- Nansen believes that DePIN and NodeFi are the most active DeFi verticals
- Nansen released a report showing that the DeFi world is also shifting to AI
- Other DeFi verticals with notable growth potential include RWAs, NFTs, and gaming
Blockchain analytics platform Nansen has released a report showing that NodeFi and DePIN projects are the most active DeFi verticals. Compiled in partnership with MetaStreet, a DeFi platform, the report also reveals that the DeFi world is reducing its focus on ERC-20 tokens. According to Nansen, DeFi, as we know it today, will either become obsolete or stagnate in growth due to the emergence of other technologies in the space, something that’s likely to pave the way for AI-powered decentralized finance.
DePIN and NodeFi Can Realize Yields of up to 100%
The report disclosed that decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) projects have the highest growth potential. It added that developers in this space should focus on “everything adjacent to AI, smart intersections with DeFi,” and “new types of sensory networks, and platforms to create markets for these assets.”
DePIN projects encompass things like decentralized data storage and decentralized computing like GPU-as-a-service programs. Nansen estimates that the DePIN sector is likely to record token yields of between 30% and 100%.
DePIN’s interaction with the GPU sectors links it to the AI sector since GPUs’ are at the core of training AI models. Nansen noted that the DePIN sector has a strong link to the AI world, although the connection is in its early stages.
Nansen also anticipates that the NodeFi space will record notable growth, especially for NodeFi projects concentrating on the “intersection with DePIN [and] transferable licenses with DeFi integration.”
AI Fever Is Also Spreading to Web3
The NodeFi market can realize yields of up to 100% collected mostly in “network fees, […] node utilization, [and] token emissions.”
The report comes barely a week after DappRadar revealed that AI-driven DApps contributed to the growth of web3 in Q3, 2024. According to DappRadar, web3 users are turning to “automation and data-driven decision-making.”
With DePIN and NodeFi projected to take over the DeFi world, it’s to be seen whether existing DeFi projects will adapt to the change.
