Overview

Pipe Network is a decentralized content delivery network (CDN) built on the Solana blockchain, designed to provide low-latency, high-quality media streaming. Founded in 2020 by David Rhodus, it leverages a network of over 280,000 permissionless Points of Presence (PoPs) operated by community contributors. The platform targets developers, content providers, and operators needing scalable, secure content delivery. It integrates with Solana’s high-throughput blockchain for efficient transaction handling and uses hyper-local nodes to reduce latency. Pipe Network’s Firestarter Storage, launched in July 2025, enhances its offerings by hosting Solana’s 1-petabyte Proof of History archive. Customers include decentralized storage platforms like Walrus Protocol, which uses Pipe for last-mile content delivery.

Network & Architecture

Pipe Network operates a global network of over 280,000 hyper-local PoP nodes, deployable on any Linux-capable device, significantly reducing latency to single-digit milliseconds by placing nodes within 20–50 miles of end-users. Unlike traditional CDNs like Cloudflare or Akamai, which rely on centralized data centers, Pipe’s decentralized model uses residential, regional, and core aggregator nodes for tiered caching. It employs Solana’s blockchain for node coordination and zero-knowledge proofs (zkTCP/zkQUIC) for secure, verifiable delivery. The network excels in underserved regions, with strong coverage in rural areas like Mauritius. However, its decentralized nature may pose challenges for enterprise-grade SLAs in highly regulated markets.

Features

Pipe Network supports video-on-demand (VOD) and live video streaming, optimized for high-throughput, low-latency use cases like decentralized apps (dApps), AI workloads, and NFT/media delivery. Its Firestarter Storage hosts large datasets, such as Solana’s 1-petabyte archive, reducing sync times by up to 30%. The platform offers HTTP/3 and QUIC for faster data transfer, tiered caching for efficient content distribution, and instant purge for rapid cache invalidation. Edge compute capabilities include Edge Workers, a lightweight WASM runtime for serverless functions, and Vector Fabric for storing embeddings alongside cached objects. DDoS mitigation, real-time logs, and an API-first approach are supported, with a public SDK offering REST, gRPC, and CLI helpers.

Pricing Snapshot (2025-08-15)

Pipe Network uses a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model, with pricing tied to its $PIPE token. Firestarter Storage costs 1 $PIPE per gigabyte for the basic tier at token launch. A token sale from June 26 to July 3, 2025, offered 15,000,000 $PIPE tokens at $0.20 each. No free tier or committed contract details are publicly specified, but the burn-mint equilibrium model incentivizes node operators with rewards based on bandwidth served. Pricing details are available at https://pipe.network/pricing.[](https://web3.bitget.com/en/dapp/pipe-network-27065)[](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pipe-firestarter-storage-launches-making-200500271.html)

Integrations & DevEx

Pipe Network supports Terraform for infrastructure-as-code (IaC) deployments and provides a public SDK with REST, gRPC APIs, and CLI helpers, set for release in summer 2025. Pipe-Box, a server rack appliance, enables network communication behind secure firewalls. Real-time logs are available, aiding developers in monitoring performance. Integration with Solana ensures efficient transaction handling, while partnerships with platforms like Shelby and Walrus Protocol enhance decentralized storage and content delivery. Migration tools are not explicitly documented, but the platform mimics Akamai APIs for easier integration.

When it fits / When it doesn’t

When it fits:

  • Ideal for decentralized apps (dApps) and blockchain-based projects needing low-latency content delivery on Solana.
  • Suits video streaming and AI inference workloads requiring hyper-local nodes and scalable storage, like Firestarter Storage.
  • Fits developers seeking cost-effective, API-first CDN solutions with Terraform support and edge compute capabilities.

When it doesn’t:

  • Less suitable for enterprises requiring strict regulatory compliance or guaranteed SLAs, due to its decentralized model.
  • Not ideal for regions with limited Solana blockchain adoption or where node operator density is low.
  • May not meet needs of users prioritizing traditional CDN features like advanced WAF or DRM, which Pipe lacks.