Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) are redefining how real-world infrastructure is built, managed, and monetized. By leveraging blockchain technology and token incentives, DePIN projects enable individuals to contribute physical resources—like bandwidth, computing power, and sensors—to global networks. Solana, with its high throughput, low fees, and robust ecosystem, has emerged as a leading blockchain for DePIN innovation.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore the top 10 DePIN projects on Solana, analyzing their traction, tokenomics, use cases, and real-world impact. Whether you're an investor, developer, or tech enthusiast, this deep dive will help you understand the future of decentralized infrastructure.
What Is DePIN?
DePIN stands for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network. These are blockchain-based systems that incentivize individuals to contribute real-world physical resources—such as internet bandwidth, GPU power, storage, or sensor data—to a shared network. In return, contributors earn crypto tokens.
Unlike traditional infrastructure models controlled by centralized corporations (e.g., telecoms, cloud providers), DePINs operate as peer-to-peer ecosystems where value is distributed among participants.
There are two core components:
- Supply Side: Individuals provide resources (bandwidth, GPUs, storage) and earn tokens.
- Demand Side: Businesses and developers pay for access to these decentralized services, driving real-world utility and revenue.
Solana’s fast finality, low transaction costs, and strong developer support make it an ideal platform for DePIN projects aiming for scalability and mass adoption.
👉 Discover how blockchain is reshaping real-world infrastructure
Why Solana Is Leading the DePIN Revolution
Solana has become the go-to blockchain for DePIN due to several key advantages:
- High Performance: Over 65,000 transactions per second (TPS) and sub-second finality.
- Low Costs: Near-zero gas fees enable microtransactions crucial for passive income models.
- Ecosystem Maturity: Strong presence of DEXs like Jupiter, token standards, and developer tools.
- Network Effects: Early success of projects like Render and Helium has attracted more builders.
These factors have helped Solana host some of the most innovative and high-growth DePIN projects today.
1. UpRock – Bandwidth for AI Training
UpRock is a mobile-first DePIN that turns unused internet bandwidth into passive income. Users install the app on Android, iOS, or macOS devices and earn $UPT tokens by contributing bandwidth for AI data collection.
How It Works
- Supply: Users run the UpRock app in the background, sharing idle bandwidth.
- Demand: AI companies use this network to gather real-time, geo-specific data for training models.
Key Use Cases
- AI training data collection from social media, news sites, and public web sources
- Network performance monitoring (SSL checks, CDN speed tests)
- IP geolocation refinement
- Blockchain analytics via distributed client access
Traction
- 1.5M+ app installs
- 300K+ daily active users
- 600M+ transactions processed
- 96K+ on-chain $UPT holders
The $UPT Token
With a market cap of ~$40 million, $UPT is a utility token used for:
- Paying for AI agent services
- Bandwidth sales
- Platform fees
Notably, 50% of the token supply is allocated to the community, emphasizing decentralization and fair distribution.
👉 See how you can earn tokens by sharing bandwidth
2. Render – Decentralized GPU Marketplace
Render Network connects artists and developers with idle GPU power worldwide. It’s one of the most successful DePIN projects on Solana.
Supply & Demand
- Supply: Node operators rent out unused GPUs.
- Demand: Creators render 3D graphics, AI models, and spatial content.
Real-World Applications
- Used in major productions like Westworld and The Last of Us.
- Supports AI compute through integration with platforms like io.net.
The $RNDR Token
- Market Cap: ~$4.1B
- Fully Diluted Valuation: ~$5.6B
Utilities:
- Pay for rendering jobs
- Governance in Render DAO
- Burn-and-mint equilibrium model balances supply
Render has rendered over 33 million frames, proving its reliability in professional environments.
3. Helium – Decentralized Wireless Network
Once a pioneer on its own blockchain, Helium now runs on Solana, powering IoT and 5G connectivity through community-owned hotspots.
How It Works
- Users deploy hotspots to provide wireless coverage.
- They earn HNT, IOT, or MOBILE tokens based on network participation.
Use Cases
- Asset tracking
- Smart city infrastructure
- Agriculture monitoring
- Pet trackers and environmental sensors
Traction
- 995K+ hotspots globally
- 380K active in IoT network
- $20/month mobile plans available via Helium Mobile
Tokenomics
- **$HNT**: Governance and burned to create Data Credits (~$640M market cap)
- **$MOBILE**: Rewards 5G contributors (~$150M market cap)
- **$IOT**: Earned by LoRaWAN hotspot operators (~$19M market cap)
4. Nosana – Distributed GPU Grid for AI
Nosana offers a decentralized alternative to cloud GPU providers, enabling cost-effective AI inference at up to 85% lower cost.
Supply & Demand
- Supply: Individuals contribute idle consumer GPUs.
- Demand: Developers run AI models using Stable Diffusion, Llama 2, etc.
