Crust Network (CRU)

Infrastructure for the Metaverse and NFTs

Crust Network provides the technical base for the Metaverse and allows users to mint, store, and exchange NFTs in a fully decentralized way.

Hosting and Cloud Services

It supports hosting websites, decentralized apps (dApps), video streaming, Web 3.0 gaming, and decentralized social media. It also offers personal cloud storage so users can access their data from anywhere.

Decentralized Storage and File Sharing

Crust Network acts as a decentralized cloud storage system that stores files securely and privately using IPFS and encryption. It distributes data across many nodes to ensure high availability and fast retrieval. Users can upload files to a decentralized Web 3.0 cloud solution and keep their data safe and accessible.

Developer Tools and Services

Developers can build peer-to-peer content delivery networks (CDN), cloud storage applications, and integrate Crust’s SDK and APIs to provide stable storage services without managing their own storage clusters.

Token Utilities

The CRU token is used for paying transaction fees, purchasing storage or cloud services, staking to maintain network consensus, collateral for storage providers, and participating in on-chain governance.

Support for AI and Web3 Projects

Crust Network helps AI projects store large amounts of data like 3D models and metadata with blockchain-verified proofs, high redundancy, and long-term reuse capabilities.

Decentralized Computing Layer

Crust is working towards building a decentralized cloud ecosystem that supports computing tasks beyond storage, enhancing the Web3 and Web2 landscape for projects and companies.

Advantages

• Crust Network is a decentralized data storage provider, offering a unique service in the growing field of data storage and preservation.
• It supports Web 3.0 ecosystems and provides cloud solutions for both Web 3.0 and Web 2.0.
• Costs for cloud storage on Crust Network are 25-50% lower compared to traditional centralized services like AWS S3.
• The network eliminates single points of failure by creating about 80 replicas distributed over individual nodes, increasing availability and reducing downtime.
• It uses innovative consensus mechanisms: Meaningful Proof of Work (MPoW) and Guaranteed Proof of Stake (GPoS), which are energy-efficient and do not require expensive mining hardware.
• Crust Network supports multiple storage protocols such as IPFS and offers cross-chain functionality.
• The CRU token has multiple uses including staking for consensus, collateral for storage providers, transaction fees, purchasing storage services, and on-chain governance.
• It enables various use cases like decentralized hosting, NFT metadata storage, Web 3.0 gaming, and content distribution.

Disadvantages

• The CRU token price has experienced significant declines recently, with a drop of over 19% in the last week and a long-term decrease of over 85% in the past year.
• The market capitalization and trading volume are relatively low, indicating a smaller market size and potential price volatility.
• The technical concepts such as decentralized data storage and cross-chain functionality may be confusing for beginners.
• Despite its advantages, Crust Network is still competing with well-established centralized cloud providers, which may affect adoption speed.

Founders of Crust Network

• Zikun Fan: Co-Founder and CEO of Crust Network. He has extensive experience in blockchain technology and distributed systems.
• Leo Wang: Co-Founder and CTO of Crust Network. He has over 14 years in IT and co-founded Ruixuetang Technology. Leo leads products and technologies at Crust Network.
• Bova Chen: Also listed as a founder associated with Crust Network.
• Luke Fan: Co-Founder and Core Developer involved in building the decentralized storage marketplace.

(Note: Some sources mention Ryan Mitchell as a founder, but the primary recognized founders are Zikun Fan and Leo Wang.)

Major Investors

Crust Network has attracted investment from a variety of venture capital and strategic investors. Some notable investors include:

• DWF Options
• Absoluta Digital
• Northbund Capital (Hong Kong)
• AU21 Capital
• Bitrise Capital
• Consensus Labs
• NGC Ventures
• Bitscale Capital
• Chain Capital
• DFG
• HashCIB
• IOSG
• KR1
• KNS Group
• Lotus Capital
• Origin Capital
• SNZ
• Bisheng Capital
• Waterdrop Capital
• Taihe Capital
• TI Capital
• CryptoDiscover
• Chengdu Promise Chain Technology (seed round strategic investor)

Investment Rounds

• Seed round with strategic investors like Chengdu Promise Chain Technology
• Series A round including many of the above investors, helping Crust Network build its decentralized cloud infrastructure and expand its ecosystem

Partnerships

Crust Network also partners with companies such as Bitcoin.com, Bithumb, Darwinia, and Maskbook, which support its growth and application development.

Halal Status of Crust Network

• Yes, Crust Network is halal.
• Reason: Crust Network is a decentralized cloud storage platform and blockchain project focused on data storage and privacy. It does not involve any non-halal elements such as interest (riba), gambling, or prohibited substances. It operates as a technology service rather than a financial or consumable product that would conflict with halal principles.