- Shelby enables real-time access to large datasets across blockchains.
- Aptos provides Shelby’s early settlement layer for fast coordination.
- Collaborators include Metaplex, Pipe Network, and Flashback Labs.
Aptos Labs has announced the development of Shelby, a decentralized, cloud-grade storage protocol designed for data-rich Web3 applications. According to the team, Shelby will provide sub-second read speeds and millisecond-level settlement, supporting real-time use cases.
Built to serve Web3’s growing demand for scalable infrastructure, Shelby will enable applications such as AI inference, streaming, decentralized gaming assets, and dynamic NFTs. The protocol’s architecture is chain-agnostic, allowing access to data across multiple blockchain ecosystems.
Addressing Gaps in Web3 Data Availability
Current blockchain systems primarily focus on computation and settlement but lack the ability to serve large datasets efficiently. Jump Crypto, a collaborator in the project, emphasized that Shelby was created to meet this need by delivering high-throughput data access.
Aptos will serve as Shelby’s initial settlement layer, helping achieve high-speed data operations. The protocol is expected to improve user experiences in bandwidth-intensive applications by making large data more accessible at the edge.
Shelby also aims to reduce reliance on centralized cloud providers by offering a decentralized alternative with monetizable storage capabilities. The solution supports developers and projects requiring large-scale data storage with minimal latency.
Early Collaborators and Ecosystem Support
Several projects across different sectors of Web3 have joined as early contributors. These include Metaplex, an NFT platform on Solana; Pipe Network, a decentralized content delivery solution; and Story, a blockchain focused on intellectual property. Additional partners such as Myco, DoubleZero, and Flashback Labs are contributing in areas like streaming, infrastructure, and AI.
David Rhodus, founder of Permissionless Labs and contributor to Pipe Network, highlighted Shelby’s value in enhancing data delivery performance. He noted that their Point of Presence nodes will help fill connectivity gaps, enabling efficient service coverage through decentralized infrastructure.
Kyle Samani, managing partner at Multicoin Capital, commented on the strategic opportunity to replace parts of centralized cloud bundles, underlining Shelby’s broader market potential.
Shelby positions itself as a foundational layer for the next generation of decentralized applications, aiming to simplify access to high-performance, monetizable storage while maintaining a neutral infrastructure layer compatible with multiple blockchain networks.
