What Is Core
Core is a distributed infrastructure model where parts of a platform run on community-operated machines instead of only centralized servers.
Core also serves as a way to raise funds by selling limited Core access to early supporters.
This combines:
- Infrastructure bootstrapping
- Community participation
- Early-stage funding
Why Distributed Infrastructure Exists
As platforms grow, infrastructure demands increase.
- More users require more servers
- Global reach requires global delivery
- Media and data-heavy products increase bandwidth usage
Distributed infrastructure spreads this load across many machines, improving scalability and reach.
Why Core Is Also a Funding Model
Building infrastructure requires capital early.
Core Sales enables the following:
- Raise funds before peak infrastructure demand
- Pre-sell access to the infrastructure layer
- Use proceeds to build and scale the platform
This introduces an infrastructure-backed funding approach.
How Core Works at a High Level
Core is operated by independent participants running defined workloads.
At a high level:
- The platform defines required workloads
- Core operators run those workloads
- The network coordinates availability and performance
In parallel:
- Operators acquire Core access upfront
- Funds support platform development
- Infrastructure capacity grows alongside adoption
How Core Connects Infrastructure and Funding
Core Sales links capital formation directly to infrastructure growth.
- Funding is raised through Core access
- Infrastructure capacity is created immediately
- Community participation increases system resilience
This creates alignment between platform growth and infrastructure availability.
How LFG Helps Build Workloads
LFG supports companies in designing, building, and deploying Core workloads, whether using preset workloads or fully custom implementations. LFG’s role is to translate product and system requirements into reliable, scalable node workloads that can operate across a distributed network.
Preset Workloads on Core
Core includes preset workloads that follow proven infrastructure patterns but are tailored to each platform’s system architecture. Preset workloads are configured specifically for how a product operates and how its users interact with it.
IPFS Preset Workload
The IPFS preset workload provides distributed file storage and retrieval configured to match a platform’s architecture. File types, access rules, and delivery behavior are aligned with application usage patterns, allowing storage and delivery to scale with demand. Common use cases include application assets, media files, static content, and downloads or updates.
DCDN Preset Workload
The DCDN preset workload provides decentralized content delivery tuned to a platform’s delivery requirements. Caching strategies, routing behavior, and performance parameters are configured to reflect how content is consumed. Delivery capacity expands as more Core operators participate. Common use cases include video streaming, music distribution, game assets, and web or mobile content.
Custom Workloads on Core
Some systems require more specialized logic than preset workloads can provide. Core supports custom workloads designed specifically around a platform’s unique requirements.
How Custom Workloads Are Built
Custom workloads are developed through a structured process that includes defining workload requirements and constraints, designing custom node processes, deploying and configuring workloads across the network, and setting up monitoring and scaling.
What Is Delivered
Each custom workload engagement includes custom workload architecture, monitoring and performance dashboards, and deployment and scaling documentation. This provides teams with visibility, control, and long-term maintainability.
Ideal Use Cases for Custom Workloads
Custom workloads are well-suited for data processing systems, indexers and validators, AI or compute-heavy workloads, and application-specific infrastructure. Any system that currently runs on centralized servers can often be adapted into a Core workload with LFG support.
Summary
Core is a distributed infrastructure layer and a method for raising funds tied directly to infrastructure growth. With LFG support, teams can deploy preset workloads tailored to their platform, build custom workloads for specialized systems, and operate community-powered infrastructure with confidence. Understanding Core as both infrastructure and funding helps teams evaluate when this model fits their product and growth strategy.