// GLOSSARY -- WEB3 INFRASTRUCTURE

What is IPFS?

1 min read Updated

IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is a decentralized, peer-to-peer file storage network that addresses content by its hash rather than location — enabling permanent, censorship-resistant storage for Web3 applications.

WHY IT MATTERS

IPFS solves a fundamental Web3 problem: where do you store data that's too large for blockchain? NFT images, dApp frontends, and document storage need decentralized alternatives to AWS/Google Cloud.

Content addressing is the key innovation: files are identified by their content hash (CID), not their location. The same file always has the same address, regardless of where it's stored. This ensures integrity — if the content changes, the address changes.

IPFS is widely used for: NFT metadata and images, dApp frontend hosting, and decentralized document storage. Pinning services (Pinata, Web3.Storage) ensure data persistence beyond individual node availability.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is IPFS permanent?
Data persists as long as at least one node pins it. Unpinned data can be garbage-collected. For permanent storage, use Arweave (pays once for permanent storage) or pinning services.
How does IPFS relate to NFTs?
NFT metadata and images are typically stored on IPFS, with the IPFS CID stored on-chain. This provides decentralized storage at a fraction of on-chain storage cost.
Is IPFS fast enough for applications?
IPFS retrieval can be slower than CDNs, especially for uncached content. Dedicated gateways, caching, and Filecoin-backed retrieval networks are improving performance.

FURTHER READING

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