Walrus

Walrus is a decentralized blob storage and data availability platform built on the Sui blockchain. Designed to provide scalable, resilient, and programmable storage infrastructure, Walrus supports cross-chain integrations with Ethereum and Solana, making it a foundational layer for Web3 applications, AI data pipelines, and modular blockchain systems. Governed by the Walrus Foundation, the protocol is engineered for long-term decentralization and ecosystem growth.

Architecture and Core Functionality

Decentralized Blob Storage

Walrus enables developers to store and retrieve large binary objects (blobs) using erasure-coded storage. This approach increases reliability, ensures data redundancy, and reduces cost by optimizing the balance between performance and resiliency.

Data Availability Layer

As modular rollups and data-intensive Web3 apps expand, Walrus serves as a low-cost, high-integrity data availability (DA) layer. It allows rollup builders to publish and verify state roots and transaction data with guarantees of availability and persistence.

Programmable Access via Move

By operating on the Sui blockchain, Walrus enables programmable interactions through Move smart contracts. This includes token-gated access to files, payment-triggered uploads, and storage proofs directly linked to on-chain logic.

Cross-Chain Compatibility

Walrus is natively integrated with Sui but extends access to Ethereum and Solana ecosystems. Developers from those chains can leverage Walrus for off-chain data needs while maintaining interoperability with existing smart contracts and applications.

Governance and Ecosystem

Walrus Foundation

The Walrus Foundation oversees protocol development, community funding, and long-term roadmap execution. It was formed as an independent nonprofit entity, backed by initial contributions from Mysten Labs.

Funding and Partnerships

In March 2025, Walrus raised $140 million in a private token round led by Standard Crypto and a16z, with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Lightspeed, and Electric Capital. The raise supports the development of decentralized storage incentives, validator infrastructure, and global expansion.

Token Utility

Walrus will introduce a native token to incentivize storage node operators, enable decentralized governance, and facilitate payment for data services.

• Storage Payments: Users pay for blob storage and retrieval

• Staking and Validation: Node operators stake tokens to participate in storage provisioning

• Governance: Token holders vote on upgrades, parameters, and funding proposals

Use Cases

• Rollup Data Availability

• AI Dataset Archival and Query

• NFT Metadata Hosting

• DePIN/IoT Data Logging

• Token-Gated File Access

• Streaming and CDN Alternatives