DePIN on Solana : A new web3 buzzword?
Rachit SrivastavaYou’ve heard of DeFi. Maybe even NFTs. But now there's something new: DePIN — Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks.
It might sound complex, but it’s simple at heart: real people contribute real things — like internet, data, or computing — and earn crypto in return.
Have you ever clicked on a website and it just didn’t load? Maybe you thought, “Is it just me or is this site actually down?” Now imagine thousands of users, apps, or devices relying on that same server, and it goes offline. That’s a big problem.
This is where Uptime Monitoring comes in. And thanks to DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks), anyone can now help make the internet more reliable, all while earning rewards.
Let’s break it down in a way that’s simple and practical.
And guess what? Some of the most exciting DePIN projects are running on Solana, one of the fastest blockchains in the world.
What is DePIN, and Why Should You Care?
DePIN stands for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks. It’s a new way of building and running real-world infrastructure—but instead of big tech companies owning everything, people like you and me contribute to the network and get rewarded.
Think of things like:
Running WiFi hotspots
Sharing GPU power
Hosting uptime monitors
Instead of relying on a centralized provider, DePINs create open, community-run networks using token incentives.
And the best part? You don’t need to be a pro. You just plug into the network, do a small task (like running an uptime checker), and you’re part of something much bigger.
⚡ Why Solana?
DePIN projects need a fast, cheap blockchain. They make lots of small transactions — sending tiny payments every time someone does something useful.
This is where Solana is perfect:
Super fast (thousands of transactions per second)
Crazy cheap (less than a cent per transaction)
Scalable (handles millions of users)
That’s why so many DePIN projects are moving to or starting on Solana.
🌟 3 Awesome DePIN Projects on Solana
Let’s check out three real DePIN projects built on Solana — each in a different space.
📶 1. Helium — The People’s Wireless Network
Helium makes it possible for anyone to help power wireless networks — right from home. You just plug in a small device called a hotspot. It provides coverage for IoT sensors or mobile phones, and in return, you earn $MOBILE tokens.
Helium originally ran on its own blockchain but migrated to Solana in 2023 to reduce fees and improve scalability. Today, thousands of individuals worldwide are helping build a decentralized 5G and IoT network — and getting paid to do it.
🚗 2. Hivemapper — Mapping the World with Dashcams
What if Google Maps was built by drivers instead of corporations?
That’s Hivemapper’s mission. When you drive with a Hivemapper dashcam, it captures real-time street-level imagery. This data helps update a decentralized, constantly evolving global map.
You earn $HONEY tokens for your contributions. And since it’s built on Solana, the rewards are fast and cost-effective. No mapping trucks required — just everyday people doing everyday driving.
🧠 3. Uprock — Train AI While You Sleep
[**Website → uprock.com
](https://uprock.com)Uprock lets anyone contribute spare computing power to help train AI models. Whether it’s your phone, tablet, or old laptop, Uprock uses that idle power for real machine learning tasks. You earn $UPT tokens** in return.
One of the tools they’ve built is Prism — a decentralized uptime monitoring platform. Anyone can help monitor the health of web services, APIs, or apps and earn for doing it. This creates a more resilient internet — and lets regular users get rewarded for keeping things online.
The DePIN Flywheel: Why It Gets Better Over Time
DePINs work like flywheels—as more people contribute hardware or data, the network becomes more useful. That attracts more users, which increases rewards, leading to even more participation.
🧭 Where to Go from Here?
Interested in getting involved? Here are some great starting points:
📡 Helium – For 5G and IoT wireless rewards
🗺️ Hivemapper – Map your city, earn $HONEY
🔬 Uprock – Contribute AI compute & uptime checks
🌐 Prism by Uprock – Join decentralized monitoring
📊 DePINscan – Explore top DePIN projects on Solana
DePIN isn’t just a trend — it’s a new way to build and maintain the internet's infrastructure. It rewards participation, reduces central control, and creates networks anyone can be part of.
And with Solana powering this new movement, it’s never been faster or cheaper to join in.
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