AR.IO

WHO IS AR.IO AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

AR.IO is a global network, protocol, and currency that enables the permaweb stored on Arweave. Put simply, it enables gateways to the permaweb. More precisely, AR.IO is the decentralized and incentivized gateway node network of the Arweave ecosystem. Comprised of operators, developers, and end users, the AR.IO network leverages a utility token to proliferate access to the permaweb: the files, applications, web pages and data permanently stored on the Arweave decentralized storage network.

The various nodes on the AR.IO Network, known as gateways, are the interface between users and the permaweb. Each gateway acts like a “Permaweb Service Provider” and supports multiple, value-added, services like reading, writing, querying, and indexing of Arweave data. Gateways are crucial components in the permaweb infrastructure, acting as conduits between users and the information stored on Arweave. Unlike Arweave mining nodes that secure the Layer 1 blockweave and replicate information throughout the network, gateways undertake the responsibilities of data retrieval, caching, indexing transactions into a searchable database, and delivering that data at scale. Gateways are therefore entry point to the permaweb, functioning as specialized nodes that facilitate access to and interaction with the stored data. They enable low-cost, maintenance-free hosting of content, benefiting users, creators, and developers.

Ar.io's gateway is an open source codebase. The AR.IO token, referred to as IO or ɸ, is a SmartWeave token used for protocol incentives, gateway accountability, and payments for services like the Arweave Name System (ArNS). It will enable gateways on the AR.IO Network to operate under a low-trust model with the users of their service.

As an open source code base, and together with the AR.IO token, it bolsters decentralization, minimizing reliance on single entities and boosting network resilience. One single gateway cannot serve every need of a thriving permanent data ecosystem. A network of gateway is needed. Today, anyone can boot up a gateway to serve their needs. The accessibility of the codebase encourages more participants to operate gateway nodes, enhancing the network's health. Given the modular architecture of AR.IO nodes, node runners can reduce gateway operational costs and participate in various ways.

WHY IS AR.IO NEEDED?

Arweave (a Layer 1 blockchain network) offers scalable and permanent on-chain data storage in a sustainable manner. It does this by incentivizing miner nodes through a tokenomic endowment model which ensures data is globally stored and replicated for hundreds of years without the need for continual payment by its uploader.

However, Arweave as a Layer 1 protocol does not satisfy all the needs of permaweb applications like data indexing, querying, retrieval, and other essential services. As a result, gateway services have been independently developed to satisfy the needs of the permaweb. Users, developers, and apps have relied on these gateway services, but these gateway services are closed source, complex, and expensive.

Arweave also does not offer any tokeneconomic incentives to offset the expenses associated with operating a gateway. This has led users, developers, and apps to rely on a single, centrally controlled gateway: arweave.net. While arweave.net is critical, it is also frequently a bottleneck for the whole ecosystem.

AR.IO's helps attract more gateway operators to the permaweb, thus increasing its health, resiliency, and functionality through decentralized mechanisms that are as trustless as possible.

Put simply, AR.IO is needed because it:

• Reduces gateway overhead costs with open source, efficient modular networked architecture; and because it
• Creates economic incentives through the IO token.