DePIN: The Hottest Web 3.0 Narrative

Blockchain technology is enabling the global transition from Web 2.0 centralized platforms to the decentralized Web 3.0 era. Decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) are this transition's latest and most disruptive product. At the same time, GPU-as-a-service platforms with GPU cloud infrastructure are at the core of DePIN and Aethir is recognized by Messari as an important ecosystem player.

Blockchains and cryptocurrencies have introduced ground-breaking innovations in various sectors. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is transforming the way users conduct financial operations. On the other hand, GameFi is creating financially incentivized gaming models that attract millions of users worldwide.

However, DePIN is the first attempt to bring blockchain technology into the physical world, breaking through the barriers between virtual and physical. So far, it's going quite successfully since the DePIN sector is worth over $30 billion despite being just a few years old. For comparison, Ethereum's market capitalization is $400 billion after nine years on the market. This means the DePIN sector's market value has a massive exponential growth rate. 

Venture capital investments in the DePIN sector have been skyrocketing in recent months. Furthermore, many analysts believe that DePIN and artificial intelligence (AI) will be the leading sectors of the Web 3.0 industry in the coming years. Blockchain solutions for cloud computing, machine learning, data storage, and physical device sensors are rapidly gaining popularity. GPU-as-a-service platforms that utilize distributed GPU cloud networks are becoming especially prominent.

But what exactly is DePIN, and why is it becoming so popular? 

Let us dive into the details and discover all the critical information about decentralized physical infrastructure networks.

Roots of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks

Physical infrastructure connectivity became a hot topic with the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT). In the 2010s, physical devices with web connectivity became a booming industry, with a particular focus on everyday consumer devices. The ability to connect household appliances, Wi-Fi routers, and smartphones became the new normal. However, the IoT industry is heavily centralized.

In fact, much of the industry depends on a small number of major big data companies that dictate trends and exercise centralized control of the sector. Major corporations are mostly in charge of industries such as telecommunications, cloud storage, email service providers, and power grids. However, this isn't surprising because, before DePIN, only such enterprises had the logistical capacity to manage these sectors.

The centralization of traditional physical infrastructure companies has multiple key flaws, one of the most obvious of which is security. Centralized network architecture means that the system has a single point of failure. If hackers compromise it, all of the data within the system is in danger. Numerous cases, like the Dyn DDoS attack and the Verkada security camera network hack, have shown what can happen when hackers breach centralized networks.

Another critical shortcoming of centralized infrastructure providers is pricing, which is often quite expensive for the provided services. The high costs are often the result of network inefficiency. Centralized services can't maximize the use of their resources because they cannot pool power from different sources and direct it where it's needed. 

Blockchain innovations paved the way for decentralized physical infrastructure networks that protect user data better and are more cost-effective. 

The Role of Blockchain Technology in DePIN

With the emergence of blockchain technology, Web 3.0 innovators realized they could power and manage physical infrastructure differently. Blockchains transcend physical boundaries and use decentralized consensus mechanisms to verify network traffic. No single entity controls a blockchain, and no single entity can turn it off. 

Moreover, blockchains are highly interoperable and use cryptographic mechanisms that allow developers to program with smart contracts. By using immutable smart contract programming, developers can automate decentralized networks to execute complex commands. DePIN is an excellent example of the real-world application of smart contract programming.

For example, thanks to blockchain programming, a DePIN network that provides GPU cloud computing power can pool unused power from multiple sources. Traditional GPU cloud providers need to dedicate an entire GPU for each user. However, users rarely utilize 100% of their dedicated GPU, which means a high percentage of power is left idle. Centralized infrastructure providers don't have the means to pool and use that power.

With blockchain-powered DePIN networks, power is handled much more efficiently. DePIN solutions can easily pool computing power from multiple sources and send it directly to the end user. 

While some DePIN projects connect users with physical infrastructure providers, others maintain their own networks of physical resources. Cryptocurrency plays a crucial role in DePIN because projects issue crypto utility tokens as the in-house currency of their networks. These tokens are used for various purposes. 

Users who participate in DePIN networks as service providers or network validators get rewards in the project's utility tokens. Many DePIN platforms have a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) structure, allowing utility token holders to participate in platform governance. 

Navigating DePIN: From Physical Sensors to Distributed GPU Clouds

The first prominent decentralized physical infrastructure networks were launched during the crypto bull market of 2020 - 2021. However, the term DePIN came a bit later, in 2022, as a result of a Twitter poll organized by Messari. Soon, the term was adopted by the Web 3.0 community. Still, it wasn't until 2023 that it started gaining popularity with the rising influx of venture capital and community interest in the sector.

Any project that powers and operates physical infrastructure networks in a decentralized, permissionless way is DePIN. Access to DePIN platforms is open to anyone who fulfills the requirements to join the network either as a network contributor or user. DePIN platforms heavily rely on the community to maintain their operations. 

The most innovative and most decentralized DePIN model is to use thousands of network nodes to ensure the stability of the network. The more individual users operate DePIN nodes, the more decentralized the network. Aethir’s recent sale of $100M of Checker nodes is a testament to DePIN decentralization.

A high degree of decentralization ensures the network's security and service quality. If some network nodes go down for any reason, thousands of others are always operational. In DePIN, network nodes connect end users with the physical infrastructure they need. This can be anything from GPU computing power for AI platforms and decentralized cloud gaming to digital file storage and smart city physical sensors.

The DePIN industry has two key sectors: decentralized digital and physical resources. 

