THE CRYPTOO QUEEN

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 sizeA 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 al 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

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

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 sizeA 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

🚨 BREAKING: Trump Issues Sharp Ultimatum to Cuba! 🇺🇸🇨🇺President Donald Trump just announced that the United States will completely stop Venezuelan oil shipments and financial support to Cuba unless Havana strikes a deal with Washington — and he warned them to act “before it is too late.” According to Trump, Cuba has long survived on Venezuelan oil and money in exchange for security help, but that era is over now that Caracas is under U.S. influence and Maduro has been removed.

Dusk Network was founded in 2018, and I want to start with a feeling before I start with the technology. When I first got into crypto, I loved how open everything was. It felt powerful, like a new world where anyone could verify the truth. But over time I also felt something uncomfortable. On many blockchains, your money story becomes public. Your balance history, your transfers, your patterns, your habits. It is not just numbers. It is your life in data form. For regular people, that can feel exposing. For institutions, it can feel impossible. That is the emotional gap Dusk tries to close, and they’re doing it by building a Layer 1 blockchain that aims to support regulated finance while protecting privacy in a way that still allows accountability when it truly matters.Dusk’s core mission is simple to say but hard to build. They want finance on-chain that respects confidentiality, follows the rules of regulated markets, and still feels like blockchain, meaning programmable, verifiable, and not controlled by a single gatekeeper. I like this because it is honest. They’re not pretending regulations will disappear. They’re not pretending institutions will act like anonymous traders. They’re saying the future will include rules, audits, and legal responsibility, and they want crypto to work inside that reality without forcing everyone to live in public.To understand why this matters, you have to think about how real finance behaves. In traditional markets, privacy is normal. A company does not publish its treasury movements minute by minute. A fund does not reveal its positions and strategies to the world in real time. Even normal people do not want neighbors and strangers watching their payments. At the same time, regulators and auditors need a way to verify activity when required. That is where the idea of privacy plus auditability becomes important. Dusk is built around the belief that you can keep sensitive information private while still proving the system is behaving correctly. I’m not talking about hiding wrongdoing. I’m talking about protecting dignity and business reality, while keeping a path for lawful oversight.One reason Dusk feels mature is the way it is designed as infrastructure, not a toy. They use a modular architecture, which means the network is structured in layers so different responsibilities can be handled cleanly. At the base, they focus on settlement and finality, the part that decides what is true and finished. That sounds technical, but emotionally it means peace of mind. In finance, finality is comfort. It means a transaction does not live in uncertainty. It is either confirmed and done, or it is not. Institutions need that kind of certainty because uncertainty creates risk, and risk creates cost, and cost kills adoption.On top of the settlement layer, Dusk supports execution environments where applications can run. One important piece here is compatibility with familiar smart contract tooling, because most builders do not want to start from zero. They want to build with tools they already understand, then focus their energy on the product itself. Dusk’s approach is basically an invitation. They’re saying you can bring your building skills here, and you can still benefit from an underlying chain that is focused on privacy and compliance, not just speed or hype.Now let’s talk about the most important part, the privacy model, because this is where Dusk becomes more than just another Layer 1. Dusk supports both transparent and private transaction styles. The transparent style is useful when visibility is required. Some regulated processes need clear reporting. Some organizations will choose transparency for specific flows. The private style is built for situations where exposure would be harmful or simply unnecessary. In the private flow, sensitive transaction details can be kept confidential while still allowing the