Web3 data storage has always faced an awkward problem: key assets such as NFT metadata, RWA certificates, and AI model parameters are mostly stored statically off-chain, and do not truly interact with on-chain smart contracts. The result is asset transfer bottlenecks and limited application innovation.

Walrus Protocol changes this situation. This storage solution built on the Sui public chain transforms storage from a simple "data warehouse" into a "programmable value hub." In simple terms, it allows data to no longer be passively stored but to actively communicate with on-chain logic.

The key to Walrus's programmability lies in its native integration with Sui and perfect compatibility with Move smart contracts. This is completely different from traditional storage protocols like Arweave and Filecoin. In Walrus, stored data (Blob objects) can directly exist as objects on the Sui chain, with Move contracts able to reference, invoke, or even control them directly. Developers thus gain new freedom: defining data access rules, transfer pathways, and value distribution mechanisms through smart contracts, enabling data to have "active responsiveness."

Taking NFTs as an example, the most straightforward illustration. Traditional NFT art files and metadata are usually stored on off-chain platforms like IPFS, linked only via hashes and on-chain tokens. If the storage node crashes or the link fails, the NFT becomes a true "source-less" asset. But on Walrus, all this becomes controllable and dynamic—full lifecycle management of NFTs, from creation and transfer to destruction, can be achieved through programmable storage, enabling truly decentralized applications.