About Chainlink (LINK)
Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network developed to enable smart contracts to access external data, APIs, and off-chain systems in a secure and reliable manner. It addresses the challenge of connecting blockchain applications with real-world information by using a distributed network of node operators, referred to as oracles. Oracles provide data inputs to smart contracts and receive payments in LINK tokens depending on their participation and performance.
Chainlink protocol relies on a network of smart contracts to process data requests. A reputation contract verifies the performance history of oracles, an order-matching contract distributes work and processes bids, and an aggregating contract verifies the responses of the selected oracles before reporting the result to the requesting smart contract. The multi-layered structure is intended to maintain data correctness and integrity.
Chainlink is blockchain-agnostic and has been applied across various ecosystems. Its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) enables messaging and token transfer between blockchain networks. CCIP provides access to dozens of blockchains as of 2025 and has been widely deployed for a wide range of cross-chain applications.
The Chainlink network is also used beyond decentralized finance platforms, including for financial data, exchange rates, and other forms of off-chain data. These have required collaborating with private and public sector entities to facilitate the provision of trustworthy information to smart contracts.
Newest technological innovations include the launch of Off-Chain Reporting version 3 (OCR3), Multistream architecture, and high-frequency Data Streams, with the aim to facilitate throughput and scalability for those use cases that must have real-time data feeds.
Chainlink's native cryptocurrency is LINK token, and it has numerous functional applications within its decentralized oracle network. It primarily serves to pay node operators, or oracles, to harvest, validate, and report external data to smart contracts. By compensating suppliers of data with LINK, the network incentivizes timely and reliable supply of data. Chainlink staking enables both users and node operators to stake LINK as collateral in support of network security and receive possible performance-based rewards. The above protocol has not yet employed token vote-based governance, but upgradeability proposals in the future involve governance solutions that may possibly involve engaging LINK in vote-taking.
The circulating supply of LINK token is 678.09 million, with a total supply of 1 billion tokens.
LINK is listed on Binance for trade and purchase. LINK price is updated and available in real time on Binance.
