"Filecoin Narrative Cocooned, Story Crumbles, Where Should the Data Chain Go?"
—— Plain Language Deconstruction of Datachain by @irys_xyz
Introduction
The lag in infrastructure development compared to technological innovation is an unavoidable challenge in the evolution of human civilization. The infrastructure of old technological systems cannot support the demands of innovative technologies. The internet broke through the limitations of dial-up connections, streaming media replaced traditional cable TV, and cloud computing disrupted the design, distribution, and use of software. New infrastructure has fully unleashed the potential of technological innovation.
The same situation will occur in the data layer of web3.
Encrypted data is a potentially valuable asset class, but current data layer protocols like @Filecoin / @ArweaveEco / @StoryProtocol face the impossible triangle: programmability, verifiability, and high cost efficiency. @irys_xyz offers a feasible solution to break through the impossible triangle.
<Deconstructing @irys_xyz>
The core positioning of @irys_xyz focuses on data storage and unlocking data value through the data chain (Datachain), which is also a sovereign Layer 1 with independent consensus.
Plain Language Deconstruction of Irys Technology Architecture:
Irys = uPoW & staking hybrid consensus + IrysVM + Efficient Sampling Mechanism
<Irys vs. Filecoin>
Issue 1:
One of the issues with @Filecoin is that it allows miners to commit unlimited data storage capacity, leading to resource over-expansion and profit compression due to malicious competition among miners, affecting system stability.
The uPoW & staking hybrid consensus mechanism proposed by @irys_xyz can balance data storage supply and miner incentives to some extent. uPoW requires miners to generate cryptographic storage proofs to verify the data partitions they maintain, generate blocks, and receive corresponding rewards. Under the staking mechanism, miners need to pledge a certain amount of $IRYS tokens as collateral, and if they fail to fulfill their data storage duties, their pledged assets will be slashed.
In short, @irys_xyz reduces the possibility of malicious competition and subjective misconduct by introducing economic penalty constraints.
Issue 2:
The second issue with Filecoin is the lack of data programmability. The FVM virtual machine cannot natively access stored data and cannot work collaboratively with data to unlock its value.
@irys_xyz implements programmable data based on IrysVM, achieving integration of on-chain computing functions and the data layer, meaning smart contracts can query, retrieve, and modify stored data in real-time, unlocking more use cases. Such as enforcing ownership, automating royalty payments, managing access permissions, and efficiently verifying any predefined instructions in smart contracts.
<Irys vs. Story>
Issue 3:
@StoryProtocol does not store complete IP assets on-chain, only metadata. Story only stores metadata and not the asset itself, which is usually stored in IPFS, inadvertently introducing trust risks.
@irys_xyz stores assets completely on-chain, eliminating third-party trust risks. Based on the efficient sampling mechanism, @irys_xyz can ensure data verifiability, greatly optimizing the verification process, ensuring data is always trustworthy and accessible, all without sacrificing performance.
By deconstructing Irys, one can conclude that Irys's technology architecture can complement the shortcomings of existing data storage protocols, keeping the Datachain narrative appealing.
<Final Thoughts>
AWS unlocked business worth hundreds of billions of dollars by integrating databases, data storage, and computing into a single system for collaborative work.
From this perspective, @irys_xyz is like the web3 version of AWS, transforming data into a verifiable, composable, and monetizable resource based on its Datachain architecture, unlocking the enormous potential value behind data."}]};
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24
Yogi
Bitcoin's OP_RETURN Debate: TL;DR
What’s OP_RETURN?
A Bitcoin opcode letting users embed small bits of data (~80 bytes) in transactions. These outputs become permanently unspendable—turning Bitcoin into a decentralized digital storage and/or notary.
Why it matters?
It’s an ideological crossroads:
- Pure money vs. General-purpose storage
- Minimalism (clean ledger, decentralization) vs. Expanded utility (mission creep risk)
Originally, Bitcoin was strictly financial. Around 2013, devs started embedding timestamps, tokens (NFTs), identities, etc., using OP_RETURN.
What changed?
Bitcoin Core v0.9.0 (2014) standardized OP_RETURN—initially capped at 40 bytes, now 80 bytes.
Before OP_RETURN, users resorted to ugly hacks (fake addresses, multisig spam), cluttering the blockchain and polluting the UTXO set. OP_RETURN cleaned up that mess.
