Introduction
The permanent storage network for apps, data, and the decentralized web.
What is Lumera Protocol?
Lumera Protocol is an application-specific Layer-1 blockchain built with Cosmos SDK and CometBFT (Tendermint) consensus. It provides permanent decentralized storage, data verification, and AI inference services through a network of specialized nodes called Supernodes.
The native token is LUME (ulume, 6 decimals). Validators secure the network via delegated proof-of-stake, and Supernodes extend validators with compute-intensive services through a proof-of-service model.
What is Cascade?
Cascade is a permanent decentralized storage built on Lumera Protocol. It lets users store files on a decentralized network of Supernodes with a single on-chain transaction.
Unlike traditional storage solutions that charge recurring fees, Cascade follows a pay-once, store-forever model. Files are chunked, encoded with RaptorQ erasure coding, and distributed across the Supernode network, guaranteeing data availability even if individual nodes go offline.
Why Cascade?
| Feature | Cascade | IPFS | Arweave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persistence model | Permanent (enforced by protocol) | Pin-dependent | Permanent (storage endowment) |
| Redundancy | RaptorQ erasure coding across Supernodes | None (depends on pinning services) | Blockweave replication |
| Self-healing | Yes, automatic chunk restoration if nodes drop | No | No active repair mechanism |
| Cosmos native | Yes, IBC-compatible via Interchain Accounts | No | No |
| Pricing | One-time on-chain fee | Free (pinning costs extra) | One-time storage fee |
| Data availability | Protocol-guaranteed via Supernode consensus | Best-effort | Protocol-guaranteed |
Key Capabilities
- Permanent storage: Upload files with a single on-chain transaction and guarantee indefinite retrieval with no subscriptions or renewal fees.
- Erasure coding: Files are split into chunks and encoded using RaptorQ fountain codes, allowing the original file to be reconstructed from any sufficient subset of encoded data even when some Supernodes are unavailable.
- Multi-SDK support: Official SDKs for TypeScript, Go, and Rust.
- Wallet integration: Browser-based apps can use Keplr and Leap wallets. DirectSecp256k1HdWallet can be used for programmatic signing.
- Cosmos interoperability: Any IBC-connected chain can seamlessly integrate with Cascade via Interchain Accounts (ICS-27).