Infrastructure tokens usually fail for one simple reason: unpredictable costs. If using the network means taking full exposure to token volatility, serious users won’t commit. Walrus addresses this directly by designing storage pricing to remain stable in fiat terms over time.
That detail matters more than most headlines. It’s the difference between “interesting tech” and something builders can rely on long term. WAL functions as the payment layer for storage, but users aren’t forced to gamble on price swings just to keep their data online.
As of Jan 12, 2026, WAL trades around $0.14 with a market cap near $225M. That puts it in an awkward but interesting zone—liquid enough to trade, volatile enough for narratives to temporarily dominate fundamentals.
For traders, that creates opportunity. For investors, the real signal won’t be price spikes. It’ll be steady growth in stored data and consistent demand for storage services. That’s when a token stops being theoretical and starts being real.