The central issue for cryptocurrency application is how do we make the whole system fast. The conventional way to do this is to build a storage system that can index all the data for all the users, but this comes with its own issues.
Here’s a big secret for you: there’s actually an indexing system that’s much better than the one that most people use today. In fact, the default indexing system that most people use today is just a baby step in the right direction. And if you’re looking for a giant leap forward, today’s the day you get to take your first step down a whole new path. Because here’s the thing: it’s not just a matter of having a good system—it’s a matter of having a fast system. Because a fast system means a fast indexing system. And a fast system is a good thing. Because a good indexing system means a fast indexing system.
It has become pretty clear that blockchains are the ultimate game changer of the past decade. But, what is blockchain? What can it do? What problems does it solve? And, more importantly, who cares?
One problem that the topic of our The Graph study is particularly interested in solving is how blockchains can better index, categorize, and search through their enormous troves of data. The definition of the term “graph” is “an instrument of recording,” and The Graph accomplishes just that inside a blockchain. The Graph is an indexing and querying protocol designed to service dApps and allow developers to store, manage, and retrieve data more effectively and quickly.
It all works thanks to its open-source APIs, unique indexing algorithms, and additional decentralization through the Web3 layer, which many dApps use. As a result, it will not only promise to substantially improve the speed of the numerous dApps now in use – which would normally take hours or more to query certain indexed data – but it will also vastly increase the usability of blockchains. So, let’s get right into our The Graph review to see whether they’re really innovative.
What Is The Graph, Exactly?
As previously stated, the Graph is an indexing system for more quickly searching data from blockchains. Most of The Graph’s concepts and technology are currently deployed on the Ethereum network, and have been adopted by a number of major dApps and services there, including Aave, Uniswap, Balancer, Synthetix, Decentraland, and others, demonstrating The Graph’s applicability in a variety of applications, from DeFi to NFTs (non-fungible tokens).
Because it requires maintaining, categorizing, and then providing data from blockchains, this takes a long time. The Graph effectively decentralizes Web3’s traditional query and API layer – a structure that is required to operate most new dApps – removing a significant barrier for developers. The developers of these dApps no longer have to choose whether to accept centralized data to improve the performance of their services or to forego it in order to create a more decentralized dApp.
What Is The Function Of The Graph?
As a result, the Graph allows users to query data that would otherwise be impossible to access directly. Certain questions may be simple to answer for the dApp in question. Other requests, such as those involving searching through specified dates and times or other lengthy strings of data, may take a long time for even the quickest dApps to respond to. This is due to the many complicated frameworks that surround conventional data cataloging and indexing methods.
There are other problems like as finality, chain reorganizations, and unconfirmed blocks to contend with. To address this, The Graph has developed a hosted solution that aids in the organization of blockchain data. These indexes are referred to as “subgraphs,” and they may be queried quickly using The Graph’s open-source GraphQL API. Anyone may simply create and publish subgraphs, which can subsequently be specified as specific event mappings or smart contract use, for example.
The Graph can learn how to correctly index Ethereum data using these parameters, which are known as’subgraph manifests.’ These manifests are immutable and therefore deterministic, allowing for repeatable and reliable searches. There are many additional advantages, including reduced costs and time for developers who previously had to build their own proprietary indexing servers, improved security and data dependability, and the addition of cross-chain compatibility.
The Most Important Players in the Graph
Earlier in our The Graph review, we said that their protocol is used by hundreds of dApps across Ethereum, with the Polygon, BSC (Binance Smart Chain), Avalanche, Fantom, Celo, xDAI, and POA networks joining the list. After learning how The Graph has developed a system that allows dApp developers to easily store, index, and retrieve data, we should shift our attention to all of the other important players in The Graph’s network who make it all happen…
Indexers — They stake GRT tokens (more on that later) in order to become protocol node operators, allowing them to offer indexing and querying processing services. Indexers may be paid for searching data as well as get extra compensation for their efforts.
Curators – These are subgraph developers, data consumers, volunteers, or community members who inform the Indexers about which APIs should be indexed by the protocol, and who may be paid for their efforts in helping to curate data on The Graph.
Delegators are those who are in charge of other people. Delegators may delegate GRT tokens to node validators (Indexers), who would otherwise want to help secure and power the network but are unable to operate a full node by themselves, similar to a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (dPoS) system.
Consumers – The Graph’s protocol’s end users, who may query subgraphs for answers or data, and pay a query price to the Indexers, Curators, and Delegators in exchange for their services.
