Top DePIN crypto projects to watch in 2025-2026

The decentralized physical infrastructure network sector (DePIN) is rapidly evolving, attracting billions in investments and the attention of major players in the crypto industry. According to analysts, the total market capitalization of the DePIN segment and top projects in this area has already exceeded $32 billion, demonstrating enormous potential to transform traditional infrastructure. Venture funds, including Borderless Capital with a $100 million fund, are actively investing in promising platforms, creating a new paradigm for managing physical resources through blockchain technology.

This article will guide you through the top DePIN crypto projects redefining the market by offering innovative solutions for computing power, data storage, and wireless networks. From Internet Computer to Helium Network, each of these leading projects presents a unique approach to decentralizing infrastructure.

What is DePIN and Why Is It Important for Crypto

Decentralized infrastructure DePIN shifts the paradigm of physical resource management from centralized data centers to distributed networks of participants. Instead of relying on large corporations, users can monetize their resources—be it internet bandwidth, GPU power, or storage capacity—and earn rewards in cryptographic tokens.

Key advantages of DePIN crypto projects:

• Security and Reliability: The absence of a single point of failure inherent in centralized systems ensures uninterrupted services
• Cost Efficiency: Utilizing unused resources reduces expenses, benefits passed on to end users
• Access Democratization: High-performance services become accessible to millions, not just select corporate clients
• Innovative Incentives: Tokenization motivates participants to improve network infrastructure

The Role of Hardware Decentralization in the DePIN Ecosystem

Hardware decentralization is not just a technological feature but a cornerstone of any successful DePIN crypto project. By distributing physical equipment across participant networks, projects eliminate centralized control and create more resilient systems.

Helium Network exemplifies this in action: with over 335,000 active users of Helium Mobile, the platform demonstrates how a decentralized infrastructure can scale in real time. Similarly, Meson Network with 59,000 nodes worldwide creates a decentralized marketplace for unused bandwidth.

Top DePIN Crypto Projects in 2026

Internet Computer (ICP) – Leader in Decentralized Computing

Internet Computer positions itself as a “world computer,” enabling developers to deploy full web applications directly on the blockchain without traditional cloud infrastructure.

In 2024, the project released significant updates (Tokamak, Beryllium, Stellarator) that increased performance. However, as of February 2026, the market situation has changed considerably: ICP’s price has fallen to $2.15 from a market cap of $4.3 billion recorded in November 2024. The current circulating market cap is $1.18 billion, reflecting market correction.

Plans for 2025-2026 include integrating AI capabilities and collaborating with Solana, which could help revive interest in the platform.

Bittensor (TAO) – Decentralized AI Platform

Bittensor combines blockchain with machine learning, creating a peer-to-peer market for AI services. The TAO token is used to reward participants who train models and provide computational resources.

As of February 2026, TAO trades at $181.00 with a daily increase of +2.10%. The current market cap of $1.74 billion indicates sustained investor interest despite market volatility. Between 2024 and 2025, the project integrated Proof of Intelligence and a decentralized Mixture of Experts architecture.

Render Network (RENDER) – Rendering via DePIN

Render Network offers a decentralized marketplace for GPU computing power, connecting creators with resource providers. In 2024, the project migrated from Ethereum to Solana, rebranding the token RNDR to RENDER.

Currently, RENDER is priced at $1.51 with a strong daily growth of +8.96%. Its market capitalization stands at $782.84 million, reflecting renewed interest in rendering and AI infrastructure solutions.

Filecoin (FIL) – Decentralized Storage

Filecoin provides an open market for data storage services, where providers earn rewards for storing and verifying files. The launch of Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM) expanded platform capabilities for smart contracts.

As of February 2026, FIL trades at $0.94 with a daily increase of +3.14%. The current market cap of $709 million is significantly below the peak values of 2024, but the project continues to develop programming features and incentive models.

