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View ChartThe Graph (GRT) is the native token of The Graph, an open-source indexing protocol designed to organise and query blockchain data using the ERC-20 standard. Often described as the "Google of Blockchain," The Graph indexes data from networks such as Ethereum, POA, and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), grouping it into open APIs known as subgraphs. These subgraphs allow developers to retrieve on-chain information instantly and efficiently. GRT is used by network participants to allocate resources for indexing and curation services, ensuring the integrity of queried data. The project initially launched on Ethereum and introduced an initial token supply of 10 billion GRT in 2020, with the total supply set to increase by approximately 3% annually while an estimated 1% of tokens are removed from circulation each year.
The Graph was founded in 2018 by Yaniv Tal, Jannis Pohlmann, and Brandon Ramirez, who had previously worked together on several startups focused on creating developer tools. The project raised a total of $19.5 million in token sales since 2019, including $10 million from its October 2020 public sale. During this period, roughly 21% of the initial token supply of 10 billion GRT was sold to investors including Coinbase Ventures, Digital Currency Group, and Multicoin Capital. Detailed public information about the current core development team beyond the founders is currently limited.
The Graph functions as a decentralised protocol for indexing and querying blockchain data. Its first step in aggregating data happens through Graph Nodes, which continuously scan network blocks and smart contracts for information. When an application adds data to the blockchain through smart contracts, the Graph Node adds the data from these new blocks to its appropriate subgraphs. Because blockchains lack the native functionality to let users query and read on-chain data directly, The Graph solves this problem by indexing blockchain data for users to query using the GraphQL API. Since The Graph is an open-source project, users can publish their own open APIs, called subgraphs, for more efficient blockchain queries. Queries are posed by dapps through GraphQL, a widely used language originally created by Facebook to gather data for a user's news feed. Once the Graph Node extracts information, curators, indexers, and delegators contribute to organising data in the protocol, and this data can then be easily accessed by applications seeking information to run their software.
The Graph derives its value from its ability to ensure the successful execution of smart contracts that depend on the protocol. Most notably, GRT is the only cryptocurrency used for key network operations. Consumers who submit queries to indexers must pay a query fee denominated in GRT. Curators earn query fees for the subgraphs they signal, indexers earn a portion of the query fees and rewards from the protocol, and delegators earn part of the indexer fees for lending their GRT. Anyone who owns and stakes GRT tokens can participate in decisions affecting the software, voting on proposals for the rules that govern the platform's use, though delegators assign their voting rights to someone else to vote on their behalf. The Graph is already used by popular Ethereum dapps like Aave, Curve, Uniswap, CoinGecko, Decentraland, Instadapp, and Synthetix, demonstrating its practical utility in the broader blockchain ecosystem.
GRT serves multiple essential functions within The Graph ecosystem. It is used for network security, query fees, and governance. The token incentivises active participants including indexers, curators, and delegators. Consumers pay query fees in GRT to access indexed blockchain data. Any user, whether an indexer, curator, or delegator, must stake GRT to perform their roles and, in return, earn fees from the network. For example, Decentraland accesses The Graph's information to find land, accessories, and collectibles across applications and brings them into their marketplace, allowing users to purchase them from a central location. Developers use GRT to create subgraphs or use existing subgraphs in a DApp, while indexers operate nodes to index data and serve queries, curators organise data by signaling on subgraphs, and delegators secure the network by delegating GRT to indexers.
The Graph ecosystem is developing through the active participation of its four main network positions: developers, indexers, curators, and delegators. Developers create subgraphs or use existing subgraphs in DApps. Indexers operate nodes to index data and serve queries. Curators organise data by signaling on subgraphs. Delegators secure the network by delegating GRT to indexers. The protocol supports indexing across Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Arbitrum, and 60+ other networks, indicating broad multi-chain expansion. Popular Ethereum dapps like Aave, Curve, and Uniswap have adopted The Graph, and users wishing to stay connected on the current development of The Graph can bookmark their official blog for up-to-date details. The ecosystem continues to grow as more decentralised applications require efficient access to blockchain data.
GRT is not mined through traditional proof-of-work mining. Instead, participants earn GRT by staking and providing services within The Graph network. There are several ways to participate. Indexers operate a node to index data and serve queries, and they must stake GRT in order to provide these services. Curators attach GRT to the subgraphs they believe in and earn query fees for the subgraphs they signal. Delegators delegate GRT to indexers in order to contribute to running the network without installing a node, and they earn part of the indexer fees for lending their GRT. All users earn a portion of the network fees for their work, dependent on their role. This staking-based model ensures that participants have skin in the game and are incentivised to maintain the integrity of the data being indexed and queried.
Keeping your GRT safe requires following standard cryptocurrency security practices. Use a reputable hardware wallet for long-term storage of significant holdings, as it keeps your private keys offline and protected from online threats. For smaller amounts or active trading, consider using a well-regarded software wallet that supports ERC-20 tokens. Always enable two-factor authentication on any exchange account you use. Never share your private keys or seed phrase with anyone, and be cautious of phishing attempts that impersonate official The Graph communications. When staking GRT as a delegator, verify the reputation and track record of the indexer you choose, since delegating involves locking your tokens with that indexer. Additionally, keep your wallet software and firmware up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities.
GRT is listed on select exchanges. For a secure and liquid trading experience, using a major regulated platform like BTCC is recommended. To purchase GRT, follow these general steps. First, register a BTCC account by signing up using your email or mobile number and completing the KYC verification to unlock more features and benefits of the platform. Second, deposit funds by depositing fiat currency via bank transfer, card, or third-party payment, or transfer USDT from an external wallet into your BTCC account. Third, start trading by going to the trading page and searching for the spot trading pair GRT/USDT or the perpetual contract GRTUSDT. Fourth, place an order by entering the amount of GRT you wish to purchase and submitting the order; for contract trading, you can also choose to go short and adjust the leverage multiplier according to your strategy and risk tolerance. Finally, confirm your purchase by checking your personal account for spot purchases to see if the coins have arrived, or checking the trading page for contract trades to see if your order was filled successfully.
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TradeWhile The Graph (GRT), Covalent (CQT), and Chainlink (LINK) are all Web3 data infrastructures, each serves a distinct purpose:
| Project | The Graph (GRT) | Covalent (CQT) | Chainlink (LINK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Focus | Decentralized Subgraph indexing & GraphQL queries | Unified API service for raw multi-chain data | Decentralized Oracle network |
| Data Source | Custom Subgraphs extracting specific on-chain data | Structured raw data across supported blockchains | Connecting off-chain real-world data to smart contracts |
| Key Advantage | High customizability, strong dev ecosystem, AI data support | Ready to use without writing custom indexing logic | Maximum security, industry standard in DeFi liquidations |
| Token Utility | Staking, query fee payments, Curator signaling & governance | Network staking & cross-chain data query payments | Oracle node staking & service fee payments |
In summary: GRT is ideal for dApps requiring custom queries, CQT for quick access to raw historical data, and LINK for bringing off-chain data securely onto the blockchain.
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