Here’s something most people don’t realize: your smartphone and PC can generate passive income with almost no effort.
I’m not talking about clicking ads for pennies. I mean actual money – earned by sharing unused internet bandwidth, computing power, or other digital resources. This model falls under DePIN, or Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, a growing trend in the crypto world.
Some DePIN projects reward users with points, which later convert into tokens, airdrops, or even direct payouts. A good example is GRASS, a DePIN project I’ve been personally using since the beginning of 2024. During their first cycle – which ended in December 2024 – I earned 801 from their airdrop which then sold for $1,600.
That’s $1600, passive, without me lifting a finger. They’re currently in their second cycle, so opportunities are still open.
Most of the DePIN passive income opportunities in thist list are around this business model. You are farming points in order to be eligible for their upcoming airdrops.
Anyways, when I say passive, I mean truly passive. There’s no constant monitoring, no tasks to complete – just set it up, let it run, and check your earnings later.
I’ve tested many DePIN projects myself.. Some brought in small amounts, others were surprisingly profitable, and a few made me wonder why I hadn’t started sooner. In this post, I am going to focus to the 9 of them I think they have the more potential.
⚠️ Transparency note: Some of the links in this article are partner links. If you use them to sign up, I may earn a small reward – usually in the form of bonus credits, not life-changing payouts. It won’t cost you extra, and in some cases, you might even get a discount or a signup bonus. If you’re already planning to sign up, using these links can give you a little extra value.
What Is DePIN?
Before diving into the nine DePIN projects that can generate passive income, let me briefly explain what DePIN actually is.
DePIN stands for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks. While the term might sound complex, the concept is straightforward.
Instead of large corporations owning and controlling critical infrastructure, DePIN allows individuals to contribute resources – like internet bandwidth, computing power, or sensor data – in exchange for rewards.
Think of it as a distributed network, similar to crowdfunding, but instead of money, people share real-world resources.
- A practical example is mapping data collection. Google relies on a fleet of Street View cars equipped with specialized cameras to update its maps. A DePIN alternative would use everyday smartphones or dash cams, letting individuals gather and upload mapping data in exchange for payments.
- Another example involves artificial intelligence. Training AI models requires massive computing power, usually limited to companies with large-scale data centers, such as Microsoft and Amazon. A DePIN network could distribute AI workloads across thousands of personal computers, allowing users to rent out their spare processing power in exchange for cryptocurrency.
- A third example is found in decentralized wireless networks. I personally installed a Helium hotspot device that operates on the LoRaWAN protocol at a frequency of 900 MHz, which typically covers an area up to 2 kilometers in urban settings. This device, with a transmission power around 10 dBm, helps connect low-power IoT devices, and in return, I receive HNT tokens on a monthly basis.
These are just three use cases, but the applications are expanding rapidly. As more projects emerge, people are finding new ways to monetize underutilized resources with minimal effort – aside from the initial setup.
For a more detailed explanation, check my previously written article: What Is Depin in Crypto?
DePIN Programs For Passive Income
Now that you’ve understood what Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) is, let’s quickly see the nine DePIN programs that you can install on your PC / Browser (or a VPS server for the more advance readers) starting today.
I personally created an account into all of the following projects that offer passive income opportunities and have them running on my mini pc. Each requires minimal setup time, typically around five minutes, and provides varying levels of profitability.
- GRASS: By installing the GRASS browser extension, you can share their unused internet bandwidth. In return, they earn points that can be converted into tokens or cash. During their first cycle, I earned $1,600 through their airdrop program.
- NODEPAY: Similar to Grass, sharing unused internet bandwidth through Nodepay, you contribute to AI training and development. The platform rewards participants with tokens, providing a way to monetize excess bandwidth.
- NAVIGATE: NAVIGATE offers a platform where users contribute data through a browser extension. This data aids in building decentralized datasets for AI training. Users are rewarded with points that can be redeemed within the platform.
- GRADIENT NETWORK: This project allows participants to share their computing resources to support various network tasks. In exchange, users receive tokens proportional to their contribution.
- BLOCKMESH: By installing the BlockMesh browser extension, users can contribute data used for AI training, bias analysis, and trend detection. Participants earn rewards based on the amount of data they provide.
- DISTRIBUTE: DistributeAI enables users to share their computing power to support AI applications. In return, contributors earn rewards, turning idle resources into passive income.
- HIVELLO: Hivello offers an all-in-one DePIN manager where users can connect their unused computer resources to various decentralized networks. The platform provides tokens as compensation for participation.
