DePIN, short for Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Network, is a system where blockchain technology incentivises individuals to contribute physical or digital resources to build and manage decentralised networks for infrastructure services, such as wireless networks, energy, and data storage.
For example, if you’re rewarded with tokens for creating a Wi-Fi hotspot, that’s DePIN. If you know what torrents are, the analogy is even simpler: when you download something via torrent, you become a seeder and share the file with others. If the system rewarded you with tokens for doing so, that would also be DePIN.
Systems like torrents are decentralised — meaning there’s no single “node” providing content, cloud storage, or a wireless network. Instead, the system is run by many participants. It works like a free market — participants earn tokens by sharing resources.
Energy: people can share electricity in exchange for tokens — such systems have just started appearing.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, cellular networks, broadband internet.
Data storage: you can rent out space on your hard drive or server. Example: Filecoin (FIL).
Computing power: think cloud gaming. Usually, companies provide it, but there are startups where users share their own devices’ computing power. Example: Theta (THETA) and io.net (IO).
Content: torrents are a perfect analogy here.
The problem with most cryptocurrencies and tokens is that they aren’t backed by anything physical and lack the scarcity of Bitcoin. With DePIN, the digital extends into the physical world, and tokens are backed by real technologies. Meanwhile, the services powered by DePIN — energy (becoming more expensive each year), connectivity, and content — are essential and increasingly relevant
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