Conceptual Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) for Shared Storage: A Secure and Incentive-Driven Framework for Decentralized Data Management

This paper presented a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN)-based shared storage architecture that enables secure and decentralized storage resource sharing through blockchain technology, distributed storage nodes, governance mechanisms, and incentive-driven participation. The study reviewed existing decentralized storage solutions and identified the need for a unified framework that integrates storage management, verification, governance, reputation management, and reward distribution within a single ecosystem [1], [3], [4]. To address this challenge, a layered architecture consisting of a User and Application Layer, API and Storage Management Layer, Blockchain and Smart Contract Layer, Governance Layer, Distributed Storage Layer, Verification and Security Layer, and Incentive Layer was proposed. The architecture separates large-scale data storage from blockchain coordination, allowing files to remain off-chain while blockchain technology manages storage agreements, verification records, governance activities, and incentive allocation. This approach improves scalability, transparency, security, and fault tolerance while maintaining decentralized accountability [1], [6], [8], [10]. The proposed methodology describes how storage providers contribute resources, how users store and retrieve files, how verification mechanisms ensure data availability, and how governance and incentive models support sustainable network participation. In addition, the evaluation framework provides a basis for assessing the performance, security, reliability, and economic viability of the proposed system. Overall, the proposed DePIN-based shared storage framework demonstrates the potential of decentralized infrastructure networks to provide secure, transparent, and community-driven storage services. As Web3 technologies continue to evolve, DePIN-based storage systems can play an important role in supporting future decentralized applications and digital services while reducing dependence on traditional centralized cloud infrastructures[1],[2],[11].

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