Aptos Labs and Jump Crypto launched Shelby, a decentralized cloud storage layer, on June 24, 2025. Shelby aims to bridge the gap between the performance of traditional cloud giants and the sovereignty and transparency of decentralized infrastructure, targeting high-bandwidth, low-latency use cases such as streaming, artificial intelligence (AI), and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN).

Image Source: Aptos

What is Shelby?

Shelby is a globally distributed, chain-agnostic storage network engineered to deliver cloud-grade speed and reliability while maintaining the core principles of decentralization. Unlike earlier decentralized storage solutions, which excelled at static content but struggled with real-time, data-intensive workloads, Shelby is designed for “hot storage” providing sub-second data access and high throughput at scale.

Key Features

1. High-Performance Global Network: Shelby operates on a mesh of high-performance nodes interconnected by a dedicated fiber-optic backbone. This setup ensures that large volumes of data can be transferred quickly and efficiently across the globe.

2. Edge Caching: To minimize latency, Shelby implements edge caching, temporarily storing data closer to end users. This design guarantees sub-second access even during peak demand, making it ideal for streaming and live data feeds.

3. Chain-Agnostic Compatibility: While Aptos serves as the coordination layer offering 600-millisecond transaction finality and up to 30,000 transactions per second, Shelby is built to support multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and other modular environments.

4. Programmable and Monetizable Storage: Developers can program business logic at the protocol level, set dynamic pricing, enforce digital rights management (DRM), and implement token-gated or smart contract controlled access. This flexibility enables new monetization models for data-rich applications.

5. Usage-Based Billing: Shelby supports pay-as-you-go billing, tipping, and other Web3-native economic models, empowering creators and developers to retain control over their data and revenue streams.

Addressing the Limitations of Traditional Decentralized Storage

Traditional decentralized storage networks have been criticized for their inability to handle high-frequency, real-time workloads. Shelby directly addresses this limitation by offering the performance and responsiveness demanded by modern applications without compromising on decentralization or data ownership.

Shelby’s architecture is particularly well-suited for:

1. Streaming Video: Decentralized video platforms can leverage Shelby for high-bandwidth, low-latency delivery, giving creators and viewers more direct control and reducing reliance on centralized servers.

2. AI Model Training and Data Marketplaces: AI applications require rapid access to vast datasets. Shelby’s scalable, secure environment democratizes AI development by making data storage and retrieval fast and decentralized.

3. DePIN Applications: DePIN projects, which decentralize real-world infrastructure like wireless networks and IoT sensor arrays, generate massive data flows. Shelby provides the robust, censorship-resistant storage backbone needed for these networks to thrive.

Market Impact

Shelby enters a competitive cloud storage market dominated by Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. However, its unique blend of decentralization, programmability, and cloud-grade performance positions it as a compelling alternative for Web3 builders seeking to avoid vendor lock-in and retain data sovereignty. Early interest from projects like Metaplex, Story Protocol, and Pipe Network signals strong cross-chain demand. A developer-focused devnet is expected in Q4 2025, followed by a public testnet and broader ecosystem integration.

Final Thoughts

Shelby represents a significant step forward for decentralized infrastructure, offering developers and enterprises a new foundation for building data-rich, real-time Web3 applications. By combining the speed and flexibility of traditional clouds with the transparency and ownership of blockchain, Aptos Labs and Jump Crypto are setting the stage for a new era in cloud storage.