8 Best DePIN Crypto Projects To Invest in 2025

The DePIN category controls a cumulative market cap of over $16 Billion. Making up this figure is cutting-edge decentralized projects that leverage the blockchain as a control layer for physical resources. Here, we review some of the most notable and promising projects from the several projects that operate in this space;

Filecoin is a decentralized permanent data storage solution. It is built on the same software as the IPFS protocol but uses the blockchain network as the content-addressing system. Filecoin allows anyone to permanently store data online and retrieve them at will. It consists of a network of storage space providers who run the network client and store users’ data.

Storage space providers are required to regularly submit proof that they are in custody of the stored data. In turn, they are rewarded with Filecoin ($FIL) for their role on the network. Users who store data on the network also pay a fee in FIL according to the storage space used.

Filecoin is capable of storing a diverse class of data, including NFTs, multimedia files, Smart contracts, and web2 datasets. Filecoin uses the Filecoin Virtual Machine to process smart contracts deployed on the network. Use cases for Filecoin’s smart contract technology include the development of applications that leverage the storage system, governance systems for stored data, and agreements for data replications and leasing. In addition to its use case as the reward token on the Filecoin network, FIL is also used to govern the network, users also pay in FIL to retrieve data stored on the network.

Render Network is a marketplace for GPU power. It uses the blockchain to create and manage a pool of dormant or unused GPU power that can be rented by creators to produce graphics. It enables device owners to commit their unused GPU to a P2P GPU-sharing program and earn whenever a creator uses their GPU power. GPU power providers run a node on the Render, anyone anywhere in the world can run a render network node.

According to the project, creators can easily obtain GPU power by rendering their graphics via this setup, paying a fee in the process. This enables graphics creators to produce high-quality graphics at a lower cost and makes for the creation of Games, videos, NFT arts, and plain graphics that appeal more to users.

Render Network was first deployed on the Ethereum blockchain and later on the Solana blockchain. By running on a blockchain network, Render leverages a decentralized platform for managing its activities. The blockchain serves as the base platform for the facility, it manages the data generated on the network including payments made by creators, and also remits rewards to node operators.

Render Network uses the proof-of-render (POR) consensus algorithm to coordinate rendering operations on the network. Payments on the network are made in Render Token (rebranded from $RDNR to $RENDER) and other supported cryptocurrencies.

Chirp Network ($CHIRP) is gaining prominence in the DePIN sector, focusing on telecommunications and the Internet of Things (IoT). Operating on the Sui blockchain, Chirp is developing a decentralized telecom ecosystem to transform connectivity for IoT devices, businesses, and real-world asset (RWA) projects. 

This platform aims to unite various IoT devices through a community-driven approach, enabling seamless communication among devices from different manufacturers and wireless technologies. Users can participate by running “Blackbird” antennas at home and earning $CHIRP tokens.

Chirp Network, led by Tim Kravchunovsky and a team of experts, is known for its credibility in the telecom industry. They are launching “Kage,” a P2E game on the Sui blockchain, which will reward players with $CHIRP tokens for mapping wireless infrastructure. 

The Chirp team chose to build on the Sui blockchain to take advantage of faster speed, lower transaction costs, and enhanced security. Chirp’s innovation seeks to revolutionize IoT connectivity, allowing a wide range of IoT devices to interact more efficiently. 

By creating a collaborative network, Chirp aims to unlock the full potential of IoT technology, making it more accessible and productive for all users.

Chirp’s upcoming Token Generation Event (TGE) and mainnet launch on Tier 1 crypto exchanges are highly anticipated. The DePIN project on the Sui blockchain emphasizes practical use cases and community involvement, setting itself apart in the cryptocurrency space. With a strong leadership foundation and a commitment to technological advancements, Chirp Network is expected to make significant strides in transforming the telecommunications sector.

Bittensor is a peer-based decentralized infrastructure network designed for the development of commodities and the crowd-sourcing of computing resources. It is a marketplace for resources like storage space, GPU and CPU power, and a task-driven network for the development of AI and Machine Learning models.

Bittensor embraces competition as a strategy to ensure that commodities, resources, and models developed on its network are of the best quality. It is a dynamic network consisting of computers performing different roles and collectively controlling a distributed network. Bittensor operates a network of subnets. Subnets are created to solve a given task, the creator of the subnet is usually the client and specifies the task and accompanying reward.

Validators on the subnet feed miners information about the task and miners proceed to provide these resources. The final validators on the network use the Yuma consensus to vet the tasks done and select the best solution or resources. Yuma consensus uses a weighted algorithm to compute validator evaluations and decide which solution is best. The miner who provided this solution is rewarded with TAO. Bittensor is an advanced DePIN network and one of the best crypto to buy.

Arweave a DePIN for data storage space. It allows users to commit their disk space to store data.  Providers on the network on the network are known as miners. They store and replicate data on behalf of the network and receive rewards in Arweave tokens ($AR) for their contribution to the network.

