What is aleph.im (ALEPH)?

Quick Facts

  • Founded: 2018 by Jonathan Schemoul (Moshe Malawach)
  • Network launch: 2020
  • Token symbol: ALEPH
  • Chains: Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, and more
  • Core services: Decentralized storage, computing, databases
  • Raised: $10 million funding round in 2022
  • Rebranded: Now also known as Aleph Cloud

Introduction

aleph.im — also known as Aleph Cloud — is a decentralized cloud computing platform built for the Web3 era. It provides developers and dApps with off-chain storage, serverless computation, and database infrastructure, all without relying on centralized cloud providers.

Think of it as a blockchain-native alternative to services like Amazon Web Services, designed from the ground up for decentralized applications.

History & Background

aleph.im was created in 2018 by Jonathan Schemoul, a French developer with experience across finance and supply chain software. The network launched publicly in 2020. In 2022, the project secured a $10 million funding round led by Stratos Technologies, with participation from several crypto-focused investors. The platform later rebranded under the Aleph Cloud identity to better reflect its cloud-first mission.

How aleph.im Works

aleph.im operates as a blend of on-chain and off-chain decentralized technologies. The network itself is off-chain but is anchored to multiple blockchains for security and economic coordination.

It is blockchain-agnostic, meaning it integrates with Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, Base, Avalanche, and others. Developers can access a decentralized database, IPFS-compatible file storage, virtual machines, and SDKs to build on top of the Aleph network.

Node operators run Core Channel Nodes and Compute Resource Nodes that power the infrastructure and keep data available across the network.

Tokenomics

The ALEPH token is the native utility asset of the ecosystem. It serves three primary roles:

  • Payment: Used to pay for storage, computing, and other network services.
  • Staking: Node operators must stake ALEPH as collateral to participate and earn rewards.
  • Governance: Token holders can participate in network decision-making.

Tokens are distributed among node operators, stakers, liquidity providers, and the core team to sustain network growth.

Circulating supply ? 1.00 billion ALEPH
Reserved supply ? 0 ALEPH
Burned
0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000001
0 ALEPH
Total supply ? 1.00 billion ALEPH
Max supply ? -- ALEPH
Updated 14h ago

Ecosystem & Use Cases

aleph.im supports a wide range of real-world applications. Developers use it for decentralized exchange order books, NFT metadata storage, KYC metadata, document certification, website hosting, and AI model execution.

Notably, Ubisoft integrated Aleph Cloud's Verifiable Random Function (VRF) into its on-chain game Champions Tactics, showcasing enterprise-level adoption.

Team, Governance & Community

The project is led by Jonathan Schemoul and governed by a distributed set of participants — individuals, organizations, and developers — who operate the network's core nodes. Governance is community-driven, with ALEPH stakers playing an active role in shaping the protocol's future.

Advantages

  • Cross-chain compatibility — works with most major blockchains seamlessly.
  • Censorship-resistant — no single point of failure or control.
  • Broad use cases — from NFT storage to AI workloads and gaming.
  • Incentivized infrastructure — node operators earn ALEPH rewards.

Risks & Challenges

  • Competition — faces strong rivals in decentralized storage and computing (Filecoin, Akash, etc.).
  • Adoption dependency — growth relies on developer and enterprise uptake.
  • Complexity — off-chain/on-chain hybrid architecture may be difficult to audit and trust.
  • Market sensitivity — token utility and node economics depend on sustained demand.

Long-Term Vision

aleph.im aims to become the foundational decentralized cloud layer for Web3, replacing reliance on centralized infrastructure across storage, computation, and databases. As dApps grow in complexity and demand more scalable backends, Aleph Cloud positions itself as the go-to infrastructure layer — censorship-resistant, multi-chain, and developer-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

aleph.im provides decentralized cloud services including file storage, databases, and serverless computation for Web3 applications. Developers use it to build dApps that do not rely on centralized cloud providers.

ALEPH is the native utility token of the aleph.im network. It is used to pay for cloud services, stake as collateral to run nodes, and participate in network governance.

aleph.im is blockchain-agnostic and supports Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Solana, Base, Avalanche, and other major networks. This cross-chain design allows any project on these platforms to integrate with its services.

aleph.im was created in 2018 by Jonathan Schemoul, also known as Moshe Malawach, a French developer with a background in enterprise software for finance and supply chain industries.

Node operators stake ALEPH tokens as collateral to run Core Channel Nodes or Compute Resource Nodes. In return, they earn ALEPH token rewards for contributing storage and computing power to the network.

Yes. aleph.im rebranded to Aleph Cloud to better reflect its focus on decentralized cloud infrastructure. The underlying technology, token (ALEPH), and mission remain the same.

Ubisoft integrated Aleph Cloud's Verifiable Random Function into its on-chain game Champions Tactics Grimoria Chronicles, demonstrating enterprise-level adoption. The project has also attracted several crypto-native collaborators and investors.

Unlike AWS or Google Cloud, aleph.im runs on a distributed network of independent nodes with no single point of control. This makes it censorship-resistant and more aligned with the decentralized ethos of Web3.