FAQs

What is Avail Coin in simple terms?

Avail Coin is a cryptocurrency that powers a decentralized storage network. Instead of relying on big companies to store your files (like Google Drive or Dropbox), Avail lets regular people around the world rent out their unused storage space. You earn Avail Coins for storing data or helping keep the network running.

How is Avail different from traditional cloud storage?

Unlike traditional cloud storage, which stores your data in centralized servers owned by big corporations, Avail uses a decentralized model:

• Decentralized: Your data is broken into pieces and spread across many independent nodes instead of one central server.

• Private & Secure: Only you can access your files thanks to encryption and content addressing.

• Incentivized: Users earn Avail Coin for providing storage—no middlemen.

• Resilient: No single point of failure. Even if some nodes go down, your data is still safe.

How do you ensure my data is secure on the network?

• End-to-End Encryption: Before your file leaves your device, it’s encrypted with a strong algorithm (e.g., AES-256). This means the data is essentially in “secret code” form​. Only you (with your password or private key) can decrypt it. Even Avail node operators cannot read your data – they just store random-looking encrypted chunks. Storj (a similar project) puts it well: it’s “private by design and secure by default,” encrypting and distributing files over a global network.

• File Sharding & Distribution: Your encrypted data is broken into pieces and distributed across many different nodes. Each node might only hold a fragment of the file which by itself reveals nothing. An attacker would have to compromise many nodes and piece together shards and break encryption to get the whole file, which is extraordinarily difficult. Moreover, because shards are spread out, no single node or location has your whole file to lose or ransom.

• Redundancy: Avail uses erasure coding to add redundancy. For example, your file might be split into 30 pieces such that any 20 pieces can reconstruct it. These 30 pieces could be stored on 30 different nodes. This way, up to 10 nodes could go offline (or lose data) and you’d still recover your full file from the remaining pieces. This redundancy protects against data loss and ensures availability​.

• Cryptographic Proofs (Auditing): The network constantly audits storage providers. Providers must produce cryptographic proofs at regular intervals to show they still have the data they’re supposed to. Think of it as the network asking “Do you still have Alice’s file chunk? Prove it to me without sending me the whole file,” and the provider can produce a small proof that the network verifies. If the proof fails, the network knows something’s wrong (like data might be lost or corrupted on that node) and can take action (not reward that provider, maybe re-replicate the data elsewhere).

• Secure Blockchain Ledger: All transactions (including storage contracts and proof verifications) are recorded on the blockchain. This transparency means there’s a tamper-proof log of who stored what (in terms of hashes, not file content) and whether they have been behaving. Any attempts to cheat (like claiming a reward without actually storing data) are detectable and punishable. The ledger also prevents unauthorized access – only the holder of a file’s hash and key (the client who uploaded) can create a valid retrieval request for it in normal operations.

What is Proof-of-Space? How does Avail’s consensus work?

Proof-of-Space (PoSpace) is a consensus mechanism where the ability to create new blocks (and earn block rewards) is based on allocating disk space rather than performing heavy computations (as in Proof-of-Work) or holding tokens (as in Proof-of-Stake). In Avail’s case, nodes called farmers generate cryptographic structures (plots) on their hard drives – basically filling space with specific data that can later be used to prove they have allotted that storage. When the network needs to create a new block, it issues a random challenge that farmers can answer if their stored data (plots) have a certain property. In simple terms, if you’ve dedicated more space, you’re more likely to have a plot that satisfies the challenge and thus win the right to append the next block and get the reward. It’s analogous to each GB of space being like a lottery ticket – more space, more tickets​. This approach was popularized by Chia Network, which uses Proof-of-Space-and-Time, combining space with a time delay function for security​. Avail similarly uses a verifiable delay function to prevent farmers from quickly replotting or grinding the challenge (ensuring the “space” is genuinely committed over time)​.

The benefits of PoSpace for Avail are:

• Energy Efficiency: Farmers use very low electricity compared to Bitcoin-like mining. Once the plots are created on disk, proving is not computation-intensive. Avail leverages existing disk capacity which is abundant and cheap.

• Decentralization: Because you don’t need ASICs or expensive hardware – just free disk space – a wide range of people can participate. This leads to a more decentralized set of block producers.

