Decentralized storage is often described as essential infrastructure for Web3, yet it remains one of the least mature areas of the ecosystem. Blockchains were never designed to handle large files, and storing media directly on-chain is inefficient and expensive. Because of this, many decentralized applications still depend on centralized storage providers, creating hidden points of control.
Walrus ($WAL) takes a more grounded approach to this problem. Rather than promising universal or permanent storage, it focuses on reliability and flexibility. Large files are divided into fragments, reinforced with redundancy through erasure coding, and distributed across independent storage nodes. Even if a portion of the network becomes unavailable, data can still be reconstructed.
Walrus also acknowledges an important reality: most data does not need to live forever. Storage is time-based, allowing developers to manage costs while keeping data accessible when it matters. This model aligns better with how modern applications evolve.
Walrus is not designed to replace traditional cloud storage for everyday users. Its value lies in resilience, censorship resistance, and better alignment between on-chain logic and off-chain data. For Web3 builders, that practicality makes it worth attention.