Add the DePIN guide

content/guides/depin/getting-started.md

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+---
+featured: false
+featuredPriority: 1
+date: 2024-12-02T00:00:00Z
+difficulty: beginner
+seoTitle: "DePIN Quickstart Guide"
+title: "DePIN Quickstart Guide"
+description:
+  "While each DePIN network has a unique product focus, most DePIN networks
+  utilize Solana for a common set of use-cases. This guide is meant to help
+  builders get oriented to common onchain DePIN use-cases."
+keywords:
+  - DePIN
+  - token
+  - governance
+tags:
+  - depin
+  - governance
+  - zk compression
+---
+
+DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) refers to blockchain-based
+networks that incentivize the deployment, operation, and sharing of real-world
+physical infrastructure through decentralized mechanisms. These networks
+leverage tokens to reward participants for contributing to and maintaining the
+infrastructure, creating a decentralized alternative to traditional centralized
+systems. Examples include wireless, content delivery, and mapping networks.
+
+While each DePIN network has a unique product focus, most DePIN networks utilize
+Solana for a common set of use cases. This guide is meant to help builders get
+oriented to these common on-chain DePIN use cases. Topics covered include:
+
+- Minting and Managing a Token
+- Rewards Distribution
+- Proof of Contribution
+- Governance
+
+## Minting and Managing a Token
+
+### Token Minting
+
+When minting a token on Solana, there are two token programs to choose from:
+[the Token program](https://spl.solana.com/token) or
+[the Token22 program](https://spl.solana.com/token-2022). While there are
+tradeoffs to consider (discussed
+[here](https://solana.stackexchange.com/questions/9205/what-is-the-advantage-of-using-the-token22-token-extensions-program-over-the-old)),
+most DePIN teams have elected to use
+[the Token program](https://spl.solana.com/token) to date.
+
+### Token Listing
+
+In order to have your token appear in explorers, decentralized exchanges, and
+other ecosystem token lists,
+[getting the token verified through Jupiter Verification](https://station.jup.ag/guides/general/get-your-token-on-jupiter)
+is recommended.
+
+### Modeling Token Distribution
+
+For DePIN teams looking to optimize the way they allocate their token across
+various needs and stakeholders (rewards for participating / supplying network
+resources, private or public token sales etc.), tools like
+[Forgd](https://www.forgd.com/) can be used to model out and refine token
+distribution strategies.
+
+### Token Management
+
+Most teams utilize [Squads](https://squads.so/) for their on-chain treasury
+management, also leveraging their multisig feature.
+
+## Rewards Distribution
+
+There are two common paths for rewards distributions: Merkle claims and ZK
+compression. Each of these optimize the cost of distributing a potentially small
+value of tokens to a large set of users by allowing the application to do so in
+a single transaction per claim period.
+
+### Merkle Claims
+
+Rewards can be distributed using a Merkle tree structure, allowing for efficient
+batch processing of claims. This approach is used to minimize the number of
+transactions on the blockchain by allowing users to claim their rewards based on
+a published Merkle root.
+
+The application constructs a Merkle tree on a regular basis and publishes the
+root on-chain. Each leaf node represents a recipient’s rewards.
+
+In order for users to claim their rewards, they generate a Merkle proof that
+demonstrates a particular leaf is part of the published Merkle root. Once their
+claim is verified, the rewards are distributed to the user’s wallet.
+
+See
+[example code](https://gist.github.com/lanvidr/88a594da06ba867bf8201fe8c6331dc0)
+and
+[Jupiter’s Merkle distributor](https://github.com/jup-ag/merkle-distributor-sdk)
+for an additional reference.
+
+#### Automatic Distribution
+
+An alternative to having users proactively claim rewards is automating rewards
+distribution. On a regular basis, this “rewards crank” fetches rewards for an
+associated set of users by querying and constructing transactions to distribute
+rewards to the specified accounts. Merkle tree updates can be posted by the
+automated process, allowing for the reward distribution mechanism to remain
+permissionless.
+
+### ZK Compression
+
+For networks that anticipate needing to distribute rewards to tens of thousands
+(or more) of nodes, participants, or contributors, a newer approach to rewards
+distribution is to use [ZK compression](https://www.zkcompression.com/). Instead
