About The Graph (GRT)

The Graph Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of The Graph (GRT)?


The Graph (GRT) is a decentralized protocol designed to index and query data from blockchains, enabling the efficient and seamless retrieval of blockchain data without relying on centralized servers. This supports the creation of decentralized applications (dApps) that can operate with high integrity and transparency.




Which networks does The Graph currently support, and are more being added?


The Graph currently supports networks such as Ethereum, IPFS, and POA, with plans to expand support for additional blockchains to become a fully decentralized protocol for indexing and querying data from across blockchains. More networks are being added as the platform grows.




How does someone create and use a subgraph with The Graph?


To create and use a subgraph with The Graph, follow these steps: 1) Define the subgraph schema in a YAML file, specifying the smart contract events and entities it tracks. 2) Run the Graph CLI to initialize the subgraph project. 3) Write the subgraph's mapping in a supported programming language like AssemblyScript to process events. 4) Deploy the subgraph to a Graph Node. 5) Use GraphQL queries to retrieve data from the subgraph through The Graph's hosted service or a decentralized network of indexers.




What are some notable applications that use subgraphs from The Graph?


Some notable applications that use subgraphs from The Graph include decentralized finance platforms like Uniswap and Aave, governance platforms like Aragon, and marketplaces for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) such as Decentraland and OpenSea. These applications rely on The Graph for indexing and querying blockchain data efficiently.




Can you explain The Graph's growth in terms of queries and user adoption?


The Graph has experienced significant growth due to increased adoption by developers who use its protocols to query blockchain data efficiently. The platform expands as more decentralized applications and services integrate with it, leading to a rise in the number of queries processed. User adoption has been driven by The Graph's ability to offer reliable, fast access to blockchain data, which is critical for the functionality of many decentralized applications.




How is the global community involved with The Graph's testnet and Curator Program?


The global community participates in The Graph's testnet by running nodes, testing functionalities, and providing feedback to improve the network. In the Curator Program, community members help organize data by signaling on high-quality subgraphs, thus ensuring valuable data is easily accessible for developers.




What kinds of organizations and individuals have invested in The Graph?


A variety of entities have invested in The Graph, including influential venture capital firms, blockchain-focused investment funds, and key individuals within the crypto and blockchain community. Some notable investors include Union Square Ventures, Multicoin Capital, DTC Capital, and individuals like Coinbase Ventures, Framework, and ParaFi Capital.




Who are the founders of The Graph, and what are their backgrounds?


The Graph was founded by Yaniv Tal, Jannis Pohlmann, and Brandon Ramirez. Yaniv Tal, with a background in software engineering and product design, has focused on building developer tools and has been involved in the blockchain industry. Jannis Pohlmann comes from a background in software engineering with experience in open-source projects. Brandon Ramirez has expertise in research and engineering, with a focus on data science and decentralized systems.




What experience do The Graph's founders bring to the project?


The Graph's founders, Yaniv Tal, Jannis Pohlmann, and Brandon Ramirez, bring a wealth of experience in software engineering, blockchain technology, and entrepreneurship. Tal's background includes co-founding a developer tools startup and expertise in product design. Pohlmann has a strong foundation in open-source projects, building developer infrastructure, and holds an impressive track record in software development. Ramirez brings his experience as a software engineer and is skilled in technical research and development. Collectively, their diverse backgrounds contribute to The Graph's innovative approach to decentralized querying and data indexing for blockchains.




What makes The Graph unique compared to other indexing protocols?


The Graph is unique due to its decentralized protocol that enables the indexing and querying of blockchain data from networks like Ethereum. It relies on a global network of developers, indexers, and curators to ensure that data is processed efficiently and accurately. Additionally, The Graph utilizes GRT tokens to incentivize accurate data provision and align network participants’ economic interests, fostering a trustworthy ecosystem for data retrieval.




What role does the Graph Token (GRT) play within The Graph network?


The Graph Token (GRT) is used to coordinate work in The Graph network. It is staked by Indexers to provide indexing and query processing services, delegated by Delegators to contribute to the security of the network and signal which Indexers are trusted, and consumed by Consumers to pay for queries. GRT incentivizes participants to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and efficiency of the decentralized query processing.




How do Indexers, Curators, and Delegators earn income in The Graph ecosystem?


In The Graph ecosystem, Indexers earn income by processing queries and earning query fees and indexing rewards, Curators earn by signaling on high-quality subgraphs leading to a portion of query fees, and Delegators earn income by staking GRT tokens with Indexers and receiving a portion of the income generated by the Indexer.




What is the total supply of GRT coins, and what's the initial circulating supply?


The total supply of GRT coins is fixed at 10 billion GRT. The initial circulating supply was 1.245 billion GRT at the time of network launch.




What mechanisms are in place for The Graph network's security and integrity?


The Graph network ensures security and integrity through several mechanisms: Curators signal on high-quality subgraphs, Delegators choose Indexers based on performance, Indexers stake GRT tokens to participate and can be slashed for misbehavior, and arbitration is available through The Graph Council to resolve disputes and upgrade network protocols. These roles collectively contribute to a secure and reliable ecosystem.




How does The Graph facilitate efficient data pulling from blockchain sources?


The Graph uses a decentralized protocol for indexing and querying data from blockchains, called subgraphs. These subgraphs define which data The Graph will index from Ethereum and how it will store it, making it easy for developers to query the data they need with GraphQL without relying on centralized servers, ensuring efficient and reliable data retrieval.