The DePIN Pledge: A Blueprint for the Next Decade of Infrastructure
The internet was meant to be open and decentralized. That was the vision of Tim Berners Lee (TBL) who invented the hyperlink which enabled what we now know as the internet. Yet decades later, most essential services rely on a handful of cloud hyperscalers.
These centralized companies support critical functions from financial transactions to artificial intelligence, shaping the backbone of today’s digital infrastructure. Even Web3, built on the principles of decentralization, relies on the centralized cloud for much of its infrastructure, and remains dependent on these legacy, centralized and very powerful companies. Change is long overdue.
A new movement is taking action—going beyond discussions about decentralization and instead embedding open and decentralized services into the core of digital and physical networks. The DePIN Pledge represents more than a commitment. It is a deliberate transition away from centralized control toward widely distributed infrastructure.
Over the next ten years, the open Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) approach will expand global connectivity, promote economic opportunities, and strengthen digital self-reliance.
Breaking Free from Centralized Infrastructure
The Web3 sector has long endorsed decentralization, but real-world implementation tells a different story. Blockchain networks and applications still rely on corporate cloud providers for storage and the computing that powers their nodes. This dependency goes beyond a contradiction in philosophy—it presents a critical weakness.
When a small group of companies controls core internet infrastructure, they determine access, data flow, and the scalability of services. This level of concentration leads to vulnerabilities such as service outages, censorship, and exploitative pricing. A single AWS failure can disrupt countless applications. A policy change can deplatform entire communities. Changing regulatory mandates can force compliance with little recourse. Decentralized systems that rely on these structures are subject to these risks and are not truly decentralized.
DePINs offer a resilient alternative. By using blockchain, distributed computing, decentralized storage, and token-based incentives, DePINs ensure infrastructure remains collectively owned and managed. This model prevents any single entity from holding excessive power, reducing vulnerabilities while improving performance and efficiency.
Turning Commitment into Action
Decentralization has long been an aspiration of many but with broad adoption impaired by a lack of enterprise grade alternatives. We are now at the stage where we see a number of robust decentralized service offerings in a number of sectors, and the DePIN Pledge calls attention to the projects and companies that are integrating decentralized infrastructure into their businesses. Decentralization moves beyond theoretical discussions, pushing Web3 companies to build systems that align with their core values from the ground up.
Adoption is no longer a distant prospect. Fluence is decentralizing cloud computing with enterprise-grade, open and low-cost compute services–offering a competitive alternative to the closed, centralized clouds. Decentralized storage solutions such as Filecoin and Arweave demonstrate how data can be stored securely without relying on traditional data centers.
Compute networks like Akash, io.net and Render distribute processing power across a global marketplace of compute providers, lowering costs and improving accessibility. Community-driven wireless networks like Helium are advancing connectivity by rewarding individuals for expanding coverage and offloading cellular data.
These initiatives represent only the beginning. Over the next decade, DePIN models will become more prevalent, fostering infrastructure that is fair, transparent, and resistant to centralized control.
A Look Ahead: The Infrastructure of 2035
By 2035, the internet’s foundation will no longer resemble its present structure. The dominance of hyperscalers will weaken as businesses recognize the strategic and economic advantages of decentralized networks. Several key developments will shape this transformation:
- Decentralized storage and compute will become the standard for blockchain applications. As more companies embrace the DePIN Pledge, dependency on centralized cloud providers will decline. Projects that do not transition to decentralized infrastructure may face growing scrutiny from users and investors.
- Artificial intelligence will demand decentralized resources. AI models require extensive data and computing power. Relying on centralized entities to manage these assets introduces risks of monopolization. A decentralized AI training ecosystem will emerge, distributing computing power and governance, ensuring no single entity gains disproportionate control.
- Expansion beyond digital services will drive adoption. Decentralized energy grids will facilitate peer-to-peer electricity trading, reducing reliance on utility monopolies. Supply chain networks will enhance transparency and efficiency through blockchain-based logistics tracking. Smarter urban infrastructure—such as traffic management and environmental monitoring—will adopt decentralized frameworks, improving responsiveness and long-term resilience.
- Policy and regulation will adapt to support decentralized systems. Governments will recognize the security, efficiency, and data sovereignty benefits of DePIN models. While regulatory challenges will persist, the advantages will drive policy shifts that enable broader adoption.
Addressing the Challenges
This transformation will not unfold without obstacles. Entities that control today’s infrastructure will resist change, using regulatory pressure, misinformation, and attempts to centralize decentralized technologies. And the unregulated crypto industry is often its own worst enemy, with the risks of exaggerations and fraud always present.
Scalability and user experience remain critical factors. For decentralized networks to achieve widespread adoption, they must match or surpass the speed and reliability of existing systems. Projects that neglect efficiency and accessibility will struggle to compete.
Economic incentives also require careful structuring. DePIN success depends on ensuring that contributors—whether providing storage, computation, or connectivity—receive fair compensation. Poorly designed incentive mechanisms could lead to inefficiencies or create new forms of centralization.
Despite these challenges, history demonstrates that superior technological models eventually prevail. The DePIN movement does not seek to dismantle existing systems overnight. Instead, it builds a stronger alternative—one designed for openness, resilience, and decentralization in practice, not just in principle.
A Collective Responsibility
The choices made today will determine whether Web3 achieves its promise or falls into the same patterns of centralization that have shaped previous internet generations. The DePIN Pledge offers a practical path forward, ensuring that decentralized infrastructure becomes a reality.
For companies and builders, the priority is clear: integrate decentralized systems into projects now rather than waiting for industry-wide adoption. Those leading this movement will drive the next decade of innovation.
For investors, this marks a turning point. The rise of decentralized infrastructure will unlock new markets and business models, creating opportunities that traditional solutions cannot match.
For policymakers, the goal should be to foster progress rather than hinder it. Strengthening digital sovereignty requires an environment where decentralized infrastructure can thrive.
For everyday users, choices matter. The platforms people use, the services they support, and the infrastructure they rely on will shape the future of decentralization.
The DePIN Pledge is not simply a commitment—it is a clear plan for what comes next. The future of decentralized infrastructure is not a question of if, but how soon it becomes the new standard.