A significant advancement in decentralized data management has emerged with the mainnet launch of Walrus’s decentralized secrets management (DSM) service, Seal. This new service enhances access control through a combination of threshold encryption and programmable data access, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of web3 data platforms.
Seal’s implementation allows users to manage access to data stored on Walrus, addressing a long-standing gap in decentralized storage solutions where data remains publicly accessible by default. According to Rebecca Simmonds, Managing Executive of Walrus Foundation, many existing systems rely on app developers to handle encryption, leading to access control mechanisms that are often “hard-coded, brittle, or missing entirely.” With Seal, users gain unprecedented control over their data, enabling them to dictate who can access it, under what conditions, and whether any fees are associated with access.
The possibilities that arise from Seal’s features are extensive. For instance, owners of AI models could limit access to their datasets for specific payments. Additionally, Seal’s technology could revolutionize non-fungible tokens (NFTs) by allowing owners to utilize the associated media, such as video or music files, in a controlled manner. Unlike many NFTs, which have been criticized for pointing to external links that may become inactive, Walrus ensures that users genuinely own their NFTs and have complete control over the associated content.
Simmonds highlights the challenge of realizing the full potential of decentralized data storage prior to the availability of an adequate tech stack. Although previous discussions in 2018, 2019, and 2020 highlighted various innovative use cases, the means to implement these ideas efficiently were lacking. With Walrus and Seal, those barriers appear to have been overcome, facilitating seamless integration of services.
Developed by Mysten Labs, the team behind the Layer-1 blockchain Sui, Walrus aims to serve not merely as a decentralized storage solution but as a robust data layer for Web3. Every piece of data stored on Walrus exists as a blob, or container, which can be manipulated by smart contracts. This functionality empowers users to gain more value from their data, transitioning it from being inert to actively working and generating insights.
Simmonds paints a vivid picture of potential applications: envision a music platform akin to Spotify where artists maintain permanent storage of their tracks, control access, and receive instant payments without intermediaries. Such a system could also enhance user engagement through features like token-gated listening parties or exclusive early releases.
A variety of Web3 brands are already leveraging Walrus, including renowned NFT collections like Pudgy Penguins and Claynosaurz, the decentralized AI training platform FLock.io, and the ad network Alkimi, which counts Coca-Cola as a client. Additionally, Decrypt itself stores its articles and videos using Walrus.
The adaptive capabilities of Walrus and Seal also extend to the AI sector. With AI’s efficacy heavily dependent on the quality of training data, Walrus enhances the integrity of AI models by enabling them to verify workloads, thus thwarting the risks of compromised datasets and inaccurate results. Seal further amplifies this effect by insuring data privacy on the blockchain.
Recent hackathons have showcased innovative applications of Walrus, such as SuiSign for decentralized document signing and Walpress for creating and publishing decentralized websites effortlessly. Many partnerships are in development, focused on exploring new opportunities made possible by the synergy between Walrus and Seal.
In summary, the launch of Seal is positioned to transform not only how data is stored and accessed in a decentralized manner but also to unleash a host of innovative applications in various domains, redefining the landscape of web3 data management.
