Unveiling the Background of WeaveDB and KwilDB as Mentioned by Messari

5 min readDec 29, 2023

💡Web3 is booming, and Arweave is becoming a popular infrastructure choice for developers. PermaDAO is a community where everyone can contribute to the Arweave ecosystem. It’s a place to propose and tackle tasks related to Arweave, with the support and feedback of the entire community. Join PermaDAO and help shape Web3!

The recent DePIN track has gained considerable attention, with the conceptual tokens of DePIN showing impressive growth. Messari continues to emphasize, capital is entering the scene; will DePIN be the driving force behind this bull market?

Messari mentions KwilDB and WeaveDB

The concept of DePIN was first introduced by Messari at the end of 2022, stating it is one of the crucial crypto investment tracks for the next decade. In the recently released “CRYPTO THESES 2024,” Messari reiterates its optimism for the DePIN track, predicting it to reach a scale of $3.5 trillion by 2028.

Next, let’s explore what DePIN is, what databases are, and the potential held by KwilDB and WeaveDB.

DePIN

DePIN stands for Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks. According to Messari, DePIN is a blockchain-based coordination of physical hardware facilities among individual entities, done in a permissionless, trustless, and programmable manner, using token incentives.

In essence, DePIN forms a decentralized network of individual physical hardware through token incentives to provide real-world goods and services or digital resources.

DePIN comprises two parts: Physical Resource Network (PRN) and Digital Resource Network (DRN).

Physical Resource Network (PRN): Incentivizes users to provide services like WIFI, 5G, VPN, energy information sharing, and geographical spatial data using hardware distributed worldwide.
Digital Resource Network (DRN): Incentivizes users to use hardware to provide services like broadband networks, storage networks, computing power networks, etc.

What is a Database?

A database is a system used to store, manage, and retrieve data, helping developers efficiently organize and process the information needed for applications. It can be understood as an electronic filing cabinet that stores data in a specific way, making it easy for users to find and use this data.

Here are introductions to two common types of databases:

Relational Database: Relational databases use Structured Query Language (SQL) for data management, emphasizing the relationships and consistency between data tables, suitable for complex transaction processing and data normalization.
NoSQL Database: NoSQL databases emphasize flexibility and scalability, abandoning traditional table structures and being more suitable for storing and retrieving unstructured or semi-structured data in large-scale, distributed environments.

KwilDB belongs to the relational database category, while WeaveDB belongs to the NoSQL database category.

KwilDB

KwilDB is a decentralized relational database built on Arweave, also a framework for deploying independent Byzantine fault-tolerant networks for relational databases, allowing users to build and deploy their dedicated databases.

In addition, KwilDB provides scalable, compliant, and private data storage and query services, aiming to make it easier for developers to develop Dapps.

Kwil combines the structure and use of traditional databases with the characteristics of blockchain. It has the following features:

Byzantine Fault Tolerance: The Kwil network has Byzantine fault tolerance, allowing the system to operate normally even if some nodes experience issues or malicious attacks.
Secure and Permissionless: Kwil network allows secure and permissionless storage and retrieval of relational data through SQL in a single-node network.
Autonomous Control: Users can build their dedicated database networks, have complete autonomous control, decide who can participate in running network nodes, and explicitly specify who is not allowed to participate.
High Scalability: Developers can add custom authentication, business logic, and other features as needed, making the system more flexible and tailored to specific requirements.

Kwil launched version 2 this year. After receiving testnet tokens, developers can deploy databases using Kwil’s Javascript/Typescript SDK. Additionally, Kwil provides a series of tools (Kwil CLI, Kwil Kuneiform, and Kwil Extensions) and tutorials, making it smoother for developers to build applications.

WeaveDB

WeaveDB is a decentralized NoSQL database built on the Arweave blockchain, supported by Warp Contracts, aiming to provide a scalable, secure, and fast solution for data storage.

WeaveDB has several advantages over traditional Web2 NoSQL databases:

Built-in High-Performance Indexers: WeaveDB can easily search and query large datasets without relying on centralized indexers, and query performance is faster than Web2 databases.
Low Storage Costs: Data is permanently stored on Arweave, resulting in low storage costs.
Cross-Chain Support: Applications developed based on WeaveDB can interact with multiple chains, allowing developers to import their data from different blockchain networks or even Web2 APIs.
Data Encryption Support: Users can use the Lit protocol to encrypt data, ensuring data privacy and security.
Scalability: WeaveDB is almost infinitely scalable, making it an ideal choice for large-scale Dapps.

WeaveDB’s technology stack includes Irys and Warp Contracts, allowing developers to deploy smart contracts to create NoSQL databases using any programming language, providing excellent scalability. Additionally, WeaveDB offers API interfaces and FPJSON to define data schemas and access control rules, along with development tutorial documentation, significantly reducing the development threshold for Dapp developers.

DePIN Craze: Waiting for Blooms

For application development, databases are indispensable infrastructure. KwilDB and WeaveDB have evolved from the Arweave ecosystem, filling the void in the decentralized database field.

With the rise of the DePin concept, the wealth creation effect has brought these seemingly dull infrastructures into the spotlight. Arweave itself is the flagship project of the DePIN concept, holding an irreplaceable position in the storage network sub-track, permanently storing data in KwilDB and WeaveDB databases. In terms of functionality, KwilDB handles structured data, while WeaveDB handles unstructured or semi-structured data, providing users with the flexibility to choose as needed.

In fact, as early as 2022, KwilDB received favor from capital, securing a financing of $9.6 million, which is a positive signal for the database track. Currently, both KwilDB and WeaveDB are still in the Alpha stage, yet to undergo the market’s true test, but there is no need to rush to catch the DePIN craze.

Whether it’s wallets, storage, or hosting, there are relatively mature products in Web3. What is urgently needed now is an innovative database that provides reliable data storage and management solutions for Dapps. The Arweave ecosystem is full of entrepreneurial spirit among geeks. Just maintain the pace, persist in doing the right thing, and then patiently await the blossoming.