Walrus is a decentralized storage and data-availability protocol built on the Sui blockchain. It allows developers to securely store large filesālike media, datasets, or AI modelsāwhile ensuring those data are verifiable, traceable, and programmable using smart contracts.
Unique Technology: RedāÆStuff Erasure Coding
RedāÆStuff, Walrusās encoding algorithm, splits files into many encrypted "slivers" stored across different nodes. Even if many nodes fail, files can be fully reconstructed. [blog.mexc.com], [gate.com]
This method reduces storage costs by ~80% compared to Filecoin and ~99% compared to Arweave, while ensuring high data durability. [bitget.com], [blog.mexc.com]
Built for Programmability
Metadata and proofs of data availability are stored on-chain in Sui, with the actual file blobs off-chain. Smart contracts control access, payments, expirations, and more.
This enables rich appsāsuch as NFTs with private media, decentralized websites, and AI-first systemsāto build directly on a trustable data layer.
WAL Token: The Heart of the Ecosystem
Native currency: WAL is used to pay for storage, bandwidth, and network participation.
Staking & governance: Node operators stake WAL and earn rewards. Token holders participate in governance decisions. [walrus.xyz], [blog.mexc.com]
Deflationary design: Short-term stake changes and poor node performance trigger fee burnsākeeping the token supply in check.
Backing & Ecosystem Momentum
$140 million raised: In a private sale led by Standard Crypto, with heavyweight investors like a16z Crypto, Electric Capital & more.
Built by Mysten Labs: The same core team behind Sui, making Walrus a key component in the āSui Stackā of decentralized infrastructure.
Active integrations: The platform already supports features like Quilt (small-file optimization), Seal (encryption and access control), and Walrus Sites (decentralized web hosting).
Real-World Uses & Benefits
š Cost-effective storage: Significantly cheaper than centralized alternatives.
š High availability: Resilient to part of the network failing.
š Secure & private: Data encrypted, access controlled, and traceable.
š Supports innovative apps: Ideal for Web3 use casesāprivate media, NFT hosting, AI agents, decentralized webpages. [nansen.ai], [generallink.top]
Market Snapshot
Price:
Around $0.14ā$0.15 per WAL, with a market cap between $220ā240M.
Supply:
Circulating ~1.58B WAL of a total 5B max.
Active trading:
Listed on major platforms including Binance, Kraken, CoinGecko, and CoinMarketCap.
Why It Matters ?
Walrus tackles a key infrastructure challenge: scalable, reliable, and programmable data storage for Web3. It brings decentralized storage performance thatās close to centralized providersābut with better trust, governance, and cost savings. Backed by top investors and built into core blockchain infrastructure, it sets the stage for a more open, secure, and intelligent internet.
Bottom line: If youāre following innovations in AI, decentralized apps, NFTs, or data infrastructure, Walrus is a must-watch. Its mix of tech, utility, backing, and real-world use positions it well for meaningful impact in Web3.
