The Filecoin network as a prototype for DePIN
Filecoin Network Filecoin Network 2024-03-08
The Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) is reimagining the Internet’s physical and digital critical networks.
DePIN provides a scalable alternative to centralized computing, storage and telecommunications networks by leveraging Web3 concepts such as decentralization, cryptoeconomics, open source and transparency.
Due to the huge potential market in these fields and the continued boom in generative artificial intelligence, attention to DePIN is continuing to rise, which has led to a surge in demand for related services. At the same time, a global shortage of semiconductors has left hardware suppliers struggling to meet increased demand. Taken together, these trends accelerate the search for alternative ways to meet pressing infrastructure needs.
Filecoin is one of the most widespread DePIN projects in the world. Since the launch of its mainnet in October 2020, Filecoin has become the leading protocol for decentralized storage. More than 3,000 storage provider systems around the world have contributed 7.8EB of raw storage capacity to the network, and 2.1EB of raw data have been added to the network.
Why DePIN matters
Today, a handful of companies control the majority of online storage and computing resources, creating vulnerabilities ranging from data breaches and data access to pricing and distribution inefficiencies.
The DePIN project creates an alternative to the centralized model by using cryptoeconomic incentives to motivate individuals to allocate idle resources and capital to the network. This creates a market for services that were previously only offered by large centralized providers.
Our bet is that DePIN alternatives will eventually be able to provide similar (or even better) service levels compared to the current centralized structure.
The advantage of decentralized networks is that they offer greater security, privacy, and accessibility. These networks are more resilient because they have no single point of failure or control and can provide accessibility to “last mile” users to whom it may not be profitable for large centralized providers to serve.
Therefore, DePIN’s core goal is to move away from closed proprietary infrastructure controlled by centralized technology giants and toward an open ecosystem governed by cryptographic protocols and community collaboration.
Adoption of DePIN
What are the hallmark features of the DePIN network? A typical DePIN network should include the following aspects:
Provide specific physical or digital resources, such as storage, computing, 5G, etc.
The physical hardware required to provide the service (such as GPU, wireless router or hotspot)
A mechanism to incentivize network contributions through token rewards. If deployed correctly, these systems can be a powerful force in guiding early network adoption.
Providers that provide unused or underutilized resources to the network
Consumers using online services
Filecoin as a DePIN prototype
Filecoin is not just another storage solution, it is actually a prototype version of the DePIN movement’s broader vision. Here’s why:
Global decentralization: Filecoin operates through a global network of independent storage providers, eliminating dependence on centralized servers. Storage providers contribute their own storage capacity to the vast decentralized network.
Token Incentives: The network utilizes FIL tokens as its economic backbone. Storage providers earn FIL by storing and retrieving data, and in the event of downtime or harmful behavior, FIL will be reduced. This creates a self-sustaining ecosystem in which the incentives of all stakeholders are aligned.
Open and accessible: Anyone can join the Filecoin network, whether a storage provider, data user or developer. This creates an open and inclusive environment, which is crucial to realizing the decentralized model of the DePIN network.
Innovative thinking: The Filecoin community continues to push the limits, develop new features and functions, and enhance network capabilities and security. For example, the Filecoin Virtual Machine was launched in 2023, bringing smart contract programmability and EVM compatibility to the network.
Real World Impact: Ultimately, the DePIN network requires real users to be valuable. In the real world, hundreds of institutions (https://destor.com/en-us/filecoin-network-client-explorer) store data on Filecoin, including universities and research institutions, media, non-profit organizations, leading Web3 projects (such as Solana), etc.
The Filecoin network is also uniquely positioned to power other DePIN networks:
Retrieval/content delivery network: Filecoin Saturn (https://fil.org/ecosystem-projects/filecoin-saturn/), Filecoin Station (https://fil.org/ecosystem-projects/filecoin-station/) and similar projects A decentralized mechanism was created for retrieving and distributing data stored on the Filecoin network, with lightning-fast data retrieval and minimal latency.
Computing: Projects such as io.net (https://io.net/) enable individuals to rent out GPU capacity and cloud computing resources, while companies such as Expanso bring decentralized computing solutions to enterprises.
Video infrastructure: Livepeer (https://fil.org/ecosystem-projects/livepeer/) is an open video infrastructure network for live and on-demand streaming.
Sensors: WeatherXM (https://fil.org/ecosystem-projects/weatherxm/) is a community-driven weather network that rewards weather station owners and provides accurate weather services to individuals, businesses, and research institutions. Data collected by WeatherXM weather stations is stored on IPFS, allowing permissionless access.
way forward
Currently, the demand for reliable decentralized infrastructure is increasing day by day. The explosion of artificial intelligence is pushing the limits of existing physical and digital resources that make up the existing Internet backbone. Traditional storage models, computing software and hardware providers have struggled to meet growing demand.
As artificial intelligence continues to generate data and devour computing resources at an increasingly frenetic rate, DePIN networks like Filecoin will become an increasingly important layer of the Internet. Given the strong interest currently shown by the Web3 community in this area, the adoption and development of these protocols is sure to continue.
If you are also interested in Filecoin, welcome to learn more:
Website: https://filecoin.io/zh-cn/
Slack channel: filecoin.io/slack/
Twitter: @Filecoin
Blog: https://filecoin.io/zh-cn/blog/
Chinese news updates: https://t.me/filecoinchn
Filecoin Insights: https://tldr.filecoin.io/
Hackathon participation: https://hackathons.filecoin.io/
Storage provider: https://sp.filecoin.io/
Data storage users: https://destor.io/
Filecoin virtual machine: http://fvm.filecoin.io/
Filecoin CDN: https://saturn.tech/
Retrieve the market: https://retrieval.market/
Filecoin scalability: https://fil.space/
Filecoin数据计算：https://github.com/bacalhau-project/bacalhau
