walrus

storage plays a vital role in our daily lives. From personal photos to important business documents, we depend on storage solutions to keep our information safe and accessible. However, traditional storage methods have significant limitations, especially in areas like security, scalability, and decentralisation.The Walrus Protocol is designed to address these limitations by offering a decentralised, scalable, and cost-effective solution for storing large binary objects, known as “blobs.” This protocol leverages blockchain technology to provide secure, efficient, and reliable data storage, ensuring users maintain full control over their information.But what makes the Walrus Protocol different from other storage solutions? To answer this question, let’s delve into its technical architecture, key features, and practical applications. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Walrus Protocol, explaining its unique capabilities and real-world uses.Press enter or click to view image in full scalable and efficient Decentralised storage solutionOverview of Walrus ProtocolLaunched in 2024 and developed by Mysten Labs, the Walrus Protocol is a decentralised storage and data availability solution built on the Sui blockchain, currently available only in a testing phase. It is specifically designed to handle large binary files, such as videos, images, and PDFs, in a secure, efficient, and cost-effective manner.Unlike traditional cloud storage services that rely on centralised servers, Walrus distributes data across a network of nodes. This decentralised approach enhances security, reduces the risk of data loss, and ensures users can access their files anytime, anywhere.Traditional blockchain storage faces challenges due to the need for full data replication across all validators, resulting in high redundancy, limited scalability, and inefficiency, especially for large files. Walrus overcomes these challenges by implementing erasure coding. This technique breaks data into smaller fragments while maintaining redundancy, allowing recovery even when some nodes are unavailable.By using a decentralised network of storage nodes, Walrus minimises storage overhead while preserving data integrity and availability. The protocol works seamlessly with the Sui blockchain to manage coordination, proof of data availability, and payment transactions. This combination makes Walrus a robust, scalable, and cost-effective solution suitable for a wide range of applications, which we will explore in more detail later.The Technical Architecture of Walrus ProtocolThe Walrus Protocol is designed to ensure secure and reliable file storage, even in cases of network failures or malicious attacks. Its architecture consists of three key components:Users: Individuals or applications that store and retrieve files, similar to library visitors borrowing or returning books.Storage Nodes: Computers that store file fragments, which are strategically distributed to enable redundancy and recovery.Sui Blockchain: The system’s central coordinator, much like a library’s management software, which organises file storage, processes transactions, and ensures efficient operation.How File Storage WorksWhen a user uploads a file, the system applies erasure coding, a process that divides the file into smaller pieces called “slivers.” Unlike a traditional library where books are stored in whole, Walrus stores transformed data fragments along with additional “repair data,” which allows reconstruction even if parts are lost. These slivers are then distributed across multiple storage nodes, ensuring that no single node contains the entire file.The Sui Blockchain keeps track of where each sliver is stored and manages payments to storage nodes for their services. If a user requests a file, the system retrieves enough slivers from different nodes to reconstruct the original file even if some fragments are missing or corrupted.Security and ReliabilityTo enhance security, the Walrus Protocol uses Merkle trees to verify data integrity. It also incorporates fault-tolerant mechanisms that allow file recovery even if up to two-thirds of storage nodes become unavailable or compromised.By distributing files across multiple nodes and using blockchain for coordination, the Walrus Protocol eliminates single points of failure. This decentralised approach significantly strengthens the system’s resilience against attacks and data loss.Key Features of Walrus ProtocolThe Walrus Protocol offers notable features that distinguish it from other storage systems, including:Press enter or click to view image in full sizeKey Features of Walrus ProtocolDecentralised Storage: Walrus distributes data across multiple storage nodes, eliminating reliance on a single central server. This decentralisation enhances data availability and security.Cost Efficiency: Through advanced techniques like erasure coding, Walrus reduces storage costs. Instead of duplicating entire files, it breaks them into smaller