Every DePIN Has a Story

In this opinion piece, CoinDesk introduces a new focus on the burgeoning sector of decentralized physical infrastructure in their editorial content.

As a researcher, I’ve been captivated by the intriguing origins of DePIN. For me and countless others, this project represents an irresistible urge to address the peculiar challenges in business and society. During my time at Helium, we encountered one such challenge: persuading hosts to deploy our hotspots. While securing commitments from friends and family was achievable, expanding adoption beyond that in 2013 seemed insurmountable. But six years later, Amir Haleem, Marc Nidjam, Andrew Thompson, and their team unraveled the enigma by introducing the Helium Blockchain. This pivotal moment marked the birth of DePIN for me and many others. Now, with a thriving network of over 390,000 devices, the seemingly impossible has become a reality.

Helium is frequently hailed as the epitome of decentralized physical infrastructure’s potency. This notion is regularly expressed. However, Helium transcended merely establishing a blockchain and innovative hotspots. Instead, it paved the way for a novel perspective.

DePIN brings simplicity

As a researcher studying the intersection of Web3 technology and user experience, I acknowledge that the complexities and challenges of this emerging field can make it difficult for many to fully grasp its concepts. However, one promising development that simplifies this process is the implementation of Decentralized Public Identifiers (DePINS).

DePIN empowers individuals to access and control concepts that have historically been monopolized by big corporations. For instance, consider a venture named Wingbits, which strives to make accessible the sharing of ADS-B data for monitoring aircraft trajectories. This information holds significant commercial and societal value. Numerous flight tracking initiatives depend on contributors providing ADS-B data, but these contributors usually don’t reap any rewards. Through Wingbits, contributors are compensated for their efforts in tracking flight data using ADS-B technology, receiving a share of the revenue via a well-designed token system.

Differentiating DePINs

In more current developments, DePIN projects have expanded beyond the use of custom-made hardware. Now, DePIN initiatives encompass commonplace items such as mobile phones, computers, servers, and even off-the-shelf hardware for diverse applications. To effectively examine and maximize the potential of both everyday and specialized hardware in broadening the DePIN system, we have classified DePIN into two distinct categories: Commodity and Bespoke.

Commodity DePIN excels in providing scalability, flexibility, and accessibility for various projects. It enables the use of diverse hardware, ranging from commonplace laptops and smartphones to advanced systems such as Raspberry Pi units. By distinguishing infrastructure software from specific hardware prerequisites, Commodity DePIN facilitates effortless adaptation to different settings and resource limitations. In urban or rural areas alike, Commodity DePIN flourishes by utilizing everyday hardware assets, fostering infrastructure development for the masses, and inspiring grassroots innovation. An additional benefit is its potential for swift expansion, as it doesn’t encounter obstacles when incorporating existing hardware. Notable examples include UpRock, Natix, and Silencio.

Instead of “In contrast, Bespoke DePIN is all about precision and optimization,” you could say:

As a researcher studying Decentralized Payment and Infrastructure Networks (DePINs), I’ve come to realize that there is no inherent contradiction in DePINs functioning as both commodity and bespoke systems. Initially, a DePIN may operate as a commoditized network, offering standardized services to its users. However, as it matures financially, it can evolve to provide customized solutions that augment the network’s capabilities. In some cases, these bespoke devices might prove more advantageous and profitable due to the elevated costs and complexity associated with their rewards.

DePIN trends

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed an intriguing trend emerging in the Decentralized Projects Infrastructure Network (DePIN) space. While it’s no easy feat to predict the future, it seems that DePINS are increasingly becoming the go-to platform for innovative concepts.

As a crypto investor, I believe in the potential of decentralized projects like DeFi (Decentralized Finance) that disrupt traditional industries and create value for individuals. For instance, DePIN projects, which focus on personal or health data, have significant demand in today’s market. By providing a platform where data owners can monetize their information directly, these projects empower individuals to take control of their assets and earn rewards for their contributions. It’s an exciting time for investors who recognize the potential of these decentralized solutions.

GPU ecosystems

One of the most prevalent investment themes currently arises from companies focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Various enterprises, such as Io.net and Render, are gaining traction in this field. Some businesses aim to provide GPU services as a means to expand their engineering capabilities. For instance, Otoy, the company behind Render, offers OctaneRender – a cloud rendering service that requires specific GPUs for its operations. During downtimes, these GPUs can be utilized for other applications or training programs, maximizing resource efficiency and increasing the versatility of the GPU setup. This concept is termed “GPU with a purpose,” which I find particularly appealing since the demand stems directly from the company’s requirements.

Building robust AI models requires more than just access to GPUs. It’s essential to leverage additional services and tools to enhance the training process effectively:

As a researcher in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs), I recognize the significance of ensuring data accuracy and usefulness through validation and labeling for effective training. To achieve this, AI testing is essential for assessing the capabilities and performance of our models to ensure they meet the desired standards.

Wearable devices

In the realm of wearable technology within DePIN, I’m convinced we’re only scratching the surface of significant expansion. My personal connection to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sparked my curiosity while pursuing fitness and weight management. An epiphany struck me: why not make CGM data accessible to the masses for scientific exploration? This concept is yet to be fully realized, but innovations like the Cudis ring are paving the way for decentralized applications.

Wireless networks

As a researcher studying the mobile offloading industry, I’ve observed that Helium has taken a leading role with around 100,000 subscribers joining within just a short period. However, it’s important to note that Helium isn’t the sole contender making an impact in this field.

Moving forward, there is a strong prediction that distributed mobile networks will experience significant growth. These networks will serve as alternate channels for offloading traffic from major mobile carriers and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). This merging of resources will result in improved and adaptable mobile connectivity options. Furthermore, tech giants such as Apple and Google are expected to provide robust support for Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) networks. This backing will amplify the potential and influence of these networks.

Newly established businesses can effectively utilize the Helium Mobile network for their Decentralized PIN (DPIN) offerings. By doing so, they will pioneer innovative applications and offerings that capitalize on the capabilities of decentralized mobile connectivity.

Mobile networking landscapes are undergoing rapid changes, making it an intriguing period to observe and contribute to this evolution. Together with ongoing progress and teamwork, the possibilities for expansion and creativity are boundless.

Conclusion

As a researcher in this field, I firmly believe that the possibilities of Decentralized Peer-to-Peer Networks (DePINs) are virtually limitless, confined only by our imagination. We’re currently exploring the potential uses and feasibility of numerous DePIN applications, but there are hurdles to overcome. Primarily, we need to ensure the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) and maintain data integrity during transmission through these networks. Nonetheless, I remain confident that advances in technology and creative problem-solving will pave the way for secure, decentralized services empowered by a distributed network of physical devices. This is an area I plan to focus my research on in the near future.

One potential way of paraphrasing this: Ecosystems such as Solana and Peaq have made it more accessible for Decentralized Projects (DePIN) to get started, eliminating the need to build a new foundation or extensive infrastructure from scratch in order to bring unique offerings to the table. This development enables us to zero in on addressing particular issues, with DeFi elements taking a back seat and almost becoming an added bonus. As a result, our energies can be channeled into discovering practical solutions for real-world challenges.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are my own and may not align with those held by CoinDesk, Inc. or its affiliated entities.