Top DePIN Projects to Watch in the Crypto Bull Market

Explore the rise of DePIN in the crypto rally, featuring projects Ator Network, inferix GPU, Wayru Network, PowerPod, and why Vitalik Buterin is watching.

In the current crypto bull market, DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure) is emerging as a fresh focal point. Representative projects include Ator Network, inferix GPU, Wayru Network, and PowerPod, four high‑potential solutions that are gaining attention.

During this rally, you have undoubtedly heard the term “DePIN” repeatedly. Even Ethereum co‑founder Vitalik Buterin posted on Warpcast asking the community, “Which DePIN projects are most likely to deliver real‑world impact?” DePIN refers to projects that require physical hardware to deploy a decentralized network. Last week, CryptoSnap highlighted a GPU‑rental project, which is a variant of DePIN; this week, CryptoSnap’s Dr. DODO continues the roundup, cataloguing additional DePIN initiatives to give readers a quick snapshot of the entire sector.

This article has been meticulously compiled by the Bitaigen editorial team. DePIN is turning into a new hot‑spot within the bull market. We analyze the core value of the four promising projects from three dimensions—technology, business, and ecosystem—and disclose the accelerator’s backing, helping readers spot opportunities in the space. To see the full picture, keep reading.

A New Trend in the Crypto Bull Market: Overview of Promising DePIN Projects

Before diving into each project, we first introduce the accelerator program dedicated to DePIN, jointly founded by IoTex, Foresight Venture, and FutureMoney Group. The program supplies funding, media exposure, and mentorship to DePIN startups; IoTex has been cultivating this niche since the previous bull cycle. The first cohort, DepinSurf, has closed its application window, selecting Ator Network, inferix GPU, Wayru Network, and PowerPod as its inaugural batch. Applications for the second cohort are now actively being accepted.

Ator Network

Core Concept: Ator Network aims to build a decentralized, privacy‑preserving service ecosystem by incentivizing the expansion of Tor relay nodes through token rewards.
Background: Tor (The Onion Router) is a volunteer‑run anonymity network that spans more than 7,500 relays worldwide, masking users’ real IP addresses and protecting them from surveillance and traffic analysis.
Project Evolution: Initially, Ator distributed $ATOR tokens to existing Tor relays, but the network’s node‑to‑user ratio became too high, leading the Tor community to exclude the project. The team then decided to start from scratch, constructing its own ATOR network from the ground up.
Implementation Approach: To lower the barrier to entry, Ator is releasing dedicated hardware relays; users simply plug the device into power and connect it to the internet, and it instantly becomes a network node.

ATOR dedicated hardware relay device plugged into power and network

Source: https://medium.com/@atorprotocol/february-development-review-08676a4fb1c5

inferix GPU

Project Positioning: inferix GPU is a DePIN initiative that rents out GPU compute power, linking demand‑side users (developers, enterprises) with supply‑side providers to achieve efficient resource allocation.
Technical Features: Built on blockchain and Web 3.0, it offers GPU‑as‑a‑service (FaaS), supporting compute‑intensive workloads such as 3D rendering, AI model training, and inference.
User Benefits: Developers can avoid the capital expense of purchasing high‑end hardware; they simply rent the needed compute power on demand, accelerating rendering times and enabling real‑time collaboration.
Ecosystem Development: A plugin for Blender is already available, and the roadmap includes compatibility with SketchUp, 3Ds Max, Unity, Unreal Engine, and other design tools and game engines.

InferiX plugin interface showcasing Blender integration

Source: https://inferix.io/

Wayru Network

Project Vision: Wayru Network seeks to deliver affordable and reliable internet access worldwide by establishing a decentralized wireless network.
Operational Mechanism: Using blockchain, the right to provide connectivity is shifted from a handful of large carriers to ordinary individuals; anyone can become a network operator by sharing their Wi‑Fi.
Incentive Model: Holders of the $Wayru token receive rewards for contributing personal network resources, helping to bring connectivity to underserved regions.
Current Progress: Wayru has launched a mobile application. Although token‑based incentives are not yet active, the team plans to partner with governmental bodies and corporate Wi‑Fi hotspots to broaden coverage.

Wayru mobile app displaying hotspot distribution and token symbol

Source: https://twitter.com/wayrunetwork

PowerPod

Project Positioning: PowerPod focuses on the electric‑vehicle (EV) charging use case, aiming to create a decentralized network of charging stations that eases range anxiety for drivers.
Business Model: Through community ownership and token incentives, users are encouraged to install charging stations and, when idle, share them with others in exchange for earnings.
Product Roadmap: Dedicated hardware will be released so that charging stations can connect to the PowerPod network; the PowerPod App will let users check real‑time station availability.
Funding Status: In January 2024, PowerPod closed a $1 million seed round, led by Waterdrip Capital with IoTex participating as a follow‑on investor.

Source: https://www.powerpod.pro/

Author’s Perspective

DePIN projects differ fundamentally from traditional DeFi initiatives; their core emphasis lies in expanding user adoption in offline, physical environments rather than solely relying on token economics. Web 3 token incentives can rapidly attract participants, yet they confront two major challenges:

Awareness Channels – Outside of crypto‑centric communities, there is a scarcity of effective outreach methods. Without substantial advertising spend, gaining mainstream recognition is difficult.
Sustainable Growth – Striking a balance between token subsidies and long‑term profitability is crucial for a project’s durability.

From the textual descriptions, the narratives and market potential of DePIN projects appear compelling, but genuine “break‑out” cases—where ordinary users seamlessly adopt Web 3 applications—remain limited. Nevertheless, the sector’s upside is still considerable. Just as Axie Infinity shattered valuation ceilings for gaming blockchains in the previous bull market, the upcoming cycle may witness a flagship project that propels the entire DePIN space forward. This prospect warrants close monitoring.

Top DePIN Projects to Watch in the Crypto Bull Market