space and incorporating it into physical systems we interact with every day.
DePINs generally operate by aligning individual participation with network needs. Users contribute a physical service, such as running a wireless hotspot or offering unused storage capacity. The blockchain verifies contributions and issues token-based rewards. This mechanism supports a decentralized way to build and maintain real infrastructure, including data storage, bandwidth, energy, and mobility. It also rewards contributors allowing them to reduce their overhead.
Decentralization introduces many benefits, including transparency, shared ownership, and reduced reliance on intermediaries. However, for DePIN’s to succeed on a large scale, they are going to need to deliver services that match or exceed the performance of centralized alternatives.
Users expect speed, reliability, and most importantly services that are straightforward to interact with. If a decentralized storage network is slower or harder to use than traditional products, adoption will likely stall.
Two DePIN tokens available on Newton are Helium (HNT) and Render (RNDR). These projects demonstrate how the blockchain can support decentralized protocols.
Helium is a wireless network designed for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Participants set up Helium hotspots, which are small devices and function like mini cell towers, offering internet in their area. When IoT devices connect through these hotspots, the operators receive (IOT) tokens as a reward on the Solana network. The network uses a system called Proof-of-Coverage to verify that each hotspot is active and providing service to its location.
Render (RNDR) is a decentralized Graphics processing unit (GPU) network that connects digital creators with individuals who have unused computing power. Artists and developers can pay for 3D rendering services using RNDR tokens, while GPU owners receive token-based rewards for contributing their extra capacity. The platform uses the blockchain to verify transactions and coordinate resource-sharing. Like Helium, Render illustrates how decentralized systems can support resource distribution in creative and technical fields.
The Render community voted to migrate from an Ethereum-based token to a Solana-based token. Newton users will notice a change in the symbol from RNDR to RENDER this July.
What are some of the DePIN projects and how do they compare in scale? Below is a list of a handful of decentralized infrastructure tokens in order of $USD market cap. This offers a snapshot of how different real-world use cases are currently represented in the ecosystem.
Building trust remains a challenge. Early adopters are cautious, especially when past promises of decentralization have not been delivered. Transparency, accountability, and measurable results are crucial to attracting and retaining users.
Token sustainability is an ongoing area of focus in DePIN ecosystems. Projects distributing too many tokens early on can make it harder to maintain their value over time. To avoid this, some projects separate tokens by function. For example, one token may be used to reward participants, while another is reserved for transaction fees or network governance. This can help to create a more balanced and durable system.
DePIN projects may face difficulties in scaling or adjusting incentives. It remains to be seen how these challenges will be addressed over time. In emergent sectors it is important to monitor how teams handle challenges and whether governance structures remain aligned with community interests over time.
DePINs represent another stage in blockchain’s growth as the technology works to find new applications. By rewarding participation and distributing ownership, they introduce more inclusive ways to build, interact, and recover value from services that many now consider essential. In some cases, they also help build global communities around aligned incentives.
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