Metaverse Information Bureau | Article Introduction: What is "DePIN"? IoTeX connects Web3 with reality! A clear explanation of the future of decentralized infrastructure! #DePIN #IoTeX #Web3 #DePIN #IoTeX #Web3
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DePIN and IoTeX: The future of decentralized world woven by blockchain and IoT
Hello everyone! I'm John. My role is to explain Web3, the metaverse, and blockchain in a fun and easy-to-understand way, even for beginners. Today, I'll be explaining in an easy-to-understand way about "DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks)," a hot topic on X (formerly Twitter) recently, the project "IoTeX" that makes it a reality, and "blockchain-IoT (the integration of blockchain and IoT)." These are key technologies that connect the virtual world and the real world. Let's get started!
Project Overview (Basic Info)
DePIN is a new concept that uses blockchain technology to decentralize and manage physical infrastructure (e.g., communication networks and energy systems). IoTeX is a platform specializing in this, and is a project that combines blockchain and IoT (Internet of Things). According to the official IoTeX account, they are positioned as a "Modular Infrastructure for DePIN" and provide a foundation on which developers can flexibly build DePIN applications.
IoTeX launched in 2017 and is currently building an ecosystem for securely sharing and utilizing data by linking real-world devices (e.g., sensors and smart devices) with blockchain. A post from IoTeX emphasizes that DePIN is an old idea, but that it is now evolving with a modular design. An article from trusted media outlet Cointelegraph also points out the potential for DePIN to transform the telecom and energy industries, and IoTeX discusses growth opportunities in an interview.
Simply put, IoTeX is like a "bridge that connects the physical world with the digital world." Its connection with the metaverse is expected to lead to applications that utilize real-world IoT data in virtual space.
Token and asset supply details
IoTeX's native token is IOTX. According to the official blog, the total supply is approximately 100 billion IOTX, which will be used for staking (a system for depositing tokens and earning rewards) and governance (community decision-making). Recent posts from X indicate that tokens are being actively used in the DePIN project, for example, as incentives for EV (electric vehicle) charging networks. However, supply fluctuates, so please check the official website for the latest updates. Media outlets such as CoinDesk have reported on market trends for DePIN tokens, and the IoTeX ecosystem is expanding.
Technical Mechanism
The core of IoTeX is a blockchain-based modular design. Modularity refers to a mechanism that can be combined like components to customize it. X's post explains elements such as "L1 (Layer 1, the underlying blockchain), off-chain compute (computation outside the blockchain), and governance," which will enable the efficient construction of the DePIN app.
One of its features is the integration of blockchain and IoT. Data generated by IoT devices is verified and shared on the blockchain, preventing tampering. For example, sensor data is registered on the blockchain in real time and linked to AI (artificial intelligence). The official blog states its vision of transforming machine network data into the foundation of AI, which it calls "physical intelligence."
Also, a partnership with Vodafone shared at X introduced efforts to turn mobile towers into DePIN nodes (network participation points), which was also highlighted as a DePIN trend by Cointelegraph. This will move away from centralized infrastructure to decentralized, reducing costs and improving security.
Team & Community
The IoTeX team is comprised of blockchain and IoT experts. Co-founder Raullen Chai brings experience from Uber and Google. X posts highlight active discussions at community events and the Consensus conference, and reports collaborations with NEAR Protocol and Render Network.
The community is global, with X having hundreds of thousands of followers. The official blog provides regular updates on ecosystem news and developer tools. In an interview with Cointelegraph, the team highlighted growth opportunities for DePIN and their commitment to community-driven governance.
Use-Cases & Outlook
One practical example is the partnership with U Power, which was discussed at X. This will DePIN the EV battery swap network and track and monetize the battery lifecycle using blockchain. The metaverse will incorporate IoT data into virtual spaces, making it possible to simulate smart cities, for example.
The future outlook is bright, with the official X promoting AI integration as an "open ecosystem for physical intelligence." It has been announced that DePIN will participate in the 2025 DePIN Expo in Hong Kong, where it will exhibit real-world applications. CoinDesk-like media outlets have pointed out that DePIN will become the backbone of Web3.
Competitor Comparison
Similar projects include Helium (wireless network DePIN) and Filecoin (distributed storage). IoTeX differs from the others in that it is specialized for IoT and has a modular design, allowing for greater flexibility and customization. According to a post by X, while older DePINs like Filecoin were too complicated, IoTeX promotes collaboration. Cointelegraph suggests that IoTeX will have an advantage in the energy sector.
- Helium: Specializing in wireless, IoTeX covers IoT in general.
- Filecoin: Storage-centric, IoTeX is AI-integrated.
Risks & Cautions
DePIN is a new field, so there are regulatory risks (legal restrictions) and technical challenges (scalability, extensibility). The complexity of early DePIN was pointed out during discussions at IoTeX, and IoTeX is currently strengthening the security of its off-chain components. While transparency is maintained on the official blog, caution is advised against token price instability due to market fluctuations. Always check with a reliable source.
Expert Opinions
Vitalik Buterin (founder of Ethereum) acknowledged the evolution of DePIN on X and was quoted in an IoTeX post. In an interview with Cointelegraph, the IoTeX team analyzed DePIN's market potential as "multi-trillion dollar." David Palmer of Vodafone praised the implementation of DePIN on mobile towers as revolutionary. These findings strongly suggest that DePIN will become the foundation of Web3.
Latest News & Roadmap Highlights
Breaking News: On 2025-07-28, IoTeX and U Power announced a partnership with DePIN to advance blockchain integration in EV infrastructure. Participation in DePIN Expo 2025 was also confirmed, as reported by Metaverse Post. The roadmap focuses on AI integration and ecosystem expansion. The official blog is currently updating its milestones for 2025.
Beginner FAQs
- What is DePIN? This is a technology that uses blockchain to decentralize and manage physical infrastructure.
- How does IoTeX connect to IoT? Device data is registered on the blockchain and shared securely.
- What is its relationship to the Metaverse? Enrich your virtual world with real-world data.
Related Links
My thoughts and impressions
I feel that the projects introduced here, "DePIN, IoTeX, and blockchain-IoT," have noteworthy elements compared to other Web3/metaverse projects, particularly in terms of the fusion of real-world infrastructure and digital technology. There are also interesting developments in terms of user experience, decentralized approaches, and connections to the real world.
We would like to continue to follow the evolution of projects like this and bring the possibilities of Web3 to more people.
*This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Please make your own final decision (DYOR).
This article was independently compiled and written by the author based on the latest information from X (formerly Twitter) and reliable Web3 and blockchain-related media.