However, it's important to note that this categorization isn't a strict divisive barrier because DePIN is a cross-functional industry. Many projects have overlapping features that cover both sectors.

Let's look at each of these sectors to understand the various DePIN use cases better.

Decentralized Digital Resources

Unlike decentralized physical resources, digital resource DePIN provides a suite of web services focused on data storage and distributed GPU cloud processing power. GPU-as-a-service platforms are rapidly gaining traction in the DePIN sector with the rising prominence of AI platforms and machine learning. 

That's because AI platforms require an immense amount of computing power. Centralized services have difficulties providing the processing power required by AI projects. DePIN platforms can fill the gap and remotely provide the necessary power through decentralized cloud servers.

DePIN projects provide decentralized digital resources by distributing physical computing resources and pooling processing power or storage capacity from various sources. Decentralized cloud servers are much more versatile compared to traditional clouds.

Like physical resource projects, these types of DePINs either own the physical resources to provide services or utilize user devices. 

Networks that utilize user devices allow individuals to join the network with their computers and rent their processing power or storage to other users. The network facilitates the connection between providers and users through decentralized network nodes. End users pay for the service, while providers get rewarded for their role in the network.

Let's look at the critical areas of decentralized digital resource DePINs.

Distributed GPU Cloud Computing 

- Multi-purpose GPU cloud computing DePINs provide raw processing power to individuals and enterprises in industries with high computing demands. The AI, machine learning, and decentralized cloud gaming industries are some of the key areas in which GPU cloud DePIN platforms can massively benefit users. These DePINs provide services by using vast distributed GPU cloud networks. 

Aethir’s massive decentralized GPU cloud network specializes in servicing enterprise-grade AI and cloud gaming clients in need of lag-free, highly scalable processing resources. Furthermore, decentralized cloud servers are highly scalable and able to provide GPU cloud processing power to millions of users with lagging. The high-scalability makes distributed GPU cloud technology a great fit for enterprise-grade clients with massive user bases.

- Single-purpose computing resource DePINs provide computing power for a specific use case. Some examples are file format conversion, data indexing, and remote procedure calls.

DePIN Storage

- DePIN storage projects provide file storage and database hosting services. Individual users can purchase decentralized storage space or become service providers and earn passive income by renting their storage space. Enterprises have better use of DePIN database management and storage solutions for enhanced data security and accessibility.

AI DePIN Projects

- AI programming frameworks and machine learning models are a rapidly growing DePIN sector. These projects allow developers to streamline AI platform deployment and facilitate the development of complex machine-learning algorithms. Due to its colossal data processing needs, the DePIN AI sector relies heavily on decentralized computing resource providers like Aethir. Only a vast network of GPU cloud infrastructure can provide sufficient processing power for the growing AI sector.

Decentralized Physical Resources

DePIN projects focused on decentralized physical resources use web-connected infrastructure devices that exchange high volumes of data. Such devices are primarily sensors and hotspots that are either standalone or built on top of other devices like vehicles and home appliances. 

Some DePIN networks utilize single-use-case, purpose-built devices for a single application. These devices are highly specialized for providing one type of service and streamlining data. While such devices are useless for anything other than their original purpose, they can be instrumental in specific high-tech industries.

Another approach to decentralized physical resources is BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) projects. These DePIN projects allow users to install software on their own devices and join the project's ecosystem. This approach is much more inclusive because the entry barrier for new users is relatively low, and anyone can join the network.

When it comes to specific use cases of this category of DePIN projects, there are sensor networks and wireless networks.

DePIN Physical Sensor Projects

These are the key areas of DePIN physical sensor projects.

- Mobility sensors are handy for tracking the physical movement of vehicles and products. Logistics companies can utilize mobility DePIN projects to monitor and optimize their supply chains in real time. 

- DePIN smart home sensors enable users to manage their home appliances, such as heating, lights, and air conditioning, without compromising data security. Instead of IoT centralization, DePIN-based smart home platforms store data on the blockchain in a decentralized manner.

- Energy sensors allow users to monitor the electricity consumption of their devices. 

- DePIN geolocation sensor projects use physical sensors and blockchain technology to process location data. They provide area mapping services, spatial analysis, and monitoring of precise object locations.

- Environmental and smart city sensor DePINs provide real-time data on city infrastructure and environmental impact. These sensors help optimize environmental impact and urban planning.

DePIN Wireless Network Projects

These are the key areas of DePIN wireless network projects.

- Bluetooth DePINs focus on short-range device connectivity, mostly between smartphones and peripheral devices like headphones and speakers. 

- Wi-Fi and 5G wireless network projects provide web connectivity services. Wi-Fi provides local connectivity and powers everyday appliances. 5G projects provide much faster connectivity and are suitable for heavy-duty streaming and data processing.

- LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) projects focus on providing web connectivity to sensor devices spread across a vast geographical area. 

Conclusion

The decentralized physical infrastructure networks industry is the real-world application of blockchain technology. The rising influx of investment capital in the sector and the growing user interest show that DePIN is becoming the hottest Web 3.0 narrative alongside AI. DePIN provides enterprises and end-users with practical, everyday services that can improve their daily operations. 

Whether it's GPU processing power, physical sensors, or secure data storage, DePIN offers a decentralized, faster, and cheaper alternative. Thanks to blockchain technology, physical infrastructure is becoming more accessible and more powerful. With decentralized operational mechanics, physical infrastructure is more versatile and cross-functional.