• Synergy with Storage Utility: Uniquely, Avail ties the proof-of-space to its storage utility. The space farmers dedicate can overlap with actual useful storage of files (with some technical caveats to avoid conflicts). This means the act of securing the blockchain (farming) is directly connected to storing user data, aligning incentives nicely. Some space might be purely for proofs and some for file shards, but conceptually, storage used for either purpose adds security or capacity to the network.

How does Avail compare to Filecoin, Storj, or Sia?

Avail is in the same general family as these projects – all are decentralized storage networks – but there are some differences in approach:

• Consensus Mechanism: Filecoin uses a variant of Proof-of-Work/Stake hybrid with Proof-of-Replication/Spacetime specifically to tie block production to storage; its miners must stake FIL and show they store clients’ data. Storj doesn’t have its own L1 blockchain – it’s a layer on top of Ethereum (using STORJ token as an ERC-20) and uses an uplink and satellite architecture (partially centralized coordination). Sia uses Proof-of-Work for its blockchain and file contracts for storage. Avail uses Proof-of-Space, more akin to Chia, meaning it doesn’t require energy-intensive work or token staking to secure the chain, which may lower the barrier for miners and potentially be more decentralized from day one. Avail’s consensus is novel in combining Chia-like farming with Filecoin-like storage proofs – an attempt to get the best of both worlds.

• Data Availability vs. Retrieval Focus: Storj and Sia focus on storage and retrieval of files with user-friendly tools (Storj DCS, for example, provides S3-compatible interfaces). Filecoin also focuses on long-term storage deals but has had less emphasis historically on fast retrieval (leading to separate retrieval markets being developed). Avail aims to provide both reliable storage and efficient retrieval, leveraging a distributed network of nodes that can fulfill download requests quickly (similar to Storj’s approach of multi-threaded parallel downloads). In other words, Avail aspires to be a general decentralized cloud storage that can be used for everything from personal backups to serving website content, whereas Filecoin initially targeted more archival storage (though it’s evolving).

• Ease of Use and Integration: Storj has a polished user experience for developers (easy integration, hosted gateways, etc.), Filecoin has deep integration with IPFS (content addressing). Avail is positioning itself to be developer-friendly as well, with SDKs and perhaps even IPFS integration for content addressing so that developers used to IPFS/Filecoin can easily migrate. Avail’s unique selling point is its community-driven governance (Storj and Filecoin are more governed by companies or foundations; Sia has a company (Skynet) and a utility token plus a governance token for another layer). Avail from day one has a DAO to guide it, which may attract those who want more say in the network’s evolution.

• Performance and Scalability: Thanks to its Proof-of-Space consensus, Avail’s blockchain may achieve faster finality or higher throughput with modest hardware, whereas Filecoin’s chain has gone through iterations to improve speed (especially now with Filecoin’s FVM and bridging to Ethereum). Avail is designed to scale out with potentially billions of participants given the lightweight farming​. Also, Avail is exploring advanced features like compute-over-data in its roadmap (which is not a focus for the others yet). Each project has strengths: for instance, Arweave (another project) specializes in “permanent” one-time payment storage. Avail’s niche is flexible, market-driven storage with a sustainable economy and strong community governance.

What is the role of the AVAIL token? Why does the system need its own token?

The $AVAIL token is the lifeblood of the Avail network. It serves several roles:

• Currency of the Network: AVAIL is used to pay for storage and bandwidth on the network. If you want to store data, you pay providers in AVAIL. This creates an internal economy. Having its own token allows the system to precisely tailor economic incentives (like block rewards and fees) without relying on external currencies that might not reflect the network’s usage.

• Reward Mechanism: Providers (miners/farmers) earn AVAIL for contributing resources. By issuing the network’s native token as a reward, Avail can effectively distribute ownership of the network to those who make it useful. This is similar to how Bitcoin rewards miners in BTC. It bootstraps the network because people are motivated to join and earn tokens, which in turn increases network capacity and utility.

• Governance Power: As discussed, AVAIL is a governance token. Decisions about the network are often decided by those who hold tokens. This aligns decision-making with stakeholders. If the network used, say, ETH for payments, the project would not have a built-in way to govern itself unless it introduced a separate token anyway. So AVAIL token is integral for decentralized governance.

• Aligning Incentives and Security: The token ties everything together – economic security comes from the fact that malicious actors would need a lot of tokens (which would be expensive to acquire) to influence the network improperly, and honest actors are rewarded with tokens, giving them a stake in the network’s success (the value of AVAIL is linked to the network’s reputation and usage). The blockchain also uses the token for transaction fees to prevent spam. Without a native token, it’s hard to have a self-contained, self-sustaining blockchain network.

