An open letter to the NFT Community: Join us in shaping the future of NFT preservation

Inspired by "1% for the Planet," we challenge web3 projects to pledge 1% of their resources to support public goods like NFT.Storage. By committing these resources, you not only help preserve digital assets but also invest in the future of the entire NFT ecosystem, ensuring its sustainability and growth.
Elizabeth Griffiths
July 1, 2024

NFT.Storage is a public good dedicated to ensuring that every NFT stored today remains accessible tomorrow. Founded by Protocol Labs in 2021, NFT.Storage Classic has been a cornerstone of the NFT ecosystem, offering free decentralized bandwidth and Filecoin storage for over 680TB of NFT data. Our platform not only facilitates the storage of off-chain NFT data for creators and minting platforms but also serves as a critical infrastructure for wallets, block explorers, marketplaces, and other dApps to retrieve data through the NFT.Storage Gateway.

In April 2024, NFT.Storage became an independent entity. While we remain grounded in our mission as a public good, we now rely on creating new revenue streams and public funding to sustain our operations and continue our contributions to the NFT ecosystem.

The Value of Your Support

Inspired by initiatives like "1% for the Planet," we challenge web3 projects to pledge 1% of their resources to public goods. Just as businesses take responsibility for protecting the planet, it's time for web3 projects to commit to strengthening our ecosystem. By pledging 1% of their resources to support public goods, including NFT.Storage, projects can significantly contribute to the sustainability and growth of the ecosystem. By providing some of this funding to NFT.Storage, you're not just preserving digital assets; you're investing in the future of the entire NFT community.

Products and Initiatives You Support

NFT.Storage Classic

Originally offered free uploads and pinning services, with all data content addressed by IPFS, made available via the NFT.Storage Gateway, and stored in Filecoin. While uploads are being decommissioned, the data remains accessible through the gateway and is securely stored in Filecoin.

NFT.Storage (New Version)

As the NFT ecosystem expands, the need for long term reliable storage solutions becomes increasingly important. Traditional centralized storage methods, and even some decentralized storage solutions, pose risks such as data loss, manipulation, and the potential for single points of failure, which can compromise the integrity and accessibility of NFTs over time.

NFT.Storage provides a robust solution by offering a premier product focused on the enduring preservation of NFTs. Our service charges a modest one-time fee per GB of storage, payable via fiat and soon through ERC20 tokens. Leveraging Filecoin's decentralized storage network and supported by an on-chain endowment, we aim to ensure that off-chain NFT data remains backed up and verifiable. Even if content becomes temporarily inaccessible, the NFT data is always stored in our long-term storage in the Filecoin Network. We prioritize a great developer experience with a user-friendly web app and API, ensuring seamless integration and backup management for all users.

Looking ahead, our ambition is to integrate NFT.Storage as foundational primitives directly within protocols, layer-1s, layer-2s, and smart contracts. This forward-thinking approach aims to embed NFT storage at the deepest layer of the tech stack, paving the way for mass adoption of digital asset preservation. By continuously evolving our product and expanding our service capabilities, we aim to provide a sustainable and scalable solution for the long-term preservation of NFTs.

NFT Token Checker

With the continuous expansion of NFT use cases, there is an increasing need for tools that offer verification and assurance of where the NFT image and metadata are stored. Marketplaces, wallets, and creators require a reliable method to confirm the authenticity and lasting storage of NFTs to maintain trust and confidence within the community.

In 2024, we plan to launch the NFT Token Checker, an essential tool designed to offer verification of NFTs that back up their off-chain data in NFT.Storage. This service will provide creators and their customers with confidence in the lasting storage of NFTs by displaying a distinct icon on marketplace pages, indicating the NFT is preserved by NFT.Storage. Fully integrated on the NFT.Storage website, the Token Checker will facilitate easy verification of NFT storage status by anyone. Initially, we will employ a centralized approach to data storage, ensuring immediate operational efficiency.

A pivotal aspect of our roadmap is the transition to on-chain validation mechanisms. This advancement will enable the direct verification of CIDs against the Filecoin blockchain, enhancing transparency and moving towards a more trustless product. This approach aligns with NFT.Storage’s mission to create a seamless ecosystem for digital assets, increasing user awareness of the permanence, authenticity, and storage of their NFTs. While the initial phase will draw exclusively from data in the paid NFT.Storage product, we will consider broadening its scope to include data from the Classic Uploader and Pinning API, guided by our Community's strategic direction.

Cultural Preservation initiatives

Preserving arts and cultural heritage in the digital age presents unique challenges. While token infrastructure and decentralized storage offer promising tools, they alone cannot fully address the social and ethical considerations involved. Active stewardship, ongoing research, and thoughtful deliberation by a diverse community are required to develop and refine effective protocols and best practices for digital preservation.

The NFT.Storage Community Cultural Preservation working group extends Protocol Labs’ mission to safeguard humanity’s data into the arts and culture sectors. This group brings together key stakeholders who believe that NFTs and decentralized storage can form the backbone of digital infrastructure for preserving arts and culture. The group's primary focus is on educating about the potential of these technologies and ensuring that protocols are accessible enough to be adopted and integrated by artists, cultural producers, platforms, and GLAMs (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums). Through active stewardship and interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to address both technological and social aspects of preservation.

As we move forward, the Cultural Preservation working group will continue to develop and refine best practices for digital preservation, driven by the needs and insights of our community. By fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment, we aim to create a sustainable framework for preserving cultural heritage in the digital age. This initiative will evolve with the input and participation of a diverse and dedicated community, ensuring that our efforts remain relevant and impactful.

How you can contribute

By donating to NFT.Storage, companies can avoid the high costs of building their own solutions, contributing to a shared resource that benefits the entire NFT ecosystem. Your support is crucial in helping us achieve our goals. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant impact. Join us in preserving the future of digital assets and empowering the NFT community.

Join the community: Join the NFT.Storage community to support public goods, collaborate with leaders in the NFT community, drive technology advancements, and help ensure the long-term preservation of NFTs. Show your support by joining our vibrant community. Your involvement, whether active or passive, helps shape our initiatives and ensures we address the needs of our community. Join today>>

Form a strategic partnership: Partner with us to drive innovation and growth in the NFT space, leveraging mutual strengths to achieve shared goals. Message us today>>

Make a donation: Your financial support is vital in helping us develop and maintain the public goods that benefit the entire NFT community. Donations enable us to continue our work on preserving digital assets, advancing technology, and helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of our projects. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference and helps us achieve our mission. Join us in making a meaningful impact through your generous support. Donate today>>

Use our partner referral links: 

You asked for our recommendations and we answered. We’re excited to share our new partnerships with Pinata and Lighthouse for hot storage solutions. Use our referral links to support NFT.Storage while benefiting from these services:

Your support is essential

Your financial support helps sustain NFT.Storage as a vital public good and demonstrates your commitment to the NFT space. Through your contributions, we can continue to provide invaluable resources and innovations that benefit the entire NFT community. Together, we can ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of digital assets, driving innovation and fostering a robust NFT ecosystem.

A special thank you

We are incredibly grateful to our supporters and community members. Your contributions and engagement make all the difference. Thank you for being an integral part of the NFT.Storage journey.