Cryptoproject Portfolio in the Decentralized Infrastructure Segment: An Up-to-Date Guide for Investors

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure (DePIN) confidently leads the crypto ecosystem of 2024-2025. This segment demonstrates exceptional potential due to the practical application of blockchain in real-world scenarios. According to CoinGecko statistics (November 2024), the total market capitalization of DePIN projects reached $32 billion, with a daily trading volume of nearly $3 billion. The investment community actively supports this trend: VanEck considers DePIN a key vector for attracting a billion new users to Web3, and the Borderless Capital fund launched a specialized DePIN Fund III with a budget of $100 million, focused on global scaling of projects in this area.

The essence of decentralized infrastructure: a bridge between the digital and physical worlds

DePIN represents a conceptually new approach that combines the potential of blockchain with tangible assets—energy networks, wireless communication channels, and distributed storage systems. The key mechanism is the use of tokenized rewards that incentivize participants to provide resources and receive economic benefits from network participation. The result is the formation of an ecosystem that is cryptographically protected, scalable, and fairly distributed.

Current development status:

• Implementation in the real sector: DePIN solutions are actively used in energy, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and IoT device management, demonstrating the ability to reduce costs and expand service accessibility.

• Technological breakthroughs: New platforms, including U2U Network, are developing EVM-compatible modular architectures specifically for DePIN, accelerating and securing on-chain processes.

Distributed asset management: from centralization to democracy

Physical decentralization remains the foundation of the entire DePIN ecosystem. Distributing equipment (antennas, access points, computing nodes) among independent operators eliminates a single point of failure and reduces control concentration.

Active examples:

• Helium Mobile: Currently serves over 335,000 subscribers, demonstrating how a decentralized radio infrastructure can rapidly expand with direct participant rewards.

• Meson Network: Connects over 59,000 active nodes worldwide, functioning as a decentralized marketplace for free bandwidth, thereby optimizing costs and improving service quality.

This architecture ensures system resilience and active community participation, creating transparent economic incentives for engagement.

How DePIN projects operate

The combination of physical assets with blockchain technology creates synergy that enhances security, scalability, and infrastructure performance. The distributed control system transforms traditional approaches into more sustainable and fair models.

A specific example: in the energy sector, owners of solar panels can directly supply excess generation to neighbors or grid operators, using blockchain to ensure secure settlements.

Three pillars of DePIN architecture:

• Blockchain foundation: Serves as an immutable record base and enables automation via smart contracts.

• Token incentive system: Rewards participants with cryptographic assets that are tradable within the ecosystem or exchanged for services.

• Cross-platform compatibility: Allows DePIN projects to seamlessly interact with other blockchains and traditional systems.

This approach increases accessibility to basic services and optimizes resource management based on sustainability and economic principles.

Competitive advantages of the DePIN ecosystem

Enhanced security: Cryptographically secured decentralized systems minimize risks associated with centralized management and critical points of failure.

Performance and throughput: Platforms like Filecoin and Arweave utilize distributed nodes for efficient management of large data volumes. In Q3 2023, the Arweave ecosystem processed 28 billion operations supported by over 130 active projects.

Accessibility and inclusion: Projects like U2U Network employ tokenized incentive mechanisms, enabling the creation of large-scale networks without requiring significant initial investments.

Technological integration: Platforms such as Streamr are designed to synchronize decentralized real-time data exchange with cross-ecosystem support.

As of November 2024, the market capitalization of the DePIN segment exceeded $32 billion, confirming significant expansion potential amid growing interest from VC funds and large corporations.

Most promising DePIN initiatives for 2024-2025

1. Internet Computer (ICP)

Internet Computer — a decentralized computing platform from DFINITY Foundation, redefining the internet by enabling direct hosting of web applications on a public blockchain. Unlike cloud providers relying on centralized data centers, ICP embodies the idea of a “world computer,” where independent data centers form an open infrastructure with improved reliability, scalability, and no single administrator.

In 2024, the network deployed key updates Tokamak, Beryllium, and Stellarator, strengthening performance. Price dynamics reflected this progress: 121% annual growth. As of December 2025, current price: $2.99 with circulating market cap: $1.63B and annual decline: -73.22%.

Roadmap to 2025 includes deeper AI integration and collaboration with other blockchains, including planned cooperation with Solana.

2. Bittensor (TAO)

Bittensor — an open-source protocol combining blockchain and machine learning into a decentralized collective learning network. Participants earn TAO tokens based on the informational value of their contributions, creating a P2P market for AI services and democratizing access to ML resources.

In 2024, the integration of Proof of Intelligence and decentralized Mixture of Experts models expanded AI cooperation scale. Annual TAO growth was 152%, reaching current price $216.30 and circulating market cap $2.08B, though the last year saw a decline of -56.69%.

The roadmap focuses on improving ML protocol features and expanding applications across industries.

3. Render Network (RENDER)

Render Network functions as a decentralized marketplace connecting creators with excess GPU capacity. It offers cost-effective services for 3D rendering, animation, and VR content, optimizing computational resource use globally.

In 2024, migration from Ethereum to Solana with token rebranding RNDR → RENDER occurred. The native asset shows volatility: 150% annual growth, but as of December 2025, price: $1.26, circulating market cap: $655.49M, and yearly decline: -83.24%.

Expansion strategy focuses on infrastructure development and integration with film studios, gaming companies, and VR platforms.

4. Filecoin (FIL)

Filecoin is a decentralized data storage network where participants can act as storage providers or clients. Its economic model is based on long-term contracts recorded on the blockchain and continuous verification of file integrity.

