Arweave - Permanent Information Storage

The Crypto Conversation

Sam Williams is the founder of Arweave. The Arweave network is like Bitcoin, but for data: A permanent and decentralized web inside an open ledger. The Arweave protocol is stable, mature and widely adopted.

Why you should listen

Permanent storage has many applications: from the preservation of humanity's most important data, to the hosting of truly decentralized and provably neutral web apps.

In this conversation, Sam Williams, founder of Arweave, discusses the vision behind Arweave as a permanent data storage solution, its implications for information control, and the development of the Permaweb. He introduces the AO protocol, a decentralized supercomputer, and explains the economic model behind it, emphasizing the importance of liquidity in attracting users. The conversation also touches on the Universal Data License and the future of decentralized services in cyberspace

Arweave is a decentralized storage network that aims to provide a permanent, tamper-proof archive of data on the blockchain. Unlike traditional cloud storage platforms that charge ongoing fees and store data temporarily, Arweave introduces a novel concept called the "permaweb." This innovation guarantees that once data is uploaded, it will be available indefinitely without requiring the uploader to keep paying to maintain access. This is achieved through a unique economic model and technical infrastructure.

Data can never be taken down or censored, offering an unprecedented level of freedom for content creators and developers. Users have built platforms like decentralized social media apps, content archiving services, and even NFT marketplaces on Arweave, taking advantage of its promise of permanence.

A key part of Arweave's value proposition is that users only pay a one-time fee to store data, covering the cost for its perpetual storage. The one-time payment is calculated based on the current price of AR tokens and the anticipated future costs of storage. The system is designed to scale effectively, with storage costs decreasing over time due to advancements in storage technology.

Arweave has attracted attention due to its role in solving the problem of data integrity, especially in an age where information can be manipulated. By ensuring that information stored on its network can never be altered or deleted, Arweave offers a solution for organizations needing long-term data archival, such as research institutions, media outlets, and governments. Arweave represents a radical shift in how we might think about data storage, offering a decentralized, permanent solution in contrast to the fleeting nature of traditional cloud services.

Supporting links

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