Recently, large-scale power outages in Spain, Portugal, and France have plunged millions of people into darkness. This is not just a power outage; it is a comprehensive collapse of connectivity. When the power is cut off, the communication lifeline we rely on for survival proves to be so fragile.
Do not think this is just a European problem. Similar scenarios are playing out all over the globe: South Africa's endless electricity crisis, Pakistan's massive blackout in 2023, and the severe Texas cold wave in 2021. In Houston, residents had to melt the snow off their roofs to fill buckets for flushing toilets for up to a week. Most people lacked heating in sub-zero temperatures, with power and communications completely cut off. This is a profound lesson about the vulnerability of critical systems.
The harsh reality is that a large portion of our core infrastructure has aged, and its original design cannot meet today's stringent demands for "always-on" and the flood of data in the modern world. Today, they must bear the pressure of integrating renewable energy while also coping with the surge in digital demands (it is expected that by 2030, energy consumption in the global technology sector will double). It is this overwhelming situation that has transformed DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) from a marginal experiment in the blockchain field into a critical necessity for industry development.
DePIN: The Resilience Path of Decentralization
The industry needs a more intelligent way to respond. Resilience is crucial, and this must start with the bottom-up power of the community, rather than relying solely on top-down directives.
This is precisely where the value of DePIN as a practical solution lies, especially in ensuring connectivity. DePIN technology utilizes blockchain and other core tools to coordinate the efforts of the community to collectively build and operate infrastructure in the physical world— the internet network is an excellent example. Imagine a network driven not by a single giant controlling everything, but by thousands, or even millions, of individuals and businesses sharing resources (such as their Wi-Fi routers, idle storage space, or deploying small new devices).
Do not limit DePIN to the internet sector. It also has enormous potential in the energy sector. Imagine sharing rooftop solar power within the community or managing battery storage through local microgrids. This achieves true energy autonomy that is closer to users and less dependent on distant large power plants and their fragile transmission lines.
What are the core advantages of decentralization? It greatly reduces the risk of a global collapse due to single points of failure. If a certain part of the DePIN network encounters an issue, other devices can typically bypass the failure point and maintain the operation of local services. This is a safety net that people weave for themselves, aimed at enhancing the fairness of resource access and ensuring the continuity of critical services when major systems fail.
The real-world applications of DePIN
Dharamshala, India: In the face of unstable electricity supply, local Tibetan exiles have ingeniously utilized waste materials to build a wireless mesh network to maintain communication.
Brooklyn Red Hook District, New York (after Hurricane Sandy): When all other systems failed, the local mesh network became a vital lifeline.
These cases are far from mere anecdotes; they strongly demonstrate the technology's indispensability in times of crisis.
Typically, the best approach is a hybrid model. Decentralized technology does not have to completely replace existing systems; it can collaborate with traditional systems to enhance overall resilience. OpenRoaming is a prime example—it connects more than 3 million routers worldwide, enabling automatic WiFi connections through identity management, allowing users to seamlessly switch between hotspots globally. This is precisely the synergistic effect the industry needs and a standard that has gained widespread support.
Initiatives like OpenRoaming can go even further. The decentralized wireless network (DeWi) approach, built on DePIN principles, can help map and validate these existing hotspots, enhancing their discoverability and reliability. Beyond this, DeWi can effectively extend the scope of shared access by integrating countless additional community-owned and operated access points (which may not belong to the original OpenRoaming network), filling coverage gaps. This is where the decentralized layer truly shines—enhancing and extending existing standards.
Imagine this: another strong storm is approaching, and the cellular base stations are down. At this moment, a local DePIN network—where some routers operate on backup power or are interconnected with each other—could become the only way for people to send distress signals, obtain critical information, or organize rescue efforts. In a dire situation where everything is cut off, having this option is self-evident.
These continuous power outages can never become news that is forgotten a week later. They must serve as a loud wake-up call. For all parties responsible for maintaining critical services — whether you are a government official, business leader, or urban planner — it is time to face the reality: betting everything on purely centralized systems is tantamount to self-destruction. We must invest real resources and wisdom into decentralized solutions like DePIN. This is not a future luxury, but an urgent necessity for building the resilience that the public needs.
Government level: Policies should be relaxed to create a more favorable environment for the implementation of these new models.
Telecom operators and enterprises: There is a need to expand thinking. Seriously consider integrating decentralized nodes (such as community routers and mesh backup devices) into existing network planning. Support the establishment of public-private partnerships in vulnerable areas to jointly build shared DePIN infrastructure, which is beneficial for all parties involved.
Our common goal must be to build a backup system with multiple guarantees. Combining the extensive coverage capabilities of traditional networks with the grassroots resilience of decentralized networks. This is non-negotiable for critical areas such as transportation, healthcare, and emergency services.
Let's stop viewing connectivity as a secondary issue. It is critical infrastructure, equally important as power itself. Reliable communication is vital for safety, community survival, and maintaining basic operations during disasters. Creating a future free from large-scale communication disruptions requires a concerted effort between traditional power and emerging decentralized movements. Before the next crisis hits, it is urgent to strengthen our digital defenses.
The content is for reference only, not a solicitation or offer. No investment, tax, or legal advice provided. See Disclaimer for more risks disclosure.
