What is IPFS (InterPlanetary File System)?
IPFS is a peer-to-peer protocol for storing and retrieving files by their content hash rather than their location. NFT metadata, dApp frontends and decentralized websites commonly use IPFS so content cannot be silently changed.
Why IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) matters
Understanding IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is part of building a solid mental model of how Bitcoin, blockchain and Web3 systems actually work. Concepts in the Concepts category sit at the foundation of the broader stack — get them right and the rest is far easier.
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Related terms
- NFT (Non-Fungible Token) — A unique, non-interchangeable token on a blockchain.
- Web3 — An umbrella term for blockchain-based, user-owned internet applications.
- Peer-to-Peer Network — A network where every participant is both client and server.
More concepts terms
- Decentralization — Distributing control across many independent participants.
- Atomic Swap — Trustless cross-chain trade using hash time-locked contracts.
- Bridge — A protocol that moves assets or messages between chains.
- Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) — A system that works even when some nodes lie or fail.
- Staking — Locking tokens to secure a network and earn rewards.
- Validator — A node that proposes and attests to blocks in PoS.
- Layer 1 (L1) — A base blockchain network with its own consensus.
- Layer 2 (L2) — A scaling network that settles to a Layer 1.
Keep exploring
Continue with the full blockchain glossary — 136 terms in total — or read the developer blog and FAQ for deeper context.