Walrus is a decentralized storage and data availability protocol built on the Sui blockchain, designed to handle large-scale, real-world data such as AI datasets, media files, documents, and Web3 application content. Its mission is to make unstructured data programmable, cost-efficient, and interoperable with smart contracts, solving one of the biggest limitations of blockchain systems today.
Walrus leverages Sui for metadata management, cryptographic proofs, and coordination, while actual data is distributed across a decentralized network of storage nodes. Using Red Stuff Erasure Coding, files are broken into encoded fragments and spread across nodes, increasing fault tolerance while reducing storage costs compared to traditional replication-heavy models.
The network is secured through a delegated proof-of-stake mechanism. Storage providers stake WAL tokens to participate, users pay WAL for storage services, and token holders govern protocol parameters such as pricing and incentives. WAL has a fixed supply of 5 billion tokens, with the majority allocated to community rewards, ecosystem growth, and developer incentives.
Walrus mainnet launched on March 27, 2025, and adoption has accelerated quickly, with more than 120 projects already using the protocol. WAL is listed on major exchanges including Binance, Upbit, Gate.io, Bybit, and Kraken, improving global access and liquidity.
Strategically, Walrus is positioning itself as core infrastructure for Web3 and verifiable AI, enabling transparent, censorship-resistant data storage that supports real-time applications. With live usage, strong ecosystem momentum, and deep integration with Sui, Walrus is shaping the future of decentralized data infrastructure.
