Abstract: A method of trading data includes posting, in a data trading system, data information related to data that is located in a storage apparatus independent of the data trading system and available for purchase and receiving, from a purchaser device, a compensation for the data. The method also includes facilitating, at least partially through a smart contract on a blockchain, a transfer of the data directly from the storage apparatus to the purchaser device; and facilitating, at least partially through the smart contract on a blockchain, a transfer of the compensation from the data trading system to a provider account.