DePIN: Turning Your Devices into Passive Income Generators

IoTeX's Jing Sun explains how Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks are creating a new machine economy where your everyday devices can earn you crypto.

Author
Branden Chen
Senior Crypto AnalystJune 5, 2025
Bitcoin trading chart with upward trend

Unlock Passive Income with Your Existing Devices: Enter the World of DePIN

Imagine your GPS tracker, solar panel, or even a flight monitor earning you money around the clock. This isn't a far-off dream; it's the reality IoTeX is building through Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs).

Jing Sun, co-founder of IoTeX, envisions a machine economy where real-world devices seamlessly integrate into DePINs, generating tangible rewards. Let's dive in.

From VC to Crypto Visionary

Jing Sun's journey began in venture capital, backing deep-tech startups focused on AI, data, and IoT. Inspired by Ethereum, she co-founded IoTeX, a Layer 1 blockchain designed to bridge the gap between device data, AI models, and traditional businesses.

Now, IoTeX facilitates networks where users contribute data from devices like GPS antennas or solar panels and are compensated by AI firms and enterprises.

What is DePIN?

DePIN is emerging as a powerful real-world application of crypto. It involves crowdsourcing infrastructure—historically managed by governments or tech giants—and deploying it in underserved regions.

Projects like GEODNET (GPS), Glow (solar), and Wingbits (flight tracking) are already live on IoTeX, offering societal benefits and earning opportunities.

Anyone Can Participate

"You and I can purchase devices, deploy them in our city, and operate them," Sun explains. These devices collect data, sell it to networks, and reward you with tokens—a form of basic income.

A GEODNET node, costing $300–$500, earns tokens by providing precise GPS data to robotics systems. IoTeX's DePINScan dashboard allows real-time earnings tracking.

Why Traditional Investors Should Pay Attention

DePIN presents a compelling opportunity for traditional investors. These networks possess clear business models with revenue streams, cost structures, and customer demand.

IoTeX already supports 100+ DePIN projects with $2.7B in total locked value. Even Franklin Templeton recognizes DePIN as a key crypto theme for 2025.

Looking ahead, IoTeX aims to empower the next generation of AI agents and smart devices. Tools like ioID and W3bstream will provide devices with identities and verify their data.

Key Takeaways:

  • DePINs allow you to earn passive income from your devices.
  • IoTeX is a leading platform for building and deploying DePIN projects.
  • DePIN offers clear business models that are attractive to traditional investors.
  • The machine economy is poised to grow, with machines becoming major users of blockchain technology.

Investment Considerations

As always, investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment timeline before making allocation decisions. Bitcoin remains a volatile asset despite increasing institutional adoption.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor.

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