Storage is just the beginning; the real realm of imagination lies in computation. Walrus Protocol's roadmap for 2026 explores a deeper possibility — making computation and storage no longer separate.

Imagine data that doesn't need to be downloaded back and forth locally, but can be analyzed and inferred directly near the storage nodes. This sounds simple, but the bandwidth savings are enormous. How exactly does it work?

First, localized computation. AI inference and data retrieval can be initiated around storage nodes, significantly reducing data traffic. Second, integration of privacy-preserving computation. Using trusted execution environments like TEE, raw data is not exposed, only the computation results are output. Third, building a distributed index — a decentralized global data search engine, making data retrieval truly decentralized.

$WAL's value proposition is expanding from simple storage to the entire computing ecosystem. This is not just a feature upgrade but Walrus's ambition to evolve from a storage service into a global decentralized computing hub.