What Is The Graph (GRT)?
Also known as: Graph Protocol, GRT, The Graph Protocol
In short
The Graph is a decentralized protocol that indexes blockchain data so applications can access it quickly and in an organized way through GraphQL queries; the network's economic security and payments are provided through its native token, GRT.
Blockchains store data block by block; for an application to pull, for example, all of a user's past swap transactions directly from the chain is slow and laborious. The Graph solves this problem with subgraphs. A developer publishes a subgraph that defines which events of which smart contracts should be organized and how; indexers on the network process this data and make it queryable. Many DeFi applications and analytics dashboards display the data in their interfaces this way.
There are different roles on the network. Indexers run nodes by staking GRT and earn query fees and rewards. Curators signal which subgraphs are valuable; delegators delegate their GRT to indexers without running their own node and receive a share of rewards. The stake of indexers that serve incorrect data can be slashed.
The Graph also used to offer a centralized hosted service; over time, it shut down this service and moved usage to the decentralized network. The protocol supports many blockchains; however, data quality depends on indexers' performance and the accuracy of subgraph definitions.
Last updated: · This content is for information purposes only and is not investment advice.