+of regular accounts, compressed accounts are generated for reward recipients,
+minimizing the state and rent costs associated with account creation.
+
+Implementing ZK compression is often cheaper in terms of storage costs. However,
+because it is a relatively new feature, the level of ecosystem support and
+tooling is not yet as extensive.
+
+See
+[example code](https://gist.github.com/lanvidr/4595f7b02236ffb2a3fb3ce9347ca044).
+
+### Cost analysis
+
+Let's estimate the cost of distributing rewards using both the Merkle tree
+approach and the ZK compression. We'll consider transaction fees, rent costs,
+and storage costs.
+
+Transaction Fees may be higher using ZK compression due to the increased
+computational resources and instructions needed. However, in both approaches,
+updating the rewards per claim period requires a single transaction by the
+application, so the cost difference is minimal, as it doesn’t scale per the
+number of users. Both strategies require one transaction per user to claim their
+rewards.
+
+ZK compression is more cost-effective in storage costs, due to the reduced
+storage requirements of compressed data. Here is a hypothetical cost analysis to
+compare the storage costs.
+
+If we assume a reward distribution to 10,000 users, with an average reward
+amount per user of 100 tokens, and the transaction fee on Solana to be 0.000005
+SOL (5,000 lamports):
+
+Storage Costs using a Merkle tree distribution strategy:
+
+- The Merkle tree requires storing the leaf nodes and the internal nodes
+  - Leaf Nodes: 10,000 \* 32 bytes = 320,000 bytes
+  - Internal Nodes: (2^14 - 1) \* 32 bytes = 524,256 bytes
+  - Total Storage Cost: (320,000 + 524,256) \* 0.00000348 SOL/byte (per epoch) =
+    2.94 SOL
+- Total Cost (Merkle Tree): 0.050005 SOL + 0.00007323 SOL + 2.94 SOL = 2.99 SOL
+
+Storage Costs using a ZK compression distribution strategy:
+
+- Compressed Token Account: The compressed token account stores the compressed
+  reward data
+  - Compressed Data Size: Assuming a compression ratio of 50%, the total
+    compressed data size would be approximately 500 KB
+  - Total Storage Cost: 500 _ 1024 _ 0.00000348 SOL/byte (per epoch) = 1.78 SOL
+- Total Cost (ZK Compression): 0.050005 SOL + 0.00000223 SOL + 1.78 SOL = 1.83
+  SOL
+
+## Proof of Contribution
+
+DePIN networks generally need a way to prove the contribution from network
+participants. The application needs a method of verifying that participants have
+provided the resource in question honestly and consistently.
+
+Reporting the contributions through Solana makes it possible to use the
+blockchain’s inherent security properties to enable the secure validation of the
+contribution. The public nature of transactions on the blockchain allows for
+transparency that can be used to create a higher level of economic security.
+
+While almost all DePIN networks require proof-of-contribution in some form, the
+exact mechanism can vary significantly from protocol to protocol. A number of
+teams are building tooling to help DePIN projects develop their proof of
+contribution models:
+[Proof of Location by Witness Chain](https://docs.witnesschain.com/depin-coordination-layer/proof-of-location-testnet/introduction),
+[Proof of Coverage by Helium](https://docs.helium.com/iot/proof-of-coverage).
+
+## Governance
+
+DePIN protocols tend to follow a path of measured, gradual decentralization that
+shifts decision-making for the protocol to on-chain governance by token holders
+over time. This could take the form of a social framework like a
+[DAO](https://www.realms.today/) or leverage
+[liquid restaking](https://docs.fragmetric.xyz/fragsol/).
+
+For examples, see
+[Modular Governance by Helium](https://docs.helium.com/governance/staking-with-helium-vote/)
+or
+[Network Governance by Hivemapper](https://docs.hivemapper.com/welcome/network-governance).
+
+## Migrations
+
+If you are a DePIN builder who has historically only been familiar with building
+on EVM, not to worry! A number of large DePIN teams who began on EVM chains have
+successfully migrated to Solana (see RNDR, Geodnet, and Xnet, amongst others).
+There are
+[specific resources to help developers make the transition from EVM to SVM](https://solana.com/developers/evm-to-svm).
+Bridge infrastructure like
+[Wormhole’s NTT](https://wormhole.com/products/native-token-transfers)
+streamline the process of shifting your tokens to Solana.

content/guides/depin/index.md

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+---
+metaOnly: true
+title: DePIN
+---