The convergence of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionise the infrastructure landscape, with the Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) market expected to surge to $3.5 trillion by 2028, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This emerging sector, currently valued between $30 billion and $50 billion, could redefine computing infrastructure through decentralised systems driven by community participation and advanced AI integration.

A New Era for Infrastructure: What is DePIN?

DePIN represents a novel approach to infrastructure development by merging blockchain technology with physical assets owned and maintained by a community of contributors. These decentralised systems allow participants to offer resources such as bandwidth, storage, and sensor data in exchange for cryptocurrency rewards. The model aims to reduce reliance on centralised entities, promote community ownership, and foster scalability through decentralised resource sharing.

According to the WEF, there are currently over 1,500 active DePIN projects worldwide, highlighting the sector’s rapid expansion. The report identifies this model as a powerful alternative to conventional infrastructure development, particularly in areas like connectivity, data storage, and computing.

DePAI: A Fundamental Shift in AI Infrastructure

One of the most significant drivers behind DePIN’s projected growth is the rise of Decentralised Physical AI (DePAI). This concept signifies a transformation in how AI agents interact with physical infrastructure and gather external data. Unlike traditional, centralised AI models reliant on proprietary datasets, DePAI leverages decentralised systems that allow users to contribute to machine learning through their daily activities.

This participatory model not only broadens data diversity and contextual relevance but also democratizes the AI training process. Contributors are compensated via blockchain-based incentive mechanisms, ensuring a fair and transparent reward system. The WEF describes DePAI as a “fundamental shift” in the AI ecosystem, offering scalability and enhanced resilience through decentralisation.

Industry Leaders Predict Explosive Growth

The WEF’s findings align with forecasts from other market observers, including crypto analytics firm Messari, which also projects the DePIN market to reach $3.5 trillion by 2028. This figure marks a substantial leap from the current addressable market of $2.2 trillion, suggesting a potential $1.3 trillion increase within three years.

Carlos Lei Santos, co-founder and CEO of Uplink, expressed similar optimism about the sector’s prospects. He believes the next trillion-dollar company is likely to emerge from the DePIN industry, driven by the growing demand for decentralised wireless connectivity. As dependence on centralised telecoms and cloud infrastructure continues to raise concerns over control, security, and costs, DePIN offers a compelling alternative.

DePIN and the Future of Omni Computing

The WEF report further suggests that DePIN could reshape the future of “omni computing” a model of computing that spans multiple devices, platforms, and environments, by introducing a more distributed and resilient architecture. The decentralised nature of DePIN makes it well-suited to meet the demands of a rapidly digitising world, where scalability, accessibility, and security are paramount.

Projects such as Bittensor and Threefold are cited as prime examples of DePIN’s practical applications. Bittensor enables the development of decentralised AI models, encouraging open collaboration across a distributed network. Meanwhile, Threefold offers users a sovereign digital identity solution tailored for the Web3 ecosystem, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal data.

A Decentralised Future Within Reach

By enabling interoperability between blockchain, AI, and physical infrastructure, DePIN holds the potential to transform industries ranging from telecommunications and logistics to health and education. Its decentralised structure ensures that no single entity holds monopolistic power, creating a fairer digital ecosystem powered by collective input.

The growing traction of DePIN technologies also reflects broader shifts in global sentiment towards decentralisation, digital ownership, and data sovereignty. As infrastructure needs evolve in the face of climate change, population growth, and increasing digital consumption, decentralised models such as DePIN are well-positioned to meet the demands of the future.

In summary, the WEF’s outlook signals strong momentum for the DePIN industry, as technological advancements in AI and blockchain continue to converge. With over 1,500 projects already active and billions in projected value, DePIN may soon become a cornerstone of modern infrastructure and digital economies alike.