pieces, storing these fragments across different nodes. This method ensures data can be reconstructed even if some nodes fail, all while minimising storage overhead.High Availability and Reliability: Walrus Protocol ensures that users data is always accessible, even in extreme situations. It achieves this by replicating data across a subset of nodes, enhancing reliability, availability, and resistance to censorship.Epoch-Based Operations: The network operates in defined time periods called epochs. During each epoch, a committee of storage nodes is responsible for storing and managing data. This structure ensures that the network remains efficient and that responsibilities are clearly defined among nodes.Practical Applications and Use Cases of the Walrus ProtocolThe Walrus Protocol is being used in different industries, from media to decentralised applications and NFT marketplaces. Below are some practical applications and real-world use cases that demonstrate how the Walrus Protocol is making an impact.Decrypt: One notable implementation of the Walrus Protocol is its adoption by Decrypt, a Web3 media company. Decrypt plans to utilise Walrus for uploading and storing its content, demonstrating the protocol’s capability to handle large volumes of media data efficiently. This use case highlights Walrus’s potential in supporting media companies that require decentralised storage solutions for their content.Walrus Sites: Walrus Sites is an application of the protocol that enables the creation of decentralised frontends. This feature allows developers to build decentralised applications (dApps) with robust and scalable storage solutions. Walrus Sites can be linked to Sui objects, such as NFTs, and leverage Sui’s programmability for backend functionality, providing a comprehensive solution for decentralised web application development.Tusky: A key implementation of the Walrus Protocol is its integration with Tusky, a privacy-focused platform for decentralised content storage. Acting as a seamless gateway to Walrus, Tusky simplifies file uploads for NFTs, website assets, and other digital content. This highlights Walrus’s potential in providing secure, efficient, and scalable decentralised storage solutions for users and businesses seeking reliable data management.TradePort: Another practical implementation of the Walrus Protocol is its integration with TradePort, a multichain NFT marketplace. TradePort aims to leverage Walrus’s robust storage capabilities to store metadata for all NFT projects within its Move-based ecosystem. By utilising Walrus, TradePort ensures secure and efficient storage for both its existing NFT collections and new projects launched through its platform, highlighting the protocol’s reliability in supporting NFT infrastructure.Potential Future Applications of Walrus ProtocolWalrus Protocol can be applied in various other scenarios :Press enter or click to view image in full sizePractical Applications of the Walrus protocolMedia Storage: Users can store large files like videos and images that exceed the capacity of traditional blockchain systems. This ensures efficient, decentralised storage without the high costs or limitations of on-chain alternatives.Blockchain Archiving: The protocol allows for the archival storage of ledger data from various blockchains.AI Datasets: AI applications can also benefit from the Walrus Protocol, as it supports live-streaming data and training datasets. By providing a decentralised and scalable storage solution, it enhances the performance and reliability of machine learning models that require vast amounts of data for training.Web Hosting: Users can host decentralised websites that are accessible from any browser without relying on centralised servers.The Walrus Protocol TokenomicsThe Walrus Protocol relies on its native token, WAL, to power its ecosystem. WAL serves as the primary currency within the protocol, enabling users to pay for file storage and rewarding those who help maintain the network. To accommodate smaller transactions, WAL can be divided into smaller units called FROST, where one WAL equals one billion FROST.Get Lithium Digital’s stories in your inboxJoin Medium for free to get updates from this writer.SubscribeOne of the key functions of WAL is staking. Users can stake with any registered storage node, affecting that node’s voting weight. Staked WAL tokens also contribute to forming the epoch committee, which oversees network operations during a specific period.In addition to staking, WAL tokens are used to pay for data storage on the Walrus network, much like paying for cloud storage services. At the end of each epoch, participants including storage node operators and stakers receive WAL token rewards for their contributions, incentivising active involvement in the network.Beyond payments and rewards, WAL also grants governance rights. Token holders can vote on important decisions related to network upgrades and parameters, ensuring a