As blockchains and AI based applications continue to grow, one major limitation becomes obvious very quickly: data storage. Blockchains were never designed to store large files efficiently. Images, videos, AI datasets, and historical records are simply too heavy and too expensive to keep fully on chain.
This is where Walrus comes in.
Walrus is built to act as a dedicated storage and data availability layer for Web3. It allows applications to store large amounts of unstructured data off chain while still keeping everything verifiable, secure, and connected to the blockchain.
By working closely with the Sui ecosystem, Walrus gives developers a practical way to handle real world data without sacrificing decentralization.
What Exactly Is Walrus?
Walrus is a decentralized storage and data availability network designed for blockchain applications, autonomous agents, and data-heavy systems.
Instead of forcing developers to upload large files directly to a blockchain, Walrus stores data across a distributed network of storage nodes. Only the proofs and metadata are recorded on-chain using Sui. This approach keeps costs low while preserving trust and transparency.
Walrus is especially suited for assets like:
Images and videos
NFT media
AI datasets and model files
Blockchain archives and historical records
Originally developed by Mysten Labs, Walrus has since become an independent network. It is now governed by its native token, WAL, and supported by the Walrus Foundation.
How Walrus Stores Data
When data is uploaded to Walrus, it is handled as a blob, meaning unstructured data rather than smart contract code.
Instead of copying the entire file to multiple nodes, Walrus uses a custom erasure-coding method known as Red Stuff.
With Red Stuff:
Files are split into smaller pieces called slivers
These slivers are distributed across many storage nodes
Only a portion of the slivers is needed to recover the full file
This design allows the network to stay reliable even if some nodes go offline. It also reduces storage costs compared to traditional replication, where full copies of data are stored multiple times.
To ensure honesty, storage nodes are regularly challenged to prove they still hold their assigned slivers. Nodes that fail these checks risk penalties, which helps keep data available over the long term.
On-Chain Metadata and Verification
Walrus does not store full files on-chain. Instead, it records:
Metadata about the data
Cryptographic proofs that confirm availability
These records live on the Sui blockchain. Because only lightweight information is stored on-chain, fees remain low. At the same time, anyone can verify that a piece of data still exists and can be retrieved, without needing to download the entire file.
Smart contracts written in Sui’s Move language can reference Walrus blobs directly. This makes stored data usable inside decentralized applications while keeping execution costs under control.
Efficient and Practical Data Retrieval
When an application or user requests data, an aggregator collects the required slivers from multiple storage nodes and reconstructs the original file.
Because Walrus only retrieves the necessary fragments, even very large files can be reconstructed efficiently. Once rebuilt, the data can be served through caching layers or delivery networks for faster access.
This balance between decentralization and performance makes Walrus suitable not just for archival storage, but also for real-time applications.
Walrus Sites: Fully Decentralized Web Hosting
One of the most visible features of the Walrus ecosystem is Walrus Sites.
Walrus Sites allow developers to host static websites entirely on decentralized infrastructure. There are no traditional web servers involved. Site files are uploaded using a site-builder tool and stored permanently across the Walrus network.
Each site:
Is linked to a Sui address
Can be associated with NFTs
Can use Sui Name Service domains for readable URLs
While Walrus Sites are static, they can still connect to wallets and smart contracts, allowing interactive Web3 experiences where both the front end and the data layer are decentralized.
Where Walrus Is Being Used
Walrus is designed as a general-purpose storage layer and can support many use cases:
NFTs and dApps: storing images, videos, and other media with reliable access
AI and machine learning: hosting verified datasets, model weights, and training proofs
Blockchain infrastructure: archiving transaction histories, checkpoints, and historical data
Layer 2 systems: providing data availability for blobs, proofs, and verification data
By focusing on availability and integrity rather than execution, Walrus fits naturally into modern blockchain architectures.
The WAL Token
WAL is the native token of the Walrus network and is issued on the Sui blockchain.
Key points about WAL:
Maximum supply of 5 billion tokens
Deflationary design with burning mechanisms
Used to pay for storage services
Rewards storage nodes and stakers over time
WAL also plays a role in network security through delegated staking. Users can stake or delegate WAL to storage nodes and earn rewards based on performance and reliability.
Governance is another core function. WAL holders can vote on protocol upgrades, reward structures, penalties, and other important parameters that shape the future of the network.
Walrus and Binance HODLer Airdrops
In October 2025, Binance selected Walrus as the 50th project featured in its HODLer Airdrops program.
Users who held BNB in eligible Binance products during the snapshot period received WAL tokens. A total of 32.5 million WAL, representing 0.65% of the total supply, was distributed. WAL launched with a Seed Tag and became available across multiple trading pairs.
This event introduced Walrus to a wider audience and increased visibility for the project.
Final Thoughts
Walrus is solving a problem that most people overlook until it becomes critical: how to store large amounts of data in a decentralized, reliable, and verifiable way.
By combining efficient erasure coding, on-chain verification, and deep integration with the Sui ecosystem, Walrus makes decentralized storage practical for real-world applications. Features like Walrus Sites, along with support for AI, NFTs, and blockchain archiving, position it as a foundational data layer rather than a speculative product.
As Web3 continues to mature, projects that handle infrastructure quietly and effectively often become the most important ones. Walrus is building in that direction.
