Aptos and Jump Crypto Debut Shelby: A Web3 Cloud Platform Built for AI and DePIN
New Chain-Agnostic Storage Network Targets AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
Aptos Labs and Jump Crypto have launched Shelby, a next-generation cloud storage network designed for the Web3 era. Positioned as a direct challenger to centralized giants like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, Shelby promises developers greater control, ownership, and access to live data at cloud-like speed.
Unveiled Tuesday, Shelby is powered by Aptos’ high-throughput infrastructure and is chain-agnostic, supporting major blockchain ecosystems like Ethereum and Solana. The platform is tailored for use cases that demand rapid remote access, such as streaming, AI model training, and decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN).
Shelby Aims to Decentralize Data in the AI-Driven Future
Shelby’s rollout comes amid skyrocketing global demand for cloud services, driven by the exponential rise of AI workloads and data center expansion. According to S&P Global, citing International Energy Agency figures, global data center power demand is expected to double by 2030.
As Aptos engineering lead Pranav Raval explained to Cointelegraph, Shelby is designed not only to match the performance of today’s cloud infrastructure but to empower developers with protocol-level control:
“Shelby offers similar performance to leading cloud platforms, but gives developers the ability to retain ownership, control pricing, and program business logic.”
The leading players in the global cloud infrastructure market in 2024. Source: Statista
Why Shelby Matters for Web3, AI, and Data Ownership
As cloud infrastructure becomes more essential to Web3 and AI, Raval emphasized Shelby’s strategic role in activating data to create “new worlds” and enable new economics and coordination.
He added that with Shelby, AI agents are no longer siloed; instead, they’re continuously connected to live, contextual data. This enables the creation of AI data marketplaces, where developers can stream relevant datasets on-demand, accelerating model training and application deployment.
“For AI, that means AI agents aren’t just smart,” Raval said. “They’re connected.”
Shelby is also built to support the growing DePIN movement, enabling decentralized infrastructure networks to scale globally without relying on legacy data providers.
A Competitive Cloud Landscape Awaits
Shelby enters a fiercely competitive market dominated by tech titans. But with its chain-agnostic compatibility, Web3-native architecture, and focus on decentralization, Aptos and Jump Crypto believe Shelby can carve out a critical niche in the future of data ownership, AI infrastructure, and cloud storage.
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