Sui Team Develops New Protocol Walrus: Is It the Next-Generation Storage Solution Beyond Filecoin?

Key Points Summary

• After Mysten Labs launched the Sui network and the DeepBook protocol, it is preparing to launch a new project called the Walrus protocol.

• Walrus has attracted attention in the decentralized storage market, which already has multiple protocols, due to two significant advantages: ( higher cost-effectiveness and security; ) the stored data can be programmed through the Sui network.

• As one of the advanced decentralized storage protocols, the future practicality and value of Walrus is worth关注.

( 01 Background of Walrus Launch

After successfully launching the Sui network and DeepBook protocol, Mysten Labs is venturing into a new area—Walrus protocol. Despite high expectations, there are also some concerns: many storage solutions in the market have underperformed; there are worries that Mysten Labs' resource allocation may affect the project's progress.

Therefore, this article will explore the structure of the Walrus protocol, analyze its differences from existing solutions, study the relationship between Walrus and the Sui network, and focus on how Walrus integrates with Sui to enhance the overall ecological value.

)# 1. The difference between Walrus and existing storage solutions

Walrus has three main differences from the existing model ###, especially Filecoin and Arweave ###:

Storage Cost Efficiency

Walrus adopts Red-Stuff encoding, demonstrating lower costs than Arweave and FIL, with an efficiency up to 100 times theirs. Compared to Arweave, which requires full network storage resulting in a maximum replication cost of 500 times, Walrus only requires a replication of 4-5 times. At the same time, the probability of data loss is significantly reduced.

Walrus combines the advantages of Arweave and FIL, minimizing the probability of data loss while maintaining low replication costs. As the network grows, Walrus alleviates the burden on each node by requiring only one data transfer over the network and having each node store a portion of the data. This structure makes Walrus's storage costs significantly more efficient than both Arweave and FIL.

Programmability

The most notable feature of Walrus is its "programmability". It achieves programmable decentralized storage through the Sui network, giving more functionality to stored data.

For example, when minting an NFT, the image can be stored in Walrus, and its blob data object can be created on the Sui network and connected to the NFT object, addressing the traditional NFT "incomplete" problem. Additionally, the blob data from Walrus can be stored as a Sui object and controlled through Move smart contracts, enabling the transfer or automatic change of data ownership.

In contrast, Arweave and Filecoin have very limited dynamic integration with on-chain applications. Although Filecoin has added some smart contract capabilities through FVM, the ability to modify and control data is still limited, and Walrus is clearly superior to both protocols in terms of programmability.

Data Access and Deletion

Unlike existing protocols, Walrus allows users to discard or modify data when needed. This feature enhances Walrus's application potential in traditional enterprises and Web2 companies, further increasing market expectations for its diversity.

(# 2. The collaboration method between Walrus and the Sui network

Walrus should be regarded as a storage stack that perfects Sui applications rather than diverting attention from Sui. It not only complements the Sui network from a storage perspective but also actively impacts the SUI token, making the two inseparable.

The Symbiotic Relationship Between Sui and Walrus

From the very beginning of its design, Sui has focused on storage issues and proposed a unique storage fund concept. The fees paid by users are divided into Gas fees and storage fees, with the latter being allocated to the storage fund and continually distributed to validating nodes. Users can receive a refund of storage fees when they delete data.

This system creates economic incentives to reduce the capacity of distributed ledgers and addresses sustainability issues related to storage. Walrus achieves data programmability by storing large-scale blob data and managing objects on Sui.

Walrus makes SUI a deflationary asset

When creating blob data objects in Walrus, SUI will lock in the storage fund based on the size of the object. A portion of the fees can be refunded by deleting the data, but a part will have a destruction effect. Walrus uses increases that lead to a reduction in SUI circulation, forming a virtuous cycle.

![Beyond Filecoin? Understand the new protocol Walrus developed by the Sui team in one article])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-375eaa4289f949f7252e4b44cf108b69.webp###

( 02 Walrus will become the most critical protocol of Sui

)# 1. Not just building a blockchain

Mysten Labs is not only focused on the Sui network but is also committed to building a complete decentralized infrastructure for Web3. They lead innovation in areas such as execution, storage, consensus, and communication, while understanding users' inertia towards Web2 services, creating the most suitable UI.

2. Walrus is not limited to the Sui ecosystem.

Walrus can be used by any third party, not limited to Sui applications, and may even replace existing storage protocols or other DA layers. This availability will extend the demand for SUI beyond the Sui network, making SUI a more attractive asset.

3. Can Walrus surpass Filecoin?

The prospects for Walrus are optimistic because: ### the operating mechanism is efficient; ### it can perform tasks that existing protocols cannot complete; ( it has a solid user base through the Sui network. If Walrus becomes a representative storage protocol of Web3, it has the potential to become a leader in the storage field.

![Beyond Filecoin? Understand the new protocol Walrus developed by the Sui team in one article])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-b3f215a1bb0b555f4ef52768e1cb5791.webp(