When the lights go out: DePIN - a resilient shield against the collapse of centralized infrastructure
Written by: Carlos Lei
Compiled by: white55, Mars Finance
Recently, large-scale power outages in Spain, Portugal, and France have plunged millions of people into darkness. This is not just a power outage; it is a comprehensive collapse of connectivity. When the power is cut off, the communication lifeline we rely on for survival proves to be so fragile.
Do not think this is just a European problem. Similar scenarios are playing out all over the globe: South Africa's endless electricity crisis, Pakistan's massive blackout in 2023, and the severe Texas cold wave in 2021. In Houston, residents had to melt the snow off their roofs to fill buckets for flushing toilets for up to a week. Most people lacked heating in sub-zero temperatures, with power and communications completely cut off. This is a profound lesson about the vulnerability of critical systems.
The harsh reality is that a large portion of our core infrastructure has aged, and its original design cannot meet today's stringent demands for "always-on" and the flood of data in the modern world. Today, they must bear the pressure of integrating renewable energy while also coping with the surge in digital demands (it is expected that by 2030, energy consumption in the global technology sector will double). It is this overwhelming situation that has transformed DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) from a marginal experiment in the blockchain field into a critical necessity for industry development.
DePIN: The Resilience Path of Decentralization
The industry needs a more intelligent way to respond. Resilience is crucial, and this must start with the bottom-up power of the community, rather than relying solely on top-down directives.
This is precisely where the value of DePIN as a practical solution lies, especially in ensuring connectivity. DePIN technology utilizes blockchain and other core tools to coordinate the efforts of the community to collectively build and operate infrastructure in the physical world— the internet network is an excellent example. Imagine a network driven not by a single giant controlling everything, but by thousands, or even millions, of individuals and businesses sharing resources (such as their Wi-Fi routers, idle storage space, or deploying small new devices).
Do not limit DePIN to the internet sector. It also has enormous potential in the energy sector. Imagine sharing rooftop solar power within the community or managing battery storage through local microgrids. This achieves true energy autonomy that is closer to users and less dependent on distant large power plants and their fragile transmission lines.
What are the core advantages of decentralization? It greatly reduces the risk of a global collapse due to single points of failure. If a certain part of the DePIN network encounters an issue, other devices can typically bypass the failure point and maintain the operation of local services. This is a safety net that people weave for themselves, aimed at enhancing the fairness of resource access and ensuring the continuity of critical services when major systems fail.
The real-world applications of DePIN
Dharamshala, India: In the face of unstable electricity supply, local Tibetan exiles have ingeniously utilized waste materials to build a wireless mesh network to maintain communication.
Brooklyn Red Hook District, New York (after Hurricane Sandy): When all other systems failed, the local mesh network became a vital lifeline.
These cases are far from mere anecdotes; they strongly demonstrate the technology's indispensability in times of crisis.
Typically, the best approach is a hybrid model. Decentralized technology does not have to completely replace existing systems; it can collaborate with traditional systems to enhance overall resilience. OpenRoaming is a prime example—it connects more than 3 million routers worldwide, enabling automatic WiFi connections through identity management, allowing users to seamlessly switch between hotspots globally. This is precisely the synergistic effect the industry needs and a standard that has gained widespread support.
Initiatives like OpenRoaming can go even further. The decentralized wireless network (DeWi) approach, built on DePIN principles, can help map and validate these existing hotspots, enhancing their discoverability and reliability. Beyond this, DeWi can effectively extend the scope of shared access by integrating countless additional community-owned and operated access points (which may not belong to the original OpenRoaming network), filling coverage gaps. This is where the decentralized layer truly shines—enhancing and extending existing standards.
Imagine this: another strong storm is approaching, and the cellular base stations are down. At this moment, a local DePIN network—where some routers operate on backup power or are interconnected with each other—could become the only way for people to send distress signals, obtain critical information, or organize rescue efforts. In a dire situation where everything is cut off, having this option is self-evident.
These continuous power outages can never become news that is forgotten a week later. They must serve as a loud wake-up call. For all parties responsible for maintaining critical services — whether you are a government official, business leader, or urban planner — it is time to face the reality: betting everything on purely centralized systems is tantamount to self-destruction. We must invest real resources and wisdom into decentralized solutions like DePIN. This is not a future luxury, but an urgent necessity for building the resilience that the public needs.
Government level: Policies should be relaxed to create a more favorable environment for the implementation of these new models.
Telecom operators and enterprises: There is a need to expand thinking. Seriously consider integrating decentralized nodes (such as community routers and mesh backup devices) into existing network planning. Support the establishment of public-private partnerships in vulnerable areas to jointly build shared DePIN infrastructure, which is beneficial for all parties involved.
Our common goal must be to build a backup system with multiple guarantees. Combining the extensive coverage capabilities of traditional networks with the grassroots resilience of decentralized networks. This is non-negotiable for critical areas such as transportation, healthcare, and emergency services.
Let's stop viewing connectivity as a secondary issue. It is critical infrastructure, equally important as power itself. Reliable communication is vital for safety, community survival, and maintaining basic operations during disasters. Creating a future free from large-scale communication disruptions requires a concerted effort between traditional power and emerging decentralized movements. Before the next crisis hits, it is urgent to strengthen our digital defenses.