# Irys > Irys is a Layer 1 blockchain that stores large volumes of data onchain for flexible durations and lets smart contracts use that data directly during execution. Storage fees are separate from execution fees. ## Blog - [Aurora and Borealis: Irys's First Hardforks](https://irys.xyz/blog/aurora-and-borealis-iryss-first-hardforks.md): Irys's first two hardforks, Aurora (June 23) and Borealis (June 30), ship in mainnet-3.0.4. Node operators should upgrade before June 23 to stay in sync. - [Dev Update #2: The Largest Release Since Mainnet](https://irys.xyz/blog/dev-update-2-the-largest-release-since-mainnet.md): Irys's largest release since mainnet: faster uploads that no longer back up under load, about 20% faster block validation, and a rebuilt release process. - [What Is a Datachain?](https://irys.xyz/blog/what-is-a-datachain.md): A datachain is a Layer-1 blockchain whose consensus mechanism rewards miners for storing data, making large-scale storage a native protocol function. - [How Does Irys Store Data?](https://irys.xyz/blog/how-does-irys-store-data.md): Irys stores data as ten full replicas across 16 TB partitions held by staked miners, secured by continuous storage proofs through Useful Proof of Work. - [What Is Programmable Data?](https://irys.xyz/blog/what-is-programmable-data.md): Programmable data is data written to Irys, verified by the protocol, and readable by a smart contract as a trusted input during its own execution. - [Programmable Datachain vs Decentralized Storage](https://irys.xyz/blog/programmable-datachain-vs-decentralized-storage.md): A programmable datachain holds data and runs smart contracts in one protocol, while decentralized storage separates them behind bridges or oracles. - [What Is IrysVM?](https://irys.xyz/blog/what-is-irysvm.md): IrysVM is an EVM-compatible execution environment on Irys that lets smart contracts read stored on-chain data directly during execution via a precompile. - [The Irys Airdrop Guide](https://irys.xyz/blog/irys-airdrop-guide.md): Claims Information Official Link: https://claim.irys.xyz This is the ONLY valid link for claiming. Be vigilant against phishing sites and unsolicited DMs. Neve… - [Introducing $IRYS Tokenomics](https://irys.xyz/blog/irys-tokenomics.md): Introducing $IRYS: TL;DR - Native asset: $IRYS powers the Irys Data Layer and the IrysVM execution layer. - Utility: Pay for data storage (temporary or permane… - [Announcing The $IRYS Airdrop Registration](https://irys.xyz/blog/irys-airdrop-registration.md): Registration Information Official Link: https://registration.irys.xyz This is the ONLY valid link for registration and eligibility checks. Be vigilant against… - [The First Step: Irys Genesis NFT Collection](https://irys.xyz/blog/genesis-nft.md): IMPORTANT SECURITY INFORMATION Only use official links posted through our verified channels: Twitter: https://x.com/irysxyz Discord: http://discord.gg/irys Web… - [Partnership Announcement: Cod3x](https://irys.xyz/blog/partnership-announcement-cod3x.md): DeFi runs on human reaction time. Traders scan charts, track liquidity, and execute on instinct. Even automated strategies reset with every transaction, relyin… - [Partnership Announcement: FXN](https://irys.xyz/blog/partnership-announcement-fxn.md): AI is Growing, But It's Isolated AI is growing fast, but it's also growing fragmented. The most powerful AI systems today are resource-constrained, limited by… - [Partnership Announcement: Titan Trading](https://irys.xyz/blog/partnership-announcement-titan-trading.md): Data Stands on Irys > "Give me a place to stand, and I will move the Earth." > — Archimedes, describing Irys In ancient Greece, Archimedes believed that with t… - [Partnership Announcement: Codatta](https://irys.xyz/blog/partnership-announcement-codatta.md): In 2001, Wikipedia launched with a simple idea: if you let people share what they know, the internet gets smarter. It worked—kind of. But the data it created w… - [Why Irys Can Offer Onchain Data at Cost (and Still Win)](https://irys.xyz/blog/why-irys-can-offer-onchain-data-at-cost-and-still-win-dmac.md): Long term, all blockchains generate revenue from fee markets. That's inevitable. Whats incredible about them is no middleman inflating those fees to extract va… - [How Irys Makes Data Valuable](https://irys.xyz/blog/how-irys-makes-data-valuable-dmac.md): In the American West, land was everywhere, but without ownership, it was worthless. It wasn't until a system of property rights was created that land started t… - [Irys vs Walrus: Built in vs Built on](https://irys.xyz/blog/rys-vs-walrus-built-in-vs-built-on-dmac.md): At a glance, Irys and Walrus look similar—decentralized data, execution, economic incentives, and tokens. But the resemblance is skin-deep. Under the hood, the… ## Docs - [Irys Documentation](https://docs.irys.xyz): Developer documentation, guides, and API reference for building on Irys.