Walrus (WAL), the new benchmark for Web3 storage, unlocks the potential of decentralised data

2025-03-25, 03:45


In the Web3 era, the storage and management of data are undergoing a revolutionary change, and Walrus (WAL), with its advanced decentralized storage technology and strong ecological support, has become the focus of industry attention. As a protocol incubated by Mysten Labs, Walrus not only provides efficient and reliable storage solutions for blockchain applications, but its native token WAL has also quickly emerged after the launch of the mainnet in 2025. This article will take you deep into the technical advantages, token value, and investment potential of Walrus (WAL).

What is Walrus (WAL)?

Walrus is a decentralized storage and data availability protocol designed specifically for handling large binary files (referred to as ‘blobs’), such as videos, images, PDFs, and AI datasets. It is built on the Sui blockchain, utilizing advanced erasure coding technology and delegated proof of stake (dPoS) mechanism to ensure data is both secure and efficient across decentralized storage nodes. Walrus aims to transform data management in Web3 from traditional centralized models to a decentralized, flexible new paradigm through programmable storage.

The WAL token is the core of the Walrus eco, with the following key functions:
Storage fees: Users pay for storage services with WAL, priced in fiat currency to remain stable and unaffected by token fluctuations.
staking: By delegating WAL to storage nodes, users participate in network security and earn rewards.
Governance: WAL holders can vote to adjust protocol parameters, ensuring decentralized decision-making.
Token Overview:
Total supply: 5 billion tokens
Initial circulating supply: 1.25 billion tokens
Community allocation: over 60% (including airdrops and reserves)

The technology and ecological advantages of Walrus (WAL)

The core competitiveness of Walrus (WAL) lies in its technological innovation. Unlike traditional full-replication storage solutions, Walrus adopts advanced two-dimensional coding algorithm (Red Stuff) to store data shards across multiple nodes, ensuring data accessibility even if up to two-thirds of the nodes fail. This design not only reduces storage costs (claimed to be 80% cheaper than some solutions) but also ensures high-performance read and write speeds.

The deep integration with the Sui blockchain is another major highlight of Walrus. Sui serves as the coordination layer, responsible for storing metadata and proving availability. Developers can write smart contracts in Move language to interact directly with the data on Walrus. This programmability opens up new possibilities for decentralized applications (DApps), such as dynamic website hosting, AI model storage, and cross-chain data management.

In terms of ecology, Walrus has attracted many partners. The well-known Web3 media Decrypt has migrated its content library to Walrus, demonstrating its utility in media storage. In addition, high-throughput blockchains like Linera have also chosen Walrus as a storage solution, highlighting its cross-chain compatibility.

Market dynamics and investment potential of WAL tokens

On March 27, 2025, the Walrus mainnet officially launched, accompanied by the Token Generation Event (TGE) of the WAL token. Prior to this, Walrus raised $140 million through private placements, with investors including top institutions such as Standard Crypto, a16z crypto, and Electric Capital, demonstrating high market recognition of its prospects.

Short-term focus:

Airdrop frenzy: 10% of WAL’s supply (500 million coins) is used for user incentives, with 4% already distributed to early community members through NFT airdrops, exchangeable after the mainnet goes live. Many users on social media are eagerly anticipating additional airdrops for testnet participants.

Exchange Listings: Several mainstream exchanges have supported WAL trading. For example, a certain exchange completed TGE through the wallet side, and OKX also plans to launch spot trading pairs, which may cause price fluctuations in the short term.

Long-term Value:

Market demand: With the explosion of AI and Web3 applications, there is a surge in demand for large-scale data storage. Walrus (WAL) is positioned in this blue ocean market, and its cost-effectiveness and scalability are expected to drive adoption.

Ecological support: The endorsement of Mysten Labs and the rapid development of the Sui eco have provided a solid foundation for WAL. Referring to the Sui eco project DeepBook (with a peak FDV of 3.5 billion USD), the valuation potential of WAL should not be underestimated.

Conclusion: Walrus (WAL), the key to the future of Web3 storage

Walrus (WAL) is not only a Decentralization storage protocol, but also an important puzzle of Web3 infrastructure. With its technological innovation, strong financial support, and the promotion of the Sui eco, WAL token has shown great potential in both short-term trading and long-term investment. After the mainnet launch in 2025, Walrus (WAL) is expected to reshape the data storage landscape, bringing new opportunities for developers, users, and investors.


Author: Rooick Z., Gate.io Researcher
This article represents only the author's point of view and does not constitute any trading advice. Investment is risky, so decisions should be made cautiously.
This article is original, and the copyright belongs to Gate.io. Please indicate the author and source if you need to reprint, otherwise legal responsibilities will be pursued.


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