The 12 DePIN Crypto Projects Reshaping Web3 Infrastructure in 2025

The decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) sector has exploded into one of crypto’s most compelling opportunities. As of late 2024, the combined market value of DePIN crypto projects exceeds $32 billion with daily trading volume approaching $3 billion, signaling serious mainstream interest. What’s driving this momentum? Real-world utility—DePIN projects are solving tangible problems in energy grids, wireless networks, data storage, and AI infrastructure by combining blockchain incentives with physical resource distribution.

Why DePIN Matters: The Infrastructure Revolution

Unlike traditional centralized infrastructure controlled by megacorps, DePIN flips the script. These networks reward individuals for contributing their hardware, bandwidth, or computing power. Think of it as tokenizing the internet itself—users become infrastructure providers and earn cryptocurrency in return.

The economic model is elegant: blockchain handles the incentive layer, smart contracts automate payouts, and tokenization ensures fair compensation. Recent market data reflects confidence in this model. VanEck highlighted DePIN as a core theme for onboarding billions into Web3, while Borderless Capital committed $100 million to the DePIN Fund III in September 2024, targeting rapid global expansion.

What makes 2025 pivotal? The infrastructure is maturing. Earlier DePIN projects are proving they can scale beyond proof-of-concept, and new projects are layering in AI and enterprise features.

Essential DePIN Crypto Projects Dominating 2025

Internet Computer (ICP): The “World Computer”

Internet Computer reimagines cloud computing. Developed by DFINITY, it enables developers to host web applications directly on public blockchain infrastructure instead of renting server space from AWS or Google Cloud. This decentralized approach cuts costs, improves security, and aligns perfectly with DePIN principles.

ICP delivered several upgrades in 2024—Tokamak, Beryllium, and Stellarator—which enhanced scalability and network performance. The token is trading with a market cap exceeding $4.3 billion as of mid-November 2024. For 2025, ICP’s roadmap includes AI capability integration and interoperability with Solana, positioning it as a foundational DePIN layer.

Bittensor (TAO): Decentralized AI Training

Bittensor operates a peer-to-peer marketplace for AI services. Machine learning models train collaboratively on the network, and participants earn TAO tokens based on their contributions’ informational value. It’s essentially crowdsourced AI development backed by blockchain.

The protocol saw significant upgrades in 2024 via Proof of Intelligence and Decentralized Mixture of Experts models. However, market conditions have shifted: TAO currently trades at $261.20, down 53.37% over the past year, with a market cap of $2.51B. Despite the correction, the project’s long-term vision of a decentralized AI ecosystem remains intact, with plans to expand beyond current use cases.

Render Network (RENDER): GPU Resources on Demand

Render Network monetizes idle GPU power globally. Creators needing 3D rendering, animation, or VR content processing connect with node operators who have spare GPU capacity. It’s a marketplace solving a real bottleneck in creative industries.

The project migrated from Ethereum to Solana in 2024, rebranding RNDR to RENDER to enhance speed and scalability. Currently trading at $2.09 with a market cap of $1.08B (down 74.14% YoY), the platform continues expanding services. Studios and freelancers increasingly rely on Render for cost-effective rendering solutions, with Phase 2 deployments underway.

Filecoin (FIL): Permanent Data Storage Layer

Filecoin created a marketplace where anyone can become a storage provider. Instead of trusting centralized data centers, data gets distributed across a global network of participants who prove continuous file preservation through blockchain verification.

The launch of Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM) in 2024 unlocked programmability—Total Value Locked breached $200 million. FIL currently trades at $1.47 with a market cap of $1.08B. The network continues expanding capabilities, with 2025 focusing on enhanced smart contract compatibility and developer tools.

The Graph (GRT): Blockchain Data Indexing

The Graph solves a core Web3 problem: how do dApps efficiently query blockchain data? The protocol enables developers to publish “subgraphs”—customized APIs that organize blockchain information for easy access. It’s infrastructure that powers hundreds of dApps.

Supporting multiple blockchains (Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Avalanche, and others), The Graph expanded its footprint significantly in 2024. GRT’s current price stands at $0.04 with a market cap of $425.13M (down 83.41% YoY). Despite market headwinds, the 2025 roadmap promises expanded data services, enhanced developer tooling, and improved indexer performance.

