DePIN in 2025: The 11 Biggest Crypto Projects
John: Hey everyone, I’m John, a veteran writer for our crypto blog where we break down Web3, virtual currencies, and blockchain news in straightforward ways. Today, we’re diving into DePIN—Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks—and spotlighting the 11 biggest projects making waves in 2025. We’ll cover what it is, its background, key players, use cases, risks, and what’s next, all enriched with the latest from reliable sources like CoinDesk and official project updates.
Lila: Hi, I’m Lila, John’s curious assistant always eager to learn more about crypto. John, I’ve heard DePIN is like crowdsourcing real-world stuff with blockchain, but what’s the big deal for beginners like me?
What is DePIN?
John: Great question, Lila. DePIN stands for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, which use blockchain to build and manage physical resources like wireless networks or storage through community contributions. Instead of big companies controlling everything, users provide hardware—like routers or hard drives—and get rewarded with tokens.
Lila: Okay, that sounds cool, but what’s an analogy to make it clearer?
John: Think of it like a community garden where everyone plants veggies and shares the harvest, but powered by blockchain for transparency. As of 2025-09-15, DePIN’s market cap has hit $26.2 billion, showing massive growth from its early days around 2022, according to posts on X and analyses from sources like CoinGecko.
Background and Evolution
John: DePIN started gaining traction in the early 2020s, with pioneers like Helium launching in 2019-07-30 to decentralize wireless networks. By 2023, it evolved to include computing and storage, driven by blockchain’s need for real-world utility beyond finance.
Lila: So, how has it changed leading up to 2025?
John: In the past, DePIN was mostly experimental, but now in 2025, it’s mainstream with integrations into AI and IoT. A key update came on 2025-09-10, when the U.S. Senate Banking Committee’s draft of the Responsible Financial Innovation Act exempted DePIN from certain securities laws, boosting adoption, as reported by Tekedia.
Lila: Exempted? What’s that mean in plain terms?
John: It means DePIN projects aren’t treated like traditional stocks, making it easier for them to operate without heavy regulations—as long as they follow the rules. This has led to events like DePIN Day Singapore on 2025-10-03, showcasing innovations, per Crypto.news.
The 11 Biggest DePIN Crypto Projects in 2025
John: Let’s get to the stars of the show. Based on the latest from KuCoin Learn and CryptoPotato, here are the 11 biggest DePIN projects as of 2025, ranked by market impact and updates. These are decentralizing everything from data storage to AI computing.
Lila: Awesome! Can you list them out with a quick what-they-do?
John: Sure thing. I’ll use a list for clarity:
- Helium: Decentralized wireless networks; users set up hotspots for IoT coverage and earn HNT tokens. It expanded to 5G in 2023 and now covers over 1 million devices worldwide.
- Filecoin: Decentralized storage; launched in 2020-10-15, it lets users rent out hard drive space, with over 18 exabytes of storage as of 2025.
- Render Network: GPU rendering for graphics; integrates with AI, rewarding node operators for compute power since its mainnet in 2023.
- Arweave: Permanent data storage; uses “permaweb” for forever-accessible files, with growing adoption in NFTs since 2018.
- Theta Network: Video streaming; decentralizes bandwidth for better delivery, partnering with major platforms as of 2025 updates.
- IoTeX: IoT infrastructure; connects devices securely, with real-world pilots in smart cities since 2017.
- Hivemapper: Decentralized mapping; users with dashcams contribute to maps, rivaling Google Maps, launched in 2022.
- Livepeer: Video transcoding; makes streaming cheaper by crowdsourcing processing power, active since 2017.
- Akash Network: Cloud computing marketplace; undercuts AWS prices by 80% through decentralized servers, per 2025 reports.
- Bittensor: Decentralized AI; rewards machine learning contributions, with a focus on collaborative models since 2021.
- Grass: Bandwidth sharing for AI training; users sell unused internet, gaining traction in 2025 with web scraping integrations.
John: These projects are verified through sources like TheStreet Crypto and Ulam.io, showing real growth. (Quick aside: If crypto had a talent show, DePIN would win for “most practical performer.”)
Real-World Use Cases
Lila: These sound impressive, but how are they used in everyday life?
John: In practice, DePIN powers things like decentralized WiFi in remote areas via Helium, or mapping for autonomous vehicles with Hivemapper. As of 2025, Coinspaid Media reports case studies in energy grids and logistics, where users earn tokens for sharing solar power or tracking shipments.
Lila: Like a decentralized Uber? The original article mentioned that.
John: Exactly—projects like those inspire ride-sharing or even EV charging networks. Looking back, early adopters in 2023 saw token rewards for contributing, and now it’s scaling to critical sectors without central control.
Risks and Considerations
John: While exciting, DePIN isn’t risk-free. Hardware failures or network vulnerabilities can occur, and regulatory changes could impact operations, as seen in past crypto crackdowns.
Lila: What should beginners watch out for?
John: Always research tokenomics and security audits. For instance, the 2022 crypto winter affected some DePIN prices, but safeguards like community governance help. Remember, this isn’t financial advice—consult pros for investments.
Looking Ahead to the Future
John: Moving forward, DePIN could integrate more with AI and 6G by 2026, per Blockchain Magazine. Events like DePIN Day 2025 signal collaborations, potentially hitting a $100 billion market cap if trends continue.
Lila: Any tips for getting started?
John: Start small: Join a project’s community, like Helium’s forums, or read whitepapers. As sentiment on X shows, it’s bullish for 2025, but stay informed via trusted sites.
John: Wrapping up, DePIN is transforming how we build infrastructure, making it more inclusive and efficient. It’s a reminder that blockchain can solve real problems, not just speculate on prices. Thanks for joining us—keep exploring!
Lila: My takeaway? DePIN shows crypto’s power for everyday sharing and earning. Can’t wait to try a project myself!
This article was created using the original article below and verified real-time sources:
- DePIN in 2025: The 11 Biggest Crypto Projects
- Top DePIN Crypto Projects to Know in 2025 | KuCoin Learn
- 5 DePIN projects rebuilding infrastructure in 2025 – TheStreet Crypto
- What is DePIN? Top 11 DePIN Crypto Projects in 2025
- U.S. Senate Banking Committee Updated Draft of “The Crypto Market Structure Bill” – Tekedia