Arweave uses an algorithm similar to Bitcoin’s POW consensus algorithm to compute proof of data stored on each node and remit rewards in each case. Users who wish to store data on the network are required to pay a one-time fee for storage space. Data stored on the network are permanent and can be retrieved at will with the correct keys. Arweave pioneers the Permaweb, a storage infrastructure for etching data on the internet forever.

Arweave network serves diverse use cases, apart from storing data, developers can also build advanced applications on the network. Applications on the Arweave network leverage the storage technology to develop advanced solutions. Arweave equips developers with resources to build efficient smart contract applications. Arweave network is able to process smart contract codes and supply data to applications. Arweave is one of the top DePIN projects on Solana.

Helium is a DePIN for dynamic and decentralized internet connectivity. It is powered by hotspots and the LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) technology. Providers on the network run hotspots and provide wireless networks by transferring data from nearby devices. Hotspots are connectivity gateways on the Helium network, they create and broadcast wireless networks, enabling cost-efficient connectivity for IoT devices.

Providers on the network are required to purchase the Helium Hotspot developed by Helium to be able to participate in the network. Helium Network uses the Proof of Coverage consensus algorithm to verify connectivity over time. Miners run the algorithm and earn rewards according to the connectivity services provided. Helium previously operated its own blockchain network but migrated to the Solana network in the second quarter of 2023. 

The Helium whitepaper shares insights on an internet controlled by a network of users. This is the project’s primary goal. Helium network is able to power IoT devices for advanced use cases. It enables sensor-powered devices for asset tracking, logistics, and smart homes to share data over decentralized wireless networks. Helium opens up utilities for blockchain technology and IoT in areas such as agriculture and lifestyle. It operates a multi-token technology. Tokens used on the network include the Helium token (HNT), IOT, and MOBILE token used in the Helium decentralized 5G network.

Akash is a flexible marketplace for diverse resources including GPU power. Akash network consists of multiple layers. The dynamic factions of the network operate in synergy to deliver an efficient facility for on-demand computing. It uses a reverse auction model to control pricing and reward allocation for requested resources.

Clients on the network are known as tenants and they create deployments. Deployments are strategic descriptions of the resources required from the network. It delineates the reward structure and agreements for the tasks. Providers bid on a deployment and tenants select a desired provider and commence the lease. Providers are rewarded according to the lease and tenants pay duly through a deposit and withdrawals mechanism. Providers are paid from the fund deposited by the tenant during the deployment. Over 204,000 lease agreements have been created on the Akash network.

The network also consists of validators who commit new blocks to the blockchain. Validators hash new blocks through voting and protect the network by screening out malicious blocks. Validators a required to stake AKT – the native token of the Akash network on their nodes. AKT is used for payments on the network alongside other supported assets.

Io.net is a marketplace for GPU power. Io.net launched in Q3 2024 following over $40 Million in fundraisers and months of development. It offers on-demand GPU power to organizations and individuals developing machine learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) models and products at relatively cheaper prices compared to sourcing additional GPU resources privately. Io.net achieves this through a system that enables idle GPUs to be put to good use. It taps into millions of GPUs from independent data centers, crypto miners, and other DePIN GPU projects.

Through a user-friendly portal, Io.net offers computer owners a platform to rent out their idle computing resources to developers who are looking to obtain on-demand resources. It then uses the blockchain to create a transparent platform for computing power management. Thanks to a flexible reward system for, GPU suppliers, io.net positions itself as a viable marketplace for idle GPU power. This enables it to garner more GPU power than organizations that rely on centralized self-managed data centers and facilities to provide computing power for their clients.

Io.net is a multilayered network, several factions of the network work in dynamism to create a secure and functional system for GPU suppliers to commit idle computing power and earn a reward while workers are able to access an infinite store of computing power at a fair price.

Hivemapper hopes to create a decentralized version of GoogleMap. It is a DePIN for geo-location data and mapping details of cities across the world. Hivemapper enables data providers to connect to the network and share maps of their cities using a dashcam and the Hivemapper application. The Dashcam is installed on their cars and connected to the Hivemapper application.

The Dashcam takes pictures of locations as the users drive around their cities, these pictures are transferred to the Hivemapper network and used to create a progressive map. Data providers are rewarded in HONEY tokens for their role on the network.

Through a community-driven mapping technology, Hivemapper hopes to develop a more detailed mapping structure. Anyone can review the current status of the Hivemapper network using the Hivemapper Explorer. According to data on the network, Hivemapper has successfully mapped over 25% of the world. Its coverage extends across several continents including Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Hivemapper’s success in global mapping makes it one of the cryptocurrencies with the most potential. Progression in the area could place it amongst other top global mapping projects.

