Round 2 / Helia

Javascript and TypeScript continue to be among the most widely used programming languages particularly on the Web Platform which is the most dominant platform for software distribution today. Having the tools to enable a native IPFS experience on the web without requiring pre-installed external tools is a major part in how we can grow the ecosystem and bring the native benefits of IPFS and Filecoin to users more easily. Additionally, being accessible to JS and TS developers makes it easier to attract developers to the ecosystem that will build dApps and other applications on top of IPFS and Filecoin.

Just a single major benefit here is that the ecosystem currently relies heavily on major public gateways like ipfs.io and dweb.link to render their data which is both an unfortunate centralization and cost center for a distributed network to bear. Helia enables the building out of tools like inbrowser.link and Helia’s verified-fetch which are in development with the goal of being able to ultimately replace a huge amount of centralized gateway usage with a more resilient, cost effective, and decentralized alternative.