The Graph

The Graph (GRT) is an open-source indexing protocol that organises and serves data from blockchains and decentralised storage networks. Developers use the protocol to define subgraphs — open APIs that index contract events and onchain state — and query them through GraphQL, removing the need to run dedicated indexing infrastructure.

GRT is the network's native token and underpins its economic structure. Indexers stake GRT to provide indexing and query services. Curators stake GRT on subgraphs to signal their quality and earn a share of query fees. Delegators allocate GRT to indexers to support the network without running their own infrastructure. Consumers pay for queries in GRT, completing the loop between data producers and applications.

The Graph supports a wide range of networks, including Ethereum, several Layer 2 rollups and other Layer 1 chains. Within the broader landscape, the protocol occupies a foundational position among decentralised data and middleware projects, providing the indexing layer that many decentralised applications, analytics platforms and wallets depend on for fast access to onchain data.

Decentralised middleware projects provide the indexing, oracle and data services that applications need to function at scale, sitting between base-layer blockchains and end-user products. The Graph is part of this category, alongside oracle networks and storage protocols that share a focus on open infrastructure. Readers tracking how this layer evolves can explore broader trends across crypto and Web3.