The DePIN Explorer - DePIN Scan

May 13, 2025 – This month, DeNet, a decentralized storage provider with 4 million users, warned its community of a serious disruption caused by Stripe, a centralized payment processor. According to DeNet, Stripe issued roughly $200,000 unsolicited refunds on DeNet customer accounts without any further profound explanation. Stripe is currently holding back around 25% of DeNet transaction proceeds from the past 3 months, jeopardizing users’ access to services they paid for. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities inherent in centralized systems and reinforces DeNet’s mission to make Web3 accessible, secure, and user-centric through innovative technology and education. According to DeNet, the disruption began when a user, for some reason, skipped the platform process and requested a $13.72 refund directly from Stripe. Despite refunds initiated by a single user, Stripe initiated a cascade of unsolicited refunds for purchases of storage space, Datakeeper licenses (nodes), and extended functionality within the DeNet app, without any further user requests or any elaborated reasoning communicated to DeNet. Furthermore, Stripe currently retains around 25% of the DeNet transaction volume received via Stripe. DeNet’s attempts to engage with Stripe regarding these unauthorized transactions were met with responses that appeared automated, as they were nearly identical and failed to provide any meaningful explanation or resolution. Critically, after DeNet reached out through various channels, the Stripe team intervened in an initial investigation. However, per DeNet, it had little effect, as Stripe followed with the widespread and random issuance of refunds. DeNet has processed payments via Stripe for over a year, maintaining transparent user relationships. However, Stripe’s track record with other projects shows issues like frequent abuse, lack of impartiality, and poor communication. Its opaque decision-making and unexplained logic raise concerns. Is this a deliberate structure by Stripe’s leadership or a systemic failure? “We’re deeply disappointed by Stripe’s actions, especially as we’ve worked tirelessly to make Web3 welcoming for all”, said Rafik Singatullin, co-founder at DeNet. “The fiat payment option was introduced to empower users, not expose them to centralized overreach. This strengthens our resolve to deliver decentralized solutions and educate our community”. DeNet is forced to launch alternative payment methods to ensure its users receive the service they paid for, despite Stripe’s arbitrary actions. Users can check the DeNet app to see if they’re affected and restore their purchases. About DeNet DeNet is a programmable decentralized storage protocol that unlocks the global potential of unused storage through tokenized RWA capacity. With 4M users, 250K daily active devices, and 15M+ files, it’s a leading operational solution for future storage needs. Contact: For inquiries related to this incident or further information, please contact DeNet at [email protected].

The recent analysis of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) highlights its potential as a significant investment track in the cryptocurrency landscape. DePIN, which aims to decentralize the infrastructure of the physical world, is gaining traction alongside AI as a promising direction for investment. However, the sector currently lacks a leading project to catalyze its growth, with Helium being the most recognized name, albeit predating the DePIN concept. The analysis suggests that DePIN could yield substantial returns in the next 1-3 years, as it addresses real-world needs through decentralized solutions, such as reducing costs in telecommunications and AI data acquisition. The investment rationale for DePIN is grounded in its ability to optimize traditional infrastructure models. For instance, in the telecommunications sector, traditional operators face exorbitant costs for spectrum licenses and base station deployments. In contrast, Helium Mobile allows users to become micro-operators by purchasing affordable hotspot devices, significantly lowering deployment costs. Similarly, in the AI domain, projects like Grass leverage distributed web scraping to reduce data acquisition expenses while ensuring compliance and diversity. These examples illustrate how DePIN can outperform conventional methods, making it an attractive investment opportunity. Moreover, DePIN presents a unique intersection of infrastructure and consumer needs, addressing the challenges faced by both sectors. High-quality DePIN projects exhibit strong product-market fit and revenue generation, making them less susceptible to market volatility. As demonstrated by Helium's competitive pricing and Grass's user-friendly model, DePIN can effectively capture user interest and mindshare. While the path to widespread adoption may be gradual, the potential for DePIN to disrupt traditional industries and create sustainable value through innovative token economies is significant, positioning it as a focal point for investors looking ahead to 2025.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Web3 cloud solutions, selecting the right platform is crucial for the success of your project. This article compares three notable options: Phala Cloud, Akash Network, and Fleek, each catering to different needs. Phala Cloud focuses on privacy-preserving computation with TEE-backed GPU enclaves, making it ideal for secure AI applications. Akash Network offers a decentralized compute marketplace, perfect for machine learning training and scalable backends. Meanwhile, Fleek specializes in edge and static hosting, providing a user-friendly experience for deploying frontend applications. Understanding these platforms' strengths can guide developers in making informed decisions based on their unique requirements. The architecture and core features of these platforms highlight their distinct technical foundations. Phala Cloud utilizes peer-to-peer enclaves for execution, ensuring a high level of confidentiality with on-chain attestation. Akash Network operates through a container marketplace orchestrated by Kubernetes, allowing for flexible resource allocation. Fleek, on the other hand, focuses on edge hosting and static site deployment, offering minimal backend trust features. Each platform has its own key management approach, with Phala emphasizing self-custodied keys, while Akash relies on provider-managed key stores. These differences are essential for developers to consider when aligning their project needs with the right cloud solution. Finally, the cost models and tooling available on each platform further differentiate them. Phala Cloud operates on a prepaid credit system, providing predictable pricing for users. Akash Network's spot bidding model introduces volatility but can lead to significant savings for compute-intensive tasks. Fleek offers a free tier, making it accessible for small-scale projects. Developers should also consider the tooling and integrations each platform provides, as these can impact the ease of deployment and ongoing management. By leveraging the strengths of Phala, Akash, and Fleek, developers can create resilient and efficient Web3 applications tailored to their specific needs.

Filecoin, the decentralized data storage network built on blockchain technology, has reached a significant milestone by securing 2.1 exbibytes (EiB) of data storage. This achievement not only places Filecoin at the forefront of the decentralized storage industry but also highlights its capacity to scale in response to the increasing demand for decentralized data solutions. With an additional 7.6 EiB of raw storage capacity available, Filecoin demonstrates resilience amidst market fluctuations and broader economic uncertainties in the tech sector, solidifying its influence in the industry. A pivotal factor in Filecoin's rapid growth is the introduction of the Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM) in March 2023, which has enabled the deployment of over 3,700 independent smart contracts. This development enhances the network's capabilities, supporting decentralized applications (dApps) and contributing to a total value locked (TVL) of 63 million FIL (approximately $273 million). The FVM is facilitating the expansion of decentralized storage beyond traditional Web2 applications, aiming to develop a fully decentralized internet that prioritizes data privacy and user sovereignty, marking a significant step in Filecoin's journey within the Web3 space. Moreover, Filecoin is transitioning into a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), aligning with trends in decentralized computing and artificial intelligence (AI). This shift opens new avenues for enterprise adoption, allowing organizations to utilize decentralized data storage for various applications. The launch of new data services, including persistent storage and data privacy solutions, exemplifies this transition. With a remarkable uptime of 99.99% over the past 90 days, Filecoin ensures reliability for its users while fostering community engagement through regular updates and discussions. As the decentralized storage market matures, Filecoin's advancements reflect its leadership and commitment to shaping the future of decentralized infrastructure.