The Graph

The Graph is a decentralized protocol that indexes blockchain data, making it queryable through a GraphQL API. It powers many applications across the decentralized finance (DeFi) and broader web3 ecosystem. The Graph allows developers to build and publish open APIs, called subgraphs, that applications can use to retrieve data from blockchains like Ethereum and IPFS. This provides a standardized and efficient way for dApps to access the data they need, without having to interact directly with the underlying blockchain. The Graph's network is secured through the use of the GRT token. Indexers, who run the infrastructure to index blockchain data, must stake GRT to participate. Curators signal which subgraphs are valuable and also stake GRT. Delegators can stake GRT to support Indexers and share in the rewards. This economic incentive structure helps ensure the integrity and reliability of the data served through the network. To date, over 3,000 subgraphs have been deployed by thousands of developers, powering popular dApps like Uniswap, Synthetix, Aave, and many others. The Graph has seen rapidly growing usage, with over 7 billion queries in a single month as of late 2020.