Chainlink LINK

Chainlink (LINK) is a decentralized oracle platform that enables blockchain applications to securely access external data, offchain computation, other blockchains and traditional systems.

Chainlink operates through decentralized oracle networks (DONs), in which independent node operators retrieve, validate and deliver information or computation to smart contracts. Its services include Data Feeds, Data Streams, the Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), Automation, Verifiable Random Function (VRF), Functions and other infrastructure for onchain applications.

LINK is the native digital asset of the Chainlink Network. It is used to pay for Chainlink services, compensate network service providers and support cryptoeconomic security through staking. LINK uses the ERC-677 token standard, which extends ERC-20 functionality.

The LINK token was originally issued on Ethereum and can now be used across multiple supported blockchain networks. Chainlink itself is blockchain-agnostic rather than operating as a standalone Layer 1 blockchain.

LINK has a fixed total supply of 1 billion tokens. Chainlink's node software, developer documentation and research papers are publicly available, including the original 2017 Chainlink whitepaper and subsequent Chainlink 2.0 research.