Theta Network (THETA): Decentralized Video Delivery

Theta Network tackles high bandwidth costs for video streaming. Users share excess bandwidth and computing resources, and the network uses blockchain to route and reward contributors. It’s peer-to-peer CDN infrastructure powered by community participation.

In 2024, Theta introduced EdgeCloud—a next-generation solution combining cloud and edge computing for video, media, and AI applications. THETA currently trades at $0.30 with a market cap of $297.70M (down 87.94% YoY). Phase 3 rollout planned for 2025 includes an open marketplace connecting clients with edge nodes operated by community members.

Arweave (AR): Immutable Data Preservation

Arweave’s blockweave structure differs from traditional linear blockchains—each block links to multiple previous blocks, creating redundancy and permanent data storage. The Succinct Proof of Random Access (SPoRA) consensus mechanism incentivizes miners to preserve historical data indefinitely.

The November 2024 protocol upgrade (v2.8) introduced a new packing format improving efficiency and reducing miner costs. AR currently trades at $3.88 with a market cap of $254.16M (down 80.08% YoY). The ecosystem continues integrating with dApps, positioning Arweave as the permanent data layer for Web3.

JasmyCoin (JASMY): IoT Data Sovereignty

Founded by former Sony executives, Jasmy integrates blockchain with Internet of Things infrastructure. The project creates a decentralized data marketplace where users retain full control over personal information from connected devices. It’s data democratization through DePIN principles.

Strategic partnerships bolstered credibility in 2024. JASMY currently trades at $0.01 with a market cap of $337.61M (down 82.86% YoY). The roadmap emphasizes alliances with major IoT hardware companies and new functionality rollouts to showcase real-world data monetization benefits.

Helium (HNT): Decentralized 5G Infrastructure

Helium deployed thousands of Hotspots—individual devices that provide IoT connectivity and earn HNT rewards. Now operating on Solana for better scalability, it’s building a global wireless network without telecom company middlemen.

Subnetwork tokens (IOT and MOBILE) diversified incentives in 2024. HNT currently trades at $1.58 with a market cap of $293.64M (down 76.55% YoY). Plans for 2025 include expanding 5G coverage and optimizing Proof-of-Coverage mechanisms.

Grass Network (GRASS): Monetizing Bandwidth for AI

Grass lets users earn passive income by sharing idle internet bandwidth. The network scrapes public web data for AI training, transforming unstructured internet content into structured datasets essential for machine learning development.

Launched with a massive airdrop of 100 million tokens to 1.5 million wallets in October 2024, GRASS quickly attracted millions of users during beta testing. The project remains relatively new but demonstrates strong community adoption potential in the AI data acquisition space.

IoTeX (IOTX): The DePIN Infrastructure Platform

IoTeX provides the foundational layer for other DePIN projects. Using Roll-DPoS consensus, it ensures high throughput and low latency suitable for machine-to-machine interactions across billions of IoT devices.

The 2024 launch of IoTeX 2.0 introduced modular infrastructure (DIMs and MSP) tailored for DePINs. IOTX currently trades at $0.01 with a market cap of $74.68M (down 81.14% YoY). The ecosystem has grown to 230+ dApps and 50+ active DePIN projects, with 2025 targeting 100 million connected devices.

The Real Challenges DePIN Projects Face

Despite explosive growth potential, DePIN crypto projects encounter significant hurdles:

Technical Complexity: Merging blockchain with physical infrastructure requires expertise across security, scalability, and interoperability. Seamless device-to-network communication is non-negotiable for reliability.

Regulatory Uncertainty: DePIN projects straddle digital and physical infrastructure regulations. As blockchain rules evolve globally, compliance across multiple jurisdictions becomes increasingly complex.

Market Skepticism: Winning over traditional industries demands proving clear advantages over established systems. Reliability and cost-efficiency must be demonstrated, not promised.

The $3.5 Trillion Opportunity Ahead

Market forecasts suggest DePIN could reach $3.5 trillion by 2028—a massive jump from today’s $32 billion. This growth stems from genuine demand: high-quality streaming, content delivery, and scalable data storage are essential services. The shift from centralized to decentralized infrastructure offers more efficient, inclusive, and resilient alternatives.

DePIN crypto projects represent more than speculative tokens. They’re solving infrastructure problems at scale, rewarding community participation, and reshaping how digital services function. Whether you’re interested in technical innovation or investment diversification, DePIN projects merit serious attention in 2025.