The Core Debate (simplified):
Critics:
-Blockchain Bloat: Extra data permanently enlarges blockchain size, threatening decentralization.
- Mission Creep: Dilutes Bitcoin’s original vision (digital peer-to-peer money).
- Economic Externalities: Embedder pays once; nodes store data forever.
Supporters:
- Innovation: Enables real, valuable use-cases (NFTs, stablecoins like Tether, notarization, data storage etc.).
- Cleaner Approach: Avoids worse solutions that would pollute the UTXO set.
- Limited Impact: The 80-byte cap limits damage and ensures predictability.
Bitcoin’s core job is decentralized money—not arbitrary data storage. OP_RETURN is a practical compromise—but keep it tightly capped, impose higher fees to internalize node costs, and move larger data off-chain. Bitcoin’s killer feature is scarcity and security. It’s the ultimate hard financial asset and global collateral.
My opinion - leave OP_Return as is or increase slightly. Otherwise, send large-scale data storage somewhere else—like Arweave or Walrus.
Opinion purely positioning not technical in nature.
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kidponga
Interesting to see how this has played out so far. Will check back in 6 months.
kidponga
High quality alts that I think warrant longer term flows:
$Tao, $grass, $rndr, $hnt, $tia, $sui, $ar, $hype (wen tge)
maybe: $ena + SOL DeFi
High quality alts that I don't think warrant longer term flows:
$aave, $mkr, $eigen, $dydx etc etc.
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Josh Benaron (✧ᴗ✧) reposted
土澳大狮兄BroLeon
Today I saw @jason_chen998 write about Irys. I still remember the time this project had a spat with Arweave a long time ago. What left an even deeper impression on me, though, is that Aunt Dovey from @primitivecrypto also invested in it—those who know, know 🤪🤪🤪.
Coincidentally, I recently needed to update my list of stealth investments in projects without tokens, so I spent some time doing research and decided to document it here.
Actually, Brother Jian's post was already very in-depth, but I'll try to explain my research findings in simpler terms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First of all, @irys_xyz, although originating from the Arweave ecosystem, has evolved into an L1 chain designed specifically for future data needs, with a particular focus on AI, IP (intellectual property), and the storage and application of high-value data.
📌 Why is it worth paying attention to?
AI thrives on data, but currently, 95% of high-quality training data is controlled by five tech giants, severely limiting innovation.
The current mainstream blockchains (e.g., Filecoin, Arweave, Ethereum) cannot truly solve the problem of "data accessibility + intelligent processing":
- Filecoin is slow, and its smart contracts cannot read data.
- Arweave is expensive, data cannot be verified, and it leans toward centralization.
- Ethereum's Blobs data can only be stored for 18 days, and Rollup projects are driving up storage space prices in a bidding war.
~~~~~~~~~~
🚀 What has Irys achieved?
It integrates data storage and smart contract execution into a single chain. Data can not only be stored but also "activated," with built-in logic for payments, authorization, and triggering mechanisms directly within the data.
For example, AI models can automatically pay to access high-quality training data, and data uploaders can directly benefit, creating a virtuous cycle.
I referenced an official cartoon video from Irys, which vividly illustrates the principle: data that was previously only used for storage can now be "played" like a rich and colorful symphony.
~~~~~~~~~~
💰 Where is the market potential?
I’ve become increasingly immune to VC projects that are all talk and no substance, so I’m more concerned about whether a project has a market and can generate revenue.
The project team provided a figure: the high-quality data market could reach $3 trillion. Irys turns these "dormant assets" into programmable, tradable, and transferable resources.
Additionally, IP (especially AI-generated content) requires new methods for copyright confirmation and revenue generation. Irys can collaborate with other IP-focused protocols, such as @StoryProtocol, to share this market.
When Irys combines with protocols like Story Protocol, which focus on IP management and monetization, it can form a more robust solution for data storage, rights tracking, and automatic settlement.
~~~~~~~~~~~
One specific application scenario really struck me.
Currently, there’s already a lot of AI training data in fields like music, novels, and code. I recently talked to a friend who writes novels, and she’s very anxious about AI novels potentially replacing most online fiction writers in the future.
If, in the future, their articles could use Irys for storage, pricing, and execution, and Story for copyright confirmation and tracking, the combination could create a "long-tail automatic income generator" for creators. That would be pretty awesome.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally,
With strong VC backing and the fact that the project’s data once accounted for a significant portion of Arweave’s data volume and transaction volume, Irys is already a relatively mature project. It’s not just a naive VC-assembled scheme; I think it’s worth a closer look.