network to verify that the transaction is valid. That verification is the key. It means privacy does not require trust in a middleman. It means the system can prove correctness without revealing your entire financial story to strangers.What makes this feel realistic to me is the idea of selective disclosure. This is the concept that information can remain private by default but can be revealed to authorized parties when the situation demands it. That is how real life works. You do not publish your personal financial records, but you can provide them to auditors, regulators, or legal authorities when required. Dusk’s philosophy is not extreme privacy for the sake of secrecy. Their philosophy is privacy for normal operation, and accountability when accountability is needed. They’re trying to make those two things coexist without breaking the chain.When people hear the phrase regulated finance, they sometimes assume it means the chain is only for big institutions. I do not see it that way. I see it as a foundation that is strong enough for institutions and therefore safer and more stable for everyone. Institutions demand serious custody practices, clear governance, predictable settlement, and controls that allow compliant behavior. Dusk is building toward those expectations from the start. That matters because it reduces the gap between blockchain and the real world. Instead of asking the real world to bend around crypto, they’re shaping crypto so it can fit into real-world finance responsibly.Consensus and security also play a big role in this story. Dusk is built to support a proof of stake based security model, where the network is secured by participants who stake the native token and take responsibility for validating the system. Again, this might sound purely technical, but the emotional side is trust. When a network is designed for stable finality and reliable settlement, it becomes something that financial applications can build on without constantly worrying about instability. I’m not saying any system is perfect, but the design direction shows that Dusk is trying to feel dependable, not chaotic.The DUSK token sits in the middle of all this as the network’s working fuel. It is used for staking, which supports network security. It is used for transaction fees, which keeps the network functioning. It is used for deploying and running applications, which powers the ecosystem. I’m always more comfortable when a token has clear utility tied to the health of the network, because it creates an economic loop that can make sense over time. It does not guarantee success, but it tells me the token is not just decoration. It has a job.When it comes to partnerships and ecosystem, Dusk has consistently positioned itself around real financial infrastructure, not just random integrations. The spirit of their ecosystem is built around use cases like institutional finance applications, compliant decentralized finance, and tokenization of real-world assets. This is the part that can feel quietly powerful. Tokenization is not just a buzzword. It is about taking assets that exist in legal frameworks and bringing them into programmable environments while respecting the rights, rules, and restrictions that come with those assets. If you take that idea seriously, you need a chain that understands privacy, identity, compliance, and auditability. Dusk is trying to be that chain.And this is where my personal opinion comes in. I’m not drawn to Dusk because it promises fireworks. I’m drawn to it because it feels like the kind of project that understands fear and responsibility. People fear exposing their finances. Institutions fear legal risk. Builders fear wasting years on the wrong foundation. Dusk is trying to reduce those fears by offering a framework where privacy is respected, rules can be followed, and financial systems can be built without turning everyone’s transactions into public entertainment.So if you’re asking what Dusk really is, I would explain it like this. Dusk is a Layer 1 blockchain founded in 2018 that is trying to make privacy and compliance feel normal on-chain. They’re building for a world where finance is both digital and regulated, where assets move quickly but responsibly, and where privacy is treated as a human need, not a suspicious behavior. I cannot promise they will win, because no one can promise that in crypto. But I can say they are aiming at a future that feels real. They’re aiming at the moment when crypto stops being a side experiment and starts becoming infrastructure.And if that future matters to you, then Dusk is worth understanding, not because it is loud, but because it is trying to build something that people can trust $DUSK #dusk @Dusk_Foundation

