WAL is the native token that anchors the Walrus protocol, a permissionless and decentralized data storage network built for long-term sustainability. Instead of chasing short-term incentives, WAL is designed to create stable pricing, efficient resource allocation, and reduced adversarial behavior among storage nodes.
WAL functions as the payment layer for storage. Users pay upfront in WAL to store data for a fixed period, while the token is distributed gradually to storage nodes and stakers. This time-based distribution protects users from token price volatility and ensures node operators receive predictable compensation. A 10% subsidy allocation further supports early adoption by lowering storage costs without compromising node profitability.
Security is reinforced through staking and slashing. WAL penalizes short-term stake movements and underperforming storage nodes, discouraging instability and rewarding long-term commitment. A portion of these penalties is burned, introducing deflationary pressure that aligns token supply with network performance.
With more than 60% of WAL allocated to the community, Walrus places governance, sustainability, and decentralized ownership at the center of its design