DePIN is an acronym for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network, it connotes projects that use the blockchain as a management system for physical resources. DePIN network adopts crowd-sourcing as a way to create a scalable facility for some of the most sourced resources. Blockchain technology is used as a data and financial management system for such projects.

As a data management system, DePIN projects process network data using the blockchain as a consensus system, these data are stored on the blockchain as well. As a financial management system, DePIN projects use the blockchain as a remittance facility, payment for resources contributed to the network is made in cryptocurrencies.

 DePIN networks present a zero-trust network for community-driven resource systems and pursue a more cost-effective, efficient, and fair alternative to traditional systems. Projects in this space have gained recognition from mainstream firms and individuals to which their solutions are relevant.

Bittensor (TAO) is one of the best DePIN crypto coins. It presents a facility for sourcing the best compute resources and AI models through a challenge-based system. Render Network is also one of the top DePIN projects for computing resources. Filecoin and Arweave are top DePIN projects in the data decentralized storage sector.

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks work on four pillars:

Blockchain Architecture

Blockchain architecture is the foundation of DePIN, leveraging smart contracts to automate operations. All projects solely rely on this architecture to execute preset rules, charge fees, and offer perks. For clients, the blockchain orchestrates resource acquisition while also including pricing models to efficiently manage service prices.

Physical Infrastructure Network

It includes tangible physical components like switches, routers, and networking equipment. These components allow for the smooth transportation of data and resources across the decentralized network. These entities contribute their assets to the network, similar to how miners contribute computing resources in a Proof of Work blockchain. This pooling of physical resources establishes the foundation for the DePIN.

Off-Chain Network

The off-chain network supplements the main blockchain architecture. It simplifies the work by allowing some data transactions outside of the core blockchain network. This off-chain functionality enables users to get the resources they need as and when needed to perform network operations, leveling up the scalability and efficiency factors.

Token Rewards:

The ecosystem is extremely rewarding thanks to the incentives you get. You can grab cryptocurrency tokens as compensation for offering services or actively participating in the network. The rewards are given out dynamically, according to the amount of effort and participation.

Experts predict that the prominence of DePIN in the world of crypto will be super-solid in the future. Here are some of the perks that unwind the immense potential of these projects:

Levels up the security and resilience game:

The decentralized structure of these physical resource networks makes them less vulnerable to failure of centralized services or targeted assaults. On top of that, DePIN employs advanced encryption and decentralized authentication mechanisms, adding multiple layers of security and privacy to user transactions.

Streamlined user experience:

Still using complicated PINs for authentication? DePIN wipes away the complexities of remembering difficult codes. Unlike traditional PIN systems that require you to remember complicated codes, it delivers a streamlined user experience by allowing you to safely set up and keep your PINs using a decentralized platform.

Scalability:

DePINs can scale fast since they are based on dispersed nodes, each of which contributes resources to the network. DePIN can extend its operations to meet a rising user population and increased transaction volumes while maintaining performance and efficiency by utilizing strategies like sharding sidechains or layer 2 solutions.

Lower costs:

Using decentralized resources lowers the costs of building and upholding infrastructure. Centralized services involve a great amount of spending on servers, data centres, and maintenance. The various costs incurred by DePIN are lower because all these nodes are distributed. This also implies improved functioning of infrastructures.

DePIN faces several intricate challenges that hinder its widespread adoption and operational efficiency:

Reliance on Centralized Servers

While promoting decentralization, the majority of DePIN platforms still create their initial solutions on centralized cloud solutions. This reliance arises issues like excessive centralization with various single-points of failure and susceptibility to data breach which work against the premise of decentralization and security the platform seeks to offer.

Uneven Token Distribution

Early stages of token distribution can be more beneficial to investors and insiders, resulting in a number of tokens being held by specific entities. This concentration can distort governance and market shares and consequently dampen the trust of the community and slow down adoption.

Lack of Active Development and Support

One area where the DePIN crypto coins lack is in the frequency of development updates and responsiveness of support. This issue makes users left with several questions unsolved and hinders the platform’s flexibility to adapt quickly to consumers’ needs and the trend in technologies.

Transparency and Governance Issues

Some of the DePIN platforms are not very clear in their governance structure and decision-making process which are rather significant in the decentralized environment. Lack of well-drawn out policies on how the platform is being run and managed is disadvantageous to the growth of the platform since it might discourage users and other members of the community to participate.

For DePIN’s future, a focus must remain on extending decentralization, and also on expanding the applicability of the token not only for incentives but also for governance and transaction purposes.

Such developments are primarily geared towards offering more control in managing the data and computations to the real users and make the ecosystem more open and based on interaction. Ease-of-use and education campaigns contribute greatly towards attaining openness in interfaces and broadening the population of users.

In sum, DePIN has the potential to rewire the computing infrastructure landscape from presenting viable alternatives to centralized cloud services with principles of security, decentralization, and democratic governance.