decentralised, community-driven approach to the protocol’s development. This system not only improves storage efficiency and accessibility but also encourages users to actively support and maintain the network.Significant Milestones and Achievements of the Walrus ProtocolSince its launch, Walrus Protocol has reached several significant milestones, showcasing its growth and impact in the Web3 space.One of its most impactful initiatives was the “Breaking the Ice” Devnet Hackathon, launched on August 13, 2024. This event welcomed developers of all skill levels to build innovative projects on the Walrus platform, exploring diverse use cases such as decentralised applications and media storage interfaces. The community actively participated in shortlisting projects, with each shortlisted team receiving $500. The final winners shared a $30,000 prize pool, allowing developers to gain recognition and credibility within the Walrus ecosystem.The hackathon attracted over 200 developers and led to the recognition of ten outstanding projects utilising Walrus’ decentralised storage network. The winners included:Sui Meet — A Web3 matchmaking platformCyferio — A privacy-focused computation platformSui-ai-agents — A decentralised AI networkWalrus Share — A file-sharing applicationSecretLink — A secure, encrypted storage solutionDoomsday Protocol — An AI-driven strategic card gameDriftBottle, SuiS3, SuiPet, and de-docker-hub — Projects showcasing the versatility of Walrus’ infrastructureBefore the official announcement, a user on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted several other promising projects, including:Cable — an encrypted messaging appSuitizen — an on-chain identity initiativeJar Jar File Storage — a decentralised file storage solutionBlob Vault — a secure file encryption platformWalrus Wayback — a website archiving toolSuitok — a platform for video creatorsThese projects highlight the creativity and technical capabilities of the Web3 community while showcasing the potential of decentralised technology within the Walrus ecosystem.Following the success of the hackathon, Walrus launched its public Testnet on September 17, 2024. This phase introduced several key features, including API endpoints for deletable blobs, a data explorer developed by Staketab, and a tokenomics ecosystem for WAL, featuring staking and rewards. Additionally, Mysten Labs developed a staking app to enhance user engagement within the network.In addition to these technical advancements, Walrus expanded its ecosystem with the launch of SnowReads, a decentralised digital library. This platform provides open access to a vast collection of scientific papers in fields such as economics, computer science, and physics, utilising Walrus’ decentralised storage for efficient and reliable archival.Encouraging Community EngagementWalrus has also actively engaged its community through various initiatives, including a meme contest launched on January 22, 2025, with a total prize pool of 955 SUI. At the time of the announcement, one SUI token was valued at $4, according to CoinMarketCap. The contest aimed to encourage creativity and humour while strengthening community participation.Strategic Partnerships Driving GrowthBeyond these milestones, Walrus has forged strategic partnerships to expand its reach and utility. One of its key partners is Sui, which supports scalable smart contracts for seamless computing. On December 6, 2024, Walrus announced another major partnership with Creditcoin and Spacecoin, aimed at launching a groundbreaking DeFi project to enhance financial services and internet access in underserved regions worldwide.More recently, on January 28, 2025, TradePort, a multichain NFT marketplace, partnered with Walrus to leverage its decentralised storage for NFT metadata within TradePort’s Move-based ecosystem.Speaking on the partnership, Daniel Fritsche, Co-Founder of TradePort, stated:“Object-based NFTs rise far above what the NFTs of the 2022 boom were able to achieve. Thanks to their innate structure, Sui and other Move chains enable dynamic and composable NFTs. Combined with programmable storage, NFT metadata becomes dynamic and responsive, unlocking new use cases.”Press enter or click to view image in full sizeStrategic PartnershipsThese milestones and partnerships underscore Walrus Protocol’s continued growth, innovation, and commitment to advancing decentralised storage solutions while fostering a vibrant developer and user community.ConclusionWalrus Protocol offers a scalable, affordable, and effective alternative for traditional blockchain-based systems, marking an innovative change in decentralised storage. It guarantees high availability, lower replication costs, and security by utilising erasure coding, decentralised node storage, and connection with the Sui blockchain. The protocol is expected to develop into a key component of decentralised data storage, effectively enabling blockchain ecosystems and web3 apps. @Walrus 🦭/acc #walrus $WAL