Now it’s just a matter of figuring out how to get involved. After all, I’ve been burned a bit recently, so I’ll see if I can connect with the team for further due diligence.
The current price of Arweave is $6.7480. Over the last 24 hours, Arweave has decreased by -4.32%. It currently has a circulating supply of 65,454,186 AR and a maximum supply of 66,000,000 AR, giving it a fully diluted market cap of $441.62M. At present, the Arweave coin holds the 42 position in market cap rankings. The Arweave/USD price is updated in real-time.
The rating provided is an aggregated rating collected by OKX from the sources provided and is for informational purpose only. OKX does not guarantee the quality or accuracy of the ratings. It is not intended to provide (i) investment advice or recommendation; (ii) an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or hold digital assets; or (iii) financial, accounting, legal or tax advice. Digital assets, including stablecoins and NFTs, involve a high degree of risk, can fluctuate greatly, and can even become worthless. The price and performance of the digital assets are not guaranteed and may change without notice. Your digital assets are not covered by insurance against potential losses. Historical returns are not indicative of future returns. OKX does not guarantee any return, repayment of principal or interest. OKX does not provide investment or asset recommendations. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. Please consult your legal/ tax/ investment professional for questions about your specific circumstances.
By using the third-party website ("TPW"), you accept that any use of the TPW will be subject to and governed by the terms of the TPW. Unless expressly stated in writing, OKX and its affiliates ("OKX") are not in any way associated with the owner or operator of the TPW. You agree that OKX is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage and any other consequences arising from your use of the TPW. Please be aware that using a TPW may result in a loss or diminution of your assets.
As the popularity of blockchain soared due to its secure and immutable nature, Arweave seized the opportunity to create a platform that offers a unique approach to data storage. The project's innovative concept holds the promise of virtually limitless storage capabilities, opening up new possibilities for individuals and businesses alike.
What is Arweave
Arweave is a decentralized storage network that aims to revolutionize data storage by providing an indefinite storage solution. At the heart of Arweave's ecosystem lies the concept of the "permaweb," which represents a permanent and decentralized web infrastructure. Through the permaweb, Arweave hosts a multitude of community-driven applications and platforms.
The Arweave team
Arweave was founded by two PhD candidates at the University of Kent, Sam Williams and William Jones. Sam Williams brought his expertise in decentralized and distributed systems to the project, while William Jones specialized in neural networking and graph theory. Although Williams made the decision to leave his studies and dedicate himself fully to Arweave, Jones chose to complete his PhD before pursuing other ventures.
How does Arweave work
Arweave operates on a unique technology called Blockweave, which forms the foundation of its permaweb. Unlike traditional blockchain systems, Blockweave connects each block to two others: one that comes before it and another chosen randomly from earlier blocks. This design incentivizes miners to store more data by requiring them to access previous blocks in order to receive rewards.
Arweave’s native token: AR
Arweave's native token, AR, plays a crucial role within the Arweave network. The cryptocurrency was launched in late May 2020 with a maximum supply of 66 million AR tokens and a total supply of 63.19 million. The circulating supply currently stands at 33.39 million.
AR is readily available for trading on numerous decentralized exchanges (DEX), providing users with easy access to participate in the Arweave ecosystem. Additionally, AR is listed and actively traded on nearly 50 prominent centralized exchanges, including OKX. This broad availability and exchange support contribute to the liquidity and accessibility of AR, facilitating its use within the Arweave network and enabling users to engage with the platform's innovative decentralized storage solutions.
How to stake AR
One popular way to stake AR is through OKX Earn. OKX Earn offers a one percent APY with a flexible staking term. Through staking AR, you can earn passive rewards. You may also unstake AR at any time.
AR token use cases
AR token, the native cryptocurrency of the Arweave network, plays a crucial role in facilitating the storage and permanence of data. Unlike traditional Web2 storage platforms such as Google Cloud or Amazon Web Services that require recurring payments, Arweave operates on a one-time, up-front fee model.
By using AR tokens, users can securely store their data on the Arweave network, ensuring its permanence, privacy, and immutability. Once the data is stored, it remains safe and accessible indefinitely, making Arweave a unique platform for individuals and organizations seeking a decentralized and permanent storage option.
