IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is a fully decentralized distributed system for storing and accessing files, websites, applications, and data. Released just over 5 years ago by Protocol Labs, it has had a tremendous impact in the Web3 space as the standard for how blockchain projects store data. Filecoin is a complementary protocol to IPFS and was recently launched on the mainnet. Filecoin is the economic layer which powers IPFS's decentralized file storage network. It enables users to store their files at hypercompetitive prices and verify that their files are being stored and replicated correctly. And it allows storage providers to sell their storage on an open market.

Juan Benet is the Founder & CEO of Protocol Labs, which has had a huge impact in the blockchain ecosystem, as organisation behind IPFS and Filecoin. Juan returns to the show after 5 years to give us an important update on the long-term vision to fund innovative technologies, IPFS since it was created, and Filecoin as a foundation to a new decentralized cloud.This is a 2-part series and in the next episode we deep dive in to the technical aspects of Filecoin.

Topics covered in this episode:

• An update on Protocol Labs and how it has grown on the Bell Labs model
• How they bridge the gap between a research foundation (Bell Labs) and a company (Protocol Labs)
• The intersection between computer science and crypto
• How the Protocol Labs organisation is setup and how Juan has led it as a solo founder
• An overview of IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) and how it has evolved since our last interview
• An introduction to the Filecoin blockchain and its unique design
• How Filecoin is fundamentally different from other layer-1 blockchains
• How hash rates and storage fees affect the Filecoin blockchain consensus system
• The potential impacts of Filecoin on a global level

Episode links:

• Filecoin website
• Protocol Labs website
• IPFS website
• Episode #100 with Juan Benet
• Filecoin on Twitter
• Juan on Twitter

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This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/367