DATA Network Migrated Operations to Sui Blockchain
The platform has pivoted from its independent chain to integrate with the Sui network following a $30 million investment.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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The DATA Network has announced it will shut down its independent Layer 1 blockchain to operate as a native protocol on the Sui network. This migration is supported by a $30 million investment from the Sui Foundation.
Why it matters
The pivot addresses growing demand from AI developers for verifiable and consent-gathered datasets. By integrating with the Walrus Protocol, the network aims to enhance its data storage, licensing, and auditing capabilities.
The project has reached 250 million on-chain data registrations, while the associated application Kled has logged 1.5 billion user-contributed records. The migration to Sui will be supported by the Walrus Protocol for infrastructure and storage management.
The players
DATA Foundation
Formerly known as Story Protocol, this organization provides infrastructure for AI data provenance, licensing, and auditing.
Sui Foundation
This entity provides development and strategic support for the Sui blockchain ecosystem.
Kled
This application serves as a primary user-contributed data record repository for the network.
The details
Originally launched in February 2025, the project recently rebranded from Story Protocol to DATA Foundation. The platform now focuses specifically on AI data provenance, ensuring that information used in machine learning models is auditable and properly licensed.
Timeline
February 2025: The DATA Network launched as an independent Layer 1 chain.
June 25, 2026: The project rebranded to DATA and performed a 1:1 token swap.
October 8, 2026: The migration to the Sui network was publicly revealed.
October 2026: The DATA Network reached 250 million on-chain registrations.
The Tech Race
The transition to the Walrus Protocol signals a shift toward decentralized storage solutions for AI-focused blockchain projects. By moving away from independent Layer 1 chains, projects like DATA Foundation are leveraging high-throughput infrastructure to compete for dominance in the AI provenance market.
Users contributing to the DATA Network can expect improved data provenance tracking as the system shifts to native integration on Sui. This migration aims to make the audit trail for AI datasets more efficient and transparent for all participants in the ecosystem.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates a strategic shift toward specialized, high-performance blockchain infrastructure for AI needs. Developers and contributors should track how decentralized storage protocols like Walrus improve the accuracy and speed of data licensing audits.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence.
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