en Hamburg, 10 March 2025 - The concept of Decentralized Physical AI (DePAI) gained attention following Jensen Huang’s CES keynote in January 2025, where the NVIDIA CEO introduced the term “Physical AI.” Shortly after, Messari coined “DePAI” to describe the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure powering AI-driven robotics and autonomous systems.
At its core, DePAI brings together robotics, agentic AI, spatial intelligence, and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs). It envisions embodied AIs — robots and machines — operating autonomously, with agency and sovereignty in a Web3-based Machine Economy.
More than just a technological evolution, DePAI creates a framework for individuals to own and control AI models through digital asset mechanisms. This empowers users to contribute to AI development while benefiting from its economic value.
The DePAI Ecosystem & Layers
DePAI consists of several interconnected layers, each playing a vital role in advancing decentralized AI and robotics:
Hardware: Physical robots serve as AI’s bridge to the real world, allowing models to interact with their environment. Leading players include Tesla, Frodobots and Unitree.
Software: AI agents power robotic intelligence and autonomy. Notable projects include Zereboro and Eliza.
Data Collection: For AI to evolve, it requires real-world data. These projects focus on gathering and processing data: MapMetrics, Silencio, teneo, SkyX, HyperWay, ROVR, 375 AI, GEODNET, Natix, Spexi and Bee maps.
Spatial Intelligence: Spatial intelligence enables robots to understand and navigate the physical world, functioning as a decentralized, machine-readable digital twin of reality. Key players include: Auki, Meshmap and Over the Reality.
Infrastructure Networks (DePINs): DePINs provide essential data storage, computing power, and energy infrastructure for DePAI’s expansion.
Machine Economy & Blockchain Protocols: Blockchain protocols ensure interoperability, security, and coordination across AI models, robots, and DePINs. Projects such as peaq, Auki and IoTeXwill also contribute to the machine coordination networks.
DePAI DAOs: Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) fund and govern DePAI initiatives, allowing individuals and businesses to co-own and earn from AI-driven projects. A Notable DePAI DAO is XMAQUINA.
Challenges Facing DePAI
While DePAI represents a breakthrough in AI, robotics, and blockchain, it faces several challenges:
- Scalability: Mass adoption requires significantly more data and computing power.
- Infrastructure & Speed: High-speed data transfer and robust infrastructure are essential.
- Interoperability: Seamless interaction between DePIN networks and blockchains is crucial for data sharing, cross-chain transactions, and AI-driven automation. Common frameworks, such as peaq ID, can ensure machine identification, interaction, and secure data exchange.
coinIX & DePAI: Investing in the Future
Messari recently published a DePAI ecosystem map, highlighting three projects where coinIX had already invested (NATIX, peaq, XMAQUINA); demonstrating its early commitment to this space.
coinIX invested in NATIX in September 2020, supporting the world’s largest AI camera network, which enables real-world data collection. In April 2020, we also invested in peaq, a machine coordination network designed to ensure interoperability for AI-powered automation.
More recently, we announced our investment in XMAQUINA, a DePAI DAO that promotes shared ownership, governance, and the development of decentralized robotics. Additionally, coinIX has contributed to BRICKS Virtuals, which is like a shopping mall for AI agents.
Moritz Schildt, CEO of coinIX, commented: “DePAI (Decentralized Physical Artificial Intelligence) is emerging as a global movement. Following our successful investment in peaq, we are excited to help shape the future of the machine economy and the convergence of AI and blockchain through our participation in the XMAQUINA Genesis Auction.”
VCs & DePAI
Venture capitalists have been showing growing enthusiasm for this sector. Multicoin Capital revealed an $8 million liquid investment in GEODNET, betting on the protocol’s potential to tap into DePAI and robotics-driven revenue through its RTK correction services. Earlier in February, Frodobots — the first robot network leveraging DePIN — secured an $8 million funding round to support the development of Bitrobot and Robots.fun, a launchpad designed for physical AI agent robots in collaboration with Virtuals.
The broader robotics industry has been gaining momentum, thanks to major advancements from companies like NVIDIA and Figure. As a result, we expect to see an influx of crypto-based projects aimed at addressing DePAI applications, much like the surge in DeAI initiatives over the past two years. However, for now, DePAI will likely remain a focus for VC investors, as the field still requires foundational breakthroughs in Physical AI models before crypto and DePIN can deliver truly transformative results. At this stage, the most significant opportunity in DePAI lies in data collection, which plays a key role in training and optimizing Physical AI systems, with additional potential in gaming and entertainment.
Conclusion
DePAI is rapidly reshaping the AI, robotics, and Web3 landscape, enabling decentralized ownership, AI-driven automation, and machine sovereignty. Despite challenges, continued investment in scalable infrastructure, data networks, and blockchain interoperability will drive its mass adoption and real-world impact.
With its early and strategic investments, coinIX is playing a key role in shaping the future of DePAI — helping build the foundation for a decentralized, intelligent, and autonomous machine economy.
About coinIX GmbH & Co. KGaA
Founded in 2017 and based in Hamburg, coinIX GmbH & Co. KGaA specializes in blockchain investments and digital assets. The firm’s team includes experts in asset management, venture capital, and emerging technologies.
coinIX invests in cryptocurrencies, token projects, and blockchain startups within decentralized markets. The company’s shares are publicly traded on the Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Munich stock exchanges (WKN: A2LQ1G | ISIN: DE000A2LQ1G5 | Ticker: XCX).
More information: www.coinix.capital
About coinIX COINVEST SCI1
The coinIX COINVEST SCI1 is a German special AIF (Alternative Investment Fund) launched in June 2022, managed by coinIX Capital GmbH, a registered capital management firm. The fund is available exclusively to professional and semi-professional investors and can invest up to 100% of its capital in crypto assets.
It actively manages a diversified digital asset portfolio, generating additional income through staking and blockchain-native financial strategies. The fund’s ISIN is DE000A408Q55, and investments can only be made directly through coinIX. It is not available to private investors. More details: coinIX COINVEST SCI1.