DePIN and Decentralized Infrastructure

DePIN Projects Bring Real-World Utility to Solana Blockchain

Decentralised physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) are gaining momentum, showcasing how blockchain can solve everyday challenges with real-world utility. At the recent DePIN Day event on Capitol Hill, projects like @helium, @Filecoin, and @hivemapper demonstrated how decentralized networks reward users for sharing connectivity, storage, and mapping data — all powered by @solana.

One of the standout projects, Hivemapper, recently announced that it has mapped 33% of the global road network using a decentralised model. Unlike traditional mapping services, Hivemapper crowdsources real-time street-level imagery via user-owned dashcams, rewarding participants with crypto. Compared to Google Maps’ centralised approach, Hivemapper offers faster updates, community-owned data, and 4K imagery without the need for expensive fleets.

The Solana Policy Institute, a non-profit advocating for decentralised tech, praised the innovation and real-world benefits of DePIN models. These systems aren’t just theoretical blockchain concepts — they offer practical solutions to infrastructure challenges while creating new income streams for individuals.

Grayscale’s latest sector breakdown also validates this trend, identifying decentralized GPU compute, wireless coverage, and web services — such as those powered by @rendernetwork and Helium — as vital "picks and shovels" of the Web3 ecosystem. With Web Services now representing the largest portion of its Utilities & Services sector, the case for DePIN has never been stronger.

As decentralised infrastructure continues to scale on Solana, the convergence of community contribution, token incentives, and blockchain transparency is setting a new standard for building and maintaining the digital world.