Cardano Developer Unveils Static Decentralized Websites

• Veteran Cardano developer Dave Beaumont launched a proof-of-concept for hosting static websites on the blockchain.
• The collaboration with decentralized storage project IAGON resulted in the first-ever website hosted entirely on the blockchain.
• The website cloned and served the IAGON site on Cardano by replicating its files on-chain and added new JavaScript dependencies via Next.js.

Veteran Cardano developer Dave Beaumont has launched a proof-of-concept for hosting static websites entirely on the blockchain. His test demonstrates an intriguing new use case for the leading smart contract platform.

On September 6th, Beaumont revealed the first-ever website hosted fully on the blockchain in collaboration with the decentralized storage project IAGON.

The first static Website hosted & served on Cardano….

This is a successful proof of concept test I have carried out utilising IAGON decentralised storage. 👀

Just replicated my theory of Decentralised Static Website Hosting on top of IAGON decentralised storage… pic.twitter.com/dTW8p9tOO4

— Dave 🧑‍🚀💽 🐋 (@beaumont_dvd) September 6, 2023

The website cloned and served the IAGON site on Cardano by replicating its files on-chain. Beaumont added new JavaScript dependencies via Next.js to showcase a functioning web app on the blockchain.

He called this a groundbreaking accomplishment for non-programmable chains like Cardano. The IAGON team assisted with R&D to make the experimental launch possible.

While basic, the website represents a major first for blockchain-hosted web content. Beaumont’s followers are excited about this new capability, which demonstrates Cardano’s versatility.

When asked about the next steps, Beaumont suggested integrating decentralized DNS and testing dynamic websites on the blockchain to further push the limitations.

By proving static web hosting is achievable on Cardano, this test case cracks open new possibilities for blockchain-powered internet infrastructure. It’s scalability can provide the foundation for censorship-resistant and decentralized websites.

With more adoption, Cardano-hosted sites could gain advantages in security, resilience, and reducing centralized intermediaries. While still in the early stages, Beaumont shows the building blocks are falling into place for a Web3 internet where Cardano plays a critical role. His pioneering proof-of-concept is a promising first glimpse of this future.