# A Taxonomy for Blockchain-based Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN)

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.16707 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.16707/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 17 Aug 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [Trustless Autonomy: Understanding Motivations, Benefits, and Governance Dilemmas in Self-Sovereign Decentralized AI Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.09757/) (2025)
- [On the Day They Experience: Awakening Self-Sovereign Experiential AI Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.14893/) (2025)
- [Intelligent Product 3.0: Decentralised AI Agents and Web3 Intelligence Standards](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.07835/) (2025)
- [DAO-enabled decentralized physical AI: A new paradigm for human-machine collaboration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.04522/) (2026)
- [Is Decentralized AI Governable? From Regulative Policy to Constitutive Protocol](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.24538/) (2026)
- [Afterlife Delegation Protocol: Speculative Design of Self-Sovereign Agents that Outlive Their Principals](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.15405/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

As digitalization and technological advancements continue to shape the infrastructure landscape, the emergence of blockchain-based decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) has gained prominence. However, a systematic categorization of DePIN components and their interrelationships is still missing. To address this gap, we conduct a literature review and analysis of existing frameworks and derived a taxonomy of DePIN systems from a conceptual architecture. Our taxonomy encompasses three key dimensions: distributed ledger technology, cryptoeconomic design and physicial infrastructure network. Within each dimension, we identify and define relevant components and attributes, establishing a clear hierarchical structure. Moreover, we illustrate the relationships and dependencies among the identified components, highlighting the interplay between governance models, hardware architectures, networking protocols, token mechanisms, and distributed ledger technologies. This taxonomy provides a foundation for understanding and classifying diverse DePIN networks, serving as a basis for future research and facilitating knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration and standardization within the emerging field of decentralized physical infrastructure networks.