@Walrus 🦭/acc
Decentralized storage solved availability long before it solved responsibility. Public-by-default systems worked until real-world data—health records, business files, premium content, and personal archives—required careful protection. Exposure in these cases isn’t about secrecy for secrecy’s sake; it’s about preventing harm. Walrus’ evolution shows a recognition that persistence alone is not enough—control must be as decentralized and enforceable as availability.

In September 2025, Walrus introduced onchain access control through its Seal feature, integrating encryption and policy enforcement directly into the network. Access rules are enforced onchain, and decryption occurs only when those rules are satisfied. Trust is distributed across a threshold committee of independent key servers, ensuring no single party can unilaterally grant access. Builders can select key server providers to balance trust, performance, and decentralization.

This innovation changes the shape of potential failure. Data remains available while privacy is guaranteed, without relying on centralized gatekeepers. Misconfigurations and operational mistakes are inevitable, but onchain access policies create a clear, auditable trail that allows disputes to be resolved systematically rather than relying on luck or human intervention.

Walrus also improved operational efficiency throughout 2025. Upload paths were simplified to handle distribution across hundreds of nodes automatically, and storage for small files became more efficient. These updates reduced costs in WAL for partners, making the network faster, cheaper, and more predictable under real-world conditions. The system quantifies relief in the actual token people use, showing a direct link between technical improvements and economic impact.

Adoption followed responsibility. Walrus became trusted by projects handling critical data across healthcare, advertising, EV networks, AI agents, and prediction markets. The system’s progression reflects a single principle: separating data reliability and privacy from market fluctuations. Burn mechanisms tied to usage, USD payment options, and onchain access control all reinforce predictable, safe operation.

Walrus is quiet infrastructure: it prevents disasters, resolves disputes, and secures sensitive files without making them public. Its success is measured not in moments of attention, but in reliability under pressure. The network’s combination of availability, enforceable privacy, and economic stability positions Walrus as a foundational layer in the decentralized stack—where trust is encoded in rules, not promises.
@Walrus 🦭/acc $WAL #walrus

