DePIN Crypto Projects: How Decentralized Infrastructure is Shaping the Future of Blockchain

The DePIN sector (decentralized physical infrastructure networks) is experiencing rapid growth, becoming one of the most promising areas in the cryptocurrency industry. As of 2024-2025, the total market capitalization of DePIN crypto projects has exceeded $32 billion, and analyst forecasts indicate the market could grow to $3.5 trillion by 2028. This expansion is driven by increasing demand for decentralized solutions in computing, data storage, and artificial intelligence. The investment community actively supports this trend: Borderless Capital recently launched a dedicated DePIN Fund III with $100 million aimed at scaling promising crypto projects worldwide.

What Is Decentralized Physical Infrastructure?

The DePIN concept is based on integrating blockchain technology with real-world infrastructure—energy grids, wireless systems, and decentralized data storage. Unlike traditional centralized systems, DePIN crypto projects use tokenized incentives to attract participants who contribute their resources to the network and receive rewards in return.

The main innovation here is that physical infrastructure components are distributed among multiple independent operators. This eliminates single points of failure and centralized control. For example, Helium Network today serves over 335,000 users via a decentralized wireless network, while Meson Network coordinates over 59,000 contributor nodes, creating a decentralized marketplace for unused bandwidth.

Key Mechanisms of DePIN Crypto Projects

DePIN crypto projects operate at the intersection of three key elements: blockchain architecture, tokenization systems, and operational interoperability across different networks.

Blockchain architecture provides secure, immutable storage of transactions, enabling process automation through smart contracts. Tokenization systems incentivize participation by paying tokens for infrastructure contributions. Operational interoperability ensures that DePIN solutions seamlessly interact with other blockchain platforms and traditional systems.

A practical example: in the energy sector, homeowners with solar panels can directly sell excess electricity to neighbors via blockchain protocols, bypassing intermediaries and reducing costs.

Advantages and Market Potential of DePIN Crypto Projects

DePIN crypto projects demonstrate four key advantages:

• Enhanced security and fault tolerance: decentralized systems eliminate vulnerabilities inherent in centralized infrastructure
• Scalability and efficiency: Filecoin and Arweave have proven that distributed nodes can effectively manage vast amounts of data (Arweave’s ecosystem processed 28 billion transactions in Q3 2023)
• Cost reduction: projects like U2U Network show how tokenized incentives enable building infrastructure without significant capital investments
• Innovative interoperability: platforms like Streamr integrate decentralized real-time data exchange with improved cross-platform support

Top DePIN Crypto Projects Portfolio for 2024-2025

Internet Computer (ICP) — Computing Revolution

Internet Computer positions itself as an alternative to traditional cloud services. Instead of centralized data centers, the platform uses a global network of independent compute nodes to create a “world computer” for hosting decentralized applications directly on a public blockchain.

The project achieved significant milestones in 2024 thanks to updates like Tokamak, Beryllium, and Stellarator, which increased network throughput. As of February 2026, ICP’s current price is $2.14 (down 2.24% in 24 hours), with a market cap of $1.17 billion. The roadmap through 2025 focuses on integrating AI capabilities and expanding compatibility with Solana and other blockchains.

Bittensor (TAO) — Decentralized AI Market

Bittensor brings a paradigm shift to machine learning by enabling collective training of AI models. Participants are rewarded with TAO tokens based on the value of their contributions. The integration of Proof of Intelligence and Mixture of Experts mechanisms makes the network more efficient in exchanging AI services.

As of February 2026, TAO’s price is $178.50 (up 0.11%), with a market cap of $1.71 billion. The project actively expands its ecosystem and explores new applications across various industries, strengthening its position in decentralized AI.

Render Network (RENDER) — Decentralized Computing for Creators

Render Network addresses the issue of unused GPU resources worldwide. Creators needing 3D rendering and graphics services connect to the network of owners with idle graphics cards, receiving scalable and cost-effective solutions.

In 2024, the project migrated from Ethereum to Solana and rebranded its token from RNDR to RENDER. As of February 2026, RENDER’s price is $1.48 (up 6.54% in 24 hours), with a market cap of $767.59 million. Development plans include strengthening infrastructure and expanding into the film industry, gaming, and VR applications.

Filecoin (FIL) — Decentralized Storage Market

Filecoin creates a peer-to-peer data storage marketplace where providers and consumers make direct deals. The blockchain ensures long-term integrity verification of files.

The launch of Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM) in 2024 opened new use cases, pushing total value locked (TVL) above $200 million. As of February 2026, FIL’s price is $0.94 (up 2.27%), with a market cap of $705.68 million. The project plans to expand FVM’s programming capabilities and support Ethereum-compatible smart contracts by 2025.

