Filecoin API — Top 10 Filecoin data API providers

Sriparna Bhattacharjee
Coinmonks
6 min readDec 20, 2023

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The emerging decentralized storage platform, Filecoin ecosystem, has experienced tremendous growth. Filecoin aims to provide a safer, smarter, and cheaper replacement for conventional cloud storage. Filecoin is a marketplace for data storage and retrieval where users can rent out their unused storage space and earn Filecoin tokens in return. Besides, this model democratizes storage and increases the security and redundancy of the data.

In this blog we will look at top Filecoin APIs, that give you information about the storage transactions happening on Filecoin.

1. Bitquery

The Filecoin blockchain operates on a simple premise: users pay for storage space, and miners earn Filecoin tokens for providing that space. However, the actual execution of these storage deals involves a series of transactions and messages between various parties.

Bitquery, which is a blockchain data provider makes access to this data very easy through APIs.

The Bitquery Filecoin API allows us to dissect these transactions and gain insights into the nuances of storage deals.

  • Storage Deal Transactions

The API showcases inbound and outbound transactions, detailing the sender and receiver addresses, the amount of FIL involved, and specific message hashes associated with each deal.

  • Slashing and Transfers

Apart from storage deals, the API reveals other events, such as slashing instances and transfers. Slashing refers to penalties imposed on network participants for various violations. Bitquery Filecoin API gives you information on token burned and complete slashing history for any deal provider that you want.

  • Allocation Management

The API also allows you to track ‘RemoveExpiredAllocations’ including details about methods used, amounts involved, burned tokens, and even refunds.

  • Pre-commitment and Storage Messages

Pre-commitment messages are integral to the Filecoin network’s functioning. These messages signify the intent to store data and include information about senders, receivers, transaction amounts, and success statuses. The API captures these critical steps in the storage process.

2. Infura

Infura provides a set of tools that help developers build their applications in a decentralised manner. It offers Filecoin API that makes it easier to store and retrieve information from the Filecoin network. It also comes with comprehensive documentation as well as dedicated developer support for easy connection.

Instant and scalable API access to Ethereum and IPFS makes it easy for developers to create and scale applications. In addition, Infura’s infrastructure is built with high availability to ensure accessibility even in case of network congestion. It supports WebSocket as well as HTTP connection, hence it enables dApps on a real-time basis. Moreover, they provide analytics and insights in their dashboard that help developers monitor and improve their apps’ performances.

3. Pinata

Pinata provides specialized service concentrating on IPFS or Interplanetary File System and Filecoin that enables users to store their files conveniently. This tool is created for creators and developers looking for an easy method of pinning and distributing their data within its network. In this respect, Pinata’s API enables integration with contemporary operations and applications. Added benefits of this include support for metadata processing as well as pinning of private content.

Users can configure Pinata to suit their CDN needs in their content distribution network settings. This boosts content delivery worldwide. Additionally, Pinata delivers granular analytics that allows users to understand where users are accessing and using content, which helps in better strategy creation.

4. Alchemy

Alchemy’s API includes capabilities like live data tracking, extensible node architecture, and user-oriented software utilities. In addition, it offers capabilities for tracking events of a smart contract on a real-time basis that are important for almost any dApp. Alchemy API is a robust blockchain construction platform with in-depth instruments for developing and expanding decentralized purposes mostly on Ethereum.

Supernode technology used in alchemy leads to enhanced data reliability and low latency of responses which are suitable for high-volume operations. It also comes with a set of developer tools for making their work easier and enhancing the performance of debugging.

5. Moralis

Unlike other approaches to building a backend, Moralis uses a serverless technology that makes it easier to develop dApp’s backend. The APIs allow for simple and secure sign-up of users, synchronous updates of the database across different platforms, as well as interoperability with various other blockchains available. Moralis offers a more superior back-end solution compared to other platforms like Truffles or Brownie. There are such things as automatic synchronization of databases about blockchain to the cloud and integrating this data in applications quickly without friction. Multiple blockchains are supported in Moralis granting developers the opportunity to construct cross-chain applications. In addition, it offers user authentication that includes keyed hash public-key authentication and wallet based authentication necessary for decentralized identities.

6. Web3.js

Mostly popular with Ethereum, web3.js offers extra libraries and integrations that allow it to work well with Filecoin. Compatibility between smart contract features in Ethereum and Filecoin’s decentralized storage allows the developers to develop applications that are based on this. Web3.js allows individuals to store and retrieve data through the use of an API that interacts with the Filecoin network. It simplifies data sharing between on-chain dAPPs and off-chain storage of Filecoin so that developers may implement Filecoin’s powerful off-chain storage solutions into their Ethereum software.

Besides, this integration comes as a huge benefit, especially to designers seeking opportunities for the development of small-scale data stores based on smart contracts. With its capacity to handle Ethereum and Filecoin transactions, Web3.js is an excellent general-purpose tool that will be beneficial for all the developers of the decentralized world.

7. Chainstack

Chainstack has a multi-protocol, cloud-agnostic platform that incorporates Filecoin thus enabling software programmers and enterprises to acquire a safe and scalable strategy of Filecoin’s distributed storage system. Chainstack’s API makes it easy to set up and manage Filecoin nodes, allowing for smooth connections with other platforms. This platform puts a lot of stress on simplicity and flexibility, enabling easy deployment of Filecoin infrastructure that does not require an expert understanding of the blockchain. Chainstack provides high availability in addition to strong security measures that make it appropriate for companies in search of dependable access to distributed storage. Chainstack also supports different cloud providers and protocols which makes it easy to tailor Filecoin services to specific use cases and scales of demand. Thus, Chainstack becomes an integral component of enterprises’ endeavors of incorporating Filecoin’s decentralized storage into their blockchain plans.

FAQs

What differentiates Filecoin from conventional cloud storage solutions?

  • Filecoin is a distributed system that operates without resorting to a central server.

How secure are decentralized exchanges?

  • Decentralized exchange is viewed as safer, it uses blockchain technology and smart contracts and therefore is less prone to hacking.

What is the procedure through which miners receive payback in Filecoin?

  • The miners are paid in FIL tokens for providing space to the clients, who need their files stored as fast as possible and retrieved on time.

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