🚨 99% WILL GET WIPED IN 2026 — AND MOST STILL DON’T SEE ITWhat’s unfolding isn’t random chaos — it’s a long game with global power stakes. A lot of people think Venezuela is just about Maduro’s capture or a local struggle, but that’s only the surface. The real story goes much deeper — and it circles around China and energy supply.

Dusk Foundation and its token DUSK exist because many people realized that most blockchains are too open for the real world In many public chains everything is visible balances transactions smart contract data and this creates problems for businesses institutions and even normal users who care about privacy Dusk was created to solve this issue in a realistic way It is not about hiding illegal activity it is about protecting sensitive information while still allowing systems to follow rules and laws that exist in the real worldFrom the beginning Dusk was designed with one clear goal which is privacy with purpose Many privacy projects focus only on anonymity and ignore compliance This makes them hard to use in regulated industries Dusk takes a different path It allows privacy by default but also supports selective sharing of information This means users and companies can keep data private while still proving things when required This balance is what makes Dusk different and usefulDusk Network is a layer one blockchain built specifically for privacy focused applications It is not a general chain trying to do everything Instead it focuses on areas where privacy is critical like finance identity and confidential data handling The network uses advanced cryptography to make sure transactions and smart contracts can be verified without exposing sensitive details This allows trust without transparency overloadThe DUSK token is the core asset of the network It is used for transaction fees staking and participating in the network economy Validators stake DUSK to help secure the chain and in return they earn rewards This creates a system where people are encouraged to act honestly and support the network Long term holders also benefit from network growth which aligns incentives across the ecosystemOne of the biggest strengths of Dusk is how it handles compliance In traditional finance privacy and regulation go hand in hand Banks need confidentiality but regulators need oversight Dusk supports this through selective disclosure This means data can stay private to the public while being shared with approved parties like auditors or regulators This feature makes Dusk suitable for real financial productsSecurity tokens are a major focus area for Dusk These tokens represent real world assets like shares bonds or property Managing them requires strict rules around ownership transfer and reporting Dusk allows issuers to define who can hold or trade these assets while keeping transaction data private This is something most public blockchains cannot do properlySmart contracts on Dusk are designed to respect privacy On many chains smart contracts expose all internal data which limits their use Dusk allows developers to create contracts where logic runs correctly but sensitive inputs and outputs remain hidden This opens up many new possibilities especially in finance and enterprise use casesIdentity is another important part of the Dusk vision In many systems users must give away too much personal information just to access services Dusk supports self controlled identity where users can prove things about themselves without revealing everything For example a user can prove they are eligible for a service without sharing full personal details This improves privacy and security at the same timeThe Dusk Foundation plays an important role in guiding the project The foundation supports research development partnerships and education It works to bring Dusk technology to businesses developers and institutions The goal is not just to build technology but to make sure it is understood and used in the real worldDevelopers are supported through tools documentation and clear frameworks Building privacy focused applications is usually very hard Dusk tries to simplify this so developers can focus on ideas instead of cryptography This is important because adoption depends heavily on developer experienceScalability is also a key concern Privacy systems can be slow if not designed carefully Dusk focuses on efficiency so transactions remain fast and fees stay reasonable This makes the network usable even as demand grows Performance matters especially for financial applicationsDusk is also designed to work with other systems It is not isolated Interoperability allows assets and data to move between networks when needed This flexibility increases the value of Dusk and allows it to fit into the wider blockchain ecosystemFrom a user point of view Dusk applications aim to feel simple Users should not need to understand privacy technology to benefit from it Wallets and apps built on Dusk handle complexity behind the scenes This focus on simplicity helps attract non technical usersPrivacy is becoming more important every year Data leaks surveillance and misuse of personal information are common People and companies want better control over their data Dusk addresses this need directly by offering privacy as a core feature not an add onFinancial institutions are slowly exploring blockchain but many hesitate because of transparency issues Dusk provides a safer entry point by offering confidentiality with auditability This reduces risk and makes experimentation easier for traditional playersGovernance is also part of the long term plan As the network grows decisions will need community input Dusk aims to balance efficiency with decentralization so the network can evolve without losing trustEducation is a continuous effort Privacy concepts are not always easy to explain The foundation focuses on clear communication so users developers and partners understand how Dusk works and why it matters Knowledge drives adoptionLike all serious projects Dusk faces challenges Competition is strong and regulations change often Dusk must stay adaptable and continue improving Its focus on compliance friendly privacy gives it a strong position but execution is always keyThe DUSK token economy is designed to support long term sustainability Staking rewards usage and network growth all contribute to value creation Balancing incentives is important so validators users and developers all stay engagedOver time Dusk can support many industries Beyond finance and identity there are use cases in healthcare supply chains governance and data sharing Any area that needs private verified data can benefit from Dusk technologyThe long term vision of Dusk is to become a standard privacy infrastructure for blockchain Instead of being just another crypto asset it aims to be a foundation that real systems rely on This requires patience partnerships and continuous development @Dusk $DUSK #dusk

Most blockchains today are built to attract attention. They focus on fast transactions, hype narratives, or quick profits, but very few are designed for real financial use. This is where Dusk stands out. Dusk was created with a clear purpose: to make blockchain usable for real institutions, not just retail users or speculative traders.The main focus of Dusk is on privacy, compliance, and auditability. In traditional finance, banks and institutions cannot expose user balances, transaction details, or business logic to the public. Most blockchains make everything transparent, which creates legal and regulatory problems. Dusk solves this by allowing transactions to stay private while still being verifiable when needed. Regulators and auditors can check data, but sensitive information remains protected.Another important strength of Dusk is that compliance is built directly into the blockchain. Instead of adding regulation tools later, Dusk was designed from the start to follow financial rules and legal standards. This makes it possible for institutions to use blockchain technology without breaking laws or risking data exposure. Ownership can be proven, transactions can be validated, and audits can be performed without revealing private details to everyone.Because of this approach, Dusk is positioning itself as a blockchain ready for real-world testing and adoption by large organizations. It is not trying to replace traditional finance overnight. Instead, it offers a bridge where blockchain technology can work alongside existing financial systems in a safe and legal way.In a market full of hype-driven chains, Dusk feels different. It is built for long-term use, serious capital, and real financial infrastructure. As institutions continue to explore blockchain, networks like Dusk are more likely to be used, tested, and trusted not because of noise, but because they actually solve the right problems.#dusk @Dusk $DUSK