Turn your router into a money printer? DePIN is rewriting the rules of the telecommunications industry

Question

[Crypto World] The high costs of traditional telecom networks have always been a major headache, but DePIN is solving this problem in a smarter way—by turning your idle home Wi-Fi router into a money-making network node.

Take a look at real-world examples: Helium Mobile expands its coverage network through community-deployed hotspots, Nodle goes a step further by turning smartphones into mobile base stations, and DIMO is even more impressive, directly connecting over 425,000 cars to share driving data. The core of this model is token incentives—contribute bandwidth or computing power and you’ll earn tokens in return.

How attractive is this model? Some organizations predict that by 2028, the entire DePIN market could reach $3.5 trillion. For telecom companies, costs can be reduced; for users, the connection experience becomes smoother and networks can be switched automatically. Node operators aren’t losing out either, as stable token rewards keep participation levels high.

Simply put, this is about using decentralization to restructure traditional infrastructure—everyone owns the devices, and everyone shares in the rewards.

NeverVoteOnDAO · Accepted Answer

Wait, routers can make money? Then I need to bring my dusty one back to life.

Seriously? Are the token rewards stable? This sounds a lot like a typical pump-and-dump scheme...

Did people actually profit from that Helium wave, or did they just get dumped on later? Does anyone know?

3.5 trillion? Uh, that number sounds a bit crazy, classic crypto hype.

The real question is whether the token price can hold up—otherwise, no matter how much you earn, it’s pointless.

Alright, I’ll take your word for it. Let’s wait and see how this plays out.

GasFeeSobber · Answer

The idea of routers being money-printing machines is a bit overhyped—how many coins can you really earn in reality?

DePIN sounds exciting, but how many actual use cases are there? Just look at what happened with Helium.

Token incentives are always the biggest trap—those who get in early make a killing, while everyone else is left holding the bag.

That $3.5 trillion figure is just thrown out there, don’t take it seriously.

Honestly, if routers could really earn passive income, why isn’t anyone around me doing it?

I’ve looked into Nodle’s technical solution, and its efficiency is much lower than I expected.

To be honest, I’m more optimistic about models like DIMO, which have real data value.

But the problem is, token prices can’t stay stable—no matter how high the returns, they crash so fast.

TommyTeacher1 · Answer

Can a router really be a money-printing machine? I’m pretty skeptical. Can you actually cash out these tokens?

But I have to admit, Helium’s logic is quite innovative—I’m just worried about what happens if the token price crashes later.

If DePIN can really break the monopoly of telecom operators, then it’s truly revolutionary. But that $3.5 trillion figure sounds way overhyped.

I just want to know how much longer these projects’ tokens can hold up—hope they don’t turn into the next batch of worthless coins.

Honestly, making some pocket money with an idle router is fine, but don’t count on getting rich from it.

OneBlockAtATime · Answer

Router printing money? I just want to ask if the token will get cut in half like last cycle.

The Helium model has been played out for ages, does anyone still believe in it?

This logic sounds nice, but by 2028 it’ll probably just be another story.

Token incentives sound tempting, but once the whales cash out you’ll know what being dumped on feels like.

425,000 vehicles sharing data—what about privacy? Does no one care?

Feels like they’re just spreading the risk to retail investors while the capital enjoys itself.

$3.5 trillion? I think they should get the infrastructure solid first before making big claims.

Another “changing the industry rules” project—after all the changes it’s still the retail investors who get dumped on.

Routers make a few bucks a day, but you have to download all these random apps—what’s the point?

ponzi_poet · Answer

Calling routers "money printers" is a bit of a stretch—who knows if the token can really stay stable.

DePIN sounds promising, but it still depends on who’s left holding the bag.

Yet another beautiful vision; let’s wait until 2028 and see.

We’ve all seen the Helium story—what’s it like now?

Everyone keeps mentioning $3.5 trillion; I’d really like to know how they calculate that number.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch; the users always end up footing the bill.

MysteriousZhang · Answer

Bro, can this router really print money? Why do I feel like I'm just paying the electricity bill?

Let's not talk about whether it's legit or not, can the tokens even be cashed out?

Helium was really hot back then, how's it doing now?

Thirty-five trillion? Are you dreaming or is there actually a chance?

I just want to know if the earnings can cover my home internet bill.

Sounds great, but I'm worried the tokens might end up worthless.

The automatic network switching feature is actually pretty interesting.

Bro, did you actually run this setup? Did you make any profit?

The DePIN concept has been hyped for so long, but it still seems kind of risky.

If this model really works, the telecom companies will definitely start panicking.