US Considers DePIN Tokens for Digital Asset Stockpile

Countries are increasingly recognizing the importance of digital assets in their financial strategies, with the United States and other superpowers leading the way. The establishment of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) and a US Digital Asset Stockpile (DAS) by President Donald Trump has sparked a global conversation about the role of digital assets in government reserves.

While Bitcoin (BTC) and select altcoins are being considered for inclusion in these reserves, the discussion remains incomplete without the inclusion of decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) tokens. DePIN represents a new paradigm in infrastructure development, where communities, rather than corporations, build and operate essential networks such as telecommunications. These networks are self-governed and distribute rewards to individual contributors, creating a more decentralized and community-driven approach to infrastructure development.

If the US were to include DePIN tokens in its DAS, it could leverage blockchain technology to create a self-sustaining infrastructure economy. This would not only strengthen the country's technological leadership but also encourage DePIN projects to build and scale physical infrastructure for US citizens. By sharing bandwidth from everyday devices, this approach eliminates the need for heavy capital expenditures by companies and governments.

The success of such an initiative in the US could set a global precedent, encouraging other countries to establish their own sovereign crypto reserves for the benefit of their citizens. A supranational network of DePIN token reserves could potentially unite different types of infrastructure and grids across countries, reducing costs and friction between them.

DePIN changes the traditional model of infrastructure development by using blockchain and token incentives to enable community-driven bandwidth sharing. DePIN networks, such as those powering WiFi or movement sensors, have proven to be more efficient and cost-effective than traditional approaches. For the US government, investing in DePIN tokens through its DAS would serve multiple strategic objectives, including economic resilience and technological leadership.

DePIN networks create a self-sustaining gig around infrastructure, reducing the country’s reliance on large corporations and enabling communities to earn revenue by contributing to infrastructure needs. Traditional infrastructure is prone to geopolitical risks and monopolistic inefficiencies, whereas DePIN offers a decentralized alternative that is censorship-resistant.

Many DePIN projects optimize resource utilization using token incentives to align infrastructure deployment with demand. This approach enables more sustainable, scalable solutions for Internet-of-Things sectors. While Bitcoin is a simple store of value, DePIN tokens represent ownership and operational stakes in decentralized infrastructure and possess tangible value similar to equities or bonds.

If countries were to include DePIN tokens in their digital asset reserves, they could use blockchain technology to create self-sustaining, interconnected infrastructure economies. This would allow for the distribution of resources such as electricity between countries with excess demand and oversupply, leveraging the decentralized and cross-border nature of distributed ledgers.

Historically, sovereign wealth funds have been used to preserve national wealth by diversifying investments. However, these models are increasingly vulnerable to inflationary pressures. The US inflation rate averaged 8.0% in 2022, and the price of all assets, whether stocks or Bitcoin, sold off heavily during the year in an overall market rout. No one was immune.

DePIN offers a true hedge against these risks because the prices of core infrastructure services are, by definition, part of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This enables users holding DePIN assets to directly profit from inflation increases or at least preserve their asset value. DePIN networks also use token incentives to align infrastructure deployment with economic shifts, which is particularly relevant given the surge in global electricity prices by over 20% in 2022 due to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions.

In response to increased energy costs, decentralized energy grids operating on blockchain-based token economies could dynamically adjust rewards for energy producers. Coupled with the rise in underlying CPI prices, DePIN networks have the potential to deliver compounded returns in opposition to such market sell-offs.

Including DePIN tokens in a sovereign wealth portfolio exposes the US to next-generation economic models. DePIN networks are built on transparent principles that align incentives between users, infrastructure providers, and investors. All nations that have historically led technological revolutions should seize the opportunity to embrace DePIN, reinforcing their status as pioneers.

Integrating DePIN tokens into the US DAS or any other sovereign digital asset stockpile would not simply be a financial decision—it is a strategic imperative. With the world shifting toward decentralized economies, the US and other tech powerhouses must position themselves at the forefront of this transformation. Countries that recognize and embrace this shift today will be best positioned to lead in the next era of global innovation.

If millions of individuals and communities became directly involved in their daily infrastructure through DePIN, it would increase the likelihood of infrastructure innovation due to the sheer volume of crowd involvement. This would offset research and development expenses from the government, allowing funds to be allocated elsewhere. Decentralization is a win-win for all.

Investing in DePIN will also ensure that national infrastructure remains affordable and not subject to national-level deployments requiring massive tax hikes to fund. Specifically, if US policymakers act now, they can secure America’s leadership in the next great infrastructure revolution that prioritizes decentralized ownership.