Walrus Protocol is a next-generation decentralized storage and data availability network built to support large-scale, data-heavy applications in Web3. Developed to work natively with the Sui blockchain, Walrus focuses on efficiently storing and serving large files—often referred to as “blobs”—such as videos, images, NFTs, game assets, AI datasets, and other unstructured data that traditional blockchains cannot handle directly.
Unlike centralized cloud storage providers, Walrus distributes data across a network of independent storage nodes. Files are broken into encoded fragments using advanced redundancy techniques, allowing the network to recover data even if some nodes go offline. This approach ensures high availability, fault tolerance, and strong resistance to censorship or data loss, making Walrus well-suited for mission-critical decentralized applications.
A key innovation of Walrus is programmable storage. By integrating closely with Sui’s high-performance blockchain, storage operations can be referenced and controlled by smart contracts. This enables developers to build applications where data access, permissions, monetization, and lifecycle management are enforced on-chain, opening new possibilities for decentralized media platforms, gaming, DePIN projects, and AI-driven applications.
Walrus operates with a staking-based security model supported by its native token, WAL. Token holders can stake or delegate WAL to storage providers, helping secure the network while earning rewards. The token is also used to pay for storage services and participate in governance decisions, aligning incentives between users, developers, and node operators.
By combining scalable storage, cryptographic security, and seamless blockchain integration, Walrus Protocol aims to become a foundational data layer for Web3—bridging the gap between decentralized computation and real-world data needs while supporting the next generation of decentralized and AI-powered applications.