AR token distribution
AR’s distribution is as follows:
38.5 percent was sold from the Genesis Block supply.
2.9 percent was allocated to project advisors.
13 percent was set aside for the project team, with a fifth of this allocation being released annually over a period of five years.
19.1 percent was allotted for further development of the Arweave ecosystem.
26.5 percent was reserved for future financing of the project, with a fifth of this allocation being released annually over the course of five years.
Arweave and the future of online storage
With Arweave, users can securely store their data in a permanent and tamper-proof manner, ensuring its long-term integrity. This innovative approach to online storage eliminates the need for traditional Web2 solutions, such as recurring payments on centralized platforms. On top of that, with its focus on decentralization and immutability, Arweave is poised to transform the landscape of online storage and pave the way for a new era of data permanence and accessibility.
Number of posts mentioning a token in the last 24h. This can help gauge the level of interest surrounding this token.
Contributors
Number of individuals posting about a token in the last 24h. A higher number of contributors can suggest improved token performance.
Interactions
Sum of socially-driven online engagement in the last 24h, such as likes, comments, and reposts. High engagement levels can indicate strong interest in a token.
Sentiment
Percentage score reflecting post sentiment in the last 24h. A high percentage score correlates with positive sentiment and can indicate improved market performance.
Volume rank
Volume refers to post volume in the last 24h. A higher volume ranking reflects a token’s favored position relative to other tokens.
In the last 24 hours, there have been 487 new posts about Arweave, driven by 307 contributors, and total online engagement reached 19K social interactions. The sentiment score for Arweave currently stands at 86%. Compared to all cryptocurrencies, post volume for Arweave currently ranks at 4375. Keep an eye on changes to social metrics as they can be key indicators of the influence and reach of Arweave.
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Arweave FAQ
What is Arweave (AR)?
Arweave (AR) is a blockchain-based project that operates as a decentralized storage network. It introduces a unique platform where users can securely and indefinitely store vast amounts of data. By leveraging blockchain technology, Arweave ensures data immutability, privacy, and long-term accessibility.
What are the benefits of Arweave?
Arweave presents several notable advantages compared to traditional storage solutions. One key benefit is the requirement of a single upfront fee for data storage. Once the fee is paid, the stored data remains permanently accessible without the need for recurring payments. This provides a cost-effective and hassle-free storage option. Additionally, Arweave guarantees the safety and immutability of the stored data, offering peace of mind for users concerned about data integrity and security.
What is the AR price prediction?
While it’s challenging to predict the exact future price of AR, you can combine various methods like technical analysis, market trends, and historical data to make informed decisions.
How much is 1 Arweave worth today?
Currently, one Arweave is worth $6.7480. For answers and insight into Arweave's price action, you're in the right place. Explore the latest Arweave charts and trade responsibly with OKX.
What is cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrencies, such as Arweave, are digital assets that operate on a public ledger called blockchains. Learn more about coins and tokens offered on OKX and their different attributes, which includes live prices and real-time charts.
When was cryptocurrency invented?
Thanks to the 2008 financial crisis, interest in decentralized finance boomed. Bitcoin offered a novel solution by being a secure digital asset on a decentralized network. Since then, many other tokens such as Arweave have been created as well.
Watch this video to learn about what happens when you move your money to a crypto exchange.
Disclaimer
The social content on this page ("Content"), including but not limited to tweets and statistics provided by LunarCrush, is sourced from third parties and provided "as is" for informational purposes only. OKX does not guarantee the quality or accuracy of the Content, and the Content does not represent the views of OKX. It is not intended to provide (i) investment advice or recommendation; (ii) an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or hold digital assets; or (iii) financial, accounting, legal or tax advice. Digital assets, including stablecoins and NFTs, involve a high degree of risk, can fluctuate greatly. The price and performance of the digital assets are not guaranteed and may change without notice. OKX does not provide investment or asset recommendations. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. Please consult your legal/tax/investment professional for questions about your specific circumstances. For further details, please refer to our Terms of Use and Risk Warning. By using the third-party website ("TPW"), you accept that any use of the TPW will be subject to and governed by the terms of the TPW. Unless expressly stated in writing, OKX and its affiliates (“OKX”) are not in any way associated with the owner or operator of the TPW. You agree that OKX is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage and any other consequences arising from your use of the TPW. Please be aware that using a TPW may result in a loss or diminution of your assets. Product may not be available in all jurisdictions.
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