Shieldeum (SDM) — Cybersecurity and Web3

Shieldeum applies the DePIN approach to cybersecurity, utilizing professional-grade data center servers to protect crypto users and Web3 enterprises. The platform offers hosting, encryption, threat detection, and high-performance computing.

In 2024, Shieldeum launched applications for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, raising $2 million in USDT for node testing. Plans through 2025 include expanding security services and developing a BNB Layer-2 blockchain.

The Graph (GRT) — Decentralized Web Indexing

The Graph enables developers to create open APIs (subgraphs) for organized access to blockchain data, accelerating decentralized app development. GRT tokens serve as utility tokens to incentivize indexers, curators, and delegators.

As of February 2026, GRT’s price is $0.03 (up 1.67%), with a market cap of $286.71 million. In 2024, The Graph expanded support to multiple blockchains (Ethereum, NEAR, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche, and others). The roadmap through 2025 focuses on developing data transfer services, optimizing indexer performance, and creating interconnected data graphs.

Theta Network (THETA) — Decentralized Video Delivery

Theta Network addresses the high costs of video delivery via a decentralized architecture. Users share excess bandwidth, improving stream quality and reducing content provider costs.

As of February 2026, THETA’s price is $0.19 (up 1.67%), with a market cap of $194.80 million. In 2024, the company introduced EdgeCloud—an edge and cloud computing solution for video, media, and AI applications. By 2025, a third version of EdgeCloud with an open marketplace for edge nodes is planned.

Arweave (AR) — Permanent Data Storage

Arweave offers eternal data storage using a unique “blockweave” structure instead of a linear blockchain. The Succinct Proof of Random Access (SPoRA) consensus mechanism incentivizes the preservation of historical data.

In November 2024, protocol update 2.8 improved efficiency and energy use. As of February 2026, AR’s price is $2.00 (up 3.90%), with a market cap of $130.97 million. The project aims to expand its ecosystem and developer tools to promote permanent storage solutions.

JasmyCoin (JASMY) — IoT and Data Sovereignty

JasmyCoin integrates blockchain with the Internet of Things, giving users full control over their personal data. Founded in 2016 by former Sony executives, the platform aims to create a decentralized data marketplace.

As of February 2026, JASMY’s price is $0.01 (up 2.18%), with a market cap of $284.90 million. The project is actively developing through strategic partnerships and plans to form alliances with leading IoT device manufacturers.

Grass Network (GRASS) — Monetizing Bandwidth

Grass Network enables users to earn from unused internet bandwidth, helping gather high-quality data for AI training. Running a Grass node allows the network to collect and process web data.

In 2024, the project attracted over 2 million users during its beta phase. A major airdrop on October 28, 2024, distributed 100 million tokens to 1.5 million wallets. As of February 2026, GRASS’s price is $0.19 (up 1.52%), with a market cap of $88.24 million. Plans include infrastructure expansion and community governance mechanisms by 2025.

IoTeX (IOTX) — Inter-machine Interaction Platform

IoTeX combines blockchain with IoT to create a secure machine-to-machine ecosystem. Its unique Roll-DPoS consensus provides high throughput and low latency essential for IoT applications.

As of February 2026, IOTX’s price is $0.01 (down 0.03%), with a market cap of $50.74 million. In 2024, IoTeX 2.0 launched with modular infrastructure for verifiable DePIN solutions. The ecosystem includes over 230 decentralized apps and more than 50 DePIN projects. By 2025, IoTeX aims to connect 100 million devices and unlock trillions of dollars in real-world value.

Challenges in Scaling DePIN Crypto Projects

Despite promising prospects, the DePIN sector faces significant hurdles:

• Technical complexity: integrating blockchain with physical infrastructure requires expertise in security, scalability, and interoperability between decentralized networks and real assets
• Regulatory uncertainty: DePIN projects cross regulations governing both digital and physical infrastructure across jurisdictions, creating legal challenges
• Overcoming skepticism: DePIN crypto projects must demonstrate clear advantages over traditional systems in cost, efficiency, and usability to gain industry trust

Market Outlook for DePIN

Market dynamics show steady growth: the total capitalization of DePIN has increased over 28% in the past year, reaching $32 billion. Key growth drivers include computing hardware, data storage, and AI applications.

Projections for 2028 are highly optimistic: analysts expect the DePIN market could reach $3.5 trillion. This growth will be fueled by rising demand for high-quality streaming, content delivery, and comprehensive storage solutions. The shift from centralized to decentralized infrastructure promises more resilient, cost-effective, and inclusive solutions.

DePIN crypto projects focused on security, scalability, and true decentralization are attracting increasing interest from investors and industry giants. As decentralized solutions become more widespread, DePIN crypto projects will play a central role in reimagining digital infrastructure, opening unprecedented opportunities for technological breakthroughs and portfolio diversification in the crypto space.