How can I become a storage provider or farmer on Avail?

To become a storage provider (farmer) and earn AVAIL, follow these general steps:

1. Prepare Hardware: Get a computer or server with reliable internet connection and as much free disk space as you want to share. Even an always-on Raspberry Pi with an external hard drive can work for small-scale farming, or a dedicated PC/NAS for larger scale. Ensure the system has stable power and network, since uptime will affect your success.

2. Run the Avail Node Software: Download the official Avail node program from the website or GitHub. Install and run it on your machine. During setup, you’ll create or connect a wallet that will receive your rewards. You’ll also allocate how much disk space to use for storing others’ data and for the proof-of-space plotting. The node will begin plotting your disk with necessary data for farming (this can take some time initially).

3. Announce and Accept Deals: Once your node is up and synced to the blockchain, it will register itself on the network’s list of available storage providers. You might be able to set some preferences like pricing, but in many cases the software auto-negotiates. As users start uploading files, your node might be selected to store some chunks if you have available space and a good reputation. You’ll see in the node logs or dashboard when you’ve received data to store.

4. Stay Online and Maintain: The main task is to stay online to respond to storage proofs and retrieval requests. The software handles the cryptographic proofs autonomously – your job is mainly to make sure your hardware and internet remain stable. Check your node’s status periodically. If using a lot of space, ensure your drives are healthy (replace any failing drives – using a RAID setup or similar can be wise for providers to avoid losing data if a drive dies).

5. Earn Rewards: Over time, you will earn AVAIL in two ways – from the storage fees paid by users (which might stream to you or vest according to contracts) and from block rewards if your proof-of-space contributions help you win blocks. The node software will show your earnings. You can withdraw these to your wallet or compound your operation by adding more capacity. Remember that there might be an initial delay to get deals and start earning – being new, you have to build a reputation and the network needs to assign you data. Some providers run multiple nodes in different locations to increase chance of getting deals.

No permission is needed to join – Avail is an open network. Just running the software and following the instructions is enough. It’s recommended to join the community channels for providers (like a Discord group) where tips are shared – for example, how to forward ports in your router to allow better connectivity, or how to set up as a Windows service or Docker container. Also keep your node updated with the latest version. By contributing storage, you help the network and earn tokens in return. Many early participants have found that even spare hard drive space can steadily accumulate AVAIL rewards over time, as long as they maintain reliability.

What if a storage node holding my file goes offline or quits? Will I lose my data?

No – you won’t lose your data because of the redundancy built into Avail. When you upload data, it’s stored on multiple nodes (per the redundancy factor you choose, typically the system ensures at least 3 or more copies or erasure-coded shards across independent nodes). If one of those nodes goes offline temporarily, the network still has other copies to serve you. If a node quits permanently, the network will detect the failed proofs from that node and will automatically reprovision your data to a new node. This is often called healing or repair in storage networks. Essentially, the network keeps track of how many copies of each shard exist and if one disappears, it creates a new copy on another healthy node to bring the number back up. This process might use the remaining good copies to reconstruct the missing piece (thanks to erasure coding). As a user, you might not even notice this happened, except perhaps a slight increase in network activity to rebuild the redundancy. Therefore, even if some nodes fail, your file remains safe and retrievable. The design assumption (and generally observed in practice) is that not all nodes fail at once. As long as at least one of the nodes holding each piece of your data is online, you can get your data. And because Avail’s network has nodes around the world, it’s extremely unlikely for all copies to be lost simultaneously. This is one of the advantages of decentralized storage – your data is not in one physical location. It’s comparable to having multiple backups in different places automatically. Additionally, nodes have economic incentives to stay online (they lose money if they go offline and fail contracts), further reducing risk. So, you can be confident that temporary outages or someone else leaving the network won’t impact your files’ availability. Always keep your own access keys safe though – that is one thing the network can’t help with if lost (since only you have the decryption key by design).

How does retrieval of data work if many nodes have it? Do I have to pay multiple people?

In Avail, when you retrieve data, the process is designed to be seamless. Typically, you make one retrieval request for your file (or a part of your file), and the network handles getting it for you. If multiple nodes have the data, a few scenarios can happen:

• If using a primary storage contract model (like Filecoin’s basic case), you would request from the original storage provider. In practice, though, Avail will likely use a more flexible retrieval market. This means any node that has the data can serve it to you, not just the original one that stored it.

