The idea behind decentralised physical infrastructure networks, often called DePIN, is to move ownership and control of key infrastructure from a small group of corporations to the wider community. It treats real world devices and sensors as the foundation of new services, while using blockchain to coordinate data sharing and reward contributors.

MastChain brings this vision into the maritime world. It is not just a theoretical crypto idea but an active project already onboarding people who run automatic identification system receivers. These participants collect ship broadcast data and earn rewards for doing so. By gathering data from thousands of affordable receivers and anchoring it on a decentralised ledger, MastChain aims to build a global intelligence layer for maritime activity. This article explores how the project works, why DePIN matters here, and what this community driven network could become.

Understanding DePIN in practice

A DePIN network combines three layers. First come the physical devices, which can be sensors, routers, storage units or, in MastChain’s case, radio receivers. These devices capture data or deliver a service. The blockchain layer then records the contributions in a tamper resistant way. On top of this sits the token incentive system that rewards participants and keeps the network growing.

This model is already proven by projects such as Helium for wireless coverage, Filecoin for decentralised storage and Render for community powered GPU rendering. Each grew by letting people turn hardware they already owned into something productive.

MastChain follows this approach for maritime data. It is designed for crypto savvy users and has already launched an alpha testnet that collects AIS signals using low cost hardware. The reward structure is intended to challenge the dominance held by a few centralised maritime data brokers.

The maritime data challenge

Global shipping relies on AIS broadcasts to share a vessel’s identity, position, speed and direction. This information is vital for navigation, safety and logistics. Today a handful of companies collect and sell AIS data using satellites and land based receivers. Governments, shipping firms and financial institutions pay high fees for access to this information.

At the same time many hobbyists run their own AIS receivers out of personal interest. They often send their data to marine tracking sites yet rarely receive compensation. MastChain flips that model. Each receiver operator becomes a stakeholder and earns MAST Token for each validated ship signal they share. The aim is to assemble the world’s most accurate AIS dataset by aligning incentives with the people who actually provide the coverage.

How MastChain nodes operate

A MastChain node is a compact computer connected to radio hardware that listens to AIS broadcasts and sends the decoded information to the network. A popular kit includes a Raspberry Pi, a USB software defined radio dongle and a VHF antenna. To

build one you need:

A Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 with USB and internet accessAn SDR dongle such as an RTL SDR capable of receiving around 162 MHzA VHF antenna tuned for AIS frequencies, ideally positioned high for better rangeA continuous power source and internet connectionOptional GPS or NTP sync for precise timestamps

The project encourages openness. As the team puts it, a true DePIN network should let anyone build their own receiver station rather than depending on expensive branded hardware. Once assembled, the user installs software that decodes AIS broadcasts and forwards them to MastChain. Tools like AIS catcher or rtlAIS process the radio data, while the MastChain client handles blockchain submission. No advanced technical expertise is required and you do not need maritime experience to participate.

Earning MAST Token

Node operators earn MAST Token when their submitted data passes the network’s validation checks. Rewards depend on data quality, uniqueness of coverage and uptime. Contributors in remote areas or those who provide consistently fresh data can earn more.

The supply of MAST Token is capped at 500 million, with a fixed emission rate for contributor rewards. Operators must also stake a small deposit that can be forfeited if they try to submit fraudulent data. Rewards unlock after a 10 day period, which helps deter manipulation.

Why people join

MastChain has a goal of onboarding far more AIS receivers than any current provider. Early joiners benefit the most, as they earn a larger share of emissions while the network is still growing. For people near coasts or major rivers, running a node can produce meaningful passive income while contributing to maritime safety, environmental protection and supply chain visibility.

Architecture and technology

MastChain applies layered validation to every AIS message. Each signal is checked for geographic plausibility, timing accuracy and radio integrity before being accepted. This reduces spoofing and strengthens trust in the dataset. The project currently runs on the Shibuya testnet within the Astar ecosystem on Polkadot. Using the Polkadot development kit gives the network fast finality and easy integration with other decentralised infrastructure projects.

A move to a dedicated mainnet is part of the longer term plan. The testnet phase allows early contributors to help shape the reward system and participate before full token economics go live. Milestones include the release of a whitepaper and patent filing, expansion into new regions and token liquidity provisioning by late 2025, with mainnet and full reward distribution following in 2026.

MastChain and DePIN: the wider impact

Ending centralised control

By crowdsourcing AIS data from thousands of independent receivers, MastChain challenges the hold that a few commercial data brokers have on maritime visibility. Instead of paying high subscription fees, anyone can access high fidelity ship data, while the people supplying it are compensated. This fits the wider Web3 goal of turning users into stakeholders.

Better coverage and accuracy

With only a few thousand AIS receivers in operation among traditional providers, many areas remain uncovered. MastChain hopes to scale to as many as one hundred thousand nodes, improving both coverage and precision. Each message is verified by multiple contributors, cutting spoofed signals and improving maritime safety.

Opening the door to new applications

High quality AIS data supports a wide range of use cases. MastChain highlights applications such as anti smuggling enforcement, environmental monitoring, decentralised insurance and open source intelligence. Accurate vessel tracking can reveal illegal fishing, monitor emissions, support ecological research and give insurers better risk modelling. It can also strengthen global supply chain operations by improving visibility and planning.

Community ownership and economic benefit

By earning tokens, participants gain a direct share in the value created by the network. This encourages long term involvement and promotes sustainable growth. Early contributors are already deploying nodes across many countries. For coastal communities, this can become an accessible source of income tied to infrastructure they help maintain.

Looking ahead to 2026

The DePIN sector is entering a mature phase. After rapid expansion from under one hundred projects in 2022 to more than one thousand by 2024, the market is now consolidating. Well run networks with clear business models are scaling globally while weaker projects fall away. The sector continues to attract significant venture capital funding, showing strong institutional interest.

For MastChain, 2026 is positioned as the year the project moves from early development into broad deployment. By the start of the year, the team expects to complete the transition from testnet to mainnet. Thousands of AIS nodes will be providing validated real time data. The priorities will include expanding into under served regions, enabling contributors in developing countries and strengthening liquidity for the MAST Token as demand grows among both node operators and institutions.

The roadmap for 2026 includes securing commercial data contracts, expanding exchange listings for MAST Token and scaling fraud detection. These steps aim to establish MastChain as a new standard for decentralised maritime intelligence.

Artificial intelligence will also play a larger role across the DePIN space. MastChain plans to use AI to analyse global data streams, identify anomalies in real time and forecast vessel movements. This could support insurers, commodity traders, logistics providers and environmental monitoring groups. As more DePIN networks adopt AI assisted optimisation, MastChain’s combination of decentralised hardware, blockchain verified data and predictive analytics may set it apart as one of the strongest commercial players in the field.