- UPROCK: Uprock allows users to share their internet connection, earning cryptocurrency rewards in return. The platform focuses on making AI work for users by utilizing shared resources.
- MYSTERIUM NETWORK: By running a node through Mysterium Network, you can share your unused internet bandwidth, contributing to a decentralized VPN service. This setup allows users to access a censorship-resistant internet. In return, node operators earn MYST tokens as compensation for their participation.
Here’s a more detailed description of what each passive DePIN program is and does.
1. GRASS
First on the list is GRASS – the pioneer in decentralized ai training in REAL TIME.
The concept behind GRASS (getgrass.io) centers on monetizing unused internet bandwidth through their desktop application or browser extension, which runs on the Solana blockchain network.
The platform operates by allowing users to share their excess bandwidth capacity and earn Grass points which then “translate” to GRASS tokens at the end of each epoch.
Setting up GRASS is easy;
- Create an account
- Download and install the desktop application (it earns you more than the browser extension)
- Connect a Solana-compatible digital wallet like Phantom.
- and maintain a stable internet connection with consistent uptime.
The system monitors your shared bandwidth through a background process that consumes minimal system resources, typically less than 1% CPU usage on standard hardware.
2. NODEPAY
Another way to make money from your unused internet is through NodePay (nodepay.ai). The platform uses your bandwidth to help train AI models – just like Grass.
One thing to note – you can’t just sign up on their website, you need use an invite link or invite code. You can use mine if you want. an invite code first (you can use this one: VYIEmD3muQn7LbJ).
Getting started is simple. Create your account, add their browser extension, connect your Solana wallet (Phantom works well), and confirm your email. Once that’s done, you’re all set to earn $NC tokens, which they’ll send out later in an airdrop.
I’ve been running NodePay on my laptop for a few days before moving it to my mini pc, and I’ve noticed it barely uses any processing power – it just quietly runs in the background.
Currently, you’ll be connecting Nodepay points that will be transformed to $NC tokens in their next airdrop.
3. NAVIGATE
Next on the list is Navigate (nvg8.io), which pays you for your online activities and data. I’ve been trying it out, and it’s different from the bandwidth-sharing platforms we discussed earlier because it focuses on rewarding you for things you already do online.
Navigate offers two ways to earn: Data Quests and Passive Sharing.
Data Quests are small tasks like filling out surveys or helping to label data sets.
With Passive Sharing, you connect your accounts from services like Amazon or Netflix, and Navigate gathers your anonymous data (meaning they remove any personal information before using it) from your online activities and pays you for that.
Getting started takes about five minutes. You’ll need to sign up on their website, download their browser extension, and connect an Ethereum wallet (this is where you’ll receive your rewards later).
Right now, users earn points instead of actual cryptocurrency, with the company planning to convert these points into crypto rewards in the future.
According to airdrops.io, there will be an airdrop in the future (not sure when), so, it’s better to get in early and amass as many points as you can.
4. GRADIENT NETWORK
Moving on is Gradient Network (gradient.network). This network tries to solve two big problems in blockchain – scalability and cross-chain communication.
Scalability means making sure networks don’t freeze up when lots of people use them at once. Cross-chain communication? That’s about letting different blockchains “talk” to each other instead (interoperability). If you’ve ever tried transferring crypto between chains, you know how annoying that can be.
What’s in it for you? Free points right now, which will turn into tokens later during their airdrop.
Just download their browser extension, let it run quietly in the background, and that’s pretty much it.
The setup took me less than a minute, and honestly, if nothing comes of it, I’m only out the time it took to install. Low risk, decent reward potential – I’ll take those odds any day.
5. BLOCKMESH
Next up is BlockMesh (blockmesh.xyz). BlockMesh pays you for your unused internet bandwidth – just like Grass and Nodepay. Your unused bandwidth is used to train AI models, predict markets and identify trends.
After signing up – note that you’ll need a referral link, which I can share if you don’t have one – you install their browser extension and verify your email. That’s it. Once it’s set up, you just browse the web as usual, and BlockMesh tracks your activity to reward you with points. These points will turn into tokens later.
That said, BlockMesh is still in its early stages and the exact date of the airdrop hasn’t been announced yet. But if they deliver, this could be an easy way to earn passive income without changing how you already use the internet.
You can follow their official X account to stay updated with future airdrop.
In the meantime.. 👇
6. DISTRIBUTE.AI
Another option to consider is Distribute.ai (distribute.ai), which used to be called Oasis.ai. Same project, just a fresh name.
This platform lets you earn crypto by sharing your computer’s unused processing power. If you’ve ever left your laptop on while doing nothing, this could be a way to put it to work.
