- EVM smart contracts can now trigger Filecoin storage deals directly, using Axelar cross-chain messaging without leaving their native chains.
- The integration allows Ethereum, Polygon, and Avalanche apps to access decentralized storage in a seamless, contract-native way.
Through Axelar integration, smart contracts that live on various EVM chains, such as Ethereum, Avalanche, or Polygon, can now directly initiate storage deals to Filecoin without having to leave their own “home.”
So, there is no need to create a complicated bridging system or build your own storage pipeline from scratch. Everything can be done directly from the EVM contract, such as calling a regular function.
The process? Starting from sending a request, converting data to CAR format, calculating CommP, and sending a deal to the Filecoin storage provider, all of which are guarded by Axelar’s cross-chain mechanism. Once the deal is complete, proof of data ownership is channeled back to the originating chain, and payment is automatically given to the data storage.
Furthermore, this system is not only about convenience. It also brings cryptographic security because the storage flow is trustless. Developers remain on their favorite EVM chain, but their data can ‘hang out’ on Filecoin, similar to having a private vault in the next building, but you just press a button from home.
Smart contracts on EVM chains can now initiate Filecoin storage deals without leaving their native environment. With @axelar cross-chain messaging, builders gain direct access to decentralized storage from Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, and more. https://t.co/yHq3eavgXr
— Filecoin (@Filecoin) May 25, 2025
Filecoin Powers the Shift Toward On-Demand, Trustless Storage
On the other hand, CNF previously reported that the SingularityNET development team has also taken advantage of Filecoin’s integration with Lighthouse. With this solution, they can store metadata and .proto files for their AI needs, without having to rely on traditional storage that tends to be closed.
Lighthouse itself provides API subscriptions and a more flexible way of managing data—very suitable for Web3 applications and artificial intelligence that continue to grow.
Not only that, on May 1, 2025, Filecoin also introduced a new feature called Proof of Data Possession (PDP). This feature allows “hot” storage that can be accessed quickly, but can still be cryptographically verified. It’s like you can quickly open a file drawer when needed, but there are still CCTV and fingerprints that maintain its integrity. This feature opens the door to on-demand cloud services, without sacrificing data security.
However, network conditions are also shifting. In a May 14, 2025 report, it was noted that although the number of daily storage deals dropped by about 12% in the first quarter of this year, Filecoin still recorded more than 5,000 active FVM smart contracts, with a total of 3.2 million transactions.
This figure shows that its strategy is now more focused on long-term and enterprise-grade storage. With more than 1,300 petabytes of active data, Filecoin seems to be establishing itself as a “big cloud for Web3.”
Meanwhile, as of the writing time, FIL is trading at about $2.82, slightly up 0.38% over the last 24 hours and its market cap is at about $1.88 billion.