The $NOS Token
- Market Cap: ~$410M
- Used for payments, staking, and governance
- Listed on major CEXs and Solana DEXs like Jupiter
Nosana has processed over 507K AI inferences, with growing adoption in healthcare and fintech.
5. Hivemapper – Real-Time Global Mapping
Using dashcams mounted on vehicles, Hivemapper creates up-to-date street-level maps powered by a decentralized contributor network.
How It Works
- Drivers earn $HONEY tokens for recording footage.
- AI trainers label map features for additional rewards.
Demand Side
Enterprises pay in $HONEY for:
- Autonomous vehicle training data
- Real-time construction zone updates
- Insurance risk assessment
Traction
- 140K+ contributors
- 233M+ km mapped
- 673M+ AI reviews completed
The $HONEY Token
- Market Cap: ~$125M | FDV: ~$475M
- Burned when data is consumed
- Listed on Coinbase, Raydium, Orca
6. IONET – GPU Aggregator for AI Workloads
Io.net aggregates GPU power from data centers and miners into unified clusters for machine learning tasks.
Key Features
- Instant instance setup (<5 minutes)
- Supports Nvidia GPUs and Apple M-series CPUs
- Partnerships with Leonardo.ai, Wombo, Aptos
The $IO Token (Upcoming)
- Max supply: 800 million
- Hourly rewards for participants
- Built-in token burn mechanism to reduce supply over time
Raised $30M in Series A from Multicoin Capital, Solana Labs, and Hack VC.
7. ShdwDrive – Decentralized Storage Marketplace
Built by GenesysGo, ShdwDrive offers scalable storage using Solana’s speed and low fees.
Use Cases
- Web hosting
- Social media backlogs
- Dataset archiving
- Personal encrypted storage
Traction
- 22TB stored across 17,839 accounts
- 188.5TB total capacity available
- v2 launching with mobile-powered storage and decentralized DNS
The $SHDW Token (~$75M Market Cap)
Used for:
- Paying storage fees
- Staking and slashing mechanisms (roadmap)
Available on Coinbase, Raydium, Orca.
8. Synesis One – Crowdsourced AI Training Data
Synesis enables anyone to earn $SNS by completing micro-tasks that train AI models.
Earning Models
- Active: Label data for NLP, computer vision
- Passive: Own Kanon NFTs to earn from Mind AI clients
The $SNS Token (~$20M Market Cap)
Governance token listed on HTX and Raydium. Over 476K data points submitted, with strong enterprise demand.
9. Grass – Decentralized Data Scraping Network
Grass turns unused internet bandwidth into AI training data by allowing users to run a browser extension.
How It Works
- Users become proxy nodes.
- Companies pay for clean, location-specific scraped data.
Traction
- 2M+ users across 190 countries
- 1TB+ data collected daily
The GRASS token is upcoming; raised $3.5M from Polychain Capital.
10. Ambient – Environmental Sensor Network
Ambient collects real-time air quality data via sensors, building a decentralized environmental monitoring system.
Acquired PlanetWatch’s network:
- 25K+ sensors in 20+ countries
- 10.7B+ data streams generated every 5 minutes
The AMBIENT token will launch soon on Solana. Raised $2M from Solana Ventures and Borderless Capital.
Use cases include insurance underwriting, smart cities, and climate risk analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes Solana ideal for DePIN projects?
A: Solana’s high speed, low fees, and strong developer ecosystem allow DePINs to scale efficiently while supporting microtransactions essential for user rewards.
Q: How do DePIN projects generate revenue?
A: Through B2B or B2C demand—businesses pay for decentralized services like GPU rendering, mapping data, or bandwidth access—creating real-world utility that supports token value.
Q: Are DePIN tokens good investments?
A: Many DePIN tokens have shown strong growth due to increasing demand for decentralized infrastructure. However, always research fundamentals before investing.
Q: Can I earn passive income with DePIN apps?
A: Yes—projects like UpRock, Grass, and Helium allow users to earn tokens simply by running an app or deploying hardware.
Q: How do supply and demand work in DePIN?
A: Supply comes from individuals contributing resources; demand comes from enterprises needing those services. Tokens align incentives across both sides.
Q: Is DePIN only about AI and computing?
A: No—DePIN spans wireless networks (Helium), storage (ShdwDrive), mapping (Hivemapper), environmental sensing (Ambient), and more.
Final Thoughts: The Future of DePIN on Solana
The Solana DePIN ecosystem is poised for explosive growth. With projects already serving real industries—from entertainment to insurance—these networks are proving that decentralized infrastructure can be both scalable and profitable.
As AI adoption accelerates and demand for affordable computing rises, DePINs on Solana offer a sustainable alternative to centralized cloud providers. With billions in market cap growth potential, now is the time to understand and engage with this transformative sector.
👉 Stay ahead in the DePIN revolution—explore opportunities today