Arweave
What it is
Arweave is a blockchain network for permanent, decentralized information storage in an open ledger. Its named uses include preserving important data and hosting decentralized web apps, and people can upload files or create homepages on the permaweb. The protocol uses HTTP and can be accessed with clients such as Axios, Fetch, and Guzzle; listed integrations cover Go, PHP, Scala, Java, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, and NodeJS. Node software is available as pre-built binaries or can be built from source, with roles including solo, coordinated, and pool mining, VDF server, and validator. The Yellow Paper describes stored content as timestamped and tamper-proof through the blockweave, with integrity checks using transaction data in block hashes and recall blocks. Fees vary dynamically, so the docs advise checking the price endpoint near submission. Storage has a lasting consequence: after miners store data, deletion is not guaranteed. The policy advises against storing cleartext personal or confidential information.
For and against
For
- HTTP-based protocol works with existing clients.
- Integrations span eight listed programming languages.
- Node software has pre-built and source options.
- Web and mobile wallet options are listed.
Against
- No guaranteed way to delete stored data.
- Transaction fees are determined dynamically.
- Lost wallet key files cannot be recovered.
The verdict
Arweave combines permanent-storage aims with developer access through HTTP and a range of client integrations. Its deletion and wallet-key caveats matter when deciding what to store and how to protect keys.
Who it suits
Arweave may suit people seeking to preserve data or host decentralized web apps, as well as developers working with HTTP clients or node software. Anyone considering storage should account for the lack of guaranteed deletion and the wallet-key recovery warning.
On the record
- API
- The protocol is based on HTTP and can be accessed using existing HTTP clients, including Axios, Fetch, and Guzzle.docs.arweave.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- API access
- The ar.io API reference lists data access, ArNS resolution, network information, and transaction management endpoints for its gateway.docs.arweave.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Browser support
- The ar.io SDK documentation says its SDKs are available for Node.js and browser environments, with TypeScript support.docs.arweave.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Consensus and storage proofs
- The protocol documentation describes a decentralized consensus mechanism adapted for permanent storage and Succinct Proofs of Random Access to verify data access.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data access
- The ar.io documentation says its gateway retrieves Arweave data, caches and indexes it, resolves ArNS names, and exposes HTTP interfaces.docs.ar.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data permanence caveat
- The legal policy says that once data has been stored by one or more miners, there is no guaranteed way to delete it, and advises against storing cleartext personal or confidential information.arweave.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Developer tools
- The ar.io SDK documentation lists the Turbo SDK for uploads, the ar.io SDK for its protocols and services, and the Wayfinder SDK for decentralized data access.docs.arweave.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Dynamic pricing
- Transaction fees are determined dynamically by the network, and the docs advise checking the price endpoint near submission time.docs.arweave.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Gateway distinction
- The ar.io documentation says gateways make Arweave data easier to access, while Arweave provides permanent storage and data availability.docs.ar.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The docs list client integrations for Go, PHP, Scala, Java, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, and NodeJS.docs.arweave.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The ar.io developer documentation describes resources for building applications, uploading and accessing data, and operating gateway infrastructure.docs.arweave.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maker and registered office
- The legal policy identifies Minimum Spanning Technologies Limited and gives an address in London, United Kingdom.arweave.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Network model
- The site says the Arweave ecosystem is fully decentralized.arweave.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Network verification
- The Yellow Paper says stored content is timestamped and tamper-proof through the blockweave, with data integrity checked through transaction data in block hashes and recall blocks.arweave.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Node roles
- The developer guide describes solo mining, coordinated mining, pool mining, VDF server, and validator node types.docs.arweave.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Node software
- Node software can be installed from pre-built binaries or built from source.docs.arweave.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The ar.io API reference says its services follow open source principles and repositories are available under AGPL-3 licenses.docs.arweave.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Pricing model
- The Arweave protocol documentation says upload fees scale with uploaded data volume and a portion goes to the storage endowment.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
