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Why Investors Are Turning to Decentralized Infrastructure? The Next Big Thing in WEB3
Talk Recap
Apr 21, 2025
DePIN: The Next Big Thing in Web3?
While most of the crypto space still chases hype, DePIN — Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks — is quietly building something different: revenue-driven infrastructure at scale. As more founders launch networks powered by real-world hardware and crypto incentives, a new narrative is emerging.
One of the strongest voices highlighting this shift is Tom Trowbridge, co-founder of Fluence and host of the DePINed podcast and DePIN Day conferences. In his comprehensive report on DePIN Token Economics, Tom maps out how this market is evolving and why it’s becoming one of the most compelling areas in Web3.
Why tokenomics matter now
DePIN projects, unlike most others in the crypto ecosystem, are starting to generate real revenue (not in theory). This is revenue tied directly to service usage, data generation, and infrastructure provision. And in many cases, that revenue is directly linked to the network’s token.
This new reality is shifting investor focus from vanity metrics (TVL, GitHub stars, or Telegram headcount) to one simple question:
Is this protocol making money and is that money flowing back to token holders?
A great example is GeodNet, a DePIN project with an 80% buy-and-burn model. Its token recently reached an all-time high in a flat market because of fundamentals.
Who should pay attention?
Whether you’re a founder, investor, or contributor, understanding DePIN’s token models is critical:
How are tokens issued and distributed?
What creates demand for them?
How are participants incentivized and protected?
How does governance evolve as networks grow?
DePIN marks a shift from speculation to substance. If the last bull cycle was driven by attention, the next one may be driven by actual usage and revenue and DePIN is already leading the way.
📖 Explore the full DePIN Token Economics Report by Tom Trowbridge for insights on staking, token utility, rewards, governance and more
