Aptos Labs and Jump Crypto have announced Shelby, a standalone hot storage network and protocol designed for persistent, high-frequency Web3 use cases. By integrating high-performance node networks, a dedicated fiber backbone, and a programmable on-chain architecture, Shelby enables decentralized storage for real-time applications. These include video streaming, AI data pipelines, social networking, and DePIN, all while maintaining cloud-scale performance and full decentralization.
Currently, over 82.5% of global internet traffic originates from video and live content. Traditional cloud services struggle to meet real-time demands, often locking developers into closed systems. Shelby offers an on-chain pathway to cloud-like performance through a decentralized hot storage protocol. It ensures all data streams are verifiable on-chain, allowing developers to build next-generation applications without compromise.
Shelby results from a deep collaboration between Aptos Labs and Jump Crypto, two major players in the Web3 space. Aptos Labs engineers, with experience from scaling platforms like Instagram at Meta, are building consumer-grade blockchain infrastructure for Shelby. This includes rapid coordination, flexible logic, and out-of-the-box functionality. Meanwhile, Jump Crypto’s team, known for expertise in real-time systems and ultra-fast trading, provides low-latency read/write support and parallel data streaming. By leveraging Web3’s economic model and Web2’s speed, Shelby enables large-scale data services, combining the best of both worlds. It is expected to introduce a new vertical in the data storage market.
Balancing Web2 performance with Web3 flexibility and economics has long been a challenge for leading projects. Traditional decentralized storage was "cold"—slow and static—suited for archiving but inadequate for real-time use. Shelby introduces a new data primitive: a programmable "hot" storage system that supports streaming, native monetization, and adaptive evolution based on usage. This achieves sub-second read speeds, applicable access control logic, and dynamic pricing functionality.
How Shelby Operates
Shelby will run on a global network of high-performance servers connected by a dedicated fiber backbone, integrated with edge caching to enable large-scale content access in under a second.
Its architecture supports pay-as-you-go pricing, token-based access control, tipping mechanisms, DRM permission protection, and smart contract-defined authorization—all without sacrificing performance. Shelby relies on Aptos mainchain’s 600 ms final confirmation, 30,000 TPS throughput, and a gas fee of just $0.000005 per transaction.
Although Aptos is the native coordination layer, Shelby is designed as a multi-chain compatible system. It will soon support other mainstream ecosystems like Ethereum and Solana.
Leadership Perspectives
Avery Ching, CEO of Aptos Labs, stated:
"Shelby represents the next chapter in decentralized infrastructure. It is not only faster and more flexible but also opens a new category of real-time applications capable of scaling across chains. It gives developers and creators true control over their data and economic models."
Saurabh Sharma, Head of Investments at Jump Crypto, added:
"With Shelby, we aim to break the dilemma between speed and centralization. Its ability to achieve native large-scale data transmission, on-chain authorization logic, and content monetization is a breakthrough not just for Web3 but for the entire internet."
Key Supported Use Cases
- Streaming Services: Creators can deploy pay-per-view live streaming or high-end video subscription services without cold storage delays.
- On-Chain Data: Serves as a decentralized data source for indexers and block snapshots.
- AI Data Marts: Training datasets remain always available, eliminating frequent uploads/downloads and supporting version management.
- DePIN and Social Networking: Sensor data and user-generated content update in real time, enabling decentralized social networking and on-chain metrics.
Web2 and Web3 projects like Metaplex, Story Protocol, DoubleZero, and Pipe are exploring Shelby’s potential. This reflects strong demand for real-time cross-chain infrastructure and the growing influence of the Aptos ecosystem.
The devnet is expected to go live in Q4 2025, followed by a public testnet. Shelby will support chains like Aptos, Ethereum, and Solana, with plans to expand to other modular ecosystems.
Shelby is not just a new entity but a paradigm shift in infrastructure. It symbolizes the future of Web3 and Web2 convergence—a new data layer for speed, scalability, and controllable economic models.
👉 Explore advanced decentralized storage solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is decentralized hot storage?
Decentralized hot storage refers to high-performance, real-time data storage systems that operate on distributed networks. Unlike cold storage for archiving, it supports frequent access, low latency, and dynamic data handling, ideal for applications like streaming and AI.
How does Shelby achieve low latency?
Shelby uses a global network of high-performance servers, a dedicated fiber backbone, and edge caching. This infrastructure ensures data access in under a second, combining decentralized integrity with cloud-like speed.
Which blockchains will Shelby support?
Initially, Shelby will support Aptos, Ethereum, and Solana. Its multi-chain design allows future expansion to other ecosystems, emphasizing interoperability and broad developer adoption.
What makes Shelby different from traditional cloud storage?
Unlike centralized cloud services, Shelby offers on-chain verifiability, decentralized control, and programmable economics. It maintains high performance while enabling true data ownership and flexible monetization models.
When will Shelby be available to developers?
The devnet launch is planned for Q4 2025, with a public testnet to follow. Developers can then experiment with building real-time applications on the network.
Can Shelby handle large-scale AI data pipelines?
Yes, Shelby is designed for high-frequency use cases like AI data marts. It provides always-available datasets, version management, and efficient streaming, reducing the need for repetitive data transfers.