The DePIN, or Decentralized Infrastructure Network, has become one of the hottest trends in Web3 this year while, after the collapse of various crypto exchanges, many turned their attention to this new network model that brings decentralization, user-ownership, and data sovereignty to new industries.
As a result, this technology holds the potential to rebuild public faith in blockchain while growing its popularity exponentially.
After briefly explaining the DePIN concept, we’ll review some of the top projects implementing this model.

DePIN Defined

DePINs provide either direct wireless network services, or those services which require an underlying network infrastructure, in a decentralized way that eliminates server-based architectures and creates crypto incentives for deployers.
These networks are configured as geographically dispersed, physical nodes that collectively verify and transfer data using consensus algorithms. This enables trustless, intermediary-free data exchange that can support an array of network types and their associated services.
The DePIN’s distributed setup also enhances network reliability and security, as dispersed infrastructure is inherently more resilient.
Like those constituting (most) Web3 blockchains, DePIN nodes, moreover, implement self-executing smart contracts that automatically execute a given network protocol without the need for a central intermediary like a server to do so.
Since it is not handled by a server but instead stored and verified in a distributed and automated way, the data collected, analyzed, and transmitted by DePINs is owned solely by their creators. They also receive crypto rewards for using these networks or deploying their infrastructure (nodes).
This model whereby network infrastructure is deployed by motivating individuals with crypto to setup nodes results from the data transmitted over DePINs being verified by particular L1 blockchains, which is where their token rewards are minted.
So, while cryptocurrency mining supports blockchains that are dedicated to issuing digital currencies, DePINs instead reward those who deploy whatever infrastructure is needed to provide a given network-based service beyond crypto.
The graphic below shows the various network-based services offered by DePINs:
Learn more about the DePIN concept in this full breakdown.

MetaBlox

The MetaBlox DePIN is providing free and secure WiFi roaming services to the public worldwide, while rewarding network hosts with future MBLX tokens.
MetaBlox provides individuals and organizations with WiFi routers that constitute the nodes of the DePIN. While these routers establish strong and secure WiFi connections they also, unlike most routers, verify and exchange user data decentrally, via cryptographic algorithms and an associated private/public key infrastructure for managing web credentials.
MetaBlox’s WiFi nodes collectively verify users credentials whenever their device makes an authentication request to establish a WiFi connection at a participating hostspot. Authentication data is then sent to an L1 blockchain for final verification.
During this process, the WiFi nodes (routers) issue mPoints for their hosts. These rewards will become available to stake for MBLX tokens after their launch in 2024.
The more connections a given router contributing to the WiFi DePIN establishes, the more points the host earns, so, although some people deploy them in their home, others have deployed them to busy public locations.
If you want to deploy a MetaBlox node, you can either purchase a MetaBlox miner (router) or add an existing router/network to the DePIN, which you can do regardless of your internet provider. Both methods let you earn future MBLX while providing WiFi.
To connect at a participating router, users must download the MetaBlox app for a DID (decentralized identifier) WiFi credential.
In addition to collecting mPoints by hosting a router, you can also do so by validating the network with your device after connecting to WiFi at a participating location. This only requires the simple, one-push action of ‘checking in’ on the app after connecting at a MetaBlox hotspot:

Decentralized OpenRoaming

Over and above regular WiFi, MetaBlox nodes collectively provide seamless and secure WiFi OpenRoaming services, meaning they enable continuous internet connectivity while traveling between hotspots.
This is because OpenRoaming allows for an unlimited number of local WiFi networks to become integrated such that a manual login or tap-through is only required initially, at one of them.
To connect initially, you only have to open the MetaBlox app twice: once to download your DID, and then when you login to MetaBlox network at a participating hotspot for the first time. All subsequent connections are automatic, letting you roam seamlessly across networks.
To find a hotspot, you can view the MetaBlox app’s home screen map:
The ‘Add WiFi’ button lets you add your own router/network to earn tokens

GhostDrive & Filecoin

GhostDrive has built a user-friendly storage platform upon the Filecoin DePIN, which lets computer owners rent out a portion of their disc space for ongoing cryptocurrency.
This storage provisioning mechanism decreases costs and provides an alternative to handing data over to large companies in order to store it.
Filecoin network uses IPSF (InterPlanetary File System) — a decentralized alternative to HTTP, which elides the need for a central server to store and track data, since this protocol identifies data via its content rather than location. With IPSF, data can thus be stored across many DePIN nodes and still kept track of.
Via IPSF, Filecoin has created a decentralized storage network where node providers earn FIL cryptocurrency for reserving disc space on their computer for Filecoin storage users.
This system creates a decentralized marketplace where users purchase remotely accessible storage from hardware belonging to various parties. At the same time, all storage contributors must meet certain quality standards.
After staking some FIL as collateral and booting up Filecoin’s node software, storage contributors can allocate a portion of their disk space to Filecoin for ongoing rewards. FIL payouts increase with the amount of storage provided, and accumulate over time.
FIL is minted on Filecoin’s native blockchain, which implements a proof-of-spacetime (PoSt) algorithm that uses cryptographic challenges to make nodes prove that they are storing the right data in the right way.
GhostDrive is a user-friendly platform for accessing Filecoin’s storage marketplace, and offers features such as data encryption and exchange, file conversions, asset tokenization, email or MetaMask registration, MultiSig authentication, and customizable encryption for each file, enabling variable access.
The platform offers a familiar experience that resembles many Web2 storage sites. And thanks in part to the reduced security costs associated with the robustness of a decentralized network, 1TB of storage on GhostDrive costs half the price as the same on Google Drive.

