peaq is the leading Layer-1 blockchain for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) and Machine RWAs, providing the digital rails for machines, robots, and vehicles to transact and provide value autonomously. As of February 2026, the peaq ecosystem hosts over 60 DePINs across 22 industries, securing millions of devices and machines on-chain through high-performance infrastructure designed for real-world scaling.
In this article, you will learn what peaq is, the technical architecture behind its "Machine Economy" stack, the role of the PEAQ token, how its modular functions are revolutionizing sectors from autonomous mobility to community-owned energy grids, and how to trade PEAQ perpetuals on the BingX futures market.
What Is peaq (PEAQ) Machine Economy Layer-1 Blockchain?
peaq's on-chain statistics as of December 2025 | Source: peaq blog
peaq is a Layer-1 blockchain specifically optimized for the Machine Economy, a $100 trillion vision where machines operate as independent economic agents. Unlike general-purpose blockchains, peaq is engineered to handle the unique demands of physical infrastructure, such as high transaction frequency, low costs, and seamless machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.
Peaq operates through three core technological pillars:
1. High-Performance Infrastructure: Leveraging parallelized block production and asynchronous backing, peaq handles 10,000 TPS and scaling to 100,000+ TPS, ensuring that as millions of devices join the network, transaction costs remain ultra-low at approx. $0.00025.
2. Modular DePIN Functions: A "plug-and-play" toolkit for developers that includes peaq ID (Self-Sovereign Machine Identities), peaq Pay, and peaq Access, allowing builders to deploy complex machine logic with minimal code.
3. The Machine Economy Stack: A holistic framework consisting of the peaq L1 (the computer), meOS (the operating system), and the Apps/Machines layers that create a unified ecosystem for DePIN projects.
In 2025, peaq transitioned from a nascent network into a global infrastructure powerhouse. Its "Machine Economy Free Zone" in Dubai, supported by VARA, has become a primary hub for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, while major integrations with Mastercard and Bosch have validated its enterprise-grade security.
What Are the Key Components of the peaq Ecosystem?
The peaqosystem is a diverse array of DePINs, infrastructure providers, and enterprises collaborating to build a community-owned physical world.
• Silencio: A noise-pollution monitoring network with over 1.2 million users, rewarding participants for gathering acoustic data to train AI.
• DeNet: A decentralized storage network with more than 6 million nodes, turning idle PC and smartphone memory into secure, global cloud storage.
• Teneo Protocol: A decentralized AI agent network where users mint and monetize custom AI agents on peaq, recently launching its "Agent Console" in January 2026.
• MapMetrics: A community-powered navigation app with over 200,000 drivers, providing an on-chain alternative to Google Maps.
• Machine DeFi: A financial sub-layer where machine-generated value is tokenized, allowing communities to crowdfund robots or trade "Machine RWAs."
How Does peaq Network Work?
peaq app | Source: peaq blog
peaq replaces centralized IoT silos with a decentralized, interoperable network where hardware and software can communicate without intermediaries. It achieves this through a dual-consensus mechanism and a specialized machine-centric software stack.
1. peaq ID: Decentralized Machine Identities
Every device on peaq, whether it's a Silencio noise sensor or a Tesla in an autonomous taxi fleet, is assigned a peaq ID. This multi-chain, self-sovereign identity allows machines to identify each other, verify data provenance, and establish trust without a central server.
2. Modular Function Deployment
Instead of building from scratch, developers use Modular DePIN Functions. For example, a "Drive-to-Earn" app can use the peaq Pay module to handle micropayments between vehicles and charging stations, and peaq Verify to authenticate that data gathered by the car's sensors is accurate.
3. x402: The Machine Payment Standard
A standout feature of peaq is its support for x402, a protocol that enables machine-to-machine micropayments over HTTPS. Using the "402 Payment Required" status code, machines can autonomously pay for APIs, data, or services, like a robot paying for a software update or a battery charge, using $PEAQ or stablecoins.
