Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs): the future of the digital economy

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) represent a new approach to managing and operating physical assets using blockchain, cryptographic mechanisms, and tokenized incentives.

According to Fidelity's 2025 report, DePINs are among the key technology trends that could significantly impact the global digital asset market. Fidelity emphasizes that decentralizing blockchain infrastructure will reduce transaction costs, improve resource management, and create new economic models based on the interaction of network participants.

Fidelity analysts provide concrete examples of DePIN's cost-effectiveness. According to their calculations, decentralization of data storage networks, such as Filecoin, can reduce the cost of data storage by 40-60% compared to centralized cloud providers (e.g., Amazon S3). Also, in decentralized telecommunications, projects like Helium have allowed users to save up to 30% on mobile and internet costs.

In addition, statistics show that the number of active users in DePIN projects is skyrocketing. For example, the number of nodes in the Helium network has grown from 200,000 in 2022 to over 996,000 by 2024, indicating a growing interest in decentralized infrastructure.

Experts such as Andresen Horowitz (a16z) have also noted that DePINs could be the basis for new economic models. In a recent study, their analysts stated that by 2030, the DePIN sector could attract more than $500 billion in investments and have a total market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion.

What are DePINs?

DePINs are decentralized networks that combine physical resources (e.g., devices, communication networks, transportation, and energy infrastructure) with blockchain and tokenization. This allows users to jointly own, manage, and develop infrastructure projects without the need for centralized organizations.

DePIN's core operating principles include:

Integration of physical infrastructure with the blockchain — Physical devices are connected to the blockchain via smart contracts, which enables the automation of transactions and resource accounting.
Tokens are used to incentivize participants. Users are rewarded for providing computing power, network coverage, storage, and other resources.
Transparency and decentralized management: Each network participant can participate in infrastructure management through the DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) mechanism.

DePIN use cases

Decentralized telecommunications

One of the brightest examples of the DePIN application is the Helium project, which offers a decentralized IoT (Internet of Things) network. Users install access points and provide internet access to other devices, and they are rewarded with HNT tokens. As of October 2024, Helium's network had over 996,000 active access points, and the market capitalization of the HNT token exceeds $1 billion.

Decentralized data storage

Projects like Filecoin and Arweave allow users to rent unused disk space to others. The decentralized nature of the network ensures that prices for storage services are determined by market mechanisms rather than a central authority.

For example, Filecoin has more than 4,000 storage providers as of the end of 2024, and the total amount of available space is more than 18 exabytes. The price of storing data on Filecoin's network can be 5-10 times lower than that of traditional cloud providers such as Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage.

Data is stored permanently on the Arweave network, providing an alternative to long-term storage without the need for monthly fees. According to Messari's report, the total capitalization of decentralized storage systems could exceed $50 billion by 2030 due to growing demand from enterprises and government entities.

Power & renewable energy

DePIN is also being applied to the energy sector, where decentralized networks allow users to sell and buy surplus renewable energy. For example, Power Ledger uses blockchain to create P2P electricity markets, allowing solar panel owners to sell excess energy to their neighbors.

In 2024, the volume of renewable energy trading through the Power Ledger platform exceeded $100 million, and the number of network users reached 30,000 homeowners. In addition, experts predict that by 2030, the decentralized energy trading market could grow to $1.5 billion due to the mass adoption of renewable energy and increased energy efficiency.

Transportation and autonomous grids

DePIN is also actively developing logistics and transportation systems. For example, the decentralized projects DIMO and Hivemapper are building networks to collect and analyze data on transport and road infrastructure. In 2024, the DIMO network will cover more than 50,000 vehicles, collecting real-time data on congestion, road quality, and fuel efficiency. Analysts predict decentralized transportation systems could attract $20 billion in investment by 2030.

In addition, DePIN can provide decentralized management of electric scooter fleets and carsharing services, reducing the cost of centralized systems and providing users with flexibility in asset management. McKinsey estimates that the global market for decentralized transportation services could reach $50 billion by 2030.

Advantages and disadvantages of DePIN

The pros of DePIN include the following:

Transparency and security: Using blockchain ensures the immutability and transparency of data, reduces fraud risk, and increases participant trust.
Cost-efficiency: decentralized management reduces transaction costs and improves resource efficiency.
Fair distribution of rewards: network participants are compensated for their contributions through tokens, which incentivizes active participation and infrastructure development.

Despite the advantages, DePIN has several challenges:

Regulatory uncertainty: governments can impose restrictions on decentralized networks.
Technical challenges: making the network secure, scalable, and efficient requires complex engineering solutions.
User engagement: for DePIN to work effectively, there needs to be sufficient participants.

DePIN outlook

According to Fidelity's 2025 report, DePINs are one of the most promising trends in the crypto industry.

The company's analysts predict an increase in interest from large investors in the coming years. In 2024, the volume of venture capital investments in DePIN amounted to $3.2 billion, and by 2026, this figure may grow to $10 billion. Funds specializing in Web3 and infrastructure blockchain solutions are becoming particularly active investors in this area.

Experts from CoinShares and a16z Crypto emphasize that the development of DePIN will increase the liquidity and availability of digital assets and open up new opportunities for decentralized ownership of infrastructure, which was previously the prerogative of large corporations and states.