Call for Papers

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) have demonstrated immense potential in efficiently building and managing global infrastructure through token-driven incentives, decentralized governance, and shared ownership. In particular, token incentives lower the capital investment cost, and shared ownership reduces the operational cost. Nevertheless, to ensure this success is sustainable, critical challenges remain—ranging from fair contributor incentivization, robust governance and designing viable business models, to effective data quality assessment and secure infrastructure implementations. This conference will bring together researchers, industry experts, and practitioners to discuss novel solutions in DePIN, as well as to explore how emerging technologies such as AI can enhance and expand DePIN’s capabilities. By identifying key challenges and mapping new research directions, the conference aims to advance a more resilient and value-aligned decentralized infrastructure ecosystem.

We invite both, already published and original research that extends the state-of-the-art in DePIN technologies, theoretical foundations, real-world applications, and intersections with emerging technologies. Submissions addressing either core DePIN challenges or interdisciplinary contributions that facilitate cross-learning/ synergies are welcomed.

We particularly welcome submissions of previously published work that can meaningfully contribute to the emerging DePIN research field, even if not originally developed within it. Original research admitted to the conference will be invited to be presented at the workshop on DePIN at IEEE Brains 2025 and thus enter the proceedings of that conference.

Topics of interest (including but not limited to)

  • System Architectures and Implementations of DePIN
  • Network Science approaches to DePIN
  • Participatory Sensing & Citizen Science in Infrastructure
  • Experimental Evaluations, Performance Analysis and Case Studies
  • Tokenomics, Incentive Mechanisms, and Game Theory
  • Governance Protocols and DAO Research for DePIN
  • Community Building and Organizational Structures in DePIN
  • Value-sensitive Design of DePIN systems
  • Security, Privacy & Identity in decentralized systems
  • Emergent Behavior in Complex Decentralized Networks
  • Hardware, Firmware, and Device Identity for robust distributed deployments
  • Business Models, Monetization Strategies and Legal considerations
  • Regulation and Ethics in DePIN
  • Bridging Complex Systems, AI & Distributed Systems
  • Cross-Chain Protocols & Layer-2 Solutions for DePIN

Important Dates

  • Paper Submission Deadline: 03.08.2025
  • Notification of Acceptance: On a rolling basis until 31.08.2025
  • Camera-Ready Version Due: 09.09.2025
  • Conference Dates: 16.09.2025 & 17.09.2025

Note: The call for papers is open. All submitted papers will undergo a double-blind peer review (with a rebuttal period). The papers will be evaluated on a rolling basis encouraging submissions before the deadline. At least one author of each accepted paper must register and present at the conference.

Submission Guidelines

We welcome submissions of both original research and previously published work. All accepted papers will be invited to present at this conference. Additionally, accepted original contributions will be invited to present at IEEE Brains 2025—and, upon presentation there, will be included in its proceedings.

Submission Format

  • Original (new) full papers should not exceed 15 pages (including references); submissions of previously published work may retain the original publication’s length
  • Maximum of 5 pages for short papers (describing work in progress).
  • Papers must be written in English
  • Original (new) research must follow the IEEE 2-column format; submissions of previously published work may retain the original format

Double-Blind Review

For original (new) research submissions, please anonymize your manuscript by removing all identifying information—author names, institutional affiliations, and funding acknowledgments—prior to submission.

EasyChair Submission

Please submit your PDF paper to the EasyChair system: https://easychair.org/my/conference?conf=depin1

Conference Committees 

Steering Committee 

  • Dr. Mark Ballandies, University of Zurich & WiHi

  • Dr. Xinxin Fan, IoTeX

  • Dr. Jens Hunhevicz, Empa & ETH Zürich

  • Prof. Uroš Kalabić, Singidunum University & Pure DePIN

  • Dr. Sachit Mahajan, ETH Zürich

  • Prof. Heinrich Nax, University of Zurich

  • Dr. Florian Spychiger, DAO Swiss & Zurich University of Applied Sciences 

  • Prof. Evangelos Pournaras, University of Leeds

  • Prof. Benedikt Soja, ETH Zürich

  • Prof. Claudio Tessone, University of Zurich

  • Hongyang Wang, DAO Swiss & ETH Zurich

Program Committee

  • Dr. Felix Härer, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
  • Raphael Knechtli, DCAP
  • Benjamin Kraner, University of Zurich
  • Krzysztof Paruch, Token Engineering Labs