Aleph.im (ALEPH) is an open-source crosschain network that aims to provide decentralized database services, including file storage, computing, and a decentralized identity (DID) framework. The core mission of Aleph.im is to assist decentralized apps and protocols in eliminating the centralized parts of their stack, thereby striving to achieve a fully decentralized architecture. Aleph.im can be likened to a decentralized version of AWS or Firebase, with a focus on enhancing the DeFi ecosystem. The ALEPH token serves multiple purposes within the network, including processing transactions, compensation for processing transactions and running nodes, and payment for storage and computing services.

Aleph.im operates as a blend of onchain and offchain decentralized technologies. Its decentralized network is offchain but can only be interacted with through blockchain networks, enabling key features such as security and advanced crypto-economics. Aleph.im is compatible with many blockchain projects, including Ethereum, Polkadot, and Cosmos. This compatibility allows any project building on these platforms to integrate with Aleph.im's decentralized database and file storage. Aleph.im also implements a channel mechanism that allows sharding, creating subnetworks with all the Aleph.im network features.

Aleph.im offers a wide range of potential use cases, particularly for decentralized apps (dApps) that aim to operate without centralized components. Aleph.im's decentralized network can replace centralized services such as AWS or Google Cloud for data storage and business logic. Some of the components of Aleph.im that developers can use include a decentralized database, IPFS storage for images and documents, virtual machines, and SDKs to interact with the Aleph network. Use cases range from decentralized exchange order books and document certification to KYC metadata, NFT metadata, document management, cloud storage, website hosting, real-time dApps, and social apps.

Aleph.im was created in 2018 by Jonathan Schemoul, also known as Moshe Malawach. Based in France, Moshe has been programming since childhood and has developed enterprise software across finance, supply chain, and other major industries before entering the blockchain space. He became a key contributor in the NULS community, building the explorer and the Proof of Credit Mining (POCM) system, among other things. Aleph.im did not hold an ICO. The initial minting process involved processing transactions with NULS tokens in the Proof of Credit Mining (POCM) platform, which compensated those who processed transactions in ALEPH tokens. The total token supply was reduced by half in July 2020. Tokens currently in circulation are intended for those who process transactions, node operators, liquidity providers, marketing, and company usage.