Key strategies on how to make DePIN mainstream | Opinion

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As a researcher and founder who has navigated the challenges of building a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) project, I can confidently say that mainstream adoption is not just about groundbreaking technology—it’s about making that technology accessible, user-friendly, and relevant to everyday life.

The web3 ecosystem is a hotbed of innovation, offering bold solutions that promise to decentralize systems and empower individuals. Yet, for all its potential, web3 has yet to become a mainstream phenomenon. Adoption remains slow, hindered by a steep learning curve and significant barriers to entry.

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINS), briefly referred to as DePINS, are pioneering advancements in their field, offering the promise of revolutionizing industries by expediting and reducing costs associated with infrastructure development. But to transition DePINS from a specialized idea into a mainstream model, it takes more than just innovative technology.

The knowledge I’ve gained stems from my experiences as a founder, navigating the hurdles of developing a DePIN project. Reaching tens of thousands of users and charting millions of miles has provided me with priceless insights on adoption and decentralization—insights that I believe could serve as a roadmap for those aspiring to mainstream DePIN.

In this piece, I delve into the fundamental aspects that could help DePIN projects become widely accepted: utilizing readily available resources, expanding reach, and emphasizing practical usefulness.

Pilar 1: Maximize existing hardware

Building new hardware introduces significant hurdles, such as manufacturing challenges and component shortages, which limit scalability—a crucial factor for global adoption. To gain mainstream traction, DePIN projects must look to existing commodity hardware as a launchpad.

With an estimated 7.1 billion users worldwide by 2024, smartphones serve as a strong base due to their versatile nature. Smartphones aren’t merely communication devices; they are compact computers boasting sophisticated sensors, cameras, and connectivity features. This extensive infrastructure of pre-existing hardware offers an optimal foundation for DePIN initiatives.

Here’s an example of paraphrasing: Just like Solana Labs’ Android phone, the Solana Saga, connects easily with the Solana blockchain, providing a simple platform for running decentralized applications. But, it’s not only devices built specifically for the blockchain that can take advantage of this approach. At NATIX, we capitalize on smartphones to build a network of decentralized cameras without requiring additional hardware. Similarly, Silencio uses smartphones to track and minimize noise pollution, demonstrating how DePIN projects can swiftly expand using existing mobile devices.

Pillar 2: Broaden web3 accessibility beyond crypto

In the web3 space, we’re accustomed to cryptocurrencies, digital wallets, and decentralized finance. However, a significant portion of the population is not. Many people are unfamiliar with or even unaware of these concepts, creating a barrier to mainstream adoption.

As a researcher involved in the DePIN project, I recognize the importance of making our projects inclusive and accessible for everyone. To achieve this, it’s crucial that we offer both cryptocurrency incentives as well as non-crypto rewards such as gift cards, discounts, or other appealing perks. By doing so, we can ensure that participation in our project isn’t confined to those who are already deeply involved with cryptocurrencies. This inclusive approach will help us tap into a broader pool of potential contributors and foster a more diverse community.

Inclusivity doesn’t stop at rewards; it’s also about creating a user experience that feels familiar and intuitive. For instance, offering registration options via email or SMS instead of only wallet-based sign-ups can make it easier for non-crypto users to get started.

Projects that blend rewards from both cryptocurrencies and traditional incentives, while maintaining an easy-to-understand design, tend to draw a wider range of participants. Striking a balance between accessibility and cutting-edge technology, DePIN can serve as a link between the web3 world and the general public.

Pillar 3: Prioritize utility over token earnings

Regardless of how innovative a technology might be, a project will thrive only if it offers genuine value to its users. Even though tokens might initially draw attention, what keeps people engaged is the project’s capacity to consistently offer long-term advantages that significantly improve their everyday lives.

DePIN projects must focus on tangible applications that solve real problems.

Instead of focusing solely on developing brand-new habits, the aim should be to refine and enhance the ones already in place, thereby making it more convenient for users to incorporate your product into their lives. When tackling issues such as traffic congestion, air quality monitoring, or data privacy protection, DePIN projects need to prioritize user-friendly solutions over hypothetical economic models based on tokens.

Addressing the challenges: Scalability and retention

By utilizing current equipment and expanding accessibility, we can pave the way for expansion. However, there are hurdles to overcome. A key insight from NATIX is that models based on smartphones for DePIN (Decentralized Personal Identification Number) systems often face lower user retention compared to hardware solutions that function passively. Yet, if executed correctly (for instance, by incorporating gamification or providing utility to users), it can lead to a highly scalable method of creating infrastructure. Enhancing the usefulness while integrating gamified user experiences significantly boosted projects like Silencio and NATIX, raising retention rates and sparking new ideas for smartphone-based DePIN innovation.

As a researcher, I recognize that expanding infrastructure necessitates thoughtful collaborations and active community engagement. By teaming up with local institutions or city governments, we can seamlessly incorporate our DePIN projects within larger systems, thereby emphasizing their significance and increasing their acceptance among the community.

Building DePIN for the mainstream

In the same vein as the iPhone drastically changed our perspective and utilization of mobile technology, carefully designed DePin models have the potential to significantly alter our interaction with the physical world. They would make decentralization a tangible, everyday reality for countless individuals worldwide.

The path to widespread acceptance for DePIN and web3 isn’t focused on showcasing intricate technology or advanced concepts that only a chosen few can grasp. Instead, it’s about enhancing what we already have – be it smartphones, user behaviors, or everyday challenges – by improving their accessibility, usability, and value using the strengths of cryptocurrencies and decentralization.

By ensuring that our technology ambitions reflect real-world user requirements, we can help make Decentralized Privacy-preserving Identification Network (DePIN) and web3 more accessible to the general public.

Alireza Ghods

Alireza Ghods serves as both CEO and co-founder of NATIX. He boasts a PhD in the field of geospatial positioning, and has extensive engineering experience within the realms of geospatial data, autonomous driving, and creating live maps on the fly. In his past, he oversaw Internet of Things (IoT) and Blockchain projects across Europe for PwC.

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2024-12-18 15:38