4. Scaling via Substrate and EVM Compatibility
Built on the Substrate framework, peaq offers native interoperability within the Polkadot ecosystem while remaining fully EVM compatible. This allows Ethereum developers to migrate their dApps to peaq with zero friction while benefiting from peaq’s specialized machine-centric features.
What Is the PEAQ Token Used For?
The $PEAQ token is the native utility asset and the "lifeblood" of the Machine Economy. Its value is tied directly to the scale and activity of the physical networks running on top of it.
• Transaction Fees: Every machine-to-machine interaction, data upload, and payment on the network requires $PEAQ as gas.
• Staking & Security: Validators and delegators stake $PEAQ to secure the network, earning a portion of transaction fees and inflation rewards.
• On-Chain Governance: Token holders vote on network upgrades, treasury spending, and the subsidization of new machine types.
• Machine Subsidies: A portion of the protocol's inflation is dedicated to the Machine Subsidization Pool, which incentivizes the onboarding of new hardware to the network.
Note: The PEAQ token follows a disinflationary model, starting at 3.5% inflation, which decreases by 10% annually until it stabilizes at a 1% floor.
How to Trade peaq (PEAQ) on BingX
PEAQ/USDT perpetual contract on the futures market featuring BingX AI insights
Leveraging BingX’s AI-powered trading tools, you can trade PEAQ futures with real-time sentiment analysis and deep liquidity.
Long or Short PEAQ with Leverage on the Futures Market
BingX provides a professional-grade futures platform specifically for the PEAQ/USDT perpetual contract, allowing traders to capitalize on both rising and falling market trends.
1. Enable Futures Trading: Sign up on BingX, complete your identity verification, and transfer USDT from your Fund account to your Futures account.
2. Select the Contract: Navigate to the Futures tab and search for the PEAQ/USDT perpetual contract.
3. Choose Your Position:
• Go Long: If you expect the DePIN sector or the peaq ecosystem to grow, open a long position.
• Go Short: If you anticipate a price correction or a downturn in the Machine Economy narrative, open a short position.
4. Manage Risk with Leverage: Use BingX’s flexible leverage options to amplify your exposure.
Pro Tip: Apply BingX AI insights to monitor trend signals and set precise Stop-Loss and Take-Profit levels to manage volatility and liquidation risks effectively.
3 Key Considerations Before Investing in peaq (PEAQ)
Understanding the unique risks of the Machine Economy is essential for any trader looking to navigate the intersection of physical hardware and blockchain technology.
1. The DePIN Growth Narrative: PEAQ’s value is a bet on the "Machine Economy." If decentralized infrastructure fails to gain mainstream traction against centralized giants like AWS or Uber, utility for the token may stagnate.
2. Token Supply Dynamics: While disinflationary, peaq has periodic token unlocks for investors and the team. Investors should monitor these dates, such as the February 2026 private sale releases, to anticipate potential market pressure.
3. Hardware Dependency: Unlike pure DeFi protocols, peaq relies on the deployment of physical hardware. Supply chain issues or regulatory hurdles for IoT devices in certain regions could impact the network's growth rate.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy peaq (PEAQ) in 2026?
As of early 2026, peaq has transitioned from a conceptual project into a functional ecosystem supporting millions of on-chain devices and a wide array of DePINs. For participants seeking exposure to the intersection of AI-driven automation and blockchain, peaq offers a specialized infrastructure layer designed to handle the economic activity of autonomous machines and robots.
While the project is deeply integrated into over 22 industries and serves as a foundational "Global Computer for the Machine Economy," its long-term value remains tied to the mass adoption of decentralized hardware. As with any infrastructure-based asset, its growth is contingent upon the continued expansion of the DePIN sector and the successful onboarding of revenue-generating machines.
Risk Reminder: Cryptocurrency investments, particularly in emerging sectors like DePIN, carry significant risk. The price of $PEAQ is subject to market volatility, and the success of the protocol depends on hardware deployment and regulatory developments in the IoT space. Never invest more than you can afford to lose, and conduct thorough due diligence before making any financial decisions.