By @ricknovitzky on TG:
I envision a decentralized storage solution that could operate similarly to the Swarm network on Ethereum (ETH), but built on Beam. This storage network would work as a Layer 2 (L2) solution, providing secure, private data storage on a platform like Beam, in the same way that Swarm serves Ethereum.
Swarm is a distributed, decentralized storage protocol, comparable to IPFS, but tailored specifically for Ethereum’s ecosystem. However, I see a significant drawback in how it functions on Ethereum’s transparent Layer 1 (L1) blockchain. Since all transactions are openly visible, the ETH addresses associated with Swarm nodes can be traced within its smart contract. This transparency introduces a major risk: if entities wanted to disrupt the Swarm network, they could potentially sanction all transactions made by Swarm nodes by blacklisting their ETH addresses. If Swarm operators found themselves on a sanctioned list, they would lose any incentive to continue providing services, effectively compromising the network’s functionality.
In contrast, by building a similar decentralized storage solution on Beam—a privacy-focused chain—the risk of network disruption due to sanctioning would be significantly reduced. Beam’s privacy features would provide the ideal environment for a resilient, bulletproof storage network, avoiding the transparency-related vulnerabilities Swarm faces on Ethereum.