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ShareWhat will you learn about The Graph (GRT)?
The Graph, established in 2018 by Yaniv Tal, Jannis Pohlmann, and Brandon Ramirez, emerges from their collective experience in collaborating on various startup ventures dedicated to developing developer tools.
Having amassed a sum of $19.5 million through token sales from 2019 onwards, notably securing $10 million in its public sale in October 2020, The Graph has seen approximately 21% of the initial 10 billion GRT token supply acquired by investors. Notable backers include Coinbase Ventures, Digital Currency Group, and Multicoin Capital.
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But besides that, What is the Graph (GRT), how can you buy this cryptocurrency and what is its usage of it? You will learn this in the following Blog.
What is The Graph (GRT)?
The Graph, an openly sourced software, serves the purpose of gathering, processing, and storing data from diverse blockchain applications to streamline information retrieval. Initially deployed on the Ethereum blockchain, The Graph is committed to aiding developers in leveraging pertinent data to enhance the effectiveness of their decentralized applications (dapps).
Functioning by scrutinizing and aggregating blockchain data, The Graph then organizes it into distinct indices known as Subgraphs. This unique architecture enables any application to submit a query to The Graph's protocol and receive an instantaneous response.
Dapps pose queries via GraphQL, a widely adopted language originally developed by Facebook for aggregating data in a user's news feed. Participants in The Graph's network, known as indexers and delegators, play pivotal roles in processing and transmitting data to end-users and applications.
The native cryptocurrency of The Graph, GRT, plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the secured data within the network. Whether indexers, curators, or delegators, every user must stake GRT to fulfill their roles and, in turn, earn fees from the network.
How Does The Graph (GRT) Work?
As decentralized finance (DeFi) gains momentum, The Graph protocol emerges as a pivotal player in the broader crypto landscape. This protocol empowers developers and network participants to harness public and open APIs, constructing subgraphs for diverse dApps and facilitating the querying, indexing, and collection of data. In April 2021 alone, The Graph's hosted service seamlessly processed an impressive 20 billion queries.
At the core of the network is the Graph Node, diligently scanning the blockchain database employed by network participants to meticulously organize data. GRT tokens serve as the medium of exchange, allowing developers and participants to pay for both using and creating a subgraph. Through effective data indexing, developers define the structure of data, specifying how it should be utilized by dApps. Indexers play a crucial role in establishing a decentralized market for queries, where consumers transact in GRT to access network services.
The network's architecture relies on the contributions of Delegators, Indexers, and Curators, who provide curation and indexing services in exchange for GRT tokens. This incentivizes market participants to continually enhance APIs and furnish accurate data. Within The Graph Network, consumers querying subgraphs can remunerate network participants in GRT tokens through a designated gateway. In this hierarchical structure, Indexers, as node operators, stake GRT tokens to enable seamless indexing and querying. Network users can build and utilize apps on Ethereum, IPFS, and PoA via GraphQL, with future accessibility to additional networks on the horizon.
The Graph debuted with an initial total supply of 10 billion GRT, and new tokens are generated as rewards for indexing. The annual GRT issuance rate, initially set at 3%, is subject to adjustments through future technical governance. Notably, The Graph adopts a mechanism where it burns the withdrawal tax imposed on curators and 1% of the total protocol query fees. The specifics of these actions are subject to future technical governance. Therefore, whether GRT evolves into an inflationary or deflationary asset hinges on the volume of queries processed by The Graph.
Calculating the product of the current price of The Graph and the number of GRT tokens in circulation yields The Graph's market cap. This metric not only defines the market rank of The Graph but also determines its market dominance within the cryptocurrency landscape.
How Can I Use The Graph (GRT)?
The essence of The Graph network lies in facilitating the seamless operation and development of decentralized applications (dApps) while also sourcing and utilizing data from various blockchain networks. The integral role played by the native token, GRT, is evident across all network participants, each with distinct purposes. GRT stands at the core of the network's reward system, motivating Indexers, Curators, and Delegators to enhance and concurrently manage the market.
Delegators, by staking their GRT tokens, entrust their holdings to Indexers who, in turn, utilize locked GRT to operate nodes on the network. Curators receive GRT rewards for their curation services, while Consumers, as active network users, make payments for index services using GRT. GRT tokens extend their utility by unlocking decentralized applications available through The Graph blockchain and interoperable networks. Participants within the network earn GRT as a form of monetary reward, and GRT itself is tradable on the cryptocurrency market.
How to Buy The Graph (GRT)?
Securing GRT through a quick and convenient process often entails involvement with a Cryptocurrency Exchange. With numerous exchanges in the market, the selection process is critical, taking into account factors common to all platforms. An optimal experience involves a swift transaction, user-friendliness for beginners, and minimal fees. In this context, the highly recommended choice is Cryptal, the trailblazing Georgian Cryptocurrency exchange.
Cryptal provides a streamlined process for acquiring GRT through two accessible methods: Convert and Spot Exchange.
- Convert: Cryptal's Convert function is a timely solution when speed is essential in a dynamic market. In the face of swiftly changing conditions, obtaining your tokens promptly becomes crucial.
The Convert function allows for the immediate exchange of GRT into diverse fiat assets, ensuring swift execution without requiring any prior experience. This feature caters to individuals in search of rapid transactions and those venturing into the realm of cryptocurrency for the first time.
- Spot Exchange: Operating as a dynamic marketplace, the Spot Exchange facilitates connections with fellow traders keen on buying or selling crypto, specifically GRT. In this setting, you take the initiative by placing a bid and awaiting approval for your Buy Order.
It's crucial to highlight that the Spot Exchange provides the distinct advantage of securing the best price, making it particularly well-suited for more seasoned traders who feel at ease navigating the intricacies of the trading environment.
How to store The Graph (GRT)?
The Graph (GRT) operates as an ERC-20 token, making it compatible with any crypto wallet that supports ETH and ERC-20 tokens. GRT holders have the flexibility to choose from a range of compatible wallets, including mobile, online, hardware, and desktop options.
For enhanced security and offline storage, some of the most popular hardware wallets suitable for GRT storage include Ledger Nano S and Trezor One. These options provide robust protection and backup features. However, they might be more suitable for experienced users with larger GRT holdings due to their cost and the technical knowledge required.
Alternatively, you can opt for the Cryptal Exchanges wallet, offering a secure storage solution without additional fees. Your crypto assets remain safely stored for as long as you desire, given Cryptal's support for ERC-20 and Ethereum-based wallets. This option provides a convenient choice for GRT holders looking for a reliable and cost-effective storage solution.