DAT (later Hypercore Protocol) was designed for efficient, secure distribution of datasets over peer-to-peer networks. Using append-only logs, cryptographic hashes, and content addressing, it enabled verifiable data sharing without centralized servers. It was particularly well-suited for scientific data, archives, and collaborative datasets.

More broadly, DAT explored how data could move independently of location. By treating data as something you synchronize rather than request, it influenced later “local-first” and offline-capable systems. Its focus on simplicity and composability made it a foundational building block for peer-to-peer applications.