Introducing Shelby: The Future of AI Object Storage
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Discover how Shelby is revolutionizing AI object storage with its cutting-edge platform. Learn about the infrastructure partners, early access availability, and the exciting features awaiting users.
Shelby, a verifiable global object storage platform designed for AI read workloads, is now offering early access to the public. Developed by Aptos Labs and Jump Crypto and powered by DoubleZero’s dedicated fiber network, Shelby enables teams to store data once and access it from anywhere in the world through a unified global namespace, complete with cryptographic proof for every read. Full production is slated for later in 2026.
During the early access phase on the testnet, developers and AI teams have the opportunity to integrate Shelby into real workloads before the official launch.
Solving Complex AI Storage Challenges
Traditional object storage systems were primarily designed for write-heavy workloads, but AI workloads require a different approach. Shelby addresses the challenges posed by AI workloads by offering a unique architecture.
AI-driven products often trigger numerous background reads across multiple datasets and regions with a single user action. Shelby eliminates the need for data replication, regional buckets, and post-facto routing, providing a seamless solution to complex storage issues.
Additionally, Shelby’s built-in provenance feature ensures that data integrity and ownership rights are maintained throughout the read process, offering a secure and compliant storage solution.
Efficient and Secure Data Storage
Shelby operates on DoubleZero’s dedicated fiber network, offering deterministic bandwidth and predictable routing for optimal performance. By writing data once to a single address and accessing it from any region without replication, Shelby reduces egress costs significantly compared to traditional cloud providers.
Furthermore, Shelby’s provenance feature ensures that every object served comes with a cryptographic receipt detailing its delivery, source, and rights, all anchored on Aptos for immutable proof.
Shelby’s architecture not only provides cost-effective storage but also enables organizations to leverage proprietary and consented data compliantly at scale, giving them a competitive edge in data-driven industries.
Collaborating with Leading Infrastructure Partners
Shelby’s success is attributed to its partnership with three key infrastructure providers, each offering unique capabilities:
DoubleZero: Provides a robust physical network spanning multiple cities and continents, ideal for distributed systems requiring high performance and low latency.
Jump Crypto: Delivers storage infrastructure tailored for demanding AI workloads, ensuring fast and reliable data retrieval.
Aptos: Serves as the verification layer for data ownership and provenance, anchoring cryptographic receipts for secure and compliant data storage.
Exciting Features for Early Access Users
Developers granted early access to Shelby will enjoy a range of features, including:
- S3-compatible APIs
- Cross-stack SDKs for React, Ethereum, and Solana
- The Shelby Media Kit for GenAI content distribution
- AI agent tooling via the Shelby MCP Server and Shelby Skills
- Comprehensive documentation
Early Adopters Embracing Shelby
Leading organizations such as NBCUniversal, Metaplex, Story Protocol, and Pipe Network are already exploring integrations with Shelby. The involvement of NBCUniversal, a major broadcaster with extensive licensed content libraries, underscores the widespread demand for secure and verifiable data infrastructure beyond the crypto market.
Explore More:
- Shelby Early Access Announcement — Learn about the platform architecture, infrastructure partners, and day-one features
- Shelby Product Website — Visit the official website for Shelby’s global object storage platform
- Aptos Labs — Discover the blockchain coordination and verification layer supporting Shelby’s provenance receipts
- Jump Crypto — Explore the HPC storage infrastructure co-developer for Shelby
- DoubleZero — Learn about the dedicated fiber network provider powering Shelby’s global delivery
