A pivotal moment arrived for blockchain enthusiasts and decentralized tech developers when SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce released a statement on September 29, 2025, tied to a no-action relief for DoubleZero. This move clarifies rules around token rewards in decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), potentially accelerating progress and widespread use in this field.
DePIN offers a fresh way to coordinate assets and collaborative work beyond conventional company setups. According to Peirce, it lets users share tangible resources like storage space, network connectivity, location data, or power via transparent, direct-to-direct exchanges.
In contrast to top-down systems, DePIN thrives on collective input, with contributors managing nodes or delivering services for token-based rewards. These tokens act as practical motivators to launch and sustain operations, compensating real contributions instead of serving as mere investment vehicles. At the heart of this regulatory insight is the sidestepping of the Howey Test, the classic benchmark for identifying securities. Peirce points out that DePIN tokens avoid classification as investment contracts since they don’t offer gains reliant on third-party management.
Rather, they’re automatically allocated as payment for tasks like node maintenance or resource sharing. This key difference means DePIN efforts aren’t typical capital raises from idle speculators seeking profits. By exempting these from securities oversight, the relief eases fears that might hinder expansion. Such direction comes at a perfect time with DePIN surging in areas like communications, utilities, and information handling. Examples include motivating people to set up gear for distributed connectivity or aid in worldwide data collection, all orchestrated through blockchain. Peirce cautions against squeezing these into rigid securities rules, noting the SEC’s role is limited to investment markets, not every economic endeavor.
She remarks that labeling such tokens as securities could “hinder the expansion of dispersed service networks,” underscoring the risks of excessive control. The DoubleZero relief demonstrates forward-thinking regulation, urging creators to prioritize development over legal hurdles. Peirce advocates for the SEC to interact constructively with initiatives, understanding their mechanics and enforcing laws accurately.
This could inspire similar projects, creating a space where blockchain fulfills everyday needs free from excessive red tape. In the future, Peirce’s views promote a key idea: let competition shape tech success, not oversight bodies.
With DePIN maturing, this assurance might draw greater involvement and funding, building sturdy, spread-out systems for public good. Amid ongoing ambiguities in the sector, this marks a positive stride toward enhanced creativity. Pacioli.ai showcases DePIN’s role in oversight adherence. This network facilitates independent checks on financial and other reports, including crypto documents per MiCA and soon to be GENIUS and CLARITY disclosure standards. Pacioli.ai automates the creation of machine readable disclosures. Pacioli Node operators validate precision, uniformity, and compliance, gaining incentives along the way. It promotes openness, cuts expenses, and builds confidence in digital assets, resonating with Peirce’s push for barrier-free progress.