The Graph (GRT) – Blockchain Indexing

The Graph offers decentralized indexing of blockchain data, facilitating the creation of decentralized applications (dApps).

As of February 2026, GRT is valued at $0.03 with a growth of +1.13%, and a market cap of $288.64 million. The project is expanding support across multiple blockchain networks and developing new data services for the Web3 ecosystem.

Theta Network (THETA) – Video Streaming via DePIN

Theta Network uses blockchain to optimize video delivery, allowing users to monetize their bandwidth. In 2024, the project introduced EdgeCloud for edge computing.

THETA is trading at $0.20 with a daily increase of +2.09%, and a market cap of $196.20 million. The project plans to release the third phase of EdgeCloud as an open marketplace.

Arweave (AR) – Permanent Data Storage

Arweave employs a unique SPoRA consensus mechanism to ensure permanent data storage. In November 2024, the project launched Protocol Update 2.8.

Currently, AR is priced at $2.04 with a growth of +6.59%, and a market cap of $133.40 million. Despite a decline from the peak of $1.24 billion in 2024, the project continues attracting developers and integrating new dApps.

JasmyCoin (JASMY) – IoT and Data Management

JasmyCoin focuses on integrating blockchain with the Internet of Things, enabling users to own and monetize their data. The project was founded by former Sony executives.

As of February 2026, JASMY is valued at $0.01 with a growth of +4.28%, and a market cap of $287.92 million. In 2024, the project gained attention due to potential partnerships with NVIDIA and Ripple.

Helium (HNT) – Decentralized Wireless Networks

Helium creates decentralized infrastructure for connecting IoT devices, allowing users to set up hotspots and earn rewards. The network operates on the Solana blockchain.

HNT is trading at $1.42 with a correction of -2.32%, and a market cap of $265.17 million. The project aims to improve the Proof-of-Coverage mechanism and expand global coverage.

Grass Network (GRASS) – Monetizing Bandwidth

Grass Network enables users to earn by providing unused internet bandwidth for AI model training. GRASS was distributed via a major airdrop in October 2024.

As of February 2026, GRASS is priced at $0.19 with a growth of +3.73%, and a market cap of $89.79 million. The project has reached over 2 million users in its beta version.

IoTeX (IOTX) – IoT and Decentralized Control

IoTeX combines blockchain with IoT, providing a platform for machine-to-machine interaction via the Roll-DPoS consensus mechanism.

IOTX trades at $0.01 with minimal growth of +0.24%, and a market cap of $50.87 million. In 2024, the project launched IoTeX 2.0 with a modular DePIN infrastructure.

Main Challenges Facing the DePIN Sector

Despite its impressive potential, the DePIN crypto project sector faces several obstacles:

• Technical Complexity: Integrating blockchain with physical infrastructure requires specialized knowledge and solutions for scalability
• Regulatory Uncertainty: Projects must navigate evolving legal frameworks covering digital and physical assets
• Mass Adoption: Demonstrating clear advantages over traditional systems in cost and convenience is essential

The Future of DePIN: Forecasts and Opportunities

Analysts predict that by 2028, the DePIN crypto project market could reach $3.5 trillion. The current market state (February 2026) shows that after the correction in 2024-2025, a new growth cycle is beginning.

Key trends include:

• AI and DePIN Convergence: Increasing integration of artificial intelligence into crypto projects
• Energy Efficiency: Development of more eco-friendly consensus mechanisms
• Stability: Transition from speculation to real-world use and revenue generation

Conclusion

Top DePIN crypto projects represent a new generation of infrastructure solutions, redefining the boundaries between digital and physical economies. Although the market experienced a significant correction from its 2024 peaks, the fundamental value of DePIN architecture remains undeniable.

From Internet Computer to IoTeX, each leading project contributes to building a more decentralized, secure, and inclusive internet. Investors and developers monitoring this rapidly evolving category are at the forefront of the technological revolution in infrastructure management.