DePINs
Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) are blockchain-based networks that reward people who contribute hardware like servers and energy grids.
By Geoffrey Lyons
Published on Aug 2, 2024
Last modified on Feb 26, 2026
Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) are blockchain-based networks that reward people who contribute hardware like servers and energy grids.
You could think of them as a natural next stage in blockchain’s evolution:
Stage 1
Blockchains are configured to incentivize network participation (e.g. securing transactions and deciding on updates)
Stage 2
Blockchains are configured to incentivize resource contribution (e.g. the physical equipment needed to keep the network running)
How are people incentivized? With token rewards: payment in the form of a network’s native token (the cryptocurrency that belongs to a specific blockchain and is essential for its functioning).
