DePIN

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network — a blockchain-coordinated network of hardware nodes that provide real-world services such as connectivity, compute, storage, or sensing.

DePIN networks align hardware operators, token holders, and service buyers through programmable incentives rather than corporate contracts. Operators supply capacity; the protocol distributes token rewards proportional to verified work; buyers pay for services in tokens or stablecoins. The term was coined by Messari in late 2022 and has since become the standard label for this design pattern.