Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) are blockchain-based networks that use token incentives to coordinate the building and maintenance of real-world physical infrastructure such as wireless networks, storage systems, and sensor networks. Participants contribute resources like bandwidth, computing power, or hardware and earn cryptocurrency tokens in return. Projects like Helium (wireless coverage) and Filecoin (data storage) are prominent examples of the DePIN model in practice.
Example
“Helium is a DePIN project where users deploy hotspot devices to provide wireless coverage in their area and earn HNT tokens as a reward.”