Sui Foundation Backs DATA Network With $30 Million AI Infrastructure Investment
The Sui Foundation will invest $30 million in DATA Network as part of a strategic partnership that will bring the artificial intelligence data protocol into the Sui blockchain ecosystem. The agreement will also retire DATA Network’s independent blockchain and integrate its operations with Sui’s infrastructure.
The migration aims to strengthen the infrastructure used to collect, verify, license, and store data for AI training. DATA Network will operate as a native protocol on Sui, while Walrus, a decentralized data storage platform within the ecosystem, will become the default storage layer for applications operated by DATA Foundation.
The investment will make the Sui Foundation DATA Network’s largest institutional holder, alongside existing stakeholders PIP Labs and DATA Foundation.
DATA Network Prepares for Blockchain Migration
Under the agreement, DATA Network will discontinue its standalone blockchain after completing the transition to Sui. The existing DATA token will migrate to the Sui network at a one-to-one ratio, preserving the token supply conversion between the two networks.
However, the migration will not happen immediately. DATA Network will continue operating on its existing infrastructure until the transition is complete. The foundation plans to publish a detailed migration timeline and token-holder transition plan before the upgrade.
The move reflects a strategic shift toward using established blockchain infrastructure rather than maintaining a separate network. By joining Sui, DATA Network aims to expand its capabilities while connecting its AI data services with complementary storage technology.
Trace Registry Targets AI Training Data
DATA Foundation has increasingly focused on AI training data, moving away from its broader intellectual property infrastructure strategy earlier in 2026.
Its Trace registry records the origins of AI training data, documents associated usage rights, and facilitates payments to contributors. The system aims to help AI developers identify datasets they can use with greater confidence about ownership, permissions, and provenance.
According to the foundation, Trace has recorded more than 250 million contributions since launching in June 2026. It also processes an average of more than 3 million receipts daily, highlighting the scale of its data registration activity.
Walrus will provide the storage infrastructure for DATA Foundation applications. The integration is intended to strengthen data verification by linking provenance records with stored files, helping developers establish where training data originated and whether its use is authorized.
The partnership positions Sui to attract additional AI-focused activity while giving DATA Network access to a broader technology stack. Its longer-term impact will depend on the migration’s execution, continued adoption of Trace, and demand from AI developers seeking verifiable, rights-cleared training data.