• Your retrieval request might be a broadcast or go through a discovery process where nodes with the data announce they have it. You might then get responses from several nodes. Your Avail client can download different chunks from different nodes in parallel (much like how BitTorrent works), speeding up the transfer.

• Payment: If the data was stored by you, you essentially prepaid for it in the storage contract which might include some retrieval service. Many networks let the original uploader retrieve their data without additional cost (since you already paid for storage). If someone else is retrieving the data (e.g., you shared a file with a friend or you publish data publicly), a micro-payment in AVAIL might be required to whoever serves the data. This can be handled via built-in payment channels or via the retrieval market protocol. The good news is these costs are usually small (comparable to bandwidth costs).

• If multiple providers send you data, you could either pay each proportionally for what they delivered or the network might designate one as the retriever and others as helpers with some compensation. The exact mechanism is under the hood; as a user you generally just see a single download completing and maybe one final payment transaction. Avail’s roadmap mentions improving retrieval markets, so the system will likely become more efficient over time.

In short, you don’t manually pay 10 different people for 10 chunks. The network abstracts that. You pay for the service of getting your file back, often in one aggregated payment. This could be implemented by a smart contract escrow: you pay the total fee, and the contract distributes it to all who contributed data. Or using off-chain micropayments where each node providing a piece gets a tiny cut, coordinated by the protocol. These technicalities will be built into the Avail client so users don’t have to worry about them. The goal is for retrieving a file from Avail to feel as straightforward as downloading from Google Drive – click download, it comes, and maybe a small credit balance is deducted.

It’s also worth noting that if your data is publicly shared, you could allow it to be cached widely, meaning some nodes might volunteer to serve it for free (for example, if it’s popular content, nodes could have incentive via ad-hoc caching or because they get block rewards that indirectly encourage them to also help with retrieval). The economics of retrieval are an evolving area in decentralized storage, but Avail is leveraging lessons from Filecoin’s ongoing retrieval market development to make this as smooth as possible.

What happens if I lose my private key or password to my Avail wallet?

Losing your private key (or seed phrase) to your Avail wallet is serious – it’s similar to losing the keys to a safe. Because Avail is decentralized and trustless, no one (not even the Avail team) can recover your key or reset your password. If you lose access to your wallet, you lose access to your $AVAIL tokens and any ability to decrypt files that were encrypted with keys derived from that wallet. This is the same in most blockchain systems: control of the private key = control of the assets. Therefore, it’s critical to back up your seed phrase in a secure manner (write it down on paper and store safely, or use a hardware wallet that provides recovery options).

If you did lose your key, the tokens in that wallet are effectively locked forever (unless by some astronomical chance you recover the key). The data you stored on Avail would remain on the network for the duration of the contracts, but you wouldn’t be able to retrieve it in decrypted form, since the decryption key is tied to your credentials. This is one reason why some users might choose to use a custodial solution or key management service, but those come with their own trade-offs (trusting a third party).

As a precaution, Avail might implement some user-friendly features: for instance, the wallet could allow you to rotate keys or set up social recovery (where multiple friends or devices can help recover your wallet if you lose the main key). Those are emerging technologies in the crypto space. Initially, though, the responsibility is on the user. Always keep multiple backups of your wallet’s seed phrase in safe places. And when using the Avail client for storage, you might have the option to save an additional copy of the file encryption key separately – if so, keep that safe too. The network’s security model is built on the assumption that only the user holds their keys, which is great for security (no central party can be hacked to steal your data or tokens) but means personal diligence is required to avoid losing access.

Is Avail suitable for developers and what are some use cases?

Yes, Avail is built with developers in mind. The network exposes APIs and SDKs that developers can use to integrate decentralized storage into their applications. Some notable use cases and how developers might leverage Avail:

• Decentralized Applications (dApps): Any dApp that needs to store user data, media, or backups can use Avail as a backend. For example, a decentralized social media platform could store user-posted images or videos on Avail rather than a centralized server, ensuring content is always available and not subject to a single company’s control. The dApp can store content hashes on a blockchain (for verification) and actual content on Avail, retrieving it on-demand.

• NFT Storage: NFTs (non-fungible tokens) often point to digital assets like images, music, or documents. Using Avail, an NFT creator can ensure the asset file is stored persistently and resiliently. This prevents the common problem of “NFTs pointing to broken links.” Developers can integrate Avail by, say, uploading an artwork to Avail and embedding the content hash in the NFT’s metadata. Because Avail is decentralized, the NFT’s asset won’t vanish as long as the network exists.