Hivemapper

This DePIN relies on a network of dash cams whose data is used to create a dynamical world map; while those who run the cameras get HONEY tokens in return.
To earn tokens, you simply install a compatible camera in your car and connect it to Hivememapper’s Phantom app. Then you can continue driving as usual, but earn rewards in the process, with yields increasing the more footage you capture.
Drivers get weekly deposits of HONEY into their Phantom wallet, after their cameras upload visual data to the Solana blockchain, which is where the data is verified and HONEY is minted.
Collectively, the image data is used to create an online, interactive world map. Purple hexagons highlight the regions captured by Hivemapper dash cams. So far, almost 6 million kilometres have been mapped by the network, with about half of that occurring in the project’s first 3 months. By comparison, Google needed 12 years to cover the roughly 16 million kilometres it has now mapped.
Hivemapper also provides APIs that let developers build applications using its data instead of that from large, centralized players. The APIs let developers integrate traffic and road sign data into their mapping and geolocation functionalities.
Besides running a dash cam as a Hivemapper node, you can also earn HONEY by evaluating and annotating cam data to improve the Hivemapper AI’s accuracy. This enhances its ability to recognize signage and identify objects on or around streets. In turn, this results in improved data for developers and ultimately, better map applications.

Planetwatch

Planetwatch is improving air quality monitoring with a DePIN approach that incentivizes everyday citizens with crypto to record and upload local air quality data.
Planetwatch’s citizen air quality trackers deploy bluetooth or WiFi-connected monitors in their home or workplace. These devices range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and reward their hosts with PLANETS tokens while collecting data.
This digital asset trades for around 35 cents, has a $51 million market cap, and can be used to purchase sensors or exchanged for crypto/fiat.
The cheapest sensors can earn up to 23 PLANETS a day, while the pricier models can yield up to 166 daily. To illustrate potential earning, that means an investment between 3 and 5 thousand dollars could earn you about $200 a day (USD).
Moreover, those running Planetwatch sensors in higher-population areas will earn more tokens.
Currently, over 40 000 active sensors have been deployed, with interest coming from jurisdictions as well as individuals. Miami recently announced that it would work with Planetwatch to provide a testing locale for large scale deployment of their sensors.
Planetwatch’s air quality data also holds scientific value, and has already been analyzed in the peer-reviewed journal Atmosphere.

HealthBlocks

While still in its Beta stage, this Web3 app is bringing the DePIN model to the medical space, rewarding users with crypto for making healthy decisions and sharing biometric data to researchers.
After downloading the HealthBlocks app, users create an account which they connect to their fitness device or smartphone (as long as it’s equipped with some type of fitness tracking capability, such as a pedometer). You can also provide data from your smart scale, glucose monitor or essentially any other devices that can transmit fitness data to a smartphone app.
As health data–like stats on heart rate, sleep, calories consumed, steps, or weight–is collected by the app over time, it’s sent to the IoTex blockchain where it can be verified, stored and analyzed. After the data is verified on-chain, HEALTH tokens (HEALTH is minted as an XRC-20 token) are minted for the user who sent the data.
Users receive HEALTH tokens based on the amount and diversity of health data they provide for the network, as well as for setting and achieving goals related to this data. A user could, for instance, set the goal of walking so many steps in a day.
Completing all the goals you set in one day earns bonus rewards, extra bonuses are available for streaks over multiple days, and you earn HEALTH automatically when you take 10,000 steps in a day (if such data is provided).
The token can even be earned simply by uploading your health data without setting goals. All data shared to HealthBlocks is anonymized on a DID and used for research purposes.
While current and future holders can rest assured that an IDO/ICO is on the horizon, HEALTH does not at present hold market value.

Conclusion

The DePINs discussed in this post are all bringing the value of blockchain to new industries, with crypto rewards providing the motivating force behind their deployment. From WiFi to healthcare, DePINs are delivering data sovereignty and user ownership to the masses.
For more on DePINs, check out MetaBlox’s community and social media channels or its website!
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