The Realities of Scaling Storage in a Decentralized World
As Web3 applications evolve beyond simple smart contracts and NFT collections into complex, data-rich platforms—think social networks, gaming universes, and cross-chain protocols—storage becomes a critical bottleneck. Storing and retrieving large volumes of data isn’t just about capacity; it’s about ensuring that data remains available, affordable, and verifiable without reverting to centralized, trust-based systems or imposing restrictive entry barriers.
Many decentralized storage solutions tout openness, but when real-world usage increases—more users, more data, more demands—cracks start to show. Costs can skyrocket unpredictably, coordination overhead multiplies, and the very decentralization you counted on can be compromised as networks lean on trusted intermediaries or opaque permissioning.
Walrus approaches these challenges from the ground up, engineering a network that’s open to all but architected for reliability, speed, and resilience—no matter how much it scales.
Permissionless Participation: More Than a Slogan
In decentralized systems, “permissionless” is often used as a selling point, but in practice, many storage networks still impose subtle barriers—whitelists, stake requirements, or hidden gatekeepers. Walrus rejects these constraints. Anyone, anywhere, can join the network as a storage provider. There are no secret handshakes or privileged actors; it’s genuine open admission.
However, radical openness creates its own set of challenges. When anyone can participate, you inevitably attract both honest contributors and those seeking to exploit the system. The question isn’t just “who can join,” but “how do you ensure everyone is playing by the rules when you can’t control who’s in the game?”
A Trustless Model Built on Proof, Not Promises
Traditional storage models—centralized or decentralized—often operate on trust. You trust that providers are actually storing your data, that they won’t tamper with it, and that they’ll be around when you need it. Walrus eliminates the need for blind trust by embedding cryptographic proofs directly into the protocol. Storage providers must regularly produce verifiable receipts demonstrating that they hold the specific data fragments assigned to them.
This proof-of-storage approach means:
- Honest providers are automatically incentivized and rewarded.
- Freeloaders and bad actors can’t fake participation or claim rewards without genuinely doing the work.
- The network remains open, but its integrity isn’t compromised by newcomers or scale.
Every node must continually earn its place, making the system inherently self-auditing and robust even as new participants flood in.
Erasure Coding: Smart Redundancy for Efficient Scaling
A common but costly approach to data durability is simple replication—making multiple full copies of every file across the network. While this adds resilience, it also multiplies storage costs and bandwidth requirements, quickly becoming unsustainable at scale.
Walrus leverages erasure coding, a mathematical technique that breaks data into many fragments with built-in redundancy. Only a subset of these fragments are needed to reconstruct the original data, so you can lose several pieces (due to node churn or outages) and still guarantee recovery. This results in:
- Dramatically reduced storage overhead, as you’re not duplicating everything.
- High resilience, as data can survive even if several nodes drop offline or act maliciously.
- Predictable, manageable costs, enabling sustainable long-term storage at scale.
Think of it as spreading out the pieces of a puzzle across a room—if a few go missing, you can still see the whole picture. For decentralized storage, this means you don’t have to sacrifice reliability for affordability.
Decentralization Without the Drag: Minimizing Coordination
As decentralized networks grow, coordination overhead can become a hidden enemy. Many systems grind to a halt as more nodes try to synchronize, validate, and agree on every change, leading to network congestion and slowdowns.
Walrus sidesteps this with a design that minimizes the need for constant global coordination. Storage providers can operate independently, verifying and proving their work without waiting for consensus from the entire network. This reduces bottlenecks and ensures that even if some nodes are slow, unresponsive, or under attack, the rest of the network keeps humming along.
This architecture doesn’t just boost performance; it also strengthens resilience against targeted disruptions, censorship, or outages. Instead of a fragile web of dependencies, Walrus builds a mesh of loosely coupled, self-sufficient nodes.
Why Builders and Innovators Should Care
For developers and infrastructure architects building the next generation of Web3 apps, scalable, permissionless storage isn’t just a technical nice-to-have. It’s foundational. Data needs to be widely accessible, cost-efficient, and tamper-resistant—without putting your project at the mercy of centralized providers or opaque governance.
Walrus delivers:
- Genuine permissionless participation—anyone can store, anyone can retrieve, no central authority.
- Transparent, predictable cost structures that scale with usage, not with wasteful duplication.
- Strong data availability and integrity guarantees, backed by cryptographic proof and fault-tolerant design.
Whether you’re launching a decentralized social platform, archiving blockchain history, or powering machine-to-machine protocols, you need infrastructure that can grow with your ambitions and remain open to new advances.
In Summary
Walrus demonstrates that it’s possible to reconcile scale, openness, and reliability in decentralized storage. By combining cryptographic proofs, erasure coding, and a lean coordination model, Walrus creates a storage backbone designed for the dynamic, unpredictable, and borderless world of Web3.
It’s proof that you don’t have to choose between network growth and network trust. With the right architecture, you can achieve both—and set the stage for the next wave of decentralized innovation.

When evaluating decentralized storage options, look beyond who’s allowed to participate. Ask how the system maintains its trust guarantees and performance as it grows. The true test of decentralization is reliability under pressure, not just permissionless entry.
FAQs
Can anyone really become a storage provider on Walrus?
Yes—anyone can join and contribute storage capacity without prior approval or special status. The system is designed to be as open as possible.
How does Walrus prevent dishonest storage providers from undermining the network?
Walrus enforces regular, cryptographically verifiable proofs-of-storage. Providers must continuously demonstrate they’re actually storing the correct data, or they face penalties and exclusion from rewards.
Does erasure coding weaken data safety compared to full duplication?
No. Erasure coding maintains high redundancy and availability while using less storage. Data remains protected against node failures, and safety is preserved—even as efficiency improves.
#walrus @Walrus 🦭/acc $WAL
A deeper dive into how Walrus is redefining scalable, trustless storage for the decentralized web.
Disclaimer: Not Financial Advice