• Web3 Data Backup: Avail can serve as a decentralized backup solution. Imagine cryptocurrency exchanges or blockchain node operators who need to archive large amounts of data (like historical chain data, logs). They could use Avail as an off-site backup that is secure and immutable. Developers can script periodic backups from their systems to Avail using the provided APIs.

• Personal Cloud and File Sharing Apps: Developers can build user-friendly applications (desktop, mobile, or web) that use Avail under the hood. For instance, a “decentralized Dropbox” app could allow users to sync files across devices with Avail storing the chunks in between. End-to-end encryption would ensure privacy. Users of the app might not even know Avail is powering it – they just experience a secure, always-available file storage service. Some may choose this for the privacy guarantees (no central company datamining their files).

• Enterprise and Big Data: For larger organizations, Avail could be used for redundant, secure storage of important archives. Think healthcare data that needs to be kept available across multiple clinics, or research datasets that many parties want to access without a central host. Avail’s global distribution and verification ensure the data stays intact. Smart contracts could even enforce access controls and audit trails for compliance. While enterprises currently rely on multiple cloud vendors for redundancy, Avail can provide a unified layer that is intrinsically multi-host (decentralized).

• Censorship-resistant content hosting: For activists, journalists, or open data initiatives, Avail provides a way to host information that cannot be easily taken down. A developer could build a simple publishing tool where uploading a document or website to Avail yields a hash that can be shared and accessed by anyone. Because it’s not on any single web server, it’s extremely resilient to censorship or DDoS attacks. This aligns with the ethos of projects like IPFS/Filecoin that stored the Turkish Wikipedia during the ban​.

For developers, Avail offers documentation, libraries, and potentially sandboxes to test these use cases. Since Avail has its own blockchain, developers can also write smart contract logic that interacts with storage (if Avail supports smart contracts in the future or via a paired chain). This opens possibilities like data DAOs – smart contracts that manage data sets on Avail and govern access via tokens or payments. In summary, Avail is a flexible platform; any scenario where secure, distributed data storage is beneficial, developers can consider Avail as a solution. The unique mix of blockchain verification and real utility storage is especially powerful for building the next generation of Web3 applications that need decentralized file storage.

Where can I learn more or get involved with Avail?

There are many resources and community touchpoints:

• Documentation: Visit the official Avail documentation site for guides on everything from setting up a node to using the APIs for storage. The docs include a mix of high-level explanations and low-level technical specs.

• Community Channels: Join the Avail community on platforms like Discord or Telegram (links on the official website). There you can ask questions, get support from core devs and fellow community members, and discuss proposals. The community is quite welcoming to newcomers, and you’ll find channels for technical help, general chat, governance discussions, etc.

• Forums and DAO Governance: The Avail DAO forum is where proposals are posted and debated. Even if you just lurk, it’s a great way to see the current topics and future plans. You can contribute by offering feedback or new ideas.

• GitHub Repositories: If you’re technically inclined, check out Avail’s code on GitHub. It’s open-source. You can see issues being worked on, submit bug reports or even contribute code. There may be bounties for fixing issues or developing certain tools.

• Medium Blog / Newsletter: The team regularly publishes updates, announcements, and explainers on a Medium blog (or an official site blog). This is useful for staying updated on new releases, partnership announcements, or deep-dives into features. Consider subscribing to a newsletter if available.

• Testnet Participation: If you want hands-on experience, join the testnets. Avail often runs test networks for new features – participating in these (and providing feedback) is one of the best ways to learn by doing. Plus, many projects reward testnet participants with tokens or recognition.

• Conferences and Meetups: Look out for Avail presence at blockchain conferences or virtual meetups. The team and community ambassadors host events or talk at industry conferences (DevCon, etc.) about Avail’s tech. Attending these or watching recorded talks can enhance your understanding and let you meet others interested in Avail.

By engaging with these resources, you can deepen your knowledge of Avail Coin, whether your interest is as a user, developer, or investor. The project thrives on community involvement, so questions are welcome. As a decentralized project, Avail’s strength comes from its community, and there are many ways to be a part of it – from running a node to contributing to documentation, from translating materials for wider reach to simply spreading the word on social media. However you choose to get involved, you’ll be helping build the future of decentralized storage!