Crust NetworkPrice

(CRU)

Crust Network is a Layer 1 blockchain built on Polkadot’s Substrate framework that provides decentralized storage and cloud solutions. It functions by matching individuals who have spare hard drive space with those who need to store data securely. While IPFS serves as the underlying storage protocol, it lacks a built-in system to reward participants. Crust acts as the essential incentive layer for IPFS, ensuring that multiple nodes are rewarded for hosting and pinning files so they remain accessible. This decentralized approach removes single points of failure and prioritizes data privacy.

Crust utilizes two unique mechanisms to maintain its network. Meaningful Proof-of-Work (MPoW) is a low-trust storage proof layer that uses Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) technology to verify that miners are actually storing the files they claim to be. Guaranteed Proof of Stake (GPoS) is a consensus mechanism where a node’s staking power is limited by the actual storage capacity they provide. This prevents the centralization seen in traditional Proof of Stake systems, where the wealthiest holders control the network, ensuring that influence is tied to real utility.

The CRU token is the native utility token of the Crust ecosystem with several key functions. It is used for staking to secure the network through GPoS and serves as mandatory collateral for storage providers. Users use CRU to pay for transaction fees, gas, and direct storage resource purchases. Furthermore, CRU holders can participate in on-chain governance, allowing them to vote on various network upgrades and proposals. This ensures the token is integral to the network's security, service delivery, and future development.

CRU tokens can be traded on major global exchanges like LBank. For secure storage and management, the network is compatible with various specialized wallets, including the Crust Wallet browser extension, Polkadot.js, Talisman, Subwallet, and Math Wallet. These tools allow users to manage their assets, participate in staking, and interact with the decentralized storage features of the network.

Standard storage orders on Crust last for six months, but the network features an "Assurance Pool" that allows users to fund automatic renewals, effectively making storage permanent. To ensure high availability, the network typically maintains between 30 to 50 replicas of a file across different global nodes. This ensures that even if several nodes go offline, the data remains accessible. While standard gateways handle files up to 32GB, the Crust Files dApp offers a user-friendly interface for managing smaller, everyday storage needs.

Recently, Crust has evolved toward becoming an AI-native data layer, integrating with ecosystems like TON and Algorand to provide decentralized storage for AI training sets and Telegram MiniApps. Additionally, Crust launched EthDA, a specialized protocol designed to support Ethereum’s EIP-4844 (Proto-Danksharding). This protocol helps Layer 2 networks store "blob" data more affordably and efficiently. These developments position Crust as a critical infrastructure provider for the growing demands of both the AI sector and the Ethereum scaling ecosystem.