2024 saw the launch of Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM), opening the economy for new applications—from on-chain payments to collateral markets. TVL exceeded $200 million. However, FIL price remains volatile: as of December 2025, $1.24 with circulating market cap $900.43M.

Plans include expanding FVM programming for deploying Ethereum-compatible contracts and creating developer agents.

5. Shieldeum (SDM)

Shieldeum — a Web3 security platform integrating AI-DePIN to protect crypto users and enterprises. Based on professional data centers, it offers hosting, encryption, threat detection, and computing services.

In 2024, applications for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS were completed. The network attracted $2 million in USDT for node infrastructure testing.

By 2025, plans include expanding security portfolio, entering new regions, and launching BNB Layer-2 chain for node operators.

6. The Graph (GRT)

The Graph — a decentralized indexing protocol facilitating access to blockchain data. Developers publish subgraphs (open APIs), enabling efficient data queries and accelerating dApp development.

As of December 2025, current price: $0.04 with circulating market cap $386.97M and 83.75% annual decline. The Graph has expanded support to Ethereum, NEAR, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche, Celo, Fantom, and Moonbeam.

Development priorities include creating an enriched data marketplace, expanding development tools, optimizing indexer operations, and building a connected knowledge graph.

7. Theta Network (THETA)

Theta Network optimizes streaming video delivery through decentralized bandwidth exchange among participants. Its dual-token economy uses THETA for governance and TFUEL for computations and incentives.

In 2024, EdgeCloud platform was introduced for edge computing, combining cloud and edge resources for video, multimedia, and AI applications. As of December 2025, price: $0.26, circulating market cap: $259.60M, with annual decline: -89.02%.

The third phase of EdgeCloud envisions an open marketplace connecting clients with community edge nodes.

8. Arweave (AR)

Arweave is a decentralized storage for permanent data preservation. It uses the “blockweave” structure instead of a linear chain, linking blocks with multiple predecessors. The consensus mechanism SPoRA (Succinct Proof of Random Access) incentivizes storing historical data.

In November 2024, Protocol 2.8 was deployed with optimized packaging format, improving network efficiency and energy economy. The price trades around $19, with a forecast of $21.42. Market cap is $1.24 billion with over 171% annual growth (although current data is not updated in real-time).

By 2025, plans include integration with new dApps and enhancing developer tools.

9. JasmyCoin (JASMY)

JasmyCoin — the cryptocurrency of Jasmy Corporation (Tokyo), combining blockchain and IoT for data sovereignty. Founded in 2016 by former Sony executives, aiming to create a decentralized data marketplace where users control their personal information.

In 2024, JASMY grew by 366% with a market cap of $1.35 billion, supported by rumors of partnerships with NVIDIA and Ripple. By December 2025, current price: $0.01 with circulating market cap: $296.32M and annual decline: -84.58%.

Strategy includes alliances with IoT manufacturers, developing functionality, and demonstrating practical benefits.

10. Helium (HNT)

Helium creates a decentralized radio network for IoT devices, incentivizing users to install hotspots and earn HNT tokens. This enables deploying low-cost, wide-area infrastructure for agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring.

The network operates on Solana for scalability. In 2024, 5G capabilities and sub-tokens IOT and MOBILE were introduced to diversify the ecosystem. As of December 2025, price: $1.49, circulating market cap: $277.43M, with annual decline: -79.86%.

Future plans include improving Proof-of-Coverage mechanisms and expanding global network coverage.

11. Grass Network (GRASS)

Grass Network enables users to monetize unused bandwidth by providing public web data for AI training. Running a node yields passive income from collecting structured datasets.

Beta attracted over 2 million users. The October 28, 2024 airdrop distributed 100 million GRASS among 1.5 million wallets. As of December 2025, price: $0.30, circulating market cap: $130.28M, with annual decline: -87.53%, though the token has increased 200% since launch.

Roadmap focuses on governance development and decision-making inclusivity.

12. IoTeX (IOTX)

IoTeX — a platform integrating blockchain and IoT for a secure machine-to-machine ecosystem. Roll-DPoS consensus provides high throughput and low latency.

IoTeX 2.0 (2024) introduced modular architecture for verifiable DePIN, including DePIN Infrastructure Modules (DIM) and Modular Security Pool (MSP). The ecosystem expanded to over 230 dApps and 50 DePIN projects. As of December 2025, price: $0.01, circulating market cap: $67.90M, and annual decline: -81.57%.

The 2025 plan aims to connect 100 million devices and unlock trillions of dollars of real-world value.

Obstacles to DePIN segment development

Technological complexity: Integrating blockchain with physical assets requires deep expertise in security, scalability, and interoperability. Synchronizing decentralized networks with real resources is critical for reliability.

Legal uncertainty: Regulatory frameworks for DePIN are still forming, crossing jurisdictions governing digital and physical infrastructure. Compliance across multiple regions is necessary.

Market recognition: Projects must demonstrate clear superiority over traditional systems in cost, efficiency, and convenience. Overcoming skepticism from established industries is crucial for mass adoption.

Long-term forecasts for DePIN

The sector is experiencing accelerated growth: total market cap exceeded $32 billion with a 28% annual increase. Main growth drivers include computing, storage, and AI components.

Analytical models project the DePIN market volume could reach $3.5 trillion by 2028 amid rising demand for streaming services, content delivery, and integrated data solutions. Transitioning from centralized to decentralized models promises more efficient, fair, and resilient infrastructure approaches.

Summary

The DePIN segment is positioned as a transformative force in rethinking digital infrastructure. Projects emphasizing security, scalability, and true decentralization attract increasing investor attention. As demand for decentralized solutions grows, such initiatives will catalyze technological innovation and portfolio diversification in the cryptocurrency sphere.