Top 2 Free DePIN Crypto Projects on Solana You Shouldn’t Miss!

The rise of technology has made earning crypto easier than ever. One of the latest and most exciting trends in the online earning world is DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) crypto projects.

These projects offer a completely passive way to earn crypto, often without doing anything after the initial setup. Sounds cool, right?

Right now, there are hundreds of DePIN projects available. Some are free, while others require you to purchase a node or device – but not all of them are actually worth it.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to 2 DePIN crypto projects built on the Solana blockchain that are 100% free to use. You don’t need to invest a single penny. Just join, run the app or extension, stay connected, and start earning free crypto – all passively.

Whether you're new to crypto or just looking for simple ways to grow your earnings, these projects might be the easiest way to earn without lifting a finger.

DePIN stands for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network – and it’s one of the most exciting new trends in the crypto space. It’s a new way to build real-world systems using blockchain, without relying on big tech companies like Amazon or Microsoft.

Instead of using centralized servers, DePIN projects grow their networks through everyday people like you who are willing to share unused resources. This can include your internet connection, unused storage space, idle CPU/GPU power, sensor data from devices, and more.

In return, you earn free crypto – just for contributing to the project’s growth.

Most DePIN projects reward users through airdrops. But keep in mind – airdrops don’t happen every week. There’s usually a long wait between them, anywhere from 6 to 24 months.

But when the rewards drop, they can be worth it – especially since your income is completely passive.

So if you're into earning crypto by sharing what you already have, DePIN projects could be a smart and easy way to get started.

✔ Passive Crypto Earnings: Set it up once, and your device can start earning crypto automatically — no extra effort needed.

✔ No Investment Needed: Most DePIN projects are 100% free to join. All you need to share are your unused resources.

✔ Support Decentralization: You’re not just earning; you’re also helping build a fairer and more open infrastructure without relying on big tech companies.

✔ Run Multiple Projects: You can run several DePIN projects on your device(s) at the same time. This boosts your total earnings from a single setup.

✔ Big Growth Potential: Some DePIN tokens could increase in value over time. If the project succeeds, your rewards might be worth a lot more later.

❌ Some Security Risks: Sharing your resources always comes with some risk, even if the platform claims to have strong security.

❌ Device Wear & Tear: Some projects may use your system resources heavily, which could reduce your device’s overall lifespan.

❌ Not Every Project Succeeds: Some projects may shut down, or their tokens could end up being worthless.

❌ Rewards Take Time: Airdrops aren’t quick. Many projects take 6 to 24 months (or more) to reward your contribution.

❌ Hard to Spot Scams Early: Since rewards take time, it’s difficult to tell which projects are legit until the first payout happens.

Solana is one of the few blockchains that actively supports and promotes DePIN projects. It doesn’t just offer fast and low-cost transactions – it also encourages DePIN builders to launch on its network.

Solana helps these projects raise funds for development and long-term growth. Plus, it officially highlights trusted DePIN projects on its social media channels like X (Twitter), Facebook, and Discord.

So when a DePIN project is featured by Solana, you know it’s legit and backed by strong community support. That’s why Solana-based DePIN projects are some of the best to watch and join.

Alright, let’s get into the exciting part. Here are my top 2 handpicked DePIN crypto projects built on the Solana blockchain.

Important Note: Most of the projects listed below offer only a Chrome browser extension. This means you can’t run them directly on your phone like a normal app. To use these extensions on mobile, you’ll need to install a special browser like Mises or Kiwi. These browsers are officially supported by the projects and allow you to run the extension on your phone. However, keep in mind — running the extension on mobile usually earns less than running it on a desktop or laptop.

Available: Worldwide
Apps: Windows, Mac, Linux
Extension: Chrome

Grass is one of the most popular and promising DePIN crypto projects on the Solana blockchain. It rewards you for sharing your internet connection — just keep your device online, and you'll earn points based on uptime.

These points decide how many $GRASS tokens you’ll receive during their airdrop.

Grass uses your internet connection to gather public web data, which is then used to train AI models and improve machine learning tools.

The project is now in Stage 2, and here’s a quick look at how things have gone so far:

Stage 1 Airdrop:

• Took place in October 2024, after 18 months (including a 7-month beta phase).

• 100 million tokens (10% of total supply) were distributed.

• Many users — including me — received thousands of tokens. Some even received tens or hundreds of thousands.

• At the time of the airdrop, 1 $GRASS token was worth $1.50, and its all-time high reached $3.95.

• Currently, it's around $1.75, which is still solid considering the current market conditions.

Available: Worldwide
Apps: Coming in Future
Extension: Chrome

Dawn is another promising DePIN project on the Solana blockchain. It’s built by wireless internet provider Andrena and has already raised over $18 million in a seed funding round. Solana has officially listed Dawn as one of the Top 10 DePIN Projects to Watch in 2025–2026.

Dawn lets you earn rewards by sharing your internet connection. Your connection is securely shared with people nearby who need better internet access. The longer your device stays online, the more points you earn — and these points decide how many $DAWN tokens you’ll get during their airdrop.

As of now, Dawn already has over 2 million active users worldwide.

The TGE and first airdrop are expected sometime in late Q3 (July–Sept) or early Q4 (Oct–Dec) 2026, so there’s still time to join early and earn decent rewards.

A Few Downsides to Know

Unlike other projects, Dawn doesn’t yet offer a user dashboard on its website. All your stats — including uptime and referral points — can only be viewed through the browser extension, and point balances update just once a week.

These are key issues Dawn should fix to support long-term user trust and engagement.

Why You Should Still Join Early

Despite these limitations, Dawn looks strong — with solid funding, real-world utility, and official backing from Solana. Regular updates from Solana’s official social media platforms show clear trust in the project.

Joining early is a smart move. As more users join, individual rewards may drop — so now’s the best time to earn big before the first airdrop.

Join Dawn Use Referral Code — uxzwwrxd

Now you’ve got the details about 2 exciting DePIN crypto projects on the Solana blockchain. Pick the ones that seem most promising — and start earning before they get even bigger!

• Run Multiple Projects at Once: Don’t stick to just one. Run different DePIN projects simultaneously on your device(s) to earn more.

• Use More Devices: Got extra devices? Put them to work! Running projects on multiple devices helps you earn faster.
• Use Different Networks (IPs): If the project pays you for sharing internet, avoid connecting all devices to the same network (IP). Using the same IP can reduce your rewards. Instead, try different networks to get full earnings on each device.
• Stay Online Longer: The longer your devices stay connected, the more you earn. Keep the projects running throughout the day if possible.
• Take Advantage of Referrals: Most projects offer referral bonuses. Share your link or code — you’ll earn extra every time someone joins through you and actively runs the project(s). It’s one of the easiest ways to boost your earnings!

Hope you found this article helpful in discovering some of the top DePIN crypto projects on the Solana blockchain. If you have any questions, thoughts, or personal experiences with the projects mentioned in this article, feel free to share them in the comments below — I’d love to hear from you!

Note: This article was originally published by me on Medium.com on April 24, 2025.

Thanks you.