InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)
Also known as: Decentralized File Sharing, P2P Storage Protocol, Content-Addressed Network
A decentralized peer-to-peer storage protocol for sharing and preserving files across a distributed network.
IPFS, or the InterPlanetary File System, is a decentralized protocol designed for content-addressed file sharing. Instead of relying on centralized servers, IPFS distributes data across a network of nodes, making it resilient, censorship-resistant, and efficient. Each file or chunk is identified by a cryptographic hash, allowing users to verify content integrity and retrieve it from any peer that hosts it. IPFS is widely used in Web3 to host NFTs, dApps, and documents in a decentralized way. Tools like Filecoin add storage incentives to IPFS, enabling persistent and verifiable data hosting.