IPFS: What It Is and How It Powers Decentralized Web3 Storage

When you store a file on IPFS, a peer-to-peer protocol for storing and sharing files in a distributed network. Also known as InterPlanetary File System, it doesn’t rely on centralized servers like Google Drive or Dropbox. Instead, files are broken into chunks, given unique cryptographic hashes, and spread across thousands of computers worldwide. This means no single point of failure—and no company can delete your content just because they want to. That’s why IPFS is the quiet engine behind so many Web3 projects, from NFT marketplaces to decentralized social networks.

IPFS isn’t just about storing files. It’s about making data permanent, verifiable, and accessible without relying on a single company’s servers. If you’ve ever seen an NFT link that starts with ipfs://, that’s IPFS at work. It ensures the image or video tied to your NFT won’t vanish if the hosting site shuts down. The same principle applies to tools like Farcaster, a decentralized social media platform and Lens Protocol, a blockchain-based social graph, both of which use IPFS to store user posts, profiles, and media. Without IPFS, these platforms would be just as fragile as traditional social networks.

But IPFS isn’t perfect. It’s not a blockchain itself—it doesn’t have tokens or consensus. It needs nodes to keep files alive, and if no one’s pinning your data, it can disappear over time. That’s why many projects pair IPFS with Filecoin, a blockchain-based incentive layer that pays users to store data. Together, they create a system where data stays online because someone is being rewarded to keep it there. This combo is what makes IPFS more than just a tech curiosity—it’s becoming the standard for trustless storage in crypto.

What you’ll find in this collection are real-world examples of how IPFS powers everything from tokenized assets to censorship-resistant platforms. Some posts dig into how it’s used in DeFi, others show how it’s misused in scams. You’ll see what works, what fails, and why the way you store data in Web3 matters more than you think.