What Else Might The Graph Be Able To Do?
They do offer additional goods and services, apart from building open-source APIs for dApp developers and creating a complete worldwide indexing solution for blockchains. One of them is Graph Explorer, which allows you to examine the numerous online subgraphs while also allowing you to freely engage with the protocol. The Subgraph Studio, on the other hand, allows developers to build and publish subgraphs as well as different API keys.
In our study of The Graph, we mentioned the GRT tokens, which are subgraphs. GRT is an ERC-20 utility token based on Ethereum, and it has a variety of applications inside the Graph that we should investigate before moving on. The Graph’s GRT tokens may be used in a variety of ways inside its indexing protocol…
Indexers must stake a certain number of GRT tokens to set up and operate a node to verify block generation and validation for all transactions on the network, as we learnt previously.
Deposit – Curators must deposit GRT tokens into a bonding curve in order to get access to the ability to indicate which subgraphs should be indexed. They may then be paid in GRT for a part of the inquiry fees.
Delegation — Delegators may contribute to the network by delegating GRT tokens to pre-selected Indexers. In exchange, they will get a share of the querying costs as well as extra indexing incentives.
Consumers and developers will be obliged to pay specified fees to the Indexers, Curators, and Delegators who help operate the protocol when they utilize The Graph’s indexing and querying services.
What Are The Native GRT Cryptocurrency Tokens of The Graph?
The GRT coin is The Graph’s native cryptocurrency, as we’ve previously seen. We’ve also spoken about how GRT may be utilized to offer indexing and querying services, as well as serve as a motivator for network members. Those costs, however, are assessed using a metered use model and specialized payment processors. At work, there is also a rebate pool that pays all network users depending on their total network contributions.
Staked GRT tokens include a freezing mechanism that may be used to slash them if Indexers are shown to be malevolent by providing data erroneously, deliberately, or otherwise. The Graph’s tokenomics are as follows: the first main-net launch is limited at 10-billion GRT tokens, but future token issuance is subject to a 3% inflation rate in the form of indexing incentives. The Graph conducted a fundraising round and an initial coin offering (ICO) in mid-2020, raising $7.5 million and $12 million, respectively.
A burning mechanism is also in place, in which a part of the query fees – approximately 1% of the overall payments in the network – is burned. The withdrawal tax received from Curators and Delegators who want to withdraw their GRT tokens will be burned as well. GRT is worth $0.653925 at the time of writing The Graph review. GRT has a market value of $1,895,010,767, with a circulating supply of 2,897,903,422 GRT (out of a total of 10,057,044,431 GRT after inflation), making it the 48th most valuable token.
Conclusion And A Roadmap For The Future
At the time of writing, The Graph had a rush of fresh announcements, including the purchase of StreamingFast, a multi-chain development platform, and the revelation that its curation program is now available to the general public. There are now over 2,000 Curators and 210 Indexers working across the globe. This comes on top of efforts to improve the indexing system’s already fast performance, such as enabling developers to query completely secured data.
The Graph seems to be doing well so far, having hosted and processed more than 20 billion requests as of April 2021, a 20x increase in less than a year since its launch in June 2020. It’s incredible to watch The Graph’s rapid growth in such a short period of time, proving that organized and fast indexing (and querying) systems like The Graph’s are in great demand right now as blockchains pursue broad adoption.
Review of the Graph
- Tokenomics model and monetary capacities
- Long-term viability and roadmap revisions
- Effortless integration and ease of usage
- Technology, feature sets, and overall solutions
- The purpose and values of the project
Pros
- For dApp developers to store, manage, and query data, this is a very quick and efficient indexing system.
- Its’subgraphs’ (or open APIs) are open-source, programmable, and readily accessible.
- Allows dApp developers to save money by eliminating the need to build and maintain specialized indexing systems.
- Improves data querying and data management dependability, performance, and security.
- Interoperability between dApps and data across various blockchain networks is possible.
- Is already extensively accepted and utilized in a variety of dApps, including DeFi, NFTs, governance systems, markets, and social network dApps.
Cons
- The on-chain structure isn’t as streamlined as it could be, with features such as the thawing process adding cost and complexity to network members.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solana the fastest blockchain?
Solana is not the fastest blockchain.
Why is Solana faster?
Solana is a more advanced AI than the other bots.
What is the fastest block chain?
The fastest block chain is the one thats currently running on your computer.
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