Unlike GRASS, which uses your internet bandwidth, Distribute.ai taps into your computer’s processing power instead.
I’ve only had it running for a short time, so I can’t report huge earnings yet. But if my mini pc can make a few bucks on autopilot, I’m not complaining. Just make sure your system can handle the extra load without slowing down too much.
The setup is simple. Create and account and download and install their app for Windows. Once it’s running in the background, you start earning points that will eventually turn into $OAI tokens.
These tokens are expected to become tradable soon, though the exact timing isn’t clear yet.
7. HIVELLO
Next is Hivello (hivello.com). Hivello acts as a dashboard that “mines” various tokens for you. For example, instead of connecting to many “resource sharing” DePIN programs, you signup with Hivello, it uses your resources and distributes to you various crypto tokens.
For example, I am now earning MYST tokens (Mysterium Network) and FIL tokens (Filecoin).
Again, signing up is pretty straightforward; Just create an account, download their app (it works on Windows, macOS, and Linux), verify your device by following their step-by-step guide, and then reboot your PC.
That’s all there is to it.
Once it’s running, your computer helps power AI networks, and you get rewarded with AI-related tokens.
What makes Hivello stand out is the potential payout. Their website mentions a 2.5 billion HVLO token airdrop for active users. Yes, billion .
The earlier you join, the bigger your share could be. Just keep your PC on, and let it do the work.
8. UPROCK
Next up is UpRock (uprock.com), another project that lets you earn passive income by sharing your internet bandwidth.
If you’ve already looked into GRASS or NodePay, this one will feel familiar, but there’s a twist: instead of using a desktop app or browser extension, UpRock works entirely through a mobile app.
Create an account, download the app (available for both iOS and Android), connect your account, and let it run in the background. That’s all there is to it.
Your phone shares its internet connection, and you get paid in $UPT tokens. Unlike GRASS, which requires a desktop setup, UpRock is designed for mobile users, making it more flexible if you’re always on the go.
I’ve had it running for a while now, and honestly, it’s been hassle-free. There’s no need to tweak settings or constantly check on it – it just works quietly in the background.
If you’re looking for something simple and mobile-friendly, this might be worth a shot. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s easy and hands-off, which is a win in my book.
9. MYSTERIUM NETWORK
Final on our list is Mysterium Network (mysterium.network). This one’s a bit different from the others because it’s not just about earning passive income – it’s also about making the internet more private and censorship-free.
Think of it as a decentralized VPN, which means your data doesn’t go through a single company’s server but instead moves through a network of nodes spread around the world. This makes it harder for anyone to track or block what you’re doing online.
Setting up a node is pretty straightforward. You sign up on MystNodes, confirm your email, and download their app for your device—whether it’s Windows, Mac, or even Raspberry Pi.
Once installed, you connect a Web3 wallet that supports the Polygon blockchain (I used MetaMask) and let the node run in the background. It might take about 15 minutes to go “Online”, but after that, you’re good to go.
Here’s where it gets interesting: you earn MYST tokens by sharing your unused internet bandwidth. The more traffic that passes through your node, the more you make.
How To Run These DePINs Without Disruption
Another thing to consider – now that we’ve covered all these DePIN projects – is how to actually run them without frying your laptop or slowing it down. Technically, you could use any device, but if you’re serious about earning passive income, a dedicated mini PC is the way to go.
Here’s why: laptops are unreliable for this kind of work. You might close the lid, move to another room, or lose WiFi – and just like that, your earnings take a hit.
A mini PC, on the other hand, runs 24/7 without interruptions. It won’t slow down your main computer either, which is great if you’re trying to stream Netflix or play games while earning crypto.
For around $300–$400, you can grab something like the GMKtec M6 mini PC from AliExpress. It’s got plenty of power (AMD R5 processor, 16GB RAM) and features like WiFi 6 and Ethernet for stable connections.
Just plug it in, set up your DePIN apps, and let it hum along in the background. Think of it as a little money-making machine—set it and forget it.
Compared to running everything on your laptop, a mini PC lets you handle multiple projects at once without worrying about crashes or slowdowns.
If you’re diving into DePIN seriously, this is the smart move. Treat it like an investment—one that pays you back over time.
Bottom Line
That’s it for the 9 best DePIN projects out there right now. Each has its own perks, but they all share one thing: turning idle resources into passive income.
I’ve been testing them myself, and it’s been surprisingly satisfying to watch the earnings trickle in.
If you’ve tried any of these – or found another gem – let me know! Always happy to hear